Good article explaining the Employee Motivation....Or shall I say De-Motivation
Why Your Employees Are Losing Motivation : HBS Working Knowledge: "Why Your Employees Are Losing Motivation"
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
The Development Abstraction Layer - Joel on Software
Relevant to all Programmers...or shall I say thinking programmers...
The Development Abstraction Layer - Joel on Software: "The Development Abstraction Layer"
The Development Abstraction Layer - Joel on Software: "The Development Abstraction Layer"
Monday, March 20, 2006
Digital Ruminations : Knowing Where to Hit It
Digital Ruminations : Knowing Where to Hit It: "Knowing Where to Hit It"
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
why there's no escaping the blog
A nice article in Fortune Magazine: "Why There's No Escaping The Blog":
When it came to the criticism emanating from Boing Boing, Scoble simply... agreed. "MSN Spaces isn't the blogging service for me," he wrote. Nobody at Microsoft asked Scoble to comment; he just did it on his own, adding that he would make sure that the team working on Spaces was aware of the complaints. And he kept revisiting the issue on his blog.
As the anti-Microsoft crowd cried censorship, the nearly 4,000 blogs linking to Scoble were able to see his running commentary on how Microsoft was reacting. "I get comments on my blog saying, 'I didn't like Microsoft before, but at least they're listening to us,'" says Scoble. "The blog is the best relationship generator you've ever seen."
His famous boss agrees. "It's all about openness," says chairman Bill Gates of Microsoft's public blogs like Scobleizer. "People see them as a reflection of an open, communicative culture that isn't afraid to be self-critical."
I've been preaching this kind of stuff for a while now. In an earlier post I said:
Ask me to name what I think is the most brilliant piece of new advertising I've come across in the last 5 years.Still, that doesn't mean a cash-strapped brand manager can say "Oh good! No I can replace my $5 million advertising budget with a $100 piece of blogging software!!!"
My answer would not be some big, funky-dunky campaign from a company like Apple or Volkswagon.
My answer would not be something from some edgy, hipster, in-your-face creative hot-shop in downtown Manhattan or London.
My answer would be Robert Scoble, a regular guy with a regular job who blogs regularly about the company he works for. That company happens to be Microsoft.
The main benefit of a public blog at the corporate level is INDIRECT. With blogs, when you're open, honest and smart, people pay attention. When you're closed, dishonest and dumb, people ignore you.
Keeping a blog helps train you to be more like the former (smart), less like the latter (dumb). This training starts paying serious dividends once it starts bleeding into the other aspects of your business- including, for example, mainstream TV advertising.
The "voice" of your blog will affect the voice of the entire brand The smarter your blog voice, the smarter the entire brand will become.
The smarter your brand, the less likely you'll be fired any time soon.
[gapingvoid]
Friday, October 15, 2004
The Company of Women - By Khushwant Singh
Recently separated from his nagging, ill-tempered wife of thirteen years, millionaire businessman Mohan Kumar decides to reinvent his life. Convinced that ‘lust is the true foundation of love’, he embarks on an audacious plan: he will advertise for paid lady companions to share his bed and his life. Thus begins his journey of easy, unbridled sexuality in the company of some remarkable women.
There is Sarojini Bharadwaj, the demure professor from small-town Haryana who surprises Mohan with her ardour and sexual energy; Molly Gomes, the free-spirited masseuse from Goa, mistress of the sensual impulse; and Susanthika Goonatilleke, the diminutive seductress from Sri Lanka. After each affair ends and before the next begins, Mohan finds solace in the practiced charms of his obliging maid, Dhanno, and in the memories of his first loves: the American Jessica Browne, to whom he lost his virginity, and the Pakistani Yasmeen Wanchoo, who brought him the heady passion of an older woman.
In The Company of Women, his first novel in ten years, Khushwant Singh, India’s most widely read author, has produced an uninhibited, erotic and endlessly entertaining celebration of love, sex and passion.
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Quote
"If you encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what book he read." - R W Emerson
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari - By Robin Sharma
About This Book...
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari presents a set of simple yet effective lessons for personal growth, created by Robin S. Sharma.
