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10 Websites On How To Be A Better Programmer
We all want to be better at the things that we do. Why? Perhaps it will lead to less work, less stress, a sense of pride or more money.
Whatever your motivation for improving your skills – the point is that your skills are not static; however, there are different ways that you can approach improving them.
Below are 10 websites that I have found (both old and new) that offer suggestions on how programmers can improve their programming skills.
In no particular order:
1. 8 ways to be a better programmer in 6 minutes
SecretGeek takes you through modifying your development environment and utilizing tools to improve your coding. Most of these tasks can be done in 6 minutes if you are familiar with your IDE or coding environment.
2. How To Become a Better Programmer by Not Programming
Jeff Atwood reflects on interviews he read about with Bill Gates. Bill says that you cannot improve your programming skills only by programming, you must become familiar with your surroundings and work environment.
3. Being A Better Programmer
Written almost 10 years ago, Danny Burbol mentions 10 ways that you can improve – many of which can be applied to life: know your limits, fix it, don’t hack it, don’t get personal, etc.
There is also a nice summary of his points at the bottom of the page.
4. 5 sure-fire ways to become better at programming
This site focuses on programmer passion and interest; and attempts to look at the role of a programmer as similar to a mason.
This could be alternatively titled, “5 sure-fire ways to know if programming is right for you.”
5. 4 ways to become a better programmer
This site takes a simplistic approach to becoming a better programmer. I don’t want to give away the 4 ways, but these could easily be applied to becoming better in any profession.
6. Becoming a better programmer takes exercise
This site focuses on the why of programming. We might know how conceptually a sorting routine works, but you never truly understand it until you attempt to implement it.
I always say don’t wonder how things work, do some research to know how things work.
7. 12 Tips That Will Make You a Better Programmer
Spyros Panagiotopoulos points out 12 areas of which programmers should be familiar (e.g. Version Control, Commenting, etc.)
I feel more often than not programmers know they should do certain things, but just skip to coding for the sake of time.
8. 5 Good Habits That Will Make You a Better Coder
Matt Ward approaches becoming a better code from the perspective of a web developer. The obvious way to get better at something is to read about it and practice.
I find his approach to writing logic through comments intriguing. I agree that writing pseudocode beforehand definitely makes coding easy.
9. Better Programming By Programming Better
Phil Haack picks up where Jeff Atwood left off in How To Become a Better Programmer by Not Programming.
Comparing programming to a sport, becoming a better programmer doesn’t lie in the experience that one has but the effort he/she puts in to identify weaknesses in your current skills.
10. The Joel Test: 12 Steps to Better Code
In another post from over 10 years ago, Joel Spolsky notes that there are things that all programmers should practice if one is to produce quality code.
The 12 steps are actually questions that you can ask yourself to gauge the quality of your software development environment.
I think we can all become better programmers, but we need to start with wanting to become a better programmer – and that involves putting forth the effort to improve.
10 Resources for Design-Challenged Programmers
When it comes to design, why do programmers tend to have difficulty in creating a simple and user-friendly user interface?
Perhaps because programmers are traditionally left-brained and more focused on logic, analytics, objectivity, etc. This type of thinking is encouraged in academics.
Designers are right-brained and focus on being intuitive, creative and subjective. This is the best kind of thinking when designing a user interface (UI) or user experience (UX).
Just because you tend to be a left-brained thinker, you cannot also have some qualities of a right-brained thinker. People typically resist change or want to break out of their comfort zone. If you are a programmer who wants to start to becoming more creative and a better designer, here is a list of 10 resources (web sites and books) to identify your current design faults and break you out of your comfort zone:
1. The 7 Signs Your UI was Created by a Programmer
2. 8 Things Programmers Should Know About UI Design
3. Don’t Design Like a Programmer
4. This Is What Happens When You Let Developers Create UI
5. Web Design for Programmers (via peachpit.com)
6. 8 Web Design Mistakes That Developers Make
7. Why Programmers Suck at CSS Design
8. User Interface Design for Programmers by Joel Spolsky
9. The Non-Designer’s Design Book by Robin Williams
10. Web Design for Developers: A Programmer’s Guide to Design Tools and Techniques by Brian P. Hogan
Did you identify any design mistakes that you currently make as a programmer?
