Ian

Joined January 2023

0 stories

Bio

Stories (23/0)

Looking Back on My Coding Journey in 1985
In 1985, I was involved in the computerization of a machine that was designed to apply labels to bottles. The machines made by the company used electromechanical controls to transfer labels from a reel onto products passing by on a conveyor. This required a high level of precision, as any misalignment of the label would not be acceptable to consumers.
By Ian2 days ago in 01
Why I left Google in 2012
Leaving Google was a difficult decision for me because I had become very passionate about the company during my tenure there. I had delivered keynote speeches at four Google Developer Day events, two Google Test Automation Conferences, and made significant contributions to the Google testing blog. I was frequently asked by recruiters to help convince important candidates to join the company, and I always did so enthusiastically. However, I was surprised to find that I had lost my passion for Google during my last three months there, and I was desperate to regain it.
By Ian3 days ago in FYI
There is No Right Way to Develop Software
The world of software development is filled with opinions and debates about the "right" way to approach a project. Whether it's Test-Driven Development (TDD), pair programming, or remote work, there are plenty of people who swear by a particular approach and insist that it's the only way to write good code. But the reality is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to software development, and anyone who tells you otherwise is likely trying to sell you something.
By Ian5 days ago in 01
The Software Development Poverty Trap
Wikipedia defines a poverty trap as a self-perpetuating mechanism that sustains poverty. If left unchecked across multiple generations, the trap becomes increasingly entrenched and difficult to break.
By Ian5 days ago in 01
Twitter will open source all code used to recommend tweets on March 31, says Elon Musk
According to a foundation for the software ecosystem, releasing the code as open source would enable developers, including potential competitors, to modify the algorithm and incorporate their own ideas into it. This could lead to the algorithm being customized in ways that deviate from the original intention of its creators.
By Ian6 days ago in Journal
Intuition in programming
Do you remember the first time you saw classes? Objects? The word “string?” How about considering binary trees, regular languages, language compilation, and recursion?
By Ian7 days ago in Motivation
More Than Half of Young Adults Are Now Living With Parents
The economic crisis during the pandemic broke the usual living standards even in the most developed countries. The loss of permanent income and the ability to pay for housing forces already adult citizens to move to live with their parents. The latest follow-up indicates that over 50% of individuals in the United States who are below 30 years old are currently residing with their parents, marking a significant increase.
By Ian7 days ago in 01
Meta no longer wants to have anything to do with telecommuting
The recent announcement of Meta's plan to lay off at least 10,000 employees has been making waves in the tech industry. The move is part of the company's efforts to streamline operations and improve efficiency. Meta plans to cancel lower-priority projects and flatten its organizational structure by removing several levels of management.
By Ian8 days ago in Journal
83% of Developers Suffer from Burnout
The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in burnout among software developers. According to a study conducted by Haystack Analytics, a firm that focuses on engineer productivity, 83% of software developers experience burnout. The primary causes cited for this exhaustion are excessive workloads (47%), inefficiencies in processes (31%), and ambiguity in objectives and targets (29%).
By Ian11 days ago in 01
The (Some) Fallacies of Test First Development
I should first clarify that I would never come out against the idea of writing tests for your code. I find testing to be a wonderful way to aid refactoring, fight regression, and build developmental confidence in a piece of software.
By Ian11 days ago in 01
Advice for Beginner Devs from an experienced Software Developer
After finishing the book on programming, you may have decided to continue exploring this field. Whether you see it as a potential career or a hobby, it's important to seek guidance to ensure that you are on the right track and derive the most satisfaction from this new endeavor.
By Ian13 days ago in Journal
Elimination of Programmers
Every so often, I come across a tool or development project that aims to eliminate the need for programmers, with the goal of allowing the business team to control the system's behavior. While this may seem like a great idea from a business management perspective, as it would save time and money that would otherwise be spent on hiring and communicating with programmers, I have never seen such a tool or project succeed.
By Ian18 days ago in 01