Questions tagged [language-agnostic]
This tag is for questions that aren't specific to a programming language or environment.
489 questions
1
vote
3answers
235 views
Are unit tests needed for a function that only calls another function?
Assuming OldModule.oldFunc, if we want to move oldFunc to NewModule and, for backward compatibility, keep oldFunc there merely calling NewModule.newFunc by passing the exact same arguments and doing ...
2
votes
2answers
39 views
Cumulative sum of overlapping increase/decrease over time
I am looking for an efficient way to handle a calculation. I have lots of timestamped events, representing loading and unloading of trucks. I need to construct the filling rate of these trucks over ...
10
votes
5answers
2k views
What should I do when optimistic locking doesn't work?
I have this following scenario:
A user makes a GET request to /projects/1 and receives an ETag.
The user makes a PUT request to /projects/1 with the ETag from step #1.
The user makes another PUT ...
0
votes
0answers
57 views
+200
How to handle “Optimistic Locking” on a collection with ETag headers?
Consider endpoint /projects that returns a list of projects with the following headers:
HTTP/1.1 200 OK
Etag: "superEtag"
The etag value represents a hash of the entire collection and it does not ...
-2
votes
1answer
70 views
How to measure complexity of expressions?
I'm comparing two APIs to generate a method in C# and want to measure how "complex" the code to use them is. Consider:
API A:
MethodDeclaration(PredefinedType(Token(IntKeyword)), "CompareTo")
....
1
vote
4answers
235 views
What should be the last entry in a switch/case statement?
When writing a switch statement that only ever has to deal with a known set of values (imagine an implicit enumeration), I find myself wondering what should be the last entry in the construct. I'm ...
6
votes
3answers
301 views
Equal length variable names: tricks or alternatives? [closed]
This might be a super nerdy, OCD-like, silly question, but... I love it when related variables have names of equal length, such that when written below one another, it lines up nicely. Eg:
min/max:
...
9
votes
1answer
89 views
Name of technique for inferring type arguments of a type parameter?
Setup: Let's assume we have a type called Iterator which has a type parameter Element:
interface Iterator<Element> {}
Then we have an interface Iterable which has one method which will return ...
6
votes
6answers
466 views
Is it bad practice to code the solution, then redo in TDD?
I might be wrong, but I feel like the best approach to TDD is Solution, Red, Green, Refactor (adding "Solution" to the standard formula).
By coding the solution first, I feel like I am much more ...
1
vote
1answer
100 views
How can I used fixed-point arithmetic to convert from Celsius to Fahrenheit?
Disclaimer: I realize this is not the easiest or even best way to handle this and I am asking largely out of a sense of curiosity, not because I'm convinced this is the proper way. It's a fun puzzle I'...
1
vote
3answers
405 views
Does the Perfect Compiler trump source differences
Is it theoretically possible to create a perfect compiler for a language (for example C) meaning that if two different persons make two different implementations of the same algorithm then the ...
8
votes
5answers
373 views
Should methods that are not “pure functions” and that interact with external APIs or hardware be static?
When reading about when to make a method static or not, I've seen a general principle, as summarized by this post, that a method should only be static if it does not modify a state and its result ...
13
votes
4answers
828 views
How can you TDD for a bug that can only be tested after it has been fixed?
Here's one example: My web application contains draggable elements. When dragging an element, the browser produces a "ghost image". I want to remove the "ghost image" when dragging and I write a test ...
1
vote
1answer
52 views
Using a permissions object pervasively inside a project to mimic an effect system
There's a design pattern of sorts that I've thought about but haven't seen implemented where every function / method passes around a permissions object. I'm wondering whether using it in a project is ...
3
votes
2answers
117 views
API across multiple languages. Use idiomatic code for each or support the same API structure
I'm currently working on a project which requires to support multiple languages as first class citizens and I'm facing a dilemma. I can choose between implementing the API as closely as possible for ...
0
votes
1answer
115 views
AST design: Call is both expression and statement?
I'm designing the AST for a compiler and found that I don't actually know how to represent the Call node.