In a tale that is both wondrous and mystical, Sharma offers practical and wise advice on how to develop joyful thoughts, follow your life's mission and calling, look within for success, cultivate self-discipline and act courageously, value time as your most important commodity, nourish your relationships, and live life fully, one day at a time.
It is a converstaion between Julian (highly succesful lawyer turned into a Reformed Monk) and John(a subordinate and friend of Julian amazed by Miraculous Transformation of Julian Mantle). Julian visits The Sages of Sivana in the Himalayas on his spiritual journey to the East and learns from them the Secrets of Living a Fulfilling Life.
For more on these principles see www.robinsharma.com ...there is list of 200 points to lead better life...
If you want to read this book buy it at Oxford Bookstores or if you happen to know me then drop a line jasvinder.singh@gmail.com.....
Keep Reading
Thursday, July 29, 2004
Monday, July 19, 2004
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Mumbaiya Lingo
Bhai Log aaj Bombay Times pe article ayela hai...bole to some student is writing dictionary for Mumbaiya...techa aayi la...ky atime aagela hai...
to phir apun ne bhi thoda likhich dala to yeh lo...
Mumbai Meri Jaan Lingo
==================================
BHMB (Badi ho ke maal banegi): Uhh, err, well, you know...
Singapur: either in jail or pregnant(?!)
Kamla bakula: a typical Gujju ben
Budhwaar: an effeminate person
Batting: luring a chhaavi
Chingum: chewing gum
Cockroach: rickshaw
Galat family: galat fehmi (misunderstanding)
Hari Bhari: a wellendowed woman
Juhu Tara: a person of low repute
Gheun Taak: Just do it
"Dhakkan": Dumb Ass
"Partypack": Pretty babe
"Chimney": Chain smoker
"Ups and downs": Figure
"Hile dule": With a dumb walk
aur mere punekar dosto ke liye
Punekar Lingo
======================
Aai-ga: Remembering Mother after expressing surprise / shock.
ABC: Appa Balvant Chowk
BAPU: Balgandharva Pula
Bhangar: Waste, Hopeless
Bhannat: Very good
CHAPRI: OLD STYLED OR OLD FASHIONED
CHAVA: Boyfriend
CHAVI: Girlfriend
Chowpatty: Large open air snack/Fast-Food area in Camp
Dada: Used to describe someone with great abilities in some field. Himanshu Laghate
DP Road: Development Plan Road: Unnamed new road
Ek Number: First class quality
Ghat Hep: Ghati girl turned hep
Jabari: Too Good
Jhakhass: Too Good
Kalla: Anything which is the Best
Keshav: A mediocre, middle aged Puneri, mostly a clerk or something.
Khabri: Informer
Khatri: Aadmi Dangerous Man
Mama: Policeman
P1 Parking on this side on odd dates (1,3,5...)
P2 Parking on this side on even dates (2,4,6...)
Padik: Doing Nothing
Pavtya: Villager
Sadashiv Pethi: Typical Puneri
Sahee: Damn good
SPDP: Popular snack Shev Batata Dahi Puri
TAKA-TAK: JUST PERFECT
TDS: Ten Downing Street, A popular pub in downtown Pune
TP: Time Pass
TTMM: Tujhe Tu Majhe Me (Self contribution for joint party)
Vaddil: Literally dad. figuratively, anything that demands respect.
Waiit Uchcha: Too good (VIT slang)
Zabra: Great
Zango: very gaudy fashioned (usually clothes) Can be surely seen at : Modern or Garware
college.
Zang-Thang: Funky, Hi-fi
ZATAK: Classic
Friday, July 09, 2004
King and His Four Wives
Once upon a time there was a rich King who had four wives.
He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best.
He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another.
He also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times.
The King's 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her!
One day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, "I now have four wives with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone."
Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I have loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"
"No way!", replied the 4th wife, and she walked away without another word.
Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart. The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"
"No!", replied the 3rd wife. "Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to remarry!" His heart sank and turned cold.
He then asked the 2nd wife, "I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?"
"I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!", replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave."
Her answer struck him like a bolt of lightning, and the King was devastated.
Then a voice called out: "I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go." The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was very skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect.
Greatly grieved, the King said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!"
In truth, we all have 4 wives in our lives: Our 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die. Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, it will all go to others. Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.
