View Full Version : Becoming a better programmer
jiinjoo
14-02-2004, 04:48 PM
I thought it was interesting that our local newspapers actually publish an article like that - simple and yet so easily forgotten. I thought this is an interesting read...
http://www.star-techcentral.com/tech/story.asp?file=/2004/2/12/itfeature/7263738&sec=itfeature
A number of interesting quotes from the article:
To save yourself invaluable time spent on constructing the solution again, you should build your own database or catalogue of bugs and their respective solutions. Every time you need to fix an identical bug, all you have to do is to look for the code in your database and reuse it.
Programmers are a helpful lot. Most of them are very eager to share their knowledge. Many enthusiastic programmers savour a good challenge. Pose them a fairly tough problem and they will be very keen to explore different solutions with you.
A good programmer delivers a program that works and is popularly used.
And this is the best
Have grand ideas for your work even if you are only writing a small program.
Any more suggestions to add on to the list?
jiinjoo
14-02-2004, 04:48 PM
I thought it was interesting that our local newspapers actually publish an article like that - simple and yet so easily forgotten. I thought this is an interesting read...
http://www.star-techcentral.com/tech/story.asp?file=/2004/2/12/itfeature/7263738&sec=itfeature
A number of interesting quotes from the article:
To save yourself invaluable time spent on constructing the solution again, you should build your own database or catalogue of bugs and their respective solutions. Every time you need to fix an identical bug, all you have to do is to look for the code in your database and reuse it.
Programmers are a helpful lot. Most of them are very eager to share their knowledge. Many enthusiastic programmers savour a good challenge. Pose them a fairly tough problem and they will be very keen to explore different solutions with you.
A good programmer delivers a program that works and is popularly used.
And this is the best
Have grand ideas for your work even if you are only writing a small program.
Any more suggestions to add on to the list?
mrkikilala
15-02-2004, 12:53 AM
IMHO....
in the not so far future... we are going to view computer programmers the same way as we view car mechanics. I gasp when a mechanic casually disassembled my car bit-by-bit the same way an IT-illiterate person would panic when chunks of code appear on their Windows pc.
Both profession can be very technical in nature but the people in those field are just too numerous. At least not yet in de software dev world. If you noticed nearly anywan can program, but of couse there will still b good programmers around. Good programmers will b absorped into mult-nationals for R&D the same way great automotive engineers r taken in by BMW n Merc. The leftovers will have to make to do as mechanics, they r so-so but quite good n left to toil in workshops the same way programmers will b found in local software houses that are springing up everywhere. Both will b undesirable despite being in "glamour" industries.
I'm not an anti-ICT freak, in fact i've work in the software industry. Hmm.. juz my personal observation on the direction of proramming. It should slowly evolve into a universal skill.
mrkikilala
15-02-2004, 12:53 AM
IMHO....
in the not so far future... we are going to view computer programmers the same way as we view car mechanics. I gasp when a mechanic casually disassembled my car bit-by-bit the same way an IT-illiterate person would panic when chunks of code appear on their Windows pc.
Both profession can be very technical in nature but the people in those field are just too numerous. At least not yet in de software dev world. If you noticed nearly anywan can program, but of couse there will still b good programmers around. Good programmers will b absorped into mult-nationals for R&D the same way great automotive engineers r taken in by BMW n Merc. The leftovers will have to make to do as mechanics, they r so-so but quite good n left to toil in workshops the same way programmers will b found in local software houses that are springing up everywhere. Both will b undesirable despite being in "glamour" industries.
