DEV Community: exbe

Next time you say "complex code", come back here...

exbe — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 07:23:23 +0000

What is complex code?

It is just two words complex code, no rocket science involved. Or, Am I overthinking it?
It is easy to understand code complexity and programming complexity. There are studies and theory about computational complexity.
But it is all different.

Why is it easy to picture complex code as bloated software like these hello world examples? One step more and it will transition to pure art - increase the complexity of a simple instruction to a maximum power level which completely vanishing original idea.

Here is another example of complex code, which is in fact, well made satire.

It is not only about a piece of code, but you can take it all way up (or down) to language level like brainfuck does.

What about real-world examples? Current project?

Have you ever put a label on somebody's else works thinking that the code is very complex? Could it be that these feelings radiated over yourself, night after the last deadline? Like, something feels fishy about that iteration over a multidimensional list of lists. Or, maybe, during a source code review of a popular library everyone uses but finding it hell confusing...

Does it affect us?

Have you ever blamed complex code for a missed estimate? Was there a feeling like "please not me" because you knew the code? What is your emotion when you hear "legacy application"? Do you smile and eager to start a new project?

So why there is no clear definition of a thing which makes us feel uneasy?
Is it because this thing is complex?

Let me know your thoughts and especially feelings.
Share your story, your perception, your view, your examples.

Magic shop (c266276)

exbe — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 07:54:31 +0000

Recreational programming is a thing you do while nobody is watching you. So mine thing for the next few months will be about gamedev.

So brace yourself :)

There are many tools on the market, which remove a ton from a game developer. I am speaking about game builders, engines, assets etc etc. But my primary goal is to experience whatever challenges gamedev has to offer.

here we go: my first game.

I actually spend more time on it, more than 15min. Which is kinda embarrassing, because:

the game doesn't have any interactions with a human being
no game loop whatsoever
play it through test
extremely boring

So how do you play it?

Run test, which would execute two actions with different outcomes. What's all.

Did I mention it is embarrassing?

This is what you got using bottom-up design-driven approach using TDD. So blame Uncle Bob for promoting TDD, not me.

On a serious note.

Q: Why bottom-up design is a choice here?
A: I have no experience nor skill nor time to start from big picture.

Q: Why java?
A: It is my primary language as of now and it might be used for desktop, lambda, web, mobile...

Q: Why I see a single class with few trivial methods?
A: Because it is enough to "play" first scenario. I don't need any other interactions nor components.

Q: It is not a GAME!
A: According to definition ("activity engaged in for diversion or amusement", Merriam-Webster) it actually is.

Should you build personal website?

exbe — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 16:09:30 +0000

For last 1000 years I have been pounding over personal website thing. To develop or not develop - this is my question.

Social networks pretty much covers everyone's needs: professional, personal, image-only, sound-only. I am sure you can find any network nowadays.

Personal website demands wide range of skills to make it feel good. Design, hosting or cloud, programming, search optimization, accessibility features, structural and linked content. More you know, more it feels as a heavy budgeted and time consuming Project. Oh, and I missed legal stuff like data collection, terms and conditions... you name it.

What exactly are you going to tell people? The most common kind of personal pages is a portfolio, maybe a blog or a funny gig. It is anyway something related to brand building. But is there anything above and beyond?

On a flip side.

Personal website is something you control. It is like having small part of the internet in your hands. Your digital territory, where no ads, no BS will ever appear by definition.

It can be a precious gem if you pull it out.

Thoughts?

Feel free to share your personal site, I would love to see it.

TL;DR
I guess it was my youngster dream, where tech wasn't that advanced. Unfortunately for me the tech overgrown my dream.

Yet again I am on the edge to stop domain renewals and let it die naturally.