How can you tell that you are writing good tests? One way is to ask self, "Who am i writing the tests for?, if the answer is "For me, to save the effort of fixing bugs" or "..." then the odds are you aren't writing the best possible tests. You shoud write tests for the person trying to undestand your code.

A good test act as documentation for the code we are testing. It describes how the code works. For each usage scenario, the test(s):

- Describe the context, starting point, or pre-conditions that must be satisfied
- Illustrate how the application is invoked
- Describe the expected results or post-conditions to be verified.

 

You could write a good code and be a good programmer, only when you care about the code

- You care about code and about programming, so you are constantly learning new languages, idioms, and techniques. Apply only when appropriate.
- Any time you touch a piece of code, you strive to leave it better than you found it (better structured, tested, more undestandable)
- You work well alongside other programmers, consider other programmers and construct code that others can read.
- You write code that can be easily pickup and understood by other programmers, will be easily able to modify in the future, and take all steps possible to determine that you have soved the problem.
- In any coding situation, refuse to hack something that only seems to work. strive to craft elegant code that has good tests to show that it is correct.

Problem:
Client would be happy to tell you all what they wanted -usually in great detail.The problem is that the customers don't always tell you the whole truth. They generally don't lie, but they speak, not developer speak. They use their terms and their contexts. They leave out significant details.
- Too many assumptions
- May have a grasp of the "big picture", but they are rarely able to communicate the details of their vision effectively.
- May be a little lighter on the complete vision, but they know what they don't want.

Solution:
- Interact more with end users
- Challenge your clients early in project, and challenge them often.
- Listen to them, swap out the customer's words in conversation with them and judge their reaction.
- Use visual aids in your conversations, create a visual mockup early in the design phase.

03/19/2009 - Started book review for Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Integration Service written by Kirk Haselden. I will be posting more on this in coming days.

For a long time, I've been thinking that it would be great to spend some focused time to setup and start writing blogs.

Hazels of moving to a new apartment

Dated: 5/1/2008

Is there anything more painful than moving between apartments?

No matter how organized, efficient and determined to stay calm you are, it takes just minutes for the whole exercise to turn pear-shaped. 
My friends came out to help me out to move things from 2-bd apt. to my new 1-bd room apt. It took about 6 straight hours to move all my stuff to this 3rd floor apartment. I went to sleep in wee hours about 4:00 am and started noticing that the fireplace in the new apartment does not get shut -off even after turning off. Next day did complain with the leasing office and the repair guy came in on the same day and fixed it.
 

Moving may be agony, but it's only short term pain. Well worth it to finally be alone... 

Skiing in Big Bear Lake Mountain

On 01/20/2008, I took a trip along with my friends to Big Bear Lake for the first time being in southern California over 6 years. This lake is in San Bernardino national forest in elevation over 7,000 feet. It’s so crystal clear that all the breathtaking scenery stands out in high definition. It took us about 2 hours to reach the mountain top and the air is so pure you could take a deep, relaxing breath, kick back, and enjoy life. We rented the ski kit and all of us took training sessions and stood in line for the ski lift several times to go up the snow mountain and slide down from the top. We did fall several times in all possible angles you could imagine holding those 2 sticks and wearing those heavy shoes tied to the ski blades moreover we enjoyed trying to not fall for longer time as we could and slide down the mountain. We left the resort after sunset wearing our sore muscles like a badge of honor. Some facts about Big Bear Lake from visitor center: The fresh water lake is seven miles long and approximately one mile across as its widest point. Its average depth is 35 feet and there are over 22 miles of shoreline. Elevation: 9000 feet Winter brings about 120 inches of annual snowfall and temperature drops down mid 20s in night.

Hawaiian Hula

"Hula, an art form of Hawaiian dance, expresses all of the attributes of who GOD is, express his love, goodness and graciousness with others." On 11/18/07, I happened to see the Hawaiian dance preformed during the worship ceremony at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Topanga Canyon rd. The church deacon announced he is from Hawaii and the girl who will be performing "Hula" is from his state and a relative. He also mentioned that this dance is done thru expressions of hands. Dance went on for 10 minutes and I could see more of facial expressions and hand movements. Kept thinking to myself, If I knew what those hand expressions was meant and the entire church went into a pin drop silence for the entire time.

After doing some "Wikipedia" on Hula, I understand now that it has a rich tradition of Hawaii and dating back to the 1820's, the arrival of Christian missionaries in the islands. More about Hula Dancing.

Sky Diving

On Saturday 09/29/2007, I experienced the thrill of a lifetime by jumping from an airplane above the scenic countryside at the perris valley in beautiful sunny southern California. The exhilaration and the feeling of being ALIVE is overwhelming while descending towards earth about one minute from an altitude of 13000 feet is incomprehensible to someone who has not done it. About 5000 feet, the parachute was opened and my instructor handed over me the dual-controlled parachute cord and asked me to pull either with my left or right hand and it took us for a spin that is an awesome feeling… This extreme sport is definitely expensive but every second is worth for it. Thanks again, to Debbie for arranging this trip and giving us the ride.

Check out YouTube Video.

Japanese Garden

On 09/30/2007, I spend my evening walking and sitting on the wooden benches side of the trails within the walls of the japanese garden in Van Nuys, California and experienced absolute tranquility and while driving back home, I felt myself so relieved and freed of tense and felt more energetic which we should all have some time for ourselves to feel this, it is to enrich one's spirit, to achieve a state of grace so elusive in our busy world. I would visit again and it cost you only 3 bucks which is worth to spend to feel good for yourself. Well in my schools days, I had a pretty big garden in front of my home, which had over 150 flower pots and other plants around our house which I had grown and watered. I certainly did enjoy watching them grow and it was attractive garden in our neighborhood.