CODE Magazine / Articles
Editorials
Articles filed under Editorials
Articles
Showing 1–328 of 328
-
Hello, World
In this introductory column, Otto thanks departing editor Rod Paddock for building CODE Magazine’s enduring, author-driven success and introduces himself as the new editor in chief. He promises continuity in delivering practical, developer-focused content while inviting new contributors, launching a new tips section, and expanding coverage of AI alongside traditional software topics. Looking ahead, Otto hints at larger plans for 2027, framing the magazine’s future as an evolution built on the same stable foundation.
-
YAGNI Revisited
Rod thinks that YAGNI should be treated as a flexible decision-making tool, not a rigid rule: what seems unnecessary early in a project may later become essential as requirements, data volume, and costs change. Using examples from large-scale data ingestion and optimization, he shows how reframing assumptions and revisiting old systems can improve performance and reduce expenses. He closes by reflecting on his departure from CODE Magazine and thanking the team, authors, and readers.
-
The New Currency of AI: Why Token Discipline Matters More Than Ever
Otto Dobretsberger argues that GitHub Copilot’s shift to token-based billing signals the end of “free” AI experimentation and the start of an era where efficiency matters. He warns that wasteful prompting and repeated context reuse, or “tokenmaxxing,” will drive up costs without improving results. The article urges developers and companies to adopt disciplined prompt design, reusable context systems, and clear ROI metrics, framing AI usage optimization as the next competitive advantage, much like FinOps matured cloud computing.
-
DON’T PANIC
Updated
Channeling Douglas Adams' "DON'T PANIC," Mike argues for a rational, grounded approach to AI adoption—cutting through clickbait hysteria to focus on practical applications. AI is transforming work but remains limited and imperfect; human contributions aren't obsolete, and progress is best met with cautious optimism.
-
The AI Shift Is Here
Updated
Rod explores how AI has moved from experimentation to everyday production use, sharing insights from CES 2026 and his own experience with tools like Copilot and Google Gemini to show how they're reshaping productivity across industries.
-
Accessibility
Rod is touched by a documentary about a disabled young man playing video games and explores accessibility when it comes to software.
-
Reading for Fun and Profit
Rod Paddock reflects on how a curated library of timeless software books has profoundly shaped his coding practice and view of the field. He explains why classic titles—from Weinberg’s psychology of programming to Brooks’s Mythical Man-Month, Game Developer postmortems, Kocienda’s Creative Selection, and Programmer at Work interviews—remain inspirational because they illuminate teamwork, real-world project challenges, and the social nature of software.
-
Discernment and Determinism
Updated
These days, AI is everywhere. Rod looks at using Snowflake's Cortex to make a good internal search engine.
-
Conducting a Project
Melanie draws a compelling parallel between the roles of a conductor and a project manager, emphasizing the importance of coordination and communication in achieving successful outcomes. She illustrates how a conductor brings harmony and unity to an orchestra by understanding each musician's role, akin to how a project manager orchestrates various tasks and talents to meet project goals. While the execution differs, both roles require an overarching vision, attention to detail, and the ability to navigate challenges.
-
25 Years of CODE Magazine
Updated
Rod celebrates the silver anniversary of this magazine with a look back at the technology we've covered and some very cool cover art.
-
Software Finds Its Way
Updated
Rod writes about the long-term nature and high costs of software maintenance compared to initial development. Through personal experienceshe illustrates the importance of adopting strategic approaches to ease maintenance challenges. He highlights techniques like leveraging polymorphism and function overloading to lower maintenance costs, ultimately advocating for thoughtful design decisions that anticipate future needs and promote flexibility.
-
AI is Stimulating Change
Rod explores the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), emphasizing their increasing accessibility to smaller developers and companies. He notes that AI tools like Whisper and LangChain can enhance application functionalities while acknowledging the accompanying challenges, such as the potential for misinformation and the need for human oversight to ensure accuracy. Through CODE Magazine, Rod hopes to guide readers in integrating AI into their work responsibly, underscoring the importance of evaluating AI's suitability and potential risks. He advocates for a cautious and informed approach akin to "Trust but Verify."
-
CODE: Five Years Ago
Markus finishes up his series on the last 30 years with a look at the most recent changes in computing and what’s been happening with the business of CODE.
-
Creative versus Receptive
Melanie looks at whether creating something completely new is scary, exciting, and worth doing, or whether you’re working on just another flash in the pan.
