Tested Reality
I learned a valuable lesson today. I wouldn't say that I started learning it today...that started about 9 or so years ago, when I started really programming. But today the full force of this essential truth hit me:The entire reality of the software universe is defined by tests.I don't mean to say that every scrap of code out there is tested; quite the contrary. What I mean to say - and this is very Buddhist, so hang on - is that the only software that really exists in the world is tested. If you define software as a standing wave in the continuous looping of the SDLC (software development lifecycle), then the only way that wave can propagate is through tests. For software, tests are transcendental; they really are the way, the truth, and the light. Maybe I'm waxing philosophical here, so let me see if I can ground this discussion a bit more.A business defines its software as machine automation that applies the rules of one or more business processes. This means that it encodes the business rules. But this ...
Posted on June 20, 2006 12:12:40 AM EDT
#
Roasting with Frankenstein
When you decide to roast your own coffee, you really have two options for the equipment. On the one hand, you can buy a $500 roaster. You'll have to purchase a new one every 2-3 years if you do this, for the dubious convenience of having a prefabricated commercialized roaster. On the other hand, you can build your own roaster. Going this route offers complete control over the costs involved, from an unmodified popcorn popper (about $15 at Target) - which can roast about 1/8 pound at a time - to a fully custom roaster. Custom roasters can involve almost anything, including high-dollar thermocouples, variacs, and even more arcane electrical-engineer-...
Posted on June 18, 2006 12:41:31 AM EDT
#