into Great Software Teams
I wanted to quit writing software for good. Nevertheless, I coded. And I still do. I've been a software developer for 3 years then. And I totally didn't feel like getting up and going to work. I struggled with my tasks and worked much slower than I used to. I tried to look for another … Continue reading Nevertheless, I coded…
There are only two hard problems in Computer Science: cache invalidation and naming things. - Phil Karlton We name and name and name. We name variables, functions, arguments, classes, source files, and the directories. Proper naming makes the code easier to read. Intention-revealing names The right name tells you why the variable, function or class … Continue reading What is the purpose of this code?
You can probably come up with a bunch of answers: the computer, the client, the cloud, the company... But first and foremost you write code for other developers. And for your future self. I mean, the computer will understand anything you write (as long as it compiles). And it'll behave in the exact way you … Continue reading Who do you write the code for?
If you were hit by a bus tomorrow... If you were hit by a bus tomorrow (knock on wood) would your project get stuck? I still remember when one I worked on did. Well, I wasn't exactly hit by the bus, but from the project standpoint, it was close enough. We worked on an important … Continue reading If you were hit by a bus tomorrow would your project be dead in the water?
I made an estimate... I took part in many projects, but there is one I particularly remember... As soon as I joined the team technical lead gave me a white paper with requirements and asked for estimates of a new functionality. Totally new. I was asked to estimate a chunk of the system (I had … Continue reading Estimates & different points of view. Business vs developers
It's not the ink—it's the think “It's not the ink—it's the think,” wrote Robert Mankoff (New Yorker cartoon editor), answering to the question how to get ideas for cartoons by people who want to submit them to The New Yorker. "There really is no trick—you just have to think of them" he said. It's the same in creating … Continue reading Inking and thinking in software development
New Project: Potato Coding Adventure I've started a new project this week. I wrote about it here. My friend (we call her The Potato) and I decided, however, that we want to write the blog together. That's why it's the last post in Java Learning Path in the JumpStart Blog. I'll be leading the way … Continue reading Join The Potato Coding Adventure!
Object Oriented Programming In Java, you can write code that represents real objects. It's called OOP = Object Oriented Programming. If the programming is object oriented it must have objects. You object is a calculator. In real life, you also have an object that is known as a calculator. Object Objects in Java can easily map to … Continue reading First hut on the trail: Basics of Object Oriented Programming (OOP)
Last Sunday I've talked to a friend. She just recently picked up Java. We're about to start a learning experiment: she is going to learn how to write code in Java, I'm going to help. Work out a plan and set up exercises. I decided to blog about what we're doing here. The "learning" posts will be visible … Continue reading Jump Start into Java Learning Path
You have the code. What now? I know it may be overwhelming. You did a couple of steps and you may not be sure why. I was like this once too. I still remember when I was asked to set up my first software project at my first job. I got access to SVN (a … Continue reading Second step: let’s take a look at Java Project