And our 1st wife is our Soul. Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of us that will follow us to the throne of God and continue with us throughout Eternity.
Thought for the day: "Remember, when the world pushes you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray."
He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best.
He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another.
He also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times.
The King's 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her!
One day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, "I now have four wives with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone."
Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I have loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"
"No way!", replied the 4th wife, and she walked away without another word.
Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart. The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"
"No!", replied the 3rd wife. "Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to remarry!" His heart sank and turned cold.
He then asked the 2nd wife, "I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?"
"I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!", replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave."
Her answer struck him like a bolt of lightning, and the King was devastated.
Then a voice called out: "I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go." The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was very skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect.
Greatly grieved, the King said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!"
In truth, we all have 4 wives in our lives: Our 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die. Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, it will all go to others. Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.
And our 1st wife is our Soul. Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of us that will follow us to the throne of God and continue with us throughout Eternity.
Thought for the day: "Remember, when the world pushes you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray."
Monday, July 05, 2004
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
Food For Thought - You Have Two Choices
You Have Two Choices
Michael is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!" He was a natural motivator.
If an employee was having a bad day, Michael was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation. Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Michael and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?"
Michael replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or...I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or, I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.
"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested.
"Yes, it is," Michael said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life."
I reflected on what Michael said. Soon thereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it. Several years later, I heard that Michael was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Michael was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back. I saw Michael about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied.
"If I were any better, I'd be twins. Wanna see my scars?"
I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.
"The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon to be born daughter," Michael replied. "Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or, I could choose to die. I chose to live."
"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked.
Michael continued, "...the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read "he's a dead man. I knew I needed to take action."
"What did you do?" I asked.
"Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Michael. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. "Yes, I replied." The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, "Gravity." Over their laughter, I told them, "I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead."
Michael lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully.
Attitude, after all, is everything. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.
PS: "The best sermons are lived, not preached"
Michael is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!" He was a natural motivator.
If an employee was having a bad day, Michael was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation. Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Michael and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?"
Michael replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or...I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or, I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.
"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested.
"Yes, it is," Michael said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life."
I reflected on what Michael said. Soon thereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it. Several years later, I heard that Michael was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Michael was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back. I saw Michael about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied.
"If I were any better, I'd be twins. Wanna see my scars?"
I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.
"The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon to be born daughter," Michael replied. "Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or, I could choose to die. I chose to live."
"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked.
Michael continued, "...the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read "he's a dead man. I knew I needed to take action."
"What did you do?" I asked.
"Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Michael. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. "Yes, I replied." The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, "Gravity." Over their laughter, I told them, "I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead."
Michael lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully.
Attitude, after all, is everything. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.
PS: "The best sermons are lived, not preached"
Design Patterns in Delphi
Patterns for software development are one of the latest "hot topics" to emerge from the object-oriented community. They are a literary form of software engineering problem-solving discipline that has its roots in a design movement of the same name in contemporary architecture, literate programming, and the documentation of best practices and lessons learned in all vocations.
Articles discussing the implementation of Design Patterns in Delphi:
Introduction to Design Patterns in Delphi >>
The Observer Pattern >>
The Iterator Pattern >>
Articles discussing the implementation of Design Patterns in Delphi:
Introduction to Design Patterns in Delphi >>
The Observer Pattern >>
The Iterator Pattern >>
Yogesh ki engagement
This one is for the one of the best persons i have know till date...gr8 YOGS...This one is for you Pal.
Remember
We could learn a lot from crayons:
some are sharp, some are pretty,
some are dull, some have weird names,
and all are different colors....
but they all exist very nicely in the same box.
View the Engagement album:
Remember
We could learn a lot from crayons:
some are sharp, some are pretty,
some are dull, some have weird names,
and all are different colors....
but they all exist very nicely in the same box.
View the Engagement album:
Monday, June 28, 2004
Java v/s .NET
Once an old man was sitting in the park reading book "Learn Java in 21 days".
A passer by saw him and asked "U are such an old guy, why do you bother to learn Java?"
"I have heard that communication language at heaven is Java so after my death when I will be in heaven, I don't want to face communication problem." Old man replied.
" But how come u are so sure that U will be in heaven? It could be a hell also." he asked.