What are the next steps that you will take to move from left-brained to right-brained (or vice versa)?
Are there any other websites or books that you think should be included in this list?
20 Great Quotes: Steve Jobs vs. Bill Gates
Speaking about your business and passions can often define you as a person. However, what you say can sometimes come back and bite you.
I previously wondered how Bill Gates and Steve Jobs would be portrayed if they made a move about them today (Pirates of Silicon Valley: Then and Now). What have these pioneers of the computing industry said in the past that has defined who they are today?
I compiled 10 of the best quotes from both Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. See if you can guess who said what. Good Luck!
Quote 1
You can’t just ask customers what they want and then try to give that to them. By the time you get it built, they’ll want something new.
To display answer, highlight the space next to Answer:
Answer: Steve Jobs
Quote 2
As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.
To display answer, highlight the space next to Answer:
Answer: Bill Gates
Quote 3
DOS is ugly and interferes with users’ experience.
To display answer, highlight the space next to Answer:
Answer: Bill Gates
Quote 4
Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly, and get on with improving your other innovations.
To display answer, highlight the space next to Answer:
Answer: Steve Jobs
Quote 5
I think it’s fair to say that personal computers have become the most empowering tool we’ve ever created. They’re tools of communication, they’re tools of creativity, and they can be shaped by their user.
To display answer, highlight the space next to Answer:
Answer: Bill Gates
Quote 6
If you can’t make it good, at least make it look good.
To display answer, highlight the space next to Answer:
Answer: Bill Gates
Quote 7
Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.
To display answer, highlight the space next to Answer:
Answer: Steve Jobs
Quote 8
Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.
To display answer, highlight the space next to Answer:
Answer: Steve Jobs
Quote 9
If I’d had some set idea of a finish line, don’t you think I would have crossed it years ago?
To display answer, highlight the space next to Answer:
Answer: Bill Gates
Quote 10
Life is not fair; get used to it.
To display answer, highlight the space next to Answer:
Answer: Bill Gates
Quote 11
I’m the only person I know that’s lost a quarter of a billion dollars in one year…. It’s very character-building.
To display answer, highlight the space next to Answer:
Answer: Steve Jobs
Quote 12
So we went to Atari and said, ‘Hey, we’ve got this amazing thing, even built with some of your parts, and what do you think about funding us? Or we’ll give it to you. We just want to do it. Pay our salary, we’ll come work for you.’ And they said, ‘No.’ So then we went to Hewlett-Packard, and they said, ‘Hey, we don’t need you. You haven’t got through college yet.’
To display answer, highlight the space next to Answer:
Answer: Steve Jobs
Quote 13
Unfortunately, people are not rebelling against Microsoft. They don’t know any better.
To display answer, highlight the space next to Answer:
Answer: Steve Jobs
Quote 14
If I were running Apple, I would milk the Macintosh for all it’s worth — and get busy on the next great thing. The PC wars are over. Done. Microsoft won a long time ago.
To display answer, highlight the space next to Answer:
Answer: Steve Jobs
Quote 15
We’ve got to put a lot of money into changing behavior.
To display answer, highlight the space next to Answer:
Answer: Bill Gates
Quote 16
When you want to do your homework, fill out your tax return, or see all the choices for a trip you want to take, you need a full-size screen.
To display answer, highlight the space next to Answer:
Answer: Bill Gates
Quote 17
Be nice to nerds. Chances are you’ll end up working for one.
To display answer, highlight the space next to Answer:
Answer: Bill Gates
Quote 18
If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25 cars that got 1000 MPG.
To display answer, highlight the space next to Answer:
Answer: Bill Gates
Quote 19
Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary
To display answer, highlight the space next to Answer:
Answer: Steve Jobs
Quote 20
I’ve always wanted to own and control the primary technology in everything we do.