Currently, the relevant part of the AST looks like this (where the arrows denote inheritance):...
1
vote
2answers
211 views
RabbitMQ as backbone for services written in different languages
I'm seeking advice from people using RabbitMQ to connect services written in different languages. Currently my organization is using RabbitMQ exclusively with C# and it's all working quite well. In ...
1
vote
2answers
107 views
Distinction between “timestamp” and “datetime” [closed]
Is it common to use "timestamp" to mean with time zone and "datetime" to mean without time zone?
0
votes
2answers
107 views
How is code coverage measured?
For many languages there are various tools which measure code coverage. But how exactly does this work?
I have some ideas, how this could work:
Do coverage tools just run the code in the debugger ...
12
votes
7answers
799 views
In object oriented languages, when should objects do operations on themselves and when should operations be done on objects?
Suppose there is a Page class, which represents a set of instructions to a page renderer. And Suppose there is a Renderer class that knows how to render a page on screen. It is possible to structure ...
7
votes
6answers
649 views
How to name a method which may or may not perform an action depending on a condition?
I stumble across this case somewhat often, and I'm surprised about finding so few similar discussions around the web. This question is very related, but my problem is that I want a method that does ...
2
votes
1answer
616 views
How to update the view when the model changes?
Since I'm learning the MVC pattern, this might be a very naive question.
I know that when something happens on the view (e.g. user clicks a button), the view calls the controller which in turn ...
-3
votes
1answer
69 views
Proof that computer communication only exists of function calls and events
I am writing a paper about the use of a message broker for inter-process communication where I state that all computer communications can be broken down into two categories:
Function calls
Events
My ...
9
votes
4answers
390 views
How exactly does a compiler recover from a type error?
I've read several papers, articles, and section 4.1.4, chapter 4 of Compilers: Principles, Techniques, and Tools (2nd Edition) (a.k.a "The Dragon Book") which all discuss the topic of syntactical ...
3
votes
5answers
402 views
Why don't OOP languages offer a feature to clone a parent into a child class?
Consider the following c# example:
public class MyParentClass {
public int MyInt { get; set; }
}
public class MyChildClass : MyParentClass
{
}
public class AnotherClass
{
public MyChildClass ...
3
votes
2answers
297 views
How to avoid generating verbose code when compiling from a higher level language to a lower one?
I apologize in advance for the vague title. I didn't want to make it overly verbose, so allow me to explain more in-depth below:
I've currently been developing a strong, statically typed language ...
68
votes
9answers
12k views
Is it good practice to replace division with multiplication when possible?
Whenever I need division, for example, condition checking, I would like to refactor the expression of division into multiplication, for example:
Original version:
if(newValue / oldValue >= ...
7
votes
3answers
563 views
Is having a generator language facility such as `yield` a good idea?
PHP, C#, Python and likely a few other languages have a yield keyword that is used to create generator functions.
In PHP: http://php.net/manual/en/language.generators.syntax.php
In Python: https://...
4
votes
5answers
279 views
Does only the concept of mathematical functions justify why methods need only to return one value
Most modern programming languages do not allow multiple return types (excluding scenarios like C#'s out parameters or the newest use of Tuples). This is because all languages implement the concept of ...
3
votes
1answer
109 views
Tool for validation of new code syntax in existing language
Does a programming language team have any tool to validate their new ideas about new code syntax?
As an example, let's assume the Java language team starts developing new feature, which requires new ...
2
votes
2answers
172 views
Get value from UI element or from variable
I had a debate with a friend and I'm looking for a way to resolve it and decide which approach is better for maintenance and whether there's some consensus about a best practice regarding it:
If an ...
2
votes
1answer
481 views
Limits of dependency injection
I use dependency injection with Guice and most of the time, I'm rather happy with it. But sometimes, it's difficult to get the dependencies to where they're needed and sometimes, it's plain impossible....
2
votes
2answers
568 views
Making a language agnostic Plugin system
I want to make some software which relies heavily on Plugins. I plan on writing it in C++ and will most likely be getting plugins built in C++, Python and possibly Java But most likely C++ and python ...