"Ya, doesn't matter .... I already know .Net".
A passer by saw him and asked "U are such an old guy, why do you bother to learn Java?"
"I have heard that communication language at heaven is Java so after my death when I will be in heaven, I don't want to face communication problem." Old man replied.
" But how come u are so sure that U will be in heaven? It could be a hell also." he asked.
"Ya, doesn't matter .... I already know .Net".
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Are We Not Geeks
This is nice to read :-)
Why is programming the least understood of all professions?
There is a conspiracy to defame us! Hollywood and Madison Avenue don't want us to come out from behind our cubicle walls. A tongue-in-cheek take on how programmes are viewed. See Here
Why is programming the least understood of all professions?
There is a conspiracy to defame us! Hollywood and Madison Avenue don't want us to come out from behind our cubicle walls. A tongue-in-cheek take on how programmes are viewed. See Here
Java for Delphi programmers
Java for Delphi programmers.
This article describes basic Java instructions compared to Delphi. See here
This article describes basic Java instructions compared to Delphi. See here
Sunday, June 20, 2004
Formula One Results - American Grand Prix
2004 United States Grand Prix
2004 United States Grand Prix
Pos No Driver Team Laps Time/Retired Points
1 1 Michael Schumacher Ferrari 73 1:40:29.914 10
2 2 Rubens Barrichello Ferrari 73 +2.9 secs 8
3 10 Takuma Sato BAR-Honda 73 +22.0 secs 6
4 7 Jarno Trulli Renault 73 +34.5 secs 5
5 17 Olivier Panis Toyota 73 +37.5 secs 4
6 6 Kimi Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes 72 +1 Lap 3
Fastest Lap: Rubens Barrichello 1:10.399
Official Result
2004 United States Grand Prix
Pos No Driver Team Laps Time/Retired Points
1 1 Michael Schumacher Ferrari 73 1:40:29.914 10
2 2 Rubens Barrichello Ferrari 73 +2.9 secs 8
3 10 Takuma Sato BAR-Honda 73 +22.0 secs 6
4 7 Jarno Trulli Renault 73 +34.5 secs 5
5 17 Olivier Panis Toyota 73 +37.5 secs 4
6 6 Kimi Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes 72 +1 Lap 3
Fastest Lap: Rubens Barrichello 1:10.399
Official Result
What Makes Good Code Good?
What Makes Good Code Good?
Paul DiLascia
When MSDN Magazine asked me to write a page on something I care about, I said, "You mean, like abolishing taxes, car phones, and SUVs?" Alas, they meant something to do with programming. Well! After pondering, I realized that something I care about is writing good code. Books and magazines spare no space explaining how to program the latest API or marshal objects from Redmond to Zwaziland, but how to write good code? What is good code, anyway?
A good program works flawlessly and has no bugs. But what internal qualities produce such perfection? It's no mystery, we just need some occasional reminding. Whether you code in C/C++, C#, Java, Basic, Perl, COBOL, or ASM, all good programming exhibits the same time-honored qualities: simplicity, readability, modularity, layering, design, efficiency, elegance, and clarity.
Simplicity means you don't do in ten lines what you can do in five. It means you make extra effort to be concise, but not to the point of obfuscation. It means you abhor open coding and functions that span pages. Simplicity—of organization, implementation, design—makes your code more reliable and bug free. There's less to go wrong.
Readability means what it says: that others can read your code. Readability means you bother to write comments, to follow conventions, and pause to name your variables wisely. Like choosing "taxrate" instead of "tr".
Modularity means your program is built like the universe. The world is made of molecules, which are made of atoms, electrons, nucleons, quarks, and (if you believe in them) strings. Likewise, good programs erect large systems from smaller ones, which are built from even smaller building blocks. You can write a text editor with three primitives: move, insert, and delete. And just as atoms combine in novel ways, software components should be reusable.
Layering means that internally, your program resembles a layer cake. The app sits on the framework sits on the OS sits on the hardware. Even within your app, you need layers, like file-document-view-frame. Higher layers call ones below, which raise events back up. (Calls go down; events go up.) Lower layers should never know what higher ones are up to. The essence of an event/callback is to provide blind upward notification. If your doc calls the frame directly, something stinks. Modules and layers are defined by APIs, which delineate their boundaries. Thus, design is critical.