-
CODE: 10 Years Ago
Markus reflects on the technological developments and setbacks over the past decade, focusing on Microsoft's challenging release of Windows 8 and the underwhelming Windows Phone. He highlights Microsoft's struggles with the ill-received WinRT application platform and the poorly implemented Windows App Store, marking a period of significant brand value decline under Steven Sinofsky and Steven Balmer. Markus contrasts these with the era's broader tech landscape, including advancements by Apple and Google, the rise of cloud computing, and notable trends in software development, gaming, and popular culture.
-
Potential and Possibility
Rod explores the boundless opportunities available to software developers, likening their tools—code, compilers, text editors—to an artist's materials such as pencils and paint. He recounts a personal anecdote where a simple proof of concept using a new feature in the .NET Framework led to the creation of a fully functional call-center management system, exemplifying the power of seeing and acting on potential. Rod extends this philosophy to contemporary technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and large language models (LLMs), emphasizing the importance of leveraging these tools to unlock new possibilities. He encourages developers to remain curious and open-minded, echoing Picasso's sentiment about maintaining a childlike sense of creativity and wonder throughout one's career.
-
CODE: 15 Years Ago
Updated
Markus continues his reflection on what the CODE Group company, the magazine, and the industry have been up to since around 2008, the period of modern development.
-
One Fret Away from Harmony
Updated
Sometimes, you’re just about on top of an elusive solution. Stepping away can help you find it, but so can making slight adjustments to the project’s trajectory.
-
CODE: 20 Years Ago
Updated
Markus Egger reflects on the impact of the dotcom bubble bursting 20 years ago and shares the aftermath in the software development industry. Despite challenges and setbacks, the dotcom crash led to positive effects such as innovation, experimentation, and the emergence of successful companies like Google and Amazon. Markus discusses the importance of Microsoft technologies, the evolution of operating systems, and the fun aspects of the early 2000s, including the release of the first Xbox and notable video games. Egger emphasizes the significance of internet-related technologies and the belief in pushing forward with their development.
-
Unfinished Paintings
Updated
Rod reflects on his fascination with unfinished works of art. He shares his experiences at the Academy Awards Museum and the Broad Museum in Los Angeles where he saw unfinished artwork from Disney's The Little Mermaid and Keith Haring's collection, respectively. He is drawn to these incomplete works because they provide insights into the creative process and allow him to imagine the artist at work. He relates this fascination to his own process as a developer, where he values the journey from rough sketches and demos to finished solutions.
-
CODE: 25 Years Ago
Updated
CODE Group founder Markus Egger takes readers on a journey back to the late 1990s, examining the state of the technology landscape and software development during that time period. He discusses the rise of the internet and the browser wars between Netscape and Microsoft, the emergence of Napster and its impact on the music industry, popular films and video games of the era, the dotcom bubble, and the dominant programming languages and development tools of the time, such as Visual Basic, C++, and Java. Development tools Microsoft created and packaged together at the time would evantually evolve into Visual Studio.
-
Remote Collaboration
Updated
Rod writes about the COVID crisis and how the remote collaboration it forced on everyone impacted music and television production. He notes how it impacted Melanie's efforts to continue her music rehearsals which had to go online, and that they needed to find ways to adapt to overcome lag. Ultimately, people overcome obstacles and adapt.
-
Citizen Developers
Melanie explores the pros and cons of citizen developers: Are they a benefit or a hindrance?
-
CODE: 30 Years Ago
Once upon a time, Markus started a one-man consulting company. Now, with multiple divisions and a magazine to run, he takes a look back to see how much has changed. Overall, it is a nostalgic reflection on the technology and development trends since 1993.
-
Celebrating 30 Years of CODE: A Journey From Dream to Reality
A bit of a look back as well as a look forward at CODE. How it has evolved, what it is evolving to, and the journey we're all on going forward.
-
Creative Symbiosis
Rod looks at how consuming creative things can fuel his own creativity. He's been on a live music events kick.
-
Coding the Future: The Rise of Low-Code and AI with the Microsoft Power Platform
Charles Lamanna argues that Microsoft Power Platform democratizes software development by combining low-code tools with AI copilots, empowering non-coders and seasoned developers alike to collaboratively create solutions. He highlights Power Platform’s components (Power Apps, Automate, BI, Pages, Virtual Agents) and the universal Power Fx language, with Dataverse enabling compliant data management. Lamanna envisions a future where AI accelerates and broadens who can innovate, reshaping collaboration across domains and industries as citizens-developers contribute to a galactic odyssey of digital transformation.
