All Questions
62,486
questions
9
votes
4
answers
405
views
You've shipped, you get a rare seg fault. Pointer checking or let it go?
You've shipped, asserts are turned off, you receive a rare crash report indicating that a null pointer violation occurred in your code. In a development environment, the problem would have been ...
- 1,373
55
votes
6
answers
87k
views
Most readable way to format long if conditions? [closed]
Long winding if conditions should be avoided if at all possible, yet sometimes we all end up writing them. Even if it's a very simple condition, the involved statements are sometimes simply very wordy,...
- 2,195
9
votes
8
answers
2k
views
Rigorous Definition of Syntactic Sugar? [closed]
It seems like in language holy wars, people constantly denigrate any feature they don't find particularly useful as being "just syntactic sugar". The line between "real features" and "syntactic sugar"...
- 17.2k
7
votes
5
answers
4k
views
Which programming languages don't use operator precedence besides Lisp-like languages? [closed]
And what do you think about operator precedence? Would be harder programming in a language where the operations are executed in sequential order?
Ex.:
2 + 3 * 4 == 20
2 + (3 * 4) == 14
OK, the Lisp ...
- 10.8k
15
votes
9
answers
2k
views
Does keeping a journal help in your job? [closed]
Years ago, in my first real programming job, my boss encouraged me to keep a journal of my daily activities. I still do so, although no longer a paper and hand-written one.
Do you keep a journal, if ...
- 1,303
40
votes
9
answers
53k
views
What's the difference between a "developer" and a "programmer"? [duplicate]
What's the difference in this terminology? Is one considered more professional than the other?
- 1,439
18
votes
3
answers
599
views
What is correct course of action when finding free software projects whose executables are spreading a virus
Today I found a GPLed project on SourceForge whose executables are spreading a virus. This fact has been pointed out several times in reviews of the project and the infected executable is still ...
- 573
74
votes
22
answers
17k
views
Job hopping, is it a problem? [closed]
How would you, as someone involved in the hiring process (manager,interviewer, etc) feel about a candidate that has changed jobs every 1-2 years?
updateThanks for all the input everybody, some really ...
- 2,466
27
votes
11
answers
22k
views
What amount of time should be spent on bugs vs original development? [closed]
This question is a little abstract but I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction.
My question is what amount of time can one expect to devote to a software project's bugs in relation to ...
- 273
198
votes
62
answers
124k
views
Why do programmers write closed source applications and then make them free? [closed]
As an entrepreneur/programmer who makes a good living from writing and selling software, I'm dumbfounded as to why developers write applications and then put them up on the Internet for free. You've ...
125
votes
13
answers
114k
views
What "version naming convention" do you use? [closed]
Are different version naming conventions suited to different projects? What do you use and why?
Personally, I prefer a build number in hexadecimal (e.g 11BCF), this should be incremented very ...
- 2,031
22
votes
8
answers
48k
views
What do you put in the "Computer Skills" section of your resume? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
At which point do you “know” a technology enough to list it on a resume
I'm having trouble selecting exactly what to put in the computer skills section of my ...
- 1,680
21
votes
8
answers
3k
views
Should I bother learning about small or niche languages? [closed]
If you browse the code golf questions on StackExchange, you notice a ton of non-standard but real world (Eg not brain-f*ck) languages like F#, Scala, R, J and Clojure. Visiting their websites, some of ...
- 13.5k
26
votes
9
answers
11k
views
What decent web-frameworks exists for functional programming? [closed]
I would like to do some web programming using functional programming. What decent web-frameworks exists for functional programming languages?
- 14.8k
7
votes
2
answers
312
views
Do you apply a code of conduct on accepting jobs, projects or requirements?
When writing software for yourself, your company or third parties, do you always consider certain principles, values, standards, or rules of behavior that guide the decisions, procedures and systems ...
- 201
22
votes
7
answers
1k
views
How important are daily builds? [closed]
One of the criteria of the Joel Test is daily builds. The idea is that if the build is broken, whoever broke it is around to fix it up. If the build cannot be fixed, everyone will have to check out an ...