I'm not an anti-ICT freak, in fact i've work in the software industry. Hmm.. juz my personal observation on the direction of proramming. It should slowly evolve into a universal skill.
chenchow
15-02-2004, 12:46 PM
That is a very good article~! Thanks jiinjoo for sharing it... After reading it, it gives me a lot of reflections on coding. Although I don't do much coding, reflecting back all the basic lessons of programming I have learned, I can more and more realize that what is preached to me, is really true...
chenchow
15-02-2004, 12:46 PM
That is a very good article~! Thanks jiinjoo for sharing it... After reading it, it gives me a lot of reflections on coding. Although I don't do much coding, reflecting back all the basic lessons of programming I have learned, I can more and more realize that what is preached to me, is really true...
hmmm a catalog full of bugs .. what a buggy catalog :P .. just a suggestion .. to catch a bug, put traps .. I'm not kidding! ... if somehow a program you code doesn't work, don't segan2 to put "variable-printing" codes here and there ... print out those cryptic variables to the screen and see where do they go wrong ...
hmmm a catalog full of bugs .. what a buggy catalog :P .. just a suggestion .. to catch a bug, put traps .. I'm not kidding! ... if somehow a program you code doesn't work, don't segan2 to put "variable-printing" codes here and there ... print out those cryptic variables to the screen and see where do they go wrong ...
DecentMerson
15-02-2004, 05:31 PM
documentation..... and labelling....
try to put and group all ur files and put it into a folder so that u can retrieve it at ur fingertips if u need it next time..
and another basic thing is to save ur work all the time..... then back up with diskette (better keep 2 copies), thumb drive or a cd-rw
just 1 question, can u still find 1.44mb floppy diskette in the states? if yes, izzit more expensive than a cd-r? and how much is a cd-r??? :?:
DecentMerson
15-02-2004, 05:31 PM
documentation..... and labelling....
try to put and group all ur files and put it into a folder so that u can retrieve it at ur fingertips if u need it next time..
and another basic thing is to save ur work all the time..... then back up with diskette (better keep 2 copies), thumb drive or a cd-rw
just 1 question, can u still find 1.44mb floppy diskette in the states? if yes, izzit more expensive than a cd-r? and how much is a cd-r??? :?:
__earth
15-02-2004, 05:49 PM
who need a disk when you have the internet?
seriously, the internet is replacing disk. even the zip disk, especially when the WiFi is coming around.
I myself have never touched a 1.44 disk for like eternity.
__earth
15-02-2004, 05:49 PM
who need a disk when you have the internet?
seriously, the internet is replacing disk. even the zip disk, especially when the WiFi is coming around.
I myself have never touched a 1.44 disk for like eternity.
jiinjoo
16-02-2004, 03:08 AM
Newer generation of disk will be plugged in to your USB port, looks like a small fat pen these days, some of which even have biometric encyption that requires your fingerprint to decrypt the data in the disk (so that if you drop it somewhere, people can't get the information). Who needs disk? Beats me... :roll:
About "printf"s. I'm not a fan of debugger myself eventhough i know that it is possible to be very efficient with a debugger (especially those GUI kind). Hard thing is knowing how to put printfs to find your bug. Some languages don't come with detail compilers - especially those that doesn't even give you a line number when things go bad. :?
The other problem I used to face is that I don't know what's the error message is saying. Having cyptic compilers is way too cool for me. An example: a syntax error reported on a given line sometimes have nothing to do with the code on that line itself. It is (my experience) 50% of the time leaving out a closing brace somewhere before the line, occasionally WAY up in the program. The trick here is to use editors that help you indent your code and balance paranthesis (or make it a habit to type open close before writing anything inside). :wink:
Therefore I think the "bag of bugs" the writer was suggesting is actually "bag of tricks" that can be used to trace bugs, and then how to solve it. Having it in your head is great if you continuously use it (just like your math formulas... speaking of which I'm having a hard time doing differentiation these days...) - but like most of us who write programs once in a while - writing down the "lesson" learnt helps a great deal. :)
jiinjoo
16-02-2004, 03:08 AM
Newer generation of disk will be plugged in to your USB port, looks like a small fat pen these days, some of which even have biometric encyption that requires your fingerprint to decrypt the data in the disk (so that if you drop it somewhere, people can't get the information). Who needs disk? Beats me... :roll:
About "printf"s. I'm not a fan of debugger myself eventhough i know that it is possible to be very efficient with a debugger (especially those GUI kind). Hard thing is knowing how to put printfs to find your bug. Some languages don't come with detail compilers - especially those that doesn't even give you a line number when things go bad. :?