-
Error-Driven Development
Rod notices that sometimes, looking at a nagging obstacle in a new way can open your eyes to more than just a coding solution.
-
Things Will Be Different
Updated
This editorial explores the implications of the rapid development of ChatGPT. Rod also reflects on how his own experience of visiting a record store with his son made him realize the importance of considering the specific needs of projects before blindly adopting new technologies, and how sometimes the best solutions are those that look to the past.
-
The Power of the Pivot
Updated
Rod explores how changing your plans and perspective can open your eyes. Go ahead and pivot.
-
Architects: The Case for Software Leaders
Despite our best efforts, relatively few software development projects are a raging success. Jeffrey talks about the various roles - even non-technical ones - that every project should have if there’s any hope of success.
-
The Way of the Coder
Updated
Rod talks about some of the perils and foibles of being a software engineer.
-
Take a Break
It wasn’t just the COVID break that kept Rod from attending conferences, but now that he’s back, he remembers what he loved about them.
-
Life Lessons for Developers
Rod’s keynote speech was an opportunity to look back at how he got here. He shares tips for getting along as a developer in the trenches for over 30 years.
-
New in .NET 7
Rod Paddock argues that .NET 7 advances the platform with strong developer-centric improvements across languages, frameworks, and tooling. He highlights C# 11 features like raw string literals, MAUI’s strengthened cross-platform capabilities, and Blazor's expanded interoperability and hot-reload experience. He emphasizes sustained performance gains, and valuable EF enhancements that streamline data-centric development. Paddock frames these updates as part of a coherent forward and backward-compatible trajectory, designed to meet developers where they are and preserve prior sweat investments while enabling new capabilities. The result is a highly productive, future-proof .NET ecosystem.
-
Recovering Creativity
Rod hits a creative wall and expores how to climb over it. Take the downtime you need. Get outside without your tech. Revisit what makes you creative, and finally, embrace what works.
-
Longevity
Updated
Rod talks about writing code that lasts. The applications he's writing today will likely still be used in 15-20 years, so good software architecture is key to that longevity.
-
Artistic Collaboration
Updated
It takes a village to build a great app with real staying power. Rod reflects on the myth of the Lone Wolf coder.
-
The Computer is My Paintbrush
Updated
Rod realizes that sometimes, the most useful tools are the ones we take most for granted.
-
Finding Inspiration
Rod explores some of the things that have inspired his career.
-
Beating the Doldrums
We've all had a rough couple of years. Rod talks about what's helped him cheer up and that we're all in this together.
-
.NET Focus Features Fabulous Features
Rod reflects on this being the third CODE Focus issue he has managed and highlights some of the great articles about .NET 6 in this issue.
-
Finding Your Cohort
Rod uses the year of isolation to do some reading and recognize his circle of peers and what he’s learned from both.
-
Don’t Go Down with Sunk Costs
Updated
Rod has some great suggestions for how to work more efficiently.
-
Who Is Your Audience?
Updated
Rod muses on what's really necessary in UI design. Don't let your requirements deter your customers from wanting to use your product.
-
Eliminating Waste During Designer-to-Developer Handoff
Updated
Improve how teams move from front-end UI/UX experience created for users, to the developers who will write code to make it work. Create clear specs, usability testing, use low-code to design and improve collaboration and communication. If you’ve ever been part of a development team, you’ve experienced the disconnection that designers sometimes seem to have from how things get built. Jason shows how to make it better.
-
Keeping the Creative Fires Lit
Updated
Rod looks at how a new project or tool can spark new interest in getting your work done.
-
The Journey to One .NET
Product Marketing Manager for .NET Beth Massi talks about her journey from FoxPro to .NET 5 and highlights the great topics covered in this CODE Focus issue.
-
The New Normal
Rod writes about how the pandemic is shifting the perspective about what's the "New Normal" for him.
-
Talk to an RD: Dr. Neil Roodyn and Markus Egger - Part 1
Dr. Neil and Markus talk about life in Sydney Australia vs Maui, HI during COVID-19.
-
The Joy of Being a Beginner
Rod Paddock is spending some of his pandemic time exploring new software technologies including .NET Core, Docker, Vue and Python.
