Posts for March, 2009

Mar 31, 2009

Should It Always Be English?

Software industry is not new to tussles about languages. This time though, it is not about a programming language, it is about using English as the default for technical discussions and documentation. Jeff Atwood is quite honest in expressing the feeling that programmers should learn English if they want to connect with the world-wide community. [Continue]

Mar 28, 2009

Java SE Not To Be An Open Standard Anymore?

Stephen Colebourne has a thoughtful post about one of the biggest possible changes in the Java landscape. Java SE will not be a open standard any more?. This seems completely in contrast to the spirit that is seen in efforts like Project Coin. [Continue]

Mar 27, 2009

Unladen Swallow – A Faster Python

Google wants a faster Python. Unladen Swallow is one of the recent projects out of Google, which aims to produce a Python version at least 5x faster than CPython, the current implementation of Python. Note that Python has already seen multiple implementations, but this seems to be the first one wanting to make Python fast enough to replace C, atleast in some projects. [Continue]

Mar 26, 2009

Semantic Ads?

Google is taking us towards semantic search. Though right now it improves only the related searches, the aim is to move beyond keywords and understand meaning of a question. While semantic search is an ongoing development, I cannot help but wonder if this will also bring improvements to the advertising world. [Continue]

Mar 25, 2009

When Agile Might Fail

Kelly Waters gives 3 scenarios where Agile Software Development does not work. One factor that is often ignored while diving into agile is the team structure. Companies like to have hierarchical team structures, where few good ones can get work done with many average ones. [Continue]

Mar 24, 2009

Do Less To Optimize

Kas Thomas has an effective piece of advice for writing fast code. If you want to write fast code, make it do less. It seems obvious when stated, but I rarely see it getting applied. [Continue]

Mar 23, 2009

Free-er Web

Of course the Web is free, for the average user. But Richard Stallman wants to make it more explicit for the Web. Just the other day some of us were trying to apply the open source philosophy to the Web technologies. [Continue]

Mar 20, 2009

IE8 Is Here

Microsoft IE8 is finally here, popular opinion is that it will find its users only amongst the existing IE users. IE8 is not trying to appeal to users of its competitors. However, I sincerely hope that it at least appeals to IE6 users enough to make it extinct soon. [Continue]

Mar 19, 2009

Recession Might Make This The Year Of Linux Desktop

The recession might bring an accelerated adoption of Linux, IDC survey says (pdf). Of course, as Andy Updegrove says, this is something good coming out of the bad times. I expected to see results like these to come out during economic downturns, because even today cost is seen as the biggest factor in favour of Linux. [Continue]

Mar 18, 2009

Why goto statements Are Considered More Harmful

Andrew Koenig presents facts and analysis to approach the debate about goto statements. goto statements can potentially jump anywhere and destroy any context and scope whatsoever. Whereas its kinscontinue or break have restricted scope and are less harmful. [Continue]