3
votes
1answer
109 views
Is there a name for the three step backwards compatibility software release? [closed]
The release method I am talking about is this:
Release code that works with both old and new clients (forwards and backwards compatible)
Release client that only works with the new code released in ...
6
votes
5answers
1k views
Writing a language agnostic API?
I'm planning on writing a C++ program which is heavily influenced by plugin modules. Initially I had only thought of making the APi available as an abstract class that others extend. After talking to ...
-2
votes
3answers
95 views
Adding qualitative information to function names
I started adding informations about the behavior of functions to their name recently.
Two big examples:
pure - this function has no side effects (besides the returned value), which I would use in ...
1
vote
3answers
110 views
Is it considered a bad practice to import symbols in bulk to a global namespace irrespective of the programming language?
In the C++ community it is considered an extremely bad practice to type:
using namespace something;
in the scope of the file for any reason, even if the project size is only a few hundred lines at ...
0
votes
1answer
756 views
Is repetition expressed in Backus–Naur form by recursive production definitions?
When reading grammars defined using Backus–Naur form (BNF), I've noticed that the grammars never seem to use an explicit repetition symbol, such as * or +. This is opposed to Extend Backus–Naur form ...
12
votes
3answers
369 views
What is the common way to handle visibility in libraries?
This question about when to use private and when to use protected in classes got me to think. (I'll extend this question also to final classes and methods, since it is related. I'm programming in Java,...
2
votes
2answers
350 views
What are the private method responsibilities when we design class in OOP?
In different design books I have read that
First identify the purpose of class (abstraction).
Class should only do one thing (SRP).
methods are defined as responsibility of the class.
As per my ...
3
votes
1answer
157 views
Do any languages make evaluation of the right-hand of an “AND” operation optional?
The C# language has two "AND" operators when dealing with Boolean values, & and &&. (Leaving aside the bit-wise operators.)
When the left-hand value is False, the difference between these ...
0
votes
3answers
107 views
What to rename my order table? [closed]
I have a database table named order. It contains eCommerce orders. Problem is, that's a reserved word in MySQL, and while I can use back-ticks to prevent issues, it's probably a good idea not to use a ...
-2
votes
2answers
187 views
Change in constructor parameter or ways to decompose the constructor? [duplicate]
Class Book
{
private int year;
private String session;
private int volume;
private int number;
private String khand;
private Date proceeding_date;
private int pageNo;
Book(year,session,...
0
votes
0answers
144 views
Event correlation engine design: Nesting events vs. using event ids
I am currently (re)designing an event correlation engine and found myself to be uncertain
about the design for the events themselves. I have come up with two possible solutions, but both of them seem
...
22
votes
6answers
4k views
What is the common procedure used when compilers statically type check “complex” expressions?
Note: When I used "complex" in the title, I mean that the expression has many operators and operands. Not that the expression itself is complex.
I've recently been working on a simple compiler to x86-...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
Tournament bracket algorithm
I am looking for algorithms to make single elimination and double elimination brackets.
The first step was figuring out the seeding algorithm, byes included, which I found in several places in SO: ...
1
vote
1answer
258 views
What is the common practice for implementing a microservice architecture? [closed]
so I'm trying to understand how microservices are set up in a language agnostic manner for purely experimental purposes.
For the sake of having a more concrete example, how would a microservice ...
78
votes
6answers
13k views
How does garbage collection work in languages which are natively compiled?
After browsing several answers an Stack Overflow, it is clear that some natively compiled languages have garbage collection. But it is unclear to me how exactly this would work.
I understand how ...
-1
votes
4answers
90 views
Is there a term for an entity that represents another known missing entity?
I am working on a project where I am importing data from 3rd party sources. Often certain data is missing (usually older data), which is detectable from the data that I do have. Obviously I cannot ...
0
votes
3answers
345 views
Design Critique/Review of a God Method for a ViewModel
For some reason the below design doesn't sit well with me, but I'm unable to come up with an articulate reasoning as to why. I would like your help in forming a case against (or for) it.
Say, the ...
