Software Development
Software Bugs, Crawling Everywhere
Software developers have a wonderful explanation for why there are so, so many software bugs. Unfortunately, it’s a highly technical explanation that’s very difficult for the layman to understand. I’ll try to summarize, but be aware that the following is a gross oversimplification. The root problem is that software is complex. And it’s not just [...]
Too Late, the Code Is Already Written
One way to deal with poor communication on a software project is simply to ignore the people around you and do what you wanted to do anyhow. Of course, this strategy can backfire, especially if you don’t know what you’re doing. But in that case, you probably won’t know enough to notice it backfiring, so [...]
7 Best Things About Being a Consulting Software Developer
I ran across the video below at the SDLC blog: “Hug a developer… They’re in terrible pain.” This came at an significant time for me, because I too have been working on a project that is quite painful for me. It’s painful, because I saw the disaster coming, because I warned about it, because I [...]
Top 10 Most Bizarre Programming Languages Ever Created
From NETTUTS, a humorous summary of 10 bizarre programming languages, namely: Ook! Piet Whitespace LOLCODE Shakespeare Befunge reMorse FALSE Whenever l33t The conclusion one draws from this list is unmistakable and undeniable: There are programmers in the world who have far too much free time on their hands! -TimK
More Reasons to Avoid SourceSafe
I’m helping out with a project I used to work on, one in an organization that uses SourceSafe to manage its source code. Fortunately, this time, I don’t have to deal with SourceSafe this time. All I have to do is to submit my diffs against a baseline, and someone else will have to deal [...]
Proof That Programming Language Trivia Is Stupid
As reported in the New York Times: When older people can no longer remember names at a cocktail party, they tend to think that their brainpower is declining. But a growing number of studies suggest that this assumption is often wrong. Instead, the research finds, the aging brain is simply taking in more data and [...]
New Website about Software Engineering & Custom Web Development
Just a quick note: I’ve started a new website at JTSE.com about software engineering and custom web development. Like most of my sites, it’s a blog (or pseudo-blog), and there’s an RSS feed. If you’re interested in software-development topics (especially if you subscribed to this blog back when I was talking a lot more about [...]
You Know You’re an Old Fogey Software Engineer When…
Today, I came to a realization. I’m now officially an Old Fogey Software Engineer. You know, like those narrow-minded, intolerant, old-time veterans of the field I used to look down on when I was but a young Whippersnapper. They were so limited in their view, only being able to do what they have always done, [...]
Does Bad Writing Reflect Poor Programming Skills?
Writing is a communication skill. And they say that communication skills and the other soft skills are what programmers need today. Effective developers don’t work alone. They work with others in a team. And a team member needs to communicate with the other team members to be effective. It’s like playing football. No one person [...]
Seven Truths of Good Code
What is “good” code? Some define it as “beautiful.” Some equate it with experience. Some with cleverness. Some can’t tell you what it is. Others know it when they see it. For me, “good” means maintainable. Good code, yes, has grace and beauty. But what makes it worthwhile is that it’s easy to work with. [...]