To display answer, highlight the space next to Answer:
Answer: Steve Jobs
Sources:
- Steve Jobs Quotes
- Steve Jobs Quotes – The Quotations Page
- A Collection of 60 Inspirational Steve Jobs Quotes About Life, Design and Apple
- Bill Gates Quotes
Photo courtesy of Joi Ito.
How did you do with guessing? Were there any quotes that surprised you? Is there a quote that you really enjoy that I didn’t include?
Please share below in the comments.
Update (08/26/2010): Modified answer to transparent text.
Update (10/13/2010): Still having difficulties viewing answers? View the Answer Key.
Pirates of Silicon Valley: Then and Now
Technorati Claim Code: ZRMSFBXC9JWG
I am a huge fan of Pirates of Silicon Valley. It’s hard to believe that this came out over 11 years ago (June 20, 1999).
If you are not familiar with the movie, it is a history of how both Apple and Microsoft started as companies from doing business out of garage/dorm rooms to establishing themselves in Silicon Valley. To a lesser degree you see how companies like IBM and Xerox played as part as competitors.
In the movie you get to see the following:
- The origin of DOS
- The origin of Mac OS
- The rise and fall and rebirth of Apple
- Apple Lisa
- and more…
This movie ended by showing that Microsoft was the ultimate winner in the feud between Apple – by having Bill Gates introduce Steve Jobs on stage to announce a truce between companies.
So much has happened since this movie came out, particularly to Microsoft and Apple. What if this movie were to be re-made today? You could produce an entirely new movie based on these two companies just on the past 10 years alone. Here is what you might see:
Personal Music Players
The most obvious thing that you would see is the introduction of personal music players: iPods and Zunes. Just two years after this movie was released Apple redefined itself as a company with the release of the first iPod. Ever since, you have seen numerous companies produce their own version of the iPod – some were even created well before the iPod (See Diamond Rio PMP300). It took Microsoft five years to produce their own personal music player: Zune.
Remember Me?
Operating Systems
When this movie came out the primary operating system was Windows 98 and Mac OS 8. How many different operating systems have you gone through since?
Microsoft
- Windows ME
- Windows XP
- Windows Vista
- Windows 7
Apple
- OS 9.0 – 9.2.2
- OS X (10) Cheetah – OS X (10.6) Snow Leopard
Microsoft has had successes (Windows XP and Windows 7) and failures (Windows ME and Windows Vista). Like with the iPod, 2001 was an important year for Apple when it released the first version of OS X.
Other Players
When you think of the dominating tech companies, it’s no longer just between Microsoft and Apple. You also have giants such as Google.
You may see more competition between Google and Microsoft with Google and Bing:
- Search Engine
- Maps
- News
- Shopping
- Advertising
A rivalry between Google and Microsoft is more apparent from the standpoint of the web. But how has Google influenced Apple?
We haven seen a preview of Google’s introduction into the Operating System market with Chromium OS.
Perhaps this is what will be Apple’s main competition in regards to Google.
Smart Phones
So what about Smart Phones?
Apple has clearly set the bar in both Smart Phone hardware and software with the iPhone. So where do Microsoft and Google stand?
We have already seen Google’s failed attempt to enter the Smart Phone hardware market: nexus one. However, in terms of software Android has had success on third-party phones:
- Motorola Droid
- HTC Droid Incredible
- HTC EVO 4G
- HTC Hero
- HTC Droid Eris
Can we see Google attempt re-entry of the hardware market with the acquisition of one of these companies?
Microsoft has been in the Smart Phone software business for a while with Windows mobile; however, they have only recently attempted to enter the hardware market with Windows Phone 7.
It seems like we hear the term “iPhone killer” everytime a new mobile device comes out, but everytime it fails to do so.
The Future
What will the spectrum of tech companies look like in the next 10 years? Will Google be the dominating company – where every product is successful? Or will another company emerge?
Other Views
Apple: The new/old Pirates of Silicon Valley?
Google Android phones vs. Apple iPhones, who is winning the wallets of consumers?
How To View Inception Through Code
If you have not seen Inception yet, I highly recommend doing so before reading this post.
