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The Hard-Core Coder

~ I just can't stop writing code!

The Hard-Core Coder

Tag Archives: computer programmers

PF.exe

10 Sunday Nov 2019

Posted by Wyrd Smythe in Stories

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

computer programmers, computer programming, text, text file

Programmers, like carpenters, are builders — we make things. The work can be for pay, but carpenters, for example, can build their own bookshelves and doghouses. Programmers also make software for themselves, sometimes to amuse, sometimes to provide a useful function.

A few of the apps I created for myself over the years turned out to be major workhorses for me — tools I used frequently. One of the earliest was PF.EXE, my Process File utility.

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Knowing Where To Bang

02 Wednesday Aug 2017

Posted by Wyrd Smythe in Stories

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

computer programmers, computer programming, debugging, old joke, Python, Python code, tips

Sometimes ya gotta laugh. I just spent nearly an hour chasing one of those bugs that “can’t be happening” because “the code looks absolutely correct (as far as I can tell).” Of course, the bug, once you find it, was always hiding in plain view.

This time the fix involved adding just two characters, incidentally improving the program semantics, and very much reminded me of the old joke about the huge cargo ship that breaks down at sea…

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Rule #4: Comment As You Go!

05 Monday Oct 2015

Posted by Wyrd Smythe in CS101

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

computer code, computer programmers, computer programming, programming language, real programmers, software development

There is a common tendency, as we crank out code, to think that we’ll come back later and write some really good comments — comments that future reviewers will view with admiration for their clarity, completeness, and humor. But if we’re honest we have to admit: Later never comes. We never go back and write those great comments. Often we don’t write any comments at all other than some placeholder we might dash off at the time.

Which is why Rule #4: Comment As You Go!

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Getting to the Next Hill

23 Monday Jun 2014

Posted by Wyrd Smythe in CS101

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

computer programmers, computer programming, project estimation, project management, software design, software development

Last week I took my car in for scheduled service, and when I asked how long it might take, the guy said it was specified as one-and-a-half hours of labor. He could do that because there are thousands upon thousands of data points where a competent mechanic has performed that exact service, so there is a very clear idea how long it takes.

But ask a researcher how long it will take to find what they’re looking for, and the answer is usually, “I have no idea. I’ll know after I find it.” The path a researcher follows is usually new and unexplored, so it’s impossible to predict how long the path actually is.

Creating new software is much more like research than auto service, because it involves traveling unknown ground. Despite this, software development managers often act as if new development is predictable.

It often isn’t!

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Write a Formal Letter

10 Tuesday Jun 2014

Posted by Wyrd Smythe in CS101

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

code clarity, computer programmers, computer programming, readable code

Think of writing code as you think of writing a formal letter.

When you write a formal letter, you have two goals: you have a message to communicate, and you must follow the protocol of a formal letter. Your message comes through when your writing is clear and good. Following the protocol is a matter of knowing and following some syntax rules.

A message + formal syntax. The result is a document with a context.

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Rule #3: Don’t Ignore Warnings

13 Tuesday May 2014

Posted by Wyrd Smythe in CS101

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

compiling code, computer programmer, computer programmers, computer programming, errors, Java, software development, warnings

There have been times when, working on other people’s code, one of the first things that pops up is that their code generates thousands of warnings. I’m not exaggerating the number; there have been at least two times I can recall where someone’s code set generated that many warnings. And both times, the code set wasn’t all that large (only tens of thousands of lines).

Which leads us to Rule #3: Don’t ignore warnings!

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Heartbleed bug

14 Monday Apr 2014

Posted by Wyrd Smythe in Opinion

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Tags

computer programmers, computer programming, Doug Linder, heartbeat, heartbleed bug, OpenSSL

The heartbleed bug has been in the news lately. Rightfully so; it’s a pretty big deal, at least in theory. How much damage is practically possible and how much damage may have occurred is unknown so far. But the potential security hole is enormous!

Two things really stand out about this bug: Firstly, attackers get (potentially) vast amounts of internal computer data while leaving no record. Secondly, the bug is a simple error caused by, metaphorically speaking, not looking both ways when crossing a one-way street.

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The Universal Answer

10 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by Wyrd Smythe in Opinion

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

computer programmer, computer programmers, computer programming, computer science, it depends, software design, The Universal Answer, Universal Answer

At some point it strikes you. For some it  happens early in Computer Science class after hearing a professor say it for the umpteenth time. For others it happens when hearing it come from their own mouths for the umpteenth time. The Universal Answer to any (and all) computer (science) question(s).

“It depends.”

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Real Programmers

07 Friday Mar 2014

Posted by Wyrd Smythe in Fun

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

cartoons, computer programmers, Friday, humor, real programmers

A little fun for a Friday; here’s one of my favorite programmer cartoons!

RealProgrammers

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Naming Things

04 Tuesday Mar 2014

Posted by Wyrd Smythe in CS101

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

computer programmers, computer programming, function names, readable code, variable names

One of the things that programmers do a bazillion times during their career is come up with a name for something. Every variable, every sub-routine, every class, every method, every instance, even the program itself and all its supporting files: they all need names. In some cases the naming is obvious and easy, but in others it’s complicated. You can end up creating a big ball of mud if go about it casually.

So one thing you want to start doing is being intentional about naming things.

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Wyrd Smythe

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The canonical fool on the hill watching the sunset and the rotation of the planet and thinking what he imagines are large thoughts.

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