The other problem I used to face is that I don't know what's the error message is saying. Having cyptic compilers is way too cool for me. An example: a syntax error reported on a given line sometimes have nothing to do with the code on that line itself. It is (my experience) 50% of the time leaving out a closing brace somewhere before the line, occasionally WAY up in the program. The trick here is to use editors that help you indent your code and balance paranthesis (or make it a habit to type open close before writing anything inside). :wink:
Therefore I think the "bag of bugs" the writer was suggesting is actually "bag of tricks" that can be used to trace bugs, and then how to solve it. Having it in your head is great if you continuously use it (just like your math formulas... speaking of which I'm having a hard time doing differentiation these days...) - but like most of us who write programs once in a while - writing down the "lesson" learnt helps a great deal. :)
jagganatha
19-02-2004, 09:17 PM
Hmm.. good question Decent Merson. Was thinking of that too ?
Well to store files, the Net does become a good ally especially with sites such as x-drive and streamload but server breakdown is always a possibility. I still prefer diskettes or cd-r's
jagganatha
19-02-2004, 09:17 PM
Hmm.. good question Decent Merson. Was thinking of that too ?
Well to store files, the Net does become a good ally especially with sites such as x-drive and streamload but server breakdown is always a possibility. I still prefer diskettes or cd-r's
littlebigone
19-02-2004, 10:32 PM
i just went home to Malaysia and the thumb drives seem to be the in thing rite now. Most computer cases are moded so as to have a usb port that's easily accessible. Also, I noticed that many computers had card readers. Maybe the reason is the internet is still very slow in Malaysia.
littlebigone
19-02-2004, 10:32 PM
i just went home to Malaysia and the thumb drives seem to be the in thing rite now. Most computer cases are moded so as to have a usb port that's easily accessible. Also, I noticed that many computers had card readers. Maybe the reason is the internet is still very slow in Malaysia.
Maybe the reason is the internet is still very slow in Malaysia.
totally snail speed :D
Maybe the reason is the internet is still very slow in Malaysia.
totally snail speed :D
Schye
20-02-2004, 10:29 AM
Well to store files, the Net does become a good ally especially with sites such as x-drive and streamload but server breakdown is always a possibility. I still prefer diskettes or cd-r's
Is there any FREE site for this? (other then yahoo groups etc :P)
Schye
20-02-2004, 10:29 AM
Well to store files, the Net does become a good ally especially with sites such as x-drive and streamload but server breakdown is always a possibility. I still prefer diskettes or cd-r's
Is there any FREE site for this? (other then yahoo groups etc :P)
DecentMerson
20-02-2004, 03:23 PM
Maybe the reason is the internet is still very slow in Malaysia.
totally snail speed :D
actually the broadband.... and the adsl(384kbps & 512s) is catching up really quick....
Streamyx Telekom is trying hard to reduce the price....and it is one of the lowest price/megabyte in the region.....bcoz of the unlimited package of course...
hotspots are growing too.. I'm now at one! :P at starbucks carrefour subang jaya for free....
but way to go...
DecentMerson
20-02-2004, 03:23 PM
Maybe the reason is the internet is still very slow in Malaysia.
totally snail speed :D
actually the broadband.... and the adsl(384kbps & 512s) is catching up really quick....
Streamyx Telekom is trying hard to reduce the price....and it is one of the lowest price/megabyte in the region.....bcoz of the unlimited package of course...
hotspots are growing too.. I'm now at one! :P at starbucks carrefour subang jaya for free....
but way to go...
DecentMerson
20-02-2004, 03:26 PM
one more thing..... i'm asking the floppy disk question bcoz thumb drive is really expensive....hehe....but really useful.....
anyway, not only thumbdrive is going hot..... anything usb is in heat..... usb is really cool.....
DecentMerson
20-02-2004, 03:26 PM
one more thing..... i'm asking the floppy disk question bcoz thumb drive is really expensive....hehe....but really useful.....
anyway, not only thumbdrive is going hot..... anything usb is in heat..... usb is really cool.....
jiinjoo
20-02-2004, 03:55 PM
Yah - broadband should public good :)
I heard Wireless Broadband is coming soon to areas that streamyx's cables can't reach, at a price less than RM88 - keep a watch out for that!
