Python vs. Haskell round 1: Test Output

The point goes to Haskell On the surface, it may sound silly to compare these two languages because they're about opposite as you could get: Python is interpreted, dynamically typed, and slightly weakly typed as well. Haskell on the other hand, is compiled, statically and strongly typed. But they're both open source, and they both … Continue reading Python vs. Haskell round 1: Test Output →

Engineering with Empathy: how do we decide when to fix?

It's a sappy title, but bear with me. I'm wondering if the best lessons of diversity and inclusion can be applied to software development? For example, if something is offensive to others, then it's worth looking for an alternative — even if I'm not personally offended. I witnessed an interesting disagreement on a software project: … Continue reading Engineering with Empathy: how do we decide when to fix? →

Why I don’t use let/let! in my RSpec

At work, we're deciding on our test-writing style: let/let! blocks like let(:arg) { 5 } vs. instance variables defined in a setup method like @arg = 5. I've found no advantage to let; but I have experienced disadvantages. I've found no disadvantages to instance variables. And so, đź‘Ť for instance variables. I've written many specs … Continue reading Why I don’t use let/let! in my RSpec →

The Benefits (not features!) of Programming with Haskell

I'm just a couple of months in, and have written my first production Haskell app, a PDF parser for Oregon laws. Programming it feels different, in a good way. Looking over the list below, two themes — easy and fast — stand out. Compared to OO languages: It's easy to jump back in to previous work; easy to test my … Continue reading The Benefits (not features!) of Programming with Haskell →

Wifi LAN Performance Test comparing 3 routers and 6 computers

In the past year, I noticed that my wifi had gotten too slow to smoothly ssh from one computer to another. Screen sharing was also very rocky. I began to suspect that either my Macs or my Apple router were seriously under-performing. Ping times are a great performance indicator for the apps that I use as … Continue reading Wifi LAN Performance Test comparing 3 routers and 6 computers →

Comparing Kanban apps with GitHub integration

I'm working on this for a client: Comparing Kanban project management apps that have very good GitHub integration. So far I've looked at Huboard, Waffle, Zenhub, and Blossom. Blossom.io is the strongest for our needs due to the detailed cycle time reporting, showing where cards are spending their time. It also has some very useful project … Continue reading Comparing Kanban apps with GitHub integration →

Web Framework Comparison Matrix

This is how I evaluate frameworks for clients and my own projects. I'm doing my best to be: opinionated about which features matter unopinionated about the actual frameworks So you'll be most likely to find this helpful if you value the same things I do: good CRUD support, good deployment and testing support, and an open and friendly … Continue reading Web Framework Comparison Matrix →

Goodbye “X for Y”: the cryptic Ruby error is becoming friendlier

Anyone who's used Ruby has seen this message: r.rb:1:in `name': wrong number of arguments (3 for 2) (ArgumentError) This particular error has been driving me nuts for years. It's just so unnecessarily difficult to interpret — especially if Ruby's not the only language you use. I never remember which number is which. Compare to Python: TypeError: … Continue reading Goodbye “X for Y”: the cryptic Ruby error is becoming friendlier →

Infographic: OS X El Capitan License in Plain English

Shortly after I posted OS X El Capitan License in Plain English, I received an email from Bogdan Rauta, a Romanian infographic designer. He volunteered to create an infographic as part of a new project, Infographic Monster News. His idea is to report current news stories in the form of infographics. I'd say he's off to a … Continue reading Infographic: OS X El Capitan License in Plain English →