- 7,632
41
votes
17
answers
15k
views
Daily standups- yea or nay? [closed]
How valuable (or not) do you think daily stand-up meetings are?
If you're not familiar with it, this refers to a daily meeting that is part of Scrum adherents (and some other agile methodologies). ...
6
votes
3
answers
831
views
Why is free software good for programmers? [closed]
When I say Free Software I mean it in the FSF terms. Free as in Free Speech, not as in Free Beer.
Why is it a good idea for programmers to use and write Free Software?
- 483
13
votes
6
answers
503
views
What licence should I choose for my project?
I originally thought of creative commons when while reading a book about wordpress (professional wordpress), I learned that I should also specify that the product is provided
... WITHOUT ANY ...
- 2,261
9
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Is MVC just the SEO of PHP programming?
There's around a zillion "PHP frameworks". And most of them bill themselves as following the MVC pattern. While it's welcome to overcome osCommerce coding style (processing logic heavily intermixed ...
- 2,243
81
votes
2
answers
28k
views
What are the key points of Code Complete? [closed]
I have heard a lot of people mention Code Complete as a book worthwhile reading. Unfortunately, I am so busy that I don't have time to read it, so can anyone tell me what the key points of the book ...
- 7,632
63
votes
8
answers
17k
views
What do you think about the Joel Test? [closed]
The Joel Test is a well known test for determining how good your team is. What do you think about the points? Do you disagree with any of them? Is there anything that you would add?
- 7,632
20
votes
9
answers
6k
views
How important are code formatting guidelines? [closed]
Coding standards are common in any software development organization, but how important are they to follow? I can understand the need for some consistency, but when dealing with simple things like ...
- 528
320
votes
36
answers
362k
views
Should curly braces appear on their own line? [closed]
Should curly braces be on their own line or not? What do you think about it?
if (you.hasAnswer()) {
you.postAnswer();
} else {
you.doSomething();
}
or should it be
if (you.hasAnswer())
{
...
14
votes
7
answers
2k
views
What was the worst piece of code you fixed that you are proud of? [closed]
I have had a few that I am proud of and some of them were written by myself few years ago. It doesn't have to be necessarily buggy, just bad code.
- 782
31
votes
13
answers
15k
views
What was your most difficult bug hunt and how did you find it and kill it?
This is a "Share the Knowledge" question. I am interested in learning from your successes and/or failures.
Information that might be helpful...
Background:
Context: Language, Application,
...
- 1,026
22
votes
7
answers
960
views
Does making source code available affect your ability to generate revenue?
We’re working on a .Net framework which ultimately amounts to a single DLL. We intend to charge for commercial use of the framework, but make it free for open source/non-commercial use. The rough ...
- 431
32
votes
16
answers
2k
views
What parts of your coding standard contribute to quality code? [duplicate]
In response to This Question, I ask: What are the best parts of your coding standard?
What are the best practices that help with code quality, reliability, maintainability, readability, etc.
...
13
votes
3
answers
3k
views
How useful are infix operators in a programming language?
How useful are infix operators in a programming language? Are they worth the extra complexity they provide? Can you provide any examples where infix operators are better suited to the problem that can'...
- 7,632
30
votes
23
answers
18k
views
What's a good Programming Metaphor? [closed]
I am referring to explaining to the non-programmer what programming is. I made sure to search for similar questions before creating this one, but the few ones I did find seemed to dodge the question, ...
20
votes
30
answers
3k
views
Which language features are considered harmful? [closed]
Please, explain why and list which languages have the (mis)feature implemented As far you know.
Post what you consider a harmful feature, not what you dislike.
7
votes
4
answers
141
views
Are there more efficient ways to search for help/documentation than Google/SO/...? [closed]
Google sometimes come up with irrelevant links, not everything is available on SO, there are cases where the local documentation is also annoying to look through... Are there other efficient ways you ...
- 8,259
9
votes
1
answer
2k
views
How should I organize programming files into directories? [closed]
Sometimes, one creates a exploratory prototype and forgets about structure in the directories...