Inception combines the best elements of movies in the Simulism genre; such as Dark City, eXistenZ, The Thirteenth Floor and The Maxtrix Trilogy; and creates an original, thought provoking film.
Watching the film from the standpoint of a programmer, I could not help seeing the similarities between the plot devices and basic programming concepts.
The Kick
The Kick is the concept they use in the movie to return to a dream level above the existing one. For example, if you perceive that you are falling in a dream, you have a tendency to wake up.
The Kick can be portrayed in programming in several different ways:
Recursion
{
kick = CheckForKick();
if(kick) return true;
return Dream();
}
* CheckForKick() implementation has been omitted.
In this recursion example, each call to function Dream() will call another sub-Dream – until the CheckForKick() function returns true, which can occur however many levels deep.
Exception Bubble
{
try
{
try
{
try
{
throw new DreamException("Receive Kick");
}
catch(DreamException dx)
{
throw dx;
}
}
catch(DreamException dx)
{
throw dx;
}
}
catch(DreamException dx)
{
// Handle Kick thrown 3 levels deep.
Console.WriteLine(dx.Message);
}
}
In this Exception example, an exception is thrown within a nested try block. Rather than handling the exception at that level, it’s bubbled up until is (hopefully) handled gracefully.
Stack
This can best be represented by the following infographic, which I reconstructed to be a stack. Here is the original source.
A stack is one of the most fundamental data structures in computing. A stack operates in the following: items are added in a Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) manner. They are added via being “Pushed” onto the stack and removed via being “popped” from the Stack.
In the movie, each sub-dream is pushed onto the stack starting with reality. Our characters cannot return to a different dream level by popping the dream above off the stack.
Sedation
They use Sedation in the movie to prevent the dreamers from waking up any means other than “falling” on all dream levels above the first. At the first dream level, the only way to wake up is for the machine’s time to elapse.
Sedation in the movie can be explained through the use of Threading.
Threading
{
Machine mach = new Machine();
Sedation sed = new Sedation();
Thread machineThread = new Thread(new ThreadStart(mach.Start());
Thread sedationThread = new Thread(new ThreadStart(sed.Sedate());
try
{
sedationThread.Start();
machineThread.Start();
sedationThread.Join();
machineThread.Join();
ReturnToReality();
}
catch(Exception ex)
{
// Limbo ???
}
}
* Machine implementation omitted. Sedation implementation below.
In this example, you can think of the sedation and starting the “dream machine” as being two separate threads – both induce unconsciousness, but in different ways.
The sedation occurs first as indicated by the sedationThread.Start(), followed by the machine start machineThread.Start(). The Sedation.Sedate() implementation may look like the following:
{
Thread.Sleep(36000000); // 10 Hours
}
By calling join on the threads, the ReturnToReality() function will not get called until both the sedation wears off or the machine time elapses.
Limbo
Limbo is defined in the movie has a mental state where your mind doesn’t know if you are in reality or not. The only way out is to realize that Limbo is not reality.
I already hinted at how Limbo could be represented in code in the previous example – if there is an exception (i.e. death) during the running of the threads that does not allow them to complete. Also, Limbo could also be represented by the following:
Infinite Loop or Infinite Recursion
{
CreateBuildings();
CreateFromMemories();
QuestionReality();
}
Most of the time that we are programming and find ourselves in an infinite loop, we are not aware of it until we start to question:
- Why is this taking so long?
- Why is my memory decreasing?
- Why is my CPU pegged at 100%
Fortunately in programming there are ways to identify that we are in an infinite loop state.
If you are not aware of these conditions, you will stay there until your program runs out of memory or crashes (dies) or you realize you are in a loop (meet a condition) – by calling the QuestionReality() function.
Architect
The last item I will mention is the role of Architect. In the movie, Ariadne (Ellen Page) is responsible for creating the dreamscapes. This shares similarities with Software Architecture. As a software architect you responsible for knowing the systems (the main characters in movie) that you work with and to create the best solutions (e.g. Never Ending Staircase) to new problems that need to be solved (Inception). Being able to see the world around you as objects with state and behavior is a useful skill for both understanding Object Oriented Design/Programming; and as a Software Architect.