-
Soldiering On
Updated
Challenging times running CODE Magazine right before and during the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
-
Talk to an RD: Ciprian Jichici and Markus Egger
Updated
Ciprian and Markus talk about what’s coming in artificial intelligence and beyond.
-
On Endings
Updated
Ted Neward discusses his closing thoughts in his final back-of-the-issue editorial for CODE Magazine.
-
Rodman Visits the World of FX on Hulu’s “Devs”
Updated
Rod writes the editorial of his life after visiting Earling Studios in the UK where they filmed the TV series Devs in 2019. In Jan 2020, interviewed Alex Garland, the creator-writer-director of Devs.
-
Talk to an RD: Tim Huckaby and Markus Egger
Updated
Tim Huckaby and Markus Egger discuss privacy and many other issues that significantly change with artificial intelligence.
-
-
On Contributions
Good software teams figure out how to let people make their best contribution.
-
Theory Meets Reality
Some planning for modular development from the past makes a change by Apple for deprecated features much easier to handle.
-
.NET Core: The WOW Factor
Rod is just as excited as everyone else about all the new tools in .NET Core 3.0.
-
Emotional Code
In "Emotional Code," Kate Gregory argues that emotions deeply influence the way programmers write and maintain code, despite the common belief that code is purely logical and emotion-free. She explores how fear, arrogance, selfishness, and laziness manifest in coding practices, while also highlighting how confidence, humility, generosity, and hard work lead to better, more maintainable code. Gregory emphasizes understanding the emotional drivers behind code to foster empathy, improve team dynamics, and encourage writing code that reflects positive emotions, ultimately benefiting both developers and the quality of software.
-
Sock Sock Shoe Shoe
Melanie Spiller argues that our ingrained sequences—like how we put on socks and shoes—shape perception and productivity, and that deliberately scrambling routines can refresh attention, reveal overlooked details, and spark creativity; she offers practical examples from walking opposite routes, editing upside-down, writing out of order, and software development, concluding that selective, purposeful disorder can be energizing, even if some habitual orders (both socks, both shoes) remain stubbornly objectionable.
-
What Captain Marvel Can Teach Us About Management
Dian spends an evening re-watching Captain Marvel with a group of friends and they realize that there’s a lot more to that movie than just a rollicking good film.
-
Women in STEM: An Interview
In "Women in STEM: An Interview," Sumeya Block, a high school student passionate about coding and activism, interviews Sara Chipps, a JavaScript coder and co-founder of Girl Develop It and Jewelbots. The article explores Sara's journey in tech, her efforts to combat sexism, and her initiatives to inspire young girls to pursue STEM through creative products like programmable friendship bracelets and STEM-themed craft boxes. Sumeya shares her own experiences with coding and activism, highlighting the importance of creativity, community, and representation in empowering women in tech. Together, they emphasize mentorship, outreach, and creating accessible opportunities for all.
-
Code Smells Are Universal
Rod sniffs out some questionable code.
-
Managed Coder: On Time
In "Managed Coder: On Time," Ted Neward explores the critical importance of time management, emphasizing its role as the most valuable and finite resource in both professional and personal life. Drawing on insights from Peter Drucker, Neward underscores how time's egalitarian nature demands intentional usage and prioritization to maximize productivity and meaningful interactions. Through personal anecdotes and practical strategies, he highlights the need to identify time-wasting habits, set boundaries, and make deliberate choices to optimize time while respecting the time of others. Neward ultimately advocates treating time with the same care as financial resources to achieve greater fulfillment and efficiency.
-
-
-
Decades of Thanks
Updated
Rod Paddock reflects on his journey from being laid off at Pinnacle Publishing to building a successful career as an independent consultant. He recounts pivotal moments and expresses gratitude to the individuals who shaped his path, including Jerry Whiting, Erik Ruthruff, David Anderson, Greg Lawrence, and Melanie Spiller. Through their mentorship, trust, and lessons in business, teaching, delegation, and interpersonal communication, Rod developed key skills that defined his career. The article is a heartfelt acknowledgment of the relationships and experiences that contributed to his growth, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, kindness, and lifelong learning.
-
On Effective Executives
Updated
Ted looks at what makes the difference between a good leader and a great one.
-
-
Part 4: The Tenets of UAT
Updated
Rod's big project is drawing to a close, and it's time to consider User Acceptance Testing.