What are good tips on dividing the programming files over (several levels of) directories?
- 8,259
38
votes
11
answers
76k
views
How do you respond to "Tell me a little bit about yourself." question in interviews? [closed]
I've been asked this in a few interviews. And it always catches me off guard.My professional and academic background are already in the resumé, which the interviewer has obviously looked at. What more ...
- 585
17
votes
8
answers
5k
views
How can I track programming productivity on a daily basis? [closed]
How can I track that I'm developing software more or less productive than the previous days?
- 8,259
18
votes
5
answers
1k
views
How can I compensate for having gone to a JavaSchool? [closed]
In an earlier question, I asked for career advice for new software engineers who did well before and during college. But what about people who weren't fortunate enough to go to MIT or Yale, for ...
- 4,093
17
votes
9
answers
8k
views
How to prevent deep indentations? [closed]
What steps and measures can I take to prevent deep indentations in my code?
- 8,259
12
votes
29
answers
3k
views
What can slow a developer down? [closed]
What things tend to slow a developer down?
Please try to refrain from posting answers that:
are slow now but useful in the feature. (TDD, Refactoring, ...)
list a distraction.
6
votes
1
answer
141
views
When is the time right to bring a project to the alpha/beta/public phase?
When should a project be released to alpha, beta and to the public?
Is it a good idea to extend the alpha and beta phases when it is needed?
When in a later phase (eg. beta), is it wise to go back ...
- 8,259
18
votes
9
answers
2k
views
How to deal with the "programming blowhard"? [closed]
So I'm sure everyone has run into this person at one point or another, someone catches wind of your project or idea and initially shows some interest. You get to talking about some of your methods and ...
- 223
3
votes
1
answer
333
views
Should one write Big Oh complexity in the documentation of algorithms? [closed]
When writing or using an algorithm, should the Big Oh complexity be mentioned?
- 8,259
100
votes
64
answers
17k
views
What is the (craziest, stupidest, silliest) thing a client/boss asked you to do? [closed]
See title, but I am asking from a technical perspective, not
Take my 40 year old virgin niece on a date or you're fired.
23
votes
16
answers
11k
views
Who does test-driven development?
I've been working in the enterprise space for the past 4½ years and have noticed that generally speaking, enterprises are not conducive environments for the test-first style of development. Projects ...
7
votes
17
answers
1k
views
What are non-programming mistakes that a programmer should avoid? [closed]
People make mistakes, even in the real life... Which should we, geeky programmers, avoid?
3
votes
2
answers
740
views
Should EICAR be updated to test the revision of Antivirus system?
I'm posting this here since programmers write viruses, and AV software. They also have the best knowledge of heuristics and how AV systems work (cloaking etc).
The EICAR test file was used to ...
- 6,032
34
votes
6
answers
60k
views
How to prepare yourself for programming interview questions? [closed]
Possible Duplicate:
Really “wow” them in the interview
Let's say I appear for an interview. What questions could I expect and how do I prepare?
- 8,259
29
votes
17
answers
33k
views
How do you name your private variables in C#? [closed]
What is the best practice, most commonly accepted naming conventions for private variables in C#?
private int myInteger;
private int MyInteger;
private int mMyInteger;
private int _myInteger;
private ...
- 4,028
5
votes
5
answers
356
views
Does anybody ever uses the OpenId url Log in?
As programmers I think we are the most inclined to use new technologies and things that are not so mainstream.
I absolutely love OpenId's ability to log in with credentials you already have, but I ...
6
votes
5
answers
554
views
How much information can a user reasonably process from a UI? [closed]
As an example, say there's an interface that contains a table/grid of information that is periodically updated. The table is meant to represent an event that has happened, perhaps the date and time ...
- 69
19
votes
9
answers
3k
views
How have you made unit testing more enjoyable? [closed]
If you've always loved unit testing, good for you! But for the unfortunate ones who weren't born with a liking for it, how have you managed to make this task more enjoyable ?
This is not a "what is ...
- 1,415