Saturday - March 07, 2009

Project Euler

What a time-sink.  Too much of the wrong kind of fun.  

Reaching level one was pretty easy.  I was baffled by one problem.  Level two will probably be harder.

Author: Steven Lott
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Tuesday - January 06, 2009

Reader Feedback -- what a helpful thing

I've recently updated two of my Building Skills titles based on reader feedback.

Author: Steven Lott
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Sunday - September 28, 2008

Programming Languages I've Learned (more-or-less in order) [Update]

 See Programming Languages I've Learned In Order.  Interesting.  Don't know why it would be.

Author: Steven Lott
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Saturday - September 27, 2008

How did I start with Python?

Somewhere in StackOverflow, the topic of starting with a given language came up.  It got me to thinking back on what I was doing the lead me away from the mainstream, billable skills and out to the edge of the envelope.

Author: Steven Lott
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Monday - September 22, 2008

Too much of the wrong kind of fun.

See Stack Overflow.  Cool social networking on programming topics.  

Author: Steven Lott
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Sunday - July 06, 2008

Voice of the Customer

Or What do people want in a book on programming?

Author: Steven Lott
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Sunday - June 29, 2008

The "Which Language" Question

A recent email said "I've read a little about C++, and Objective-C.  My next step will be to read a bit about Perl, Python and Ruby."  I have a suggestion... 

Author: Steven Lott
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Wednesday - June 18, 2008

Building Skills in OO Design

Revised some additional things that have confused readers.  And -- bonus -- added four appendices on testing and documentation.

Author: Steven Lott
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Saturday - May 31, 2008

Building Skills in OO Design -- Updated

In response to reader comments and questions, I've made a few updates to the OO Design book.

Author: Steven Lott
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Tuesday - May 27, 2008

Brain Dead and Visual Basic: Coincidence?

Here's something I stumbled across.  A bunch of VB versions of the same algorithm; all of which are bad in the same unthinking way.

Author: Steven Lott
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Saturday - April 12, 2008

XKCD summarizes Python nicely

Check out the XKCD 409, comparing Python, C, Calvin and Hobbes in one swoop.

Author: Steven Lott
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Tuesday - April 08, 2008

Building Skills Updates

The best part of web publishing is correcting things.

Author: Steven Lott
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Saturday - February 23, 2008

More Programming for n00bz

I've had several good newbie programming questions.  Back in December, I had some questions from folks who hadn't programmed recently, and needed to polish up their skills.  Their real-world questions helped me shape some training materials.  I had another tangential question, recently, that was even more interesting.

Author: Steven Lott
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Monday - January 28, 2008

Building Skills In Python - 2.5 Edition

How do you learn Python?  By doing lots of small exercises and adding skills one at a time.

Author: Steven Lott
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Wednesday - December 19, 2007

I haven't written a program in years.  How do I rebuild my skills?

I've had this question twice in the last few months.  I have an answer.  Predictably, it's Python.  The first question was the kick in the pants I needed to finish my book edits and revisions.  The second question was a helpful What To Do Next direction.

Author: Steven Lott
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Monday - December 17, 2007

Building Skills in Python

Announcing my Building Skills in Python Book:  Revised, Expanded, Corrected and Online Today!

Author: Steven Lott
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Wednesday - June 20, 2007

Java-related skills - response to a question

Beyond the language, there's a lot to Java.  There's a build-up of skills from a core set to which other things can be added.  Here's the skills that seem to matter most in my marketplace.

Author: Steven Lott
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Thursday - May 31, 2007

Programming for Non-Programmers Book

I spent some time with an editor discussing the idea of Programming for Non-Programmers in Python.  Ultimately, I couldn't make the deal work out.  I wrote the book anyway.  It's available now.

Author: Steven Lott
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Tuesday - May 22, 2007

Web Services and Architecture

This is the last bit of an 8-part seminar on Web Services.

Author: Steven Lott
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Tuesday - May 01, 2007

Ouch!

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