Design means you take time to plan your program before you build it. Thoughts are cheaper than debugging. A good rule of thumb is to spend half your time on design. You need a functional spec (what the programs does) and an internal blueprint. APIs should be codified in writing.
Efficiency means your program is fast and economical. It doesn't hog files, data connections, or anything else. It does what it should, but no more. It loads and departs without fuss. At the function level, you can always optimize later, during testing. But at high levels, you must plan for performance. If the design requires a million trips to the server, expect a dog.
Elegance is like beauty: hard to describe but easy to recognize. Elegance combines simplicity, efficiency, and brilliance, and produces a feeling of pride. Elegance is when you replace a procedure with a table, or realize that you can use recursion—which is almost always elegant:
int fact(int n)
{
return n==0 ? 1 : n * fact(n-1);
}
Clarity is the granddaddy of good programming, the platinum quality all the others serve. Computers make it possible to create systems that are vastly more complex than physical machines. The fundamental challenge of programming is managing complexity. Simplicity, readability, modularity, layering, design, efficiency, and elegance are all time-honored ways to achieve clarity, which is the antidote to complexity.
Clarity of code. Clarity of design. Clarity of purpose. You must understand—really understand—what you're doing at every level. Otherwise you're lost. Bad programs are less often a failure of coding skill than of having a clear goal. That's why design is key. It keeps you honest. If you can't write it down, if you can't explain it to others, you don't really know what you're doing.
There's so much I've left out, but there's one more thing I hesitate to add. Use it sparingly and only in desperation: the clever hack. The clever hack is when you sacrifice your principles to expedience. When you hardcode some condition or make a call up the layer cake—or commit some other embarrassment—because it works and there's no time to do it right. But remember: it must be clever! It's the cleverness that redeems the hack and gives it a kind of perverse elegance. And if the hack doesn't work, don't blame me!
Happy programming!
Paul DiLascia
When MSDN Magazine asked me to write a page on something I care about, I said, "You mean, like abolishing taxes, car phones, and SUVs?" Alas, they meant something to do with programming. Well! After pondering, I realized that something I care about is writing good code. Books and magazines spare no space explaining how to program the latest API or marshal objects from Redmond to Zwaziland, but how to write good code? What is good code, anyway?
A good program works flawlessly and has no bugs. But what internal qualities produce such perfection? It's no mystery, we just need some occasional reminding. Whether you code in C/C++, C#, Java, Basic, Perl, COBOL, or ASM, all good programming exhibits the same time-honored qualities: simplicity, readability, modularity, layering, design, efficiency, elegance, and clarity.
Simplicity means you don't do in ten lines what you can do in five. It means you make extra effort to be concise, but not to the point of obfuscation. It means you abhor open coding and functions that span pages. Simplicity—of organization, implementation, design—makes your code more reliable and bug free. There's less to go wrong.
Readability means what it says: that others can read your code. Readability means you bother to write comments, to follow conventions, and pause to name your variables wisely. Like choosing "taxrate" instead of "tr".
Modularity means your program is built like the universe. The world is made of molecules, which are made of atoms, electrons, nucleons, quarks, and (if you believe in them) strings. Likewise, good programs erect large systems from smaller ones, which are built from even smaller building blocks. You can write a text editor with three primitives: move, insert, and delete. And just as atoms combine in novel ways, software components should be reusable.
Layering means that internally, your program resembles a layer cake. The app sits on the framework sits on the OS sits on the hardware. Even within your app, you need layers, like file-document-view-frame. Higher layers call ones below, which raise events back up. (Calls go down; events go up.) Lower layers should never know what higher ones are up to. The essence of an event/callback is to provide blind upward notification. If your doc calls the frame directly, something stinks. Modules and layers are defined by APIs, which delineate their boundaries. Thus, design is critical.
Design means you take time to plan your program before you build it. Thoughts are cheaper than debugging. A good rule of thumb is to spend half your time on design. You need a functional spec (what the programs does) and an internal blueprint. APIs should be codified in writing.
