I read over a recent post on load splitting, that got me thinking about code I’ve written over the years – how to divide the work between many resources, keeping in account how much each can ‘handle’? For example, if you have a server that can handle 3 times the...

On my other site a long time ago I discussed adding a counter to your WordPress blog. And left it. After all, there’s better stats packages available, so why a little counter at the bottom? But I guess people liked it, and used it... Then not too long ago I...

A long time ago, I wrote code to randomly rotate images, and submitted to SitePoint, and they published it. I finally decided to post it here – and include some questions I’ve gotten over the last few years: • Can I include links? Not with the eBay-only (HTML) style code. If...

An article appeared awhile back quoting Nathan Myhrvold, the former Chief Technology Office for Microsoft. Nathan has been involved with the company for many years, and has guided many significant projects, not the least of which being Excel and Word. When asked why software is so complicated, he placed the...

Every one reading these words has no doubt worried over a problem or two until the answer has become clear. Generally, the best answers are the simpler ones, primarily because we’ve done some thinking, and gotten rid of the unimportant details that cloud the real issue (whatever that may be)...

Few programs emerge full-grown and ready to take on the world. It’s a standing joke in the industry to never expect perfection before Version 3.0 – and don’t even think of using version 1.0! Getting software ready involves some compromises, often ending up in rushing products to market too early...

Despite the way the industry may look at times, software is big business. And businesses need cash flow. For example, let’s say you’ve written the greatest program since the spreadsheet, got it out there, and sold a million copies. Then what? Companies hate that part. You have a product to...

Featuritis: (Noun); excessive or unusual number of bells and whistles, often just for the fun of it. How many readers enjoy gadgets? You’re not alone – designers are among the most rabid fans of new things and features. As a programmer, I know the allure of adding ‘just one more...

(originally published in The Borland Developer Network) As part of good programming, assertions in your code are a convenient way to monitor what is happening. This article discusses adding flexibility to assert(), as well as improving your use of it. Some Background on Asserting For many years, I’ve used assert()...

(originally published in The Borland Developer Network) Most RAD tool frameworks provide an easy way to work in Windows. Proof of their effectiveness is that many (if not most) programmers today working in Windows have never dealt with the CreateWindow() function, or crafted a switch/case statement for a Windows messaging...