Markdown syntax is the future

A new piece of technology has hit software developers across the nation. It's the Markdown language-- a syntax language specifically designed to make software documentation that much easier across multiple platforms. It could be embedded in email, html code, wordpress, github, etc. It's still relevantly new to the scene so support of all it's features is not available everywhere but soon it will be. As more developers begin to use it will become even more widely used in industry and independent developers will also pick it up. An example are shown below of syntactically it looks and feels along with the interesting capabilities one can introduce and play around with. Basic idea is to ironically enough "markup" text that would other wise be plain or unappealing. The big benefit for developers is that this can make syntax highlighting in code a lot easier and reader friendly. The room for growth here is big even though the idea itself is not that original the reason people are picking it up now is for a variety of reasons. First the technology is much improved, but more importantly syntax highlighting weather it be code or html has become an important aspect of web development. Long gone are the days of just text, images, and video people want to see much more dynamically appeasing sites/documentation. Makes it easier to read and can provide the “emphasis” that many technical writers crave for.

  

Ghosh, Abhishek. "Markdown : Syntax and Editors." The Customize Windows. Web. 16 May 2014.
"Adam-p/markdown-here." GitHub. Web. 16 May 2014.

Is there really a right programming language to start with?

This is one of the most frequently asked question among students, reddit, and other online forums. If you are beginner where is the correct place to start and which language? Answers can range from python a fairly easy programming language to read, to Java object oriented to the core, and the classic C programming language. Everyone seems to have an opinion when it comes to this, and often many can't even agree. It's evident that academic institutions can't either since it ranges from university to university. Since this is the case one can logically assume that it really doesn't matter. What is important is the critical thinking skills that is learned, and the brain exercise that is the act of programming comes better with practice. More so then just learning x,y,z languages after reading a book for a week or so. It comes down to thought process, and practicing much like mathematics. Either way the debate will continue and you will most probably come across another article in a few years time about this same question and the debate that it comes along with it.

Henry, Alan. "Five Best Programming Languages for First-Time Learners." Lifehacker. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 May 2014. .

Pinola, Melanie. "Which Programming Language Should I Learn First?." Lifehacker. Lifehacker, n.d. Web. 17 May 2014. .

Wood, Lamont. "The Best Programming Language for Novices." Popular Mechanics. Popular Mechanics, n.d. Web. 17 May 2014. .

Beta Testing

Beta testing which is right after Alpha testing is considered one of the most important parts of the development process. It's usually when public users can to use the product developed and provide feedback and depending on the project how the project scales when lots of users are using the application and sharing data. It's usually in this phase that many "bugs" appear and many of them unexpected by the developer team. In my experience I've been a part of beta tests usually when it pertains with the gaming industry. Usually the product is very well into the development and is practically ready to launch but companies want to get a small sample size for feedback. It's one of the most well known phases of development since now a "buzz" word for modern development.

Build blogs and choices

I've been reading different types of blogs since I was in middle school. I have always loved the diversity in content and the accessibility of each blog. That being said since I have come across my share of different types of blogs about various different subject matters a questions quickly pops up. Should blogger's use tools like blogger or wordpress or develop their own blog from scratch or close to it. Granted the learning curve for developing your own is much larger with a needed understanding of HTML,php, and other various languages may be required unlike blogger or wordpress where most tools are GUI(general user interface) based for easy fast development. I believe that many bloggers choose to develop fast than slowly build a blog but I have seen both types have their own success and it is my opinion that greater control down the road is better for more popular blogs than those who just treat it as a hobby would be better off using the easier tools. For each individual blogger it comes down to individual long term goals and the starting knowledge base when it comes to web development.  

Here is a good reference(1)  if you wish built your own. Basically to sum it up it requires basic front-end skills get comfortable with HTML5 and php is you wish you maintain a simple database but to be honest it's possible without it. 

(1) Lawson, B. (2009, June 30). HTML5 Doctor. HTML5 Doctor. Retrieved , from http://html5doctor.com/designing-a-blog-with-html5/

Sites where the process is simple
blogger
wordpress

Usability important?

Modern development especially in the mobile scene happens are a pretty fast pace. Especially when it comes to the IOS, Android, and HTML5 applications maybe individual develops either have no time for the usability cycle or just don't even have knowledge about it. Which begs the questions is usability still important in this new generation of developers? Is the process of gain user input important still now during the development process. We know that with large software project in respectable companies it still very much is. What about those two or three man teams making small games or utility apps. Argument could be make that is isn't and when dealing with that level of design would be overwhelming for small groups. This makes sense with the size and availability of resources and yet it has been the small teams that have had a huge explosion in the market place leading to fast growing companies. Examples of this are Twitter, Twitchtv formerly known as Justin.tv, and Facebook started as a small project. Usability is important in modern day development, but many have taken it with a pinch of salt. Since it is well known that the users don't always know what they want and desire. Often making new products takes a good deal of time, effort, and risk. 