Efficiency means your program is fast and economical. It doesn't hog files, data connections, or anything else. It does what it should, but no more. It loads and departs without fuss. At the function level, you can always optimize later, during testing. But at high levels, you must plan for performance. If the design requires a million trips to the server, expect a dog.
Elegance is like beauty: hard to describe but easy to recognize. Elegance combines simplicity, efficiency, and brilliance, and produces a feeling of pride. Elegance is when you replace a procedure with a table, or realize that you can use recursion—which is almost always elegant:
int fact(int n)
{
return n==0 ? 1 : n * fact(n-1);
}
Clarity is the granddaddy of good programming, the platinum quality all the others serve. Computers make it possible to create systems that are vastly more complex than physical machines. The fundamental challenge of programming is managing complexity. Simplicity, readability, modularity, layering, design, efficiency, and elegance are all time-honored ways to achieve clarity, which is the antidote to complexity.
Clarity of code. Clarity of design. Clarity of purpose. You must understand—really understand—what you're doing at every level. Otherwise you're lost. Bad programs are less often a failure of coding skill than of having a clear goal. That's why design is key. It keeps you honest. If you can't write it down, if you can't explain it to others, you don't really know what you're doing.
There's so much I've left out, but there's one more thing I hesitate to add. Use it sparingly and only in desperation: the clever hack. The clever hack is when you sacrifice your principles to expedience. When you hardcode some condition or make a call up the layer cake—or commit some other embarrassment—because it works and there's no time to do it right. But remember: it must be clever! It's the cleverness that redeems the hack and gives it a kind of perverse elegance. And if the hack doesn't work, don't blame me!
Happy programming!
Friday, June 18, 2004
Five Point Someone : What Not To Do At I I T !
Recently read "Five Point Someone : What Not To Do At I I T !" - by Chetan Bhagat, it is book for some light reading.
A breezy read, Bhagat’s first novel takes you through the lives of three low-graders (scoring around five; hence the title) at the haloed institute. Contrary to its tagline, it isn’t really a surmise on what to do at India’s top tech school .
In fact, IIT provides a good setting for the alumnus; its protagonists could have been at any campus. That is the book’s high point; the universal appeal of its characters will strike a chord with most, at the same time giving you a wonderful insight into goings-on at the much-revered school.
Bhagat’s Hari, Alok and Ryan are a far cry from the nerd that an IIT graduate is widely perceived to be. Here are three young men , who instead of wearing the IIT stamp on their sleeve, feel immensely bogged down by the burden of being there, which translates into studying endlessly and wanting to have fun hopelessly.
And it isn’t just their failing at academics that brings on the misery.
Hari’s excess 20-kg is inversely proportional to his GPA; Alok is burdened as much by books as by overwhelming expectant parents and Ryan’s angst against a boarding school childhood shows up in his hatred of the system, much like that of J D Salinger’s Holden Caulfield.
Interestingly, if the poor scores threaten to come between their thick-as-thieves friendship, it is also the reason why they find solace in each other, shunned by the 9-pointers and looked down upon even by the faculty.
In fact, the low grades are the common thread between the three disparate characters – a lower-middle class boy for whom the IIT is a one-way ticket to his family’s happiness; a boarding school-educated rebel who reserves his condescension for high-graders and the grounded but uncertain fat guy whose love drives him to extremes.
Ironically, the book might have created some friction in the real life friendship too. Bhagat says one of the character’s flesh-and-blood counterparts hasn’t taken it well. "But that’s what their friendship is about – irrespective of their backgrounds, they care for each other," Bhagat says, seemingly unruffled by the friend’s response.
Bhagat’s first-person account (he’s Hari) is largely based on real faculty members and fellow hostellers and some fictional events like an attempted suicide, a happening not implausible at IIT.
Through them, the author paints an absorbing account not only of life in the institute hostel, but also of male bonding among pliable youths.
The book has enough wrong language usage that will probably score five points in high school, but Bhagat’s characters will soon involve you out of it.
A breezy read, Bhagat’s first novel takes you through the lives of three low-graders (scoring around five; hence the title) at the haloed institute. Contrary to its tagline, it isn’t really a surmise on what to do at India’s top tech school .
In fact, IIT provides a good setting for the alumnus; its protagonists could have been at any campus. That is the book’s high point; the universal appeal of its characters will strike a chord with most, at the same time giving you a wonderful insight into goings-on at the much-revered school.
Bhagat’s Hari, Alok and Ryan are a far cry from the nerd that an IIT graduate is widely perceived to be. Here are three young men , who instead of wearing the IIT stamp on their sleeve, feel immensely bogged down by the burden of being there, which translates into studying endlessly and wanting to have fun hopelessly.
And it isn’t just their failing at academics that brings on the misery.
Hari’s excess 20-kg is inversely proportional to his GPA; Alok is burdened as much by books as by overwhelming expectant parents and Ryan’s angst against a boarding school childhood shows up in his hatred of the system, much like that of J D Salinger’s Holden Caulfield.
Interestingly, if the poor scores threaten to come between their thick-as-thieves friendship, it is also the reason why they find solace in each other, shunned by the 9-pointers and looked down upon even by the faculty.
In fact, the low grades are the common thread between the three disparate characters – a lower-middle class boy for whom the IIT is a one-way ticket to his family’s happiness; a boarding school-educated rebel who reserves his condescension for high-graders and the grounded but uncertain fat guy whose love drives him to extremes.
Ironically, the book might have created some friction in the real life friendship too. Bhagat says one of the character’s flesh-and-blood counterparts hasn’t taken it well. "But that’s what their friendship is about – irrespective of their backgrounds, they care for each other," Bhagat says, seemingly unruffled by the friend’s response.
Bhagat’s first-person account (he’s Hari) is largely based on real faculty members and fellow hostellers and some fictional events like an attempted suicide, a happening not implausible at IIT.
Through them, the author paints an absorbing account not only of life in the institute hostel, but also of male bonding among pliable youths.
The book has enough wrong language usage that will probably score five points in high school, but Bhagat’s characters will soon involve you out of it.
Wednesday, June 09, 2004
Maktub
"Maktub" means "It is written."
I came across this word when a read a book named "The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho"
This is the magical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure as extravagant as any ever found. From his home in spain he travel to the markets of tangiers and into the egyptian desert, where a fateful encounter with the alchemist awaits him.
Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles along the way. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasures found within.
"The Alchemist", is an exciting novel that bursts with optimism; it is the kind of novel that tells you that everything is possible as long as you really want it to happen.
As the alchemist himself says, when he appears to Santiago in the form of an old king "when you really want something to happen, the whole universe conspires so that your wish comes true".
"The Alchemist" is a novel that may appeal to everybody, because we can all identify with Santiago: all of us have dreams, and are dying for somebody to tell us that they may come true.
Also read more abt "Maktub"
I came across this word when a read a book named "The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho"
This is the magical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure as extravagant as any ever found. From his home in spain he travel to the markets of tangiers and into the egyptian desert, where a fateful encounter with the alchemist awaits him.
Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles along the way. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasures found within.
"The Alchemist", is an exciting novel that bursts with optimism; it is the kind of novel that tells you that everything is possible as long as you really want it to happen.
As the alchemist himself says, when he appears to Santiago in the form of an old king "when you really want something to happen, the whole universe conspires so that your wish comes true".
"The Alchemist" is a novel that may appeal to everybody, because we can all identify with Santiago: all of us have dreams, and are dying for somebody to tell us that they may come true.
Also read more abt "Maktub"
Trek To Sinhgad
Trek To Sinhgad - 30 May 2004
Sinhagad is 25 Kms. from Pune. It is famous for trip - lovers as well as for the trekkers. Sinhagad is 700 mtrs. High but can be reached by vehicle also.
Now a days, Sinhagad is famous for fan lovers. But it has historical importance and who will forget the brave Tanaji Malusare, Shelarmama and their historic battle. You can see Tanaji's samadhi on the fort. The bungalows of Lokmanya Tilak and famous Marathi Poet G.D. Madgulkar ( Ga Di Ma ) are also located on the fort. Dev Take - famous tank with sweet and cold water - is popular amongst the tourists. Sweet curd, Buttermilk, Kanda bhaji and Pithle-Bhakari of Sinhagad is the main attraction for the people TPTians had Lots of everything...vendors have reported heavy profits..specially Nimbu-Pani wala's . The samadhi of Rajaram Maharaj can also be found on this fort.
The tower of Doordarshan -Mumbai is also there on Sinhagad. This tower provides reception to Pune region. You can see the Panshet, Khadakwasla and Varasgaon dams and Torana fort also. The view of entire Pune city looks wonderful. The trip Pune - Sinhagad is very intensity because of the Ghat to Sinhagad and one must enjoy the trip.
Our Trip started from Null Stop which was first meeting point...Then we met Sagar and Shilpa at Kotrud and headed for sinhgad via Khadkvasala Dam...Ashwin and group caught up with rest of the gang jsut before reaching Sinhgad...
After some tea, special thanks from chiawala to Hemant and Vijay....we started the trek and the group split into two...one which took considerable lead and other which had decided to help nimbu-paani walas meet the sales target well ahead of schedule...and lots of effort on part of our friend Anjali...we reached the Sinhgad fort in timing of 2 hrs and half min(first team reached in 1 and half hour)....
After some sight seeing...the favourite part food....starting with Butter Milk, Kaanda bhajiya and then Pithle-Bhakari and Chick--en, with detailed commentary from Riyaz and Pali for people not familiar with details of events leading to a Chicken Curry...
After some rest, the final round of sight seeing ....
And then the roller-coster ride down on a Jeep...
A fun trip with lots of memories...
See Snaps
Sinhagad is 25 Kms. from Pune. It is famous for trip - lovers as well as for the trekkers. Sinhagad is 700 mtrs. High but can be reached by vehicle also.
Now a days, Sinhagad is famous for fan lovers. But it has historical importance and who will forget the brave Tanaji Malusare, Shelarmama and their historic battle. You can see Tanaji's samadhi on the fort. The bungalows of Lokmanya Tilak and famous Marathi Poet G.D. Madgulkar ( Ga Di Ma ) are also located on the fort. Dev Take - famous tank with sweet and cold water - is popular amongst the tourists. Sweet curd, Buttermilk, Kanda bhaji and Pithle-Bhakari of Sinhagad is the main attraction for the people TPTians had Lots of everything...vendors have reported heavy profits..specially Nimbu-Pani wala's . The samadhi of Rajaram Maharaj can also be found on this fort.
The tower of Doordarshan -Mumbai is also there on Sinhagad. This tower provides reception to Pune region. You can see the Panshet, Khadakwasla and Varasgaon dams and Torana fort also. The view of entire Pune city looks wonderful. The trip Pune - Sinhagad is very intensity because of the Ghat to Sinhagad and one must enjoy the trip.
Our Trip started from Null Stop which was first meeting point...Then we met Sagar and Shilpa at Kotrud and headed for sinhgad via Khadkvasala Dam...Ashwin and group caught up with rest of the gang jsut before reaching Sinhgad...
After some tea, special thanks from chiawala to Hemant and Vijay....we started the trek and the group split into two...one which took considerable lead and other which had decided to help nimbu-paani walas meet the sales target well ahead of schedule...and lots of effort on part of our friend Anjali...we reached the Sinhgad fort in timing of 2 hrs and half min(first team reached in 1 and half hour)....
After some sight seeing...the favourite part food....starting with Butter Milk, Kaanda bhajiya and then Pithle-Bhakari and Chick--en, with detailed commentary from Riyaz and Pali for people not familiar with details of events leading to a Chicken Curry...
After some rest, the final round of sight seeing ....
And then the roller-coster ride down on a Jeep...
A fun trip with lots of memories...
See Snaps
Friday, June 04, 2004
This is first Test Blog:
Nice site to seee www.HowStuffWorks.com
How Blogs Work
A blog is a great way to keep track of your online travels and share them with the world -- it’s an online journal of your virtual life. Find an amazing Web site? Put a note about it in your blog. Come across a news story that has you fuming? Go ahead and rant about it in your blog.
Cheers :-)
Nice site to seee www.HowStuffWorks.com
How Blogs Work
A blog is a great way to keep track of your online travels and share them with the world -- it’s an online journal of your virtual life. Find an amazing Web site? Put a note about it in your blog. Come across a news story that has you fuming? Go ahead and rant about it in your blog.
Cheers :-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