I'll vote for any party that will make broadband available like telephone / electricity! 8) yeah..
Speaking of which, since election is closing, if you haven't register to vote yet faster go do it - before the claim "system overload" again...
jiinjoo
20-02-2004, 03:55 PM
Yah - broadband should public good :)
I heard Wireless Broadband is coming soon to areas that streamyx's cables can't reach, at a price less than RM88 - keep a watch out for that!
I'll vote for any party that will make broadband available like telephone / electricity! 8) yeah..
Speaking of which, since election is closing, if you haven't register to vote yet faster go do it - before the claim "system overload" again...
screw3d
20-02-2004, 10:58 PM
Floppy drives are still going to be around for a while, although not for storage purposes. I still use floppies for BIOS recovery.. installing SATA drivers, emergency booting etc. It still has it uses (my floppy drive isn't even installed now but I know I'll still need it one day :)).
Of course you can use CD-Rs or thumb drives for that - it's faster/more convenient/bigger capacity but the problem is, there are still older systems that cannot boot from USB or CDs - back to that piece of plastic and mylar. :S
But yeah we are indeed spoiled by 10Mbit lines (per person!!) of the university housing. For net storage, look for free webhosting accounts (not Geocities/Tripod crap) that offers proper shell access/ftp etc. If you choose right, the uptimes are pretty darn impressive!
screw3d
20-02-2004, 10:58 PM
Floppy drives are still going to be around for a while, although not for storage purposes. I still use floppies for BIOS recovery.. installing SATA drivers, emergency booting etc. It still has it uses (my floppy drive isn't even installed now but I know I'll still need it one day :)).
Of course you can use CD-Rs or thumb drives for that - it's faster/more convenient/bigger capacity but the problem is, there are still older systems that cannot boot from USB or CDs - back to that piece of plastic and mylar. :S
But yeah we are indeed spoiled by 10Mbit lines (per person!!) of the university housing. For net storage, look for free webhosting accounts (not Geocities/Tripod crap) that offers proper shell access/ftp etc. If you choose right, the uptimes are pretty darn impressive!
littlebigone
22-02-2004, 02:19 AM
actually the broadband.... and the adsl(384kbps & 512s) is catching up really quick....
Streamyx Telekom is trying hard to reduce the price....and it is one of the lowest price/megabyte in the region.....bcoz of the unlimited package of course...
hotspots are growing too.. I'm now at one! :P at starbucks carrefour subang jaya for free....
but way to go...
yes it's catching on really quick...too quick in fact. In melaka, if you're not within a 5 km radius of a node, they won't let u get the line. There's been too much of an overload...don't know if it's still happening now. But that was the case while I was back home.
But even with streamyx...it still feels like dialup to me. :P
littlebigone
22-02-2004, 02:19 AM
actually the broadband.... and the adsl(384kbps & 512s) is catching up really quick....
Streamyx Telekom is trying hard to reduce the price....and it is one of the lowest price/megabyte in the region.....bcoz of the unlimited package of course...
hotspots are growing too.. I'm now at one! :P at starbucks carrefour subang jaya for free....
but way to go...
yes it's catching on really quick...too quick in fact. In melaka, if you're not within a 5 km radius of a node, they won't let u get the line. There's been too much of an overload...don't know if it's still happening now. But that was the case while I was back home.
But even with streamyx...it still feels like dialup to me. :P
Randomphantom
30-04-2004, 01:42 AM
I'm so eager to get my hands on a USB drive but they don't come cheap here... for now I have to settle by burning CDs.
10Mbit lines... drool...streamyx is usually slowmyx for me. Heard that the timenet broadband is coming to town... more competition, thats good news for all then.
dyenne10
04-08-2004, 09:54 AM
hi guys..i am doing some project on sms and wap push..
i need some guide in how to upload file/pictures to server using perl script...
one more..how do i start to write wml in perl..
pls reply anybody knows..instantly
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