I was surprised how many people shared similar thoughts with comparing the movie with programming. If you enjoyed my post, please read their perspectives:
5 Types of Comments to Avoid Making in Your Code
Have you ever been reviewing code and come across a comment that you deemed was unnecessary? Commenting your code is meant to improve the readability of your code and make it more understandable to someone other than the original developer.
I have identified 5 types of comments that really annoy me and the types of programmers who make them. I hope after reading this you won’t be one who falls into one of these categories. As a challenge, you can try to match up these comment programmers with the 5 types of programmers.
1. The Proud Programmer
{
static void Main(string[] args)
{
string message = "Hello World!"; // 07/24/2010 Bob
Console.WriteLine(message); // 07/24/2010 Bob
message = "I am so proud of this code!"; // 07/24/2010 Bob
Console.WriteLine(message); // 07/24/2010 Bob
}
}
This programmer is so proud of his code that he feels the need to tag every line of code with his initials. Implementing a version control system (VCS) allows for accountability in code changes, but at first glance it won’t be so obvious who is responsible.
2. The Obsolete Programmer
{
static void Main(string[] args)
{
/* This block of code is no longer needed
* because we found out that Y2K was a hoax
* and our systems did not roll over to 1/1/1900 */
//DateTime today = DateTime.Today;
//if (today == new DateTime(1900, 1, 1))
//{
// today = today.AddYears(100);
// string message = "The date has been fixed for Y2K.";
// Console.WriteLine(message);
//}
}
}
If a piece of code is no longer used (i.e. Obsolete), delete it – don’t clutter your working code with several lines of unnecessary comments. Besides if you ever need to replicate this deleted code you have a version control system, so you can recover the code from an earlier revision.
3. The Obvious Programmer
{
static void Main(string[] args)
{
/* This is a for loop that prints the
* words "I Rule!" to the console screen
* 1 million times, each on its own line. It
* accomplishes this by starting at 0 and
* incrementing by 1. If the value of the
* counter equals 1 million the for loop
* stops executing.*/
for (int i = 0; i < 1000000; i++)
{
Console.WriteLine("I Rule!");
}
}
}
We all know how basic programming logic works – this is not “Introduction to Programming.” You don’t need to waste time explaining how the obvious works, and we’re glad you can explain how your code functions – but it’s a waste of space.
4. The Life Story Programmer
{
static void Main(string[] args)
{
/* I discussed with Jim from Sales over coffee
* at the Starbucks on main street one day and he
* told me that Sales Reps receive commission
* based upon the following structure.
* Friday: 25%
* Wednesday: 15%
* All Other Days: 5%
* Did I mention that I ordered the Caramel Latte with
* a double shot of Espresso?
*/
double price = 5.00;
double commissionRate;
double commission;
if (DateTime.Today.DayOfWeek == DayOfWeek.Friday)
{
commissionRate = .25;
}
else if (DateTime.Today.DayOfWeek == DayOfWeek.Wednesday)
{
commissionRate = .15;
}
else
{
commissionRate = .05;
}
commission = price * commissionRate;
}
}
If you have to mention requirements in your comments, don’t mention people’s names. Jim from sales probably moved on from the company and most likely the programmers reading this won’t know who he is. Not to mention the fact that it everything else in the comment is irrelevant.
5. The Someday Programmer
{
static void Main(string[] args)
{
//TODO: I need to fix this someday – 07/24/1995 Bob
/* I know this error message is hard coded and
* I am relying on a Contains function, but
* someday I will make this code print a
* meaningful error message and exit gracefully.
* I just don’t have the time right now.
*/
string message = "An error has occurred";
if(message.Contains("error"))
{
throw new Exception(message);
}
}
}
This type of comment is sort of a catch-all it combines all the other types. The TODO comment can be very useful when you are in the initial development stages of your project, but if this appears several years later in your production code – it can spell problems. If something needs to be fixed, fix it now and do not put it off until later.
If you are one who makes these types of comments or would like to learn best practices in comment usage, I recommend reading a book like Code Complete by Steve McConnell. This is one of the books that I recommend all programmers should own.