-
On Developing Talent
Ted talks about encouraging--and enabling--your team to grow their skills.
-
Part 3: Merrily We Roll Along
Rod continues the tale of an enormous conversion project.
-
Act II
Rod's project continues and he gives us some good advice about managing a team.
-
On Trust
Ted writes about the importance of trust to a team's success.
-
On Transitioning
Ted Neward’s On Transitioning counsels developers moving into management to reframe their role from building code to enabling people. Through acceptance and self-awareness, new managers should identify and address four common stressors—role strain, problem-solving fatigue, isolation, and imposter syndrome—by delegating, coaching, setting boundaries, and seeking support. He emphasizes prioritizing the team’s development over individual tasks, maintaining self-care, and adopting servant-leadership: directing and developing people as the core of management, rather than merely solving technical problems.
-
The Intention of Language
Melanie Spiller argues that intention—not lyrics, melody, or title alone—gives meaning to song. Through her observations of birds responding to human music and her own voice-teaching experiments, she links musical meaning to the performer’s aimed emotions and to how brains interpret sound patterns. She compares human language, bird communication, and even programming, suggesting that knowing rules matters, but grasping intention is what listeners understand. Looking ahead, she envisions AI that understands intention, potentially enabling birds (and people) to act on meaning beyond words.
-
Act 1: Into the Great Unknown
Updated
Rod tells us about the complexities of a legacy code conversion project.
-
On Bets
Updated
Ted discusses the general impossibility of having all the information at the onset of a project--or a decision.
-
A Software "Pre-mortem"
Updated
Rod's about to embark on a large-scale legacy conversion and he talks about the process before they begin.
-
-
Ending Malaise
Updated
Rod Paddock argues that developer malaise stems from stagnation rather than workload, and his breakthrough came only when he returned to what he loves: learning new things. By exploring how his API could be consumed from Swift and expanding into Python and other tools, he rekindled enthusiasm and overcome burnout. He advocates lifelong learning, refreshing the “battery” by adding new skills (and even arts) as a antidote to fatigue, noting that growing in diverse directions can prevent burnout and keep programming rewarding.
-
On Managers
Updated
Ted talks about being a manager, having a manager, and the difference between a good and a bad manager.
-
Focusing on What Matters
Rod focuses on what matters
-
Managed Coder: On Fear
Ted Neward argues that fear, while a natural and sometimes protective emotion, is not the enemy of success—our relationship with fear is. He urges programmers to name and illuminate their fears, reframing risk as a necessary driver of growth, and to deliberately analyze when and how to take risks (e.g., pursuing a promotion or a key demo). By judging timing, embracing potential failure as a learning opportunity, and adopting a growth mindset, we can move from paralysis to productive action and continual improvement in our craft.
-
Managed Coder: On Professionalism
Ted talks about professional behavior and what politics has to do with the workplace.
-
Software Archaeology
In "Software Archaeology," Chris Williams explores the challenges and strategies of working with legacy code, drawing from his extensive experience as a developer since the 1980s. The article delves into practical approaches for understanding and maintaining old or unfamiliar codebases, such as mapping functionality, leveraging debugging tools, and resisting the urge to refactor unnecessarily. Through real-world examples, including his own projects and inherited applications, Chris emphasizes the importance of balancing practicality with respect for existing architectural choices, while offering actionable tips to navigate the complexities of outdated systems. Ultimately, he advocates for adaptability and structured exploration to tame the chaos of legacy software.
-
Criticism, Feedback, and Reviews
You’ve had reviews, feedback, or criticism—it’s part of dealing with creativity and discipline in any workplace. Melanie gives some advice on receiving and giving negative comments with positive results.
-
On Objectivity
Ted points out that no matter who you are and what you do, you can't ever truly know someone else's perspective.
-
Choices, Choices, Choices
Updated
Rod looks at the many options available to developers these days and having to choose what's best for your clients.
-
On Decisions
Updated
Ted looks at how DADA and OODA thought processes can help you make smarter --if not faster--decisions.
-
-
On Interviewing
Updated
Ted looks at how interviewing practices need to change with the times, just as software does.
-
Managed Coder: On Coding Management
Updated
Ted takes a look at what skills are necessary to be a great manager.
-
You're Not Finished Yet
Melanie talks about the need for testing, editing, and otherwise closely examining your work before sending it out into the world.
