Ask the Mormon

[ArcticFox]

At work I use Eclipse running on a pretty beefy Windows 7 box. I can't really complain so far. And I do have access to CentOS test servers. Since I develop in Java, I can compile my code locally and run it either locally or on the test server.

Java FTW.

No I don't use PHP, although I suspect I will have to learn it sooner or later. I've just finished converting a Python program into Java and until I started it, had never worked with Python before either.

[ArchAngel]

If I was to try out Java again, what APIs or frameworks would you recommend me try out to best avoid that whole sucks feeling?

[ArcticFox]

You might really like JavaServer Faces. It's very similar in structure to the .NET page/code behind model for implementing MVC.

[ArchAngel]

Cool.

[Deepfreeze32]

Speaking of MVC...had a chat with a friend today. He proposed that MVC really only works in theory, because in practice it makes programming more complicated. Agree, disagree, meh?

[Chozon1]

Seen the new Warhammer40K Kit?

[ArcticFox]

Speaking of MVC...had a chat with a friend today. He proposed that MVC really only works in theory, because in practice it makes programming more complicated. Agree, disagree, meh?

I disagree, with the caveat that it works best when it's flexible. By that I mean if you have a solution in mind and the MVC pattern constrains you somehow, then you should be able to implement your solution without collapsing the whole thing. It's why I prefer JSF over Struts. JSF is way more flexible.

Seen the new Warhammer40K Kit?

I've seen some early, fuzzy photos of the models. Seems pretty awesome if you're a Dark Angel or Chaos Space Marine player.

[ArchAngel]

We got into some controversial debates in the past, from creation vs. evolution to java vs. .NET, but I think I need to start asking the questions that really test our friendship....

How do you orient your braces?
if(){
///...
}

or

if()
{
///...
}

Do you differ for functions/methods and classes?

[fathom123]

Let's say I want to get into coding and I have no idea where to start, where should I go? Now I'm more of a learn by doing type. I can read books but it only sticks if I implement it.

[Deepfreeze32]

OpenSPARC?

[fathom123]

I guess I should be more specific. I'm new to code. From what I wrote previously it's like saying "I would love to learn a language, where do I start?" Quite vague since there are a million languages right?

I would love to work as a linux server admin to start. I am green (and when I say green I mean St Pattie's day in Ireland green), where would you guys recommend? Perhaps this is the wrong thread? Sorry Arctic.

[Chozon1]

I WANT MAEK GAMES TELL ME 2.

Falling asleep with your lip caught between your teeth and your bed?

[ArcticFox]

We got into some controversial debates in the past, from creation vs. evolution to java vs. .NET, but I think I need to start asking the questions that really test our friendship....

How do you orient your braces?
if(){
///...
}

or

if()
{
///...
}

I'll give you the most authentic possible answer... I'll copy/paste real live Java code from the REST/JSON project I mentioned before...

Code: Select all

    private String urlEncode(JSONObject parameters){
    	
    	Iterator<?> keys = parameters.keys();
    	String queryString = "";
    	
    	while(keys.hasNext()){
    		String key = (String)keys.next();
    		try {
    			String value = parameters.getString(key);
				queryString = queryString + URLEncoder.encode(key, "UTF-8") + "=" + URLEncoder.encode(value, "UTF-8") + "&";
			} catch (UnsupportedEncodingException e) {
				logger.error("Unsupported Encoding Exception.");
				e.printStackTrace();
			} catch (JSONException e) {
				logger.error("JSON Exception.");
				e.printStackTrace();
			}
    	}    	
    	
    	queryString = queryString.substring(0, queryString.length() - 2);
    	
    	return queryString;
    }

Do you differ for functions/methods and classes?

No, I use the same style for everything.

Let's say I want to get into coding and I have no idea where to start, where should I go? Now I'm more of a learn by doing type. I can read books but it only sticks if I implement it.

I guess I should be more specific. I'm new to code. From what I wrote previously it's like saying "I would love to learn a language, where do I start?" Quite vague since there are a million languages right?

I would love to work as a linux server admin to start. I am green (and when I say green I mean St Pattie's day in Ireland green), where would you guys recommend? Perhaps this is the wrong thread? Sorry Arctic.

There's a really awesome series of books called "Head First." They present the material in a very easy (and fun) to read style. They use humor, and an explanation of why they present it the way they do that gives some great insights into how the human brain learns information. I recommend it highly. I don't know if they have a UNIX Admin book but they might... I have two of them, one for general Java and one for Servlets & JSP.

If you want to learn a language, the best thing to decide on first is: What do you want to do with it? Each programming language has its own best use. For example, if I wanted to build a web application I'd use Java, not C. On the other hand, if I wanted to write a UNIX system program (Or a Windows system program, for that matter) I'd use C, not Java. Once you've decided what kind of stuff you want to get into, you'd then choose the language that best supports it. Generally speaking:

Web programming for hippies: Java
Web programming and you're a Borg: C#
System programming: C
AI: Lisp
General application programming: C++
If you're an utter loser with no self-respect: Visual Basic .NET
Database stuff: Python

And then there's a smattering of languages that aren't necessarily full-fledged programming languages but are useful for web development alongside Java or C#, like JavaScript (No relation to Java), HTML, PHP...

And for database queries: SQL.

OpenSPARC?

Hardcore UNIX... I actually had a SPARC machine once... Never did much with it though. Traded an R2-D2 phone for it. Good trade.

I WANT MAEK GAMES TELL ME 2.

Falling asleep with your lip caught between your teeth and your bed?

You can't prove anything.

[ArchAngel]

Web programming and you're a Borg: C#

You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.

[Deepfreeze32]

So I use MySQL databases on a daily basis at my job. Should I consider testing out of my Intro to DB class?