Or Perhaps you can learn how to stop commenting your code altogether.
Do you see any other unnecessary or annoying comments in your code? Please feel free to share.
Update (11/11/11): I found some additional funny code comments: 10 “Best” Code Comments
ASP.NET – Access To Path is Denied
If your ASP.NET program is attempting to read, write and/or delete a fie it can display the error “Access to Path … is Denied”. If this is the case, the directory may have the incorrect security settings.
Here are the steps to add the correct the user security settings on Windows Server 2003:
1. Find the folder or file that you are trying to access.
2. Right-click the folder
3. Select Properties
4. Click the Security tab
5. Click the Add button
6. Enter the user: <SERVERNAME>\IIS_WPG
7. Click Check Names button
8. Click OK button
9. Verify user has correct permissions (Read/Write)
10. Click OK button
Other Windows operating systems (XP, Vista, 7) may require the user: <SERVERNAME>\ASPNET to be added.
Do-It-Yourself Free XML Tool Suite
If you ever had to work with XML documents and XML schemas, it can be pretty challenging if you don’t have the right tools. If you are creating/modifying XML through code (e.g. XML Web Services), it can especially be difficult searching XML nodes or trying to create a validated XML document.
Personally, I believe that XMLSpy from Altova Software is one of the best tools available if you are going to be dealing with a lot of XML documents. However, this tool does come at a price. A few years ago, they used to offer a free community edition of their software – this has since been discontinued.
I’ve recently needed to create and modify some XML and was searching for some tools that fit the criteria:
- Windows Based
- Non-Trial Editions of Software
- Free
I have come up with a list of three tools that perform a majority of the tasks in commercial products like XMLSpy and are a good alternative.
1. XML Notepad
XML notepad makes it easy to edit XML nodes without the need to edit the XML syntax directly. By attaching an XML Schema, your XML document is checked for validation as you input values.
Although this tool has not seen an update since 2007, it is still one of the better free XML editors with a simple, yet powerful interface.
2. XPath Visualizer
If you’ve ever had the need to query XML to find specific nodes, XPath Visualizer provides a way to test XPath queries against an XML document. With the ability to include XML namespaces, the XPath expressions can easily be imported into code environments like Visual Studio.
3. XML Sample Generator
You have an XML Schema, but now you need to create an XML document based off this schema. If you don’t have a tool that helps you visualize a schema graphically, it can be a daunting task to traverse an XML Schema and create an XML document manually. Thanks to the XML Sample Generator, you can import your XML Schema and export a well-formed, validated, XML document.
XML Sample Generator provides a good starting point if you need to start from square one.
Do you have a free tool that you use? Please share in the comments.
SharePoint 2010 Development Resources
Implementing SharePoint 2010 is an idea that is being thrown around at my place of employment right now. As a developer, there seems to be some significant differences between WSS 3.0/MOSS 2007 and SharePoint 2010 (SharePoint 2010 Sandbox Environment) and I wanted to make sure that my skills were updated for the latest release of SharePoint.
For everyone who is already developing or those who will start, I put together this list of resources that are available.
Videos
There are a few hands-on videos if you are a visual learner.
- Microsoft Patterns and Practices – Developing Applications for SharePoint 2010
- MSDN – Get Started Developing on SharePoint 2010
Books
If you prefer to learn from a book, there are many more resources available for SharePoint 2010 than there were previously for WSS 3.0 or MOSS 2007.
Pro SharePoint 2010 Solution Development: Combining .NET, SharePoint, and Office
Ed Hild and Chad Wach
SharePoint 2010 as a Development Platform
Joerg Krause, Martin Daring, Christian Langhirt, Bernd Pehlke, Alexander Sterff
SharePoint 2010 Development with Visual Studio 2010
Eric Carter, Boris Scholl, Peter Jausovec
Beginning SharePoint 2010 Development
Steve Fox
Professional SharePoint 2010 Development
Tom Rizzo, Reza Alirezaei, Jeff Fried, Paul Swider, Scot Hillier, Kenneth Schaefer