-
Making Informed Decisions
Rod writes about his experiences in the trenches and how enthusiasm for novelty can sometimes cause problems.
-
On Mentoring
Ted takes a look at an age-old technique for helping new devs acclimatize to new jobs.
-
On Strong Teams
Ted takes a look at what it takes to make a team successful--is there a magic formula?
-
Shokunin
Rod Paddock explores the concept of mastery and dedication to craft, drawing inspiration from the Japanese term "shokunin," which embodies both technical excellence and a deep social responsibility to serve others. Using the example of sushi chef Jiro Ono and his rigorous apprenticeship process, Paddock highlights the importance of sustained effort, practice, and commitment in achieving greatness in any field, including software development. He emphasizes that true mastery not only involves skill but also a sense of obligation to positively impact the lives of others, challenging readers to reflect on their own dedication to their craft.
-
Managed Coder: On Experience
Ted talks about how hiring experience might seem expensive, but it could save you money in the end.
-
The Art of Making Art
Rod explores the similarities between making fine art and writing code.
-
On Culture Fit
Updated
Ted Neward argues that the culture-fit criterion in software development interviews fosters bias and homophily, rewarding similarity over merit. Drawing parallels with orchestras and studies on blind auditions and name-based callbacks, he shows how hiring practices can exclude diverse talent even when capable. He notes that diverse teams drive innovation and better market outcomes, yet many firms still rely on perceived cultural compatibility. His remedy: drop culture fit from candidate criteria, hire based on demonstrable skills with personal data removed, and condition offers with a short-term performance review.
-
Creative Fear
Updated
Rod explores some of the things that hold us back when we want to start a new project, including FEAR.
-
Managed Coder: On Responsibility
Updated
Ted takes a serious look at who's responsible when things go wrong.
-
Parse is Set to Shut Down. Now What?
Updated
It seems like only yesterday that Facebook acquired Parse so that developers could focus more on the frontend than the backend of their apps. In January 2017, they’re shutting Parse down. Jason tells us what our options are.
-
On Self-Regulation
Updated
For an industry that prides itself on its analytical ability and abstract mental processing, we often don’t do a great job applying that mental skill to the most important element of the programmer’s tool chest—that is, ourselves.
-
Managed Coder: On Motivating
Ted looks at meetings to help us determine whether we're motivated to do the work.
-
The Curious Coder
Rod reflects on how lucky we are to work in an industry where a trip down the rabbit hole can be good for you and for your clients.
-
Managed Coder: On Motivation
Ted talks about the difference between being motivated and needing motivation in the first of a series on the subject.
-
Manager’s Corner: The Long View!
In "Manager’s Corner: The Long View!" Mike Yeager reflects on a pivotal lesson in business: the importance of understanding and delivering what customers truly need, rather than simply offering what one has. Drawing from his own experiences, Yeager shares how losing a major contract due to a narrow focus prompted a shift in his approach to software development. He advocates for viewing software solutions as evolving, long-term services rather than finite projects, emphasizing proactive adaptability, customer collaboration, and comprehensive system support. By taking the "long view," businesses can thrive in an ever-changing landscape, fostering enduring client relationships and mutual success.
-
Managed Coder: On Liberal Arts
Ted shows us how it doesn't take a CS degree to know how to make great apps.
-
Manager's Corner: Recharging
Mike teaches us the value of taking a vacation--it's good for the whole team!
-
-
Manager’s Corner: Flat Code
Updated
Mike takes a close look at how to deal with legacy code and the problems of re-using and maintaining source code.
-
-
Markus Egger Remembers 15 Years of CODE Magazine
Most people troll the Internet for technical details, yet CODE Magazine manages to soldier on in print (and online). Markus takes a look at where we’ve been and what it took to get to where we are today.
-
Managed Coder: On Core Competence
Updated
Ted talks about the importance of identifying core competencies.
-
Manager’s Corner: Motivation
Updated
Mike talks about the different kinds of motivation and how, as a manager, to contribute to maintaining motivation among the workers on your project.
-
Musings of a Wandering Developer
Updated
Rod considers the benefits and pitfalls of having multiple clients running multiple tools.
-
Managed Coder: On Brand
Ted explains why branding is important, no matter how big or small your company is.
-
The Times, They are a-Changin'
Rod takes a look at the great changes coming because of ASP.NET vNext
-
Managed Coder: On Benchmