Erlang rule: Don’t program defensively
Erlang rule: Don’t program defensivelyBy Alvin Alexander. Last updated: October 23 2016Read more about Erlang rule: Don’t program defensivelyFrom the Erlang Programming Rules and Conventions page, Rule...
View ArticleProgramming is similar to golf ~ Harlan Mills
Programming is similar to golf ~ Harlan MillsBy Alvin Alexander. Last updated: October 23 2016“Programming is similar to golf. The point is not getting the ball in the hole, but how many strokes it...
View ArticleSoftware best practice: Never say “X% done”
Software best practice: Never say “X% done”By Alvin Alexander. Last updated: October 25 2016Note: This is a post from 2007 that I just updated a little bit because I think there’s still some value in...
View Article“It depends” ~ Honest answer to any programming question
“It depends” ~ Honest answer to any programming questionBy Alvin Alexander. Last updated: November 11 2016“The honest answer to almost any question in software development is, ‘It depends.’”Eric Evans,...
View ArticleImposter Syndrome vs Reality
Imposter Syndrome vs RealityBy Alvin Alexander. Last updated: November 12 2016Read more about Imposter Syndrome vs RealityI’ve been interested in “Imposter Syndrome” since I first heard about it. I’ve...
View Article“I fear things unless I understand them”
“I fear things unless I understand them”By Alvin Alexander. Last updated: December 3 2016“Years ago I knew little, but was comfortable using things I didn’t understand. Now I’m experienced, I fear...
View ArticleDan Bricklin: The history of VisiCalc and other things
Dan Bricklin: The history of VisiCalc and other thingsBy Alvin Alexander. Last updated: January 4 2017Read more about Dan Bricklin: The history of VisiCalc and other thingsDan Bricklin,...
View ArticleVital assets of competent programmers (Edsger Dijkstra)
Vital assets of competent programmers (Edsger Dijkstra)By Alvin Alexander. Last updated: January 14 2017“Besides a mathematical inclination, an exceptionally good mastery of one’s native tongue is the...
View ArticleRubber Duck Debugging
Rubber Duck DebuggingBy Alvin Alexander. Last updated: January 17 2017Read more about Rubber Duck DebuggingI was just reminded of Rubber Duck Debugging. From this Wikipedia link, “The name is a...
View ArticleThe most important principle for the algorithm designer is to refuse to be...
The most important principle for the algorithm designer is to refuse to be contentBy Alvin Alexander. Last updated: January 20 2017“Perhaps the most important principle for the good algorithm designer...
View ArticleAn intense curiosity about how things are done
An intense curiosity about how things are doneBy Alvin Alexander. Last updated: January 29 2017In his book, The Universal Tone: Bringing My Story to Light, Carlos Santana writes about hearing other...
View ArticleIf testing costs more than not testing, then don’t test
If testing costs more than not testing, then don’t testBy Alvin Alexander. Last updated: May 17 2017“If testing costs more than not testing, don’t test.”~ Kent Beck (via this twitter page)
View ArticleThe karma of bad software documentation
The karma of bad software documentationBy Alvin Alexander. Last updated: May 18 2017Tried to use someone’s software library. Documentation was bad, couldn’t get it to work. Used someone else’s.#haiku-ish
View Article44 engineering management lessons
44 engineering management lessonsBy Alvin Alexander. Last updated: May 21 2017This is a good post from 2014 titled, 44 engineering management lessons.
View ArticleA terrific Model View Controller (MVC) diagram
A terrific Model View Controller (MVC) diagramalvinMay 27, 2017 - 7:41pmRead more about A terrific Model View Controller (MVC) diagram1 commentAdd new commentEvery once in a while when something hits...
View ArticleLearning Functional Programming in Scala (HTML version)
Learning Functional Programming in Scala (HTML version)alvinJune 1, 2017 - 9:28pmRead more about Learning Functional Programming in Scala (HTML version)If you happen to be looking for the free, HTML...
View ArticleEveryday life is like programming ~ Donald Knuth
Everyday life is like programming ~ Donald KnuthBy Alvin Alexander. Last updated: June 7 2017“Everyday life is like programming, I guess. If you love something, you can put beauty into it.”~ Donald Knuth
View ArticleTwo steps to deriving a generic algorithm
Two steps to deriving a generic algorithmBy Alvin Alexander. Last updated: June 16 2017“Two steps are required to write a good piece of code. The first step is to get the algorithm right. The second...
View ArticleThe Scala spectrum: OOP to Pure FP
The Scala spectrum: OOP to Pure FPalvinJune 17, 2017 - 10:35amRead more about The Scala spectrum: OOP to Pure FPScala is a great language in many ways. One great feature is that you can use it as a...
View ArticleWriting clean code is faster than writing messy code
Writing clean code is faster than writing messy codeBy Alvin Alexander. Last updated: June 26 2017“No matter how slow you are writing clean code, you will always be slower if you make a mess.”~ Bob...
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