Saturday, September 25, 2010

Extension Methods

Extension Methods allow for the readability you expect in code you don't own. C# and Ruby have had them for a while, and I created a jar to so you can use them in java as well. (you can read the original post here)

I vBlogged my thoughts here:

Here's the simple reason you want a fluent interface for your code.

Download Extension Methods for Java

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Lamdbas in Java 1.6

If you've ever heard that java is a poor language because it doesn't have lambdas, that ends today!

I created a way to do lambda's in java 1.6 without changing: the JDK, the compiler, the ByteCode or the Syntax.

I vBlogged my thoughts here:

It's only a jar file, no special requirements or changes.

You can down load it here at www.approvaltests.com

You might also be interested in my similar addition of extension method in java

Here's the diagram of the syntax :

I also made a small tutorial here : http://blog.approvaltests.com/2010/10/java-lambdas.html

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Theory Based Testing

Most of us are familiar with classic unit testing. Today, I wanted to talk a about a different form of unit testing, that is much more powerful when it is possible.

Theory based test take the normal form of
Given A & B expect C
and change it to
Given A & B expect C theory
This removal of the expected C, allows you to test MANY more cases, because you don't need to pre-plan the results for a given A & B

I vBlogged my thoughts here:

btw: if you are interested in attending an open spaces, check out Open Agile So Cal. There's one coming up in San Francisco Oct. 11, 2010

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Rewriting Vs Refactoring

Once again, I found myself having a discussion about the dangers of doing a legacy code rewrite. Durning this client meeting, I came up with an illustration I wanted to share.

I vBlogged my thoughts here:

These 3 graphs sum up the Massive Risk at the end.

The Rewrite Scenario

The Hidden Question at the End

The Refactor Scenario

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

The importance of your Compile Time

Lot's of time i find myself working to shorten compile and build times. While most people agree with shorter is better for compile times, the questions of what is short? and how important is it? seem to remain vague and seemly open to judgement.

It's not. So I wanted to take a moment to clarify it.

I vBlogged my thoughts here

You can see the excel sheet here
and read the Joel on Software Thread here

Monday, January 18, 2010

Recipes in Java

Learning to Program Java with Recipes

14 amazing kids showed up yesterday for a session at Wintriss Techinical school on learning to program Java! We tackled 2 recipes durning these 2 hours, and wanted to show how to setup your own computer so you can continue at home.

Here's What you need to do to get started with the Recipes. First the quick-links, then detailed instructions below.

Download Java SDK

Download Eclipse

Download Workspace
Import Workspace

Download Java SDK

If you don't already have java on your machine you'll have to download it. How can you tell if you do have java? open an terminal window.
Mac : command+space then type terminal and hit enter
Windows : windowskey+r then type CMD and hit enter
In the terminal/command window type
java -version
if you see something like
java version "1.6.0_15"
you've got it, otherwise download it from Sun at http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/widget/jdk6.jsp

Download Eclipse

You want to download the "Eclipse IDE for Java Developers (92MB)"
it's here
http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/

Download the Workspace

Download the "Learn To Program - In Java" workspace from CodePlex. http://learntoprogram.codeplex.com/
Unzip it to the directory of your choice. But remember the location, you will need in the next step.

Import the Workspace

In Eclipse, right click in the Navigator Window and select "Import Workspace".
A Window will appear asking for an import source, select "Existing Projects into Workspace", if you can't find it start typing existing and it will appear.
Click next.
The root directory is the location where you unzipped the workspace. then simply hit finish.

If you are successful you should see the IntroToProgramming folder in the navigator window.

That's it, Happy Programming!
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.