Nielsen, J. (n.d.). Nielsen Norman Group. Usability 101: Introduction to Usability. Retrieved , from http://www.nngroup.com/articles/usability-101-introduction-to-usability/

Are QR codes making a comeback?

QR codes are making a quick comeback into mainstream culture. Years ago it seemed like a forgone conclusion that had died out as something that was only on the food packaging. Now you see them on some billboards in big cities, business cards, and fitness applications use them to help their users keep track of food intake. One could possibly deduce that it is because of the advent of the smart-phone that this is even possible now. Before with more limited phones taking pictures of QR codes and analyzing their data would have been a death sentence for any old flip-phone of the early 2000's. As more people being to use smart-phones and tablets the draw to once again use QR codes is becoming the “hip” thing to do. People love Facebook, Instagram, and other photo applications and QR codes also fill this desire for fast and easy. What's easier to Google it or to quickly snap a picture and link to a website? Of course taking the instant picture is always going to be more efficient. As the third world also grows in their phone craze and consumption QR codes may be here to stay for a good long time. Marketing industry has taken note of QR codes therefore so should you.

Internet Security and the NSA

When Snowden leak vital information of the NSA program and the clear violation of privacy it brought home the old conspiracy of "big-brother". Having one's privacy invaded by anyone is not a pleasant feeling and makes one wonder who is exactly is our very own government policing? NSA opened the peopls mind when it comes to data security around the world and proved to many people the long standing fear they all had. That when it comes to digital images, text, video, and other forms of data the "users" don't truly own them but the corporations do and if they are want to they can hand over the information to governments, companies,etc. Whoever they wished to share the information with they can. This is the world we live in and one that it becoming a very volatile. Where data security is becoming the paranoia in the society but at the same time people wish to share information via blogs, Facebook, and Google. How do we as a society achieve the balance of a technological society that shares and has security or is that even possible?

Just remember who don't really own your digital footprint and remember who is watching you.

Pixar style NSA

Why in 5 years every college graduate will need to know version control.

Github has arguably changed how developers change how they share their code online with other developers, and other laymen. It is becoming a tool for people to hold their online portfolio's and projects ready to be whipped out during an interview meeting. It has been a place for where open source projects begin to be build and it's not just open source but many companies are looking to incorporate them in their development process it just makes developing on big team projects where code needs to be shared and worked on at remote locations perhaps even all around the world. It helps keep these projects organized and efficient. Therefore it I think since this skill set is just going to grow and become a bigger factor in the industry. This leads me to believe that many students who don't know version control(note:there are other system's for this such as Mercurial it's just not Github) will have to one point or another as this grows student's entering college today or plan to enter in the next few years who are serious about becoming a software developer will need to look into learning the various methods of version control. Along with their underlying development philosophies and thus will become a strong industry standard down the road. Any young high school students give it a go and try you are only going to be getting a huge head start.  

Summary

I remember sitting in my uncle's lap watching him play Age of Empires on his personal computer. As I stared into the screen I was captivated by this "world within a world"  and it became something more. It occurred to me that the computer is like a paintbrush is for an artist it is a tool to express the mind's imagination. 

This curiosity for years would follow me for many years and after one fateful day where my Windows Vista computer operating system crashed. I decided to take a chance on a free operating system called Ubuntu and how I viewed the world of software hasn't been the same ever since. I began to explore this world of open source and creating simple programs in Java and Python. 

Later as I pursued my degree I would have my taste of C, Javascript, HTML, Pharo, Prolog, and SQL. There is great satisfaction after hours of frustration and hard work getting a simple web application to interact with the database that was just built, or learning to properly implement a Java API that allows for Object Relation Mapping to function with SQL. 

Software is about the pursuit of knowledge and the constant process of trial and error. It all begins with a simple “Hello World” which turns into a search engine, a language translator, and a super computer who can beat defeat a human in not only chess but also jeopardy.

It is this love that continues to drive me to this very day. I hope to paint my own canvas and imagine something no one has ever seen before. Feel free to reach out if you want to talk about software, hardware, or even philosophy. I am always looking for challenging and interesting projects any full-time time position opportunities are welcome. 

Proficient in: Java,SQL

Contact me either through LinkedIn or direct email at chris.nguyen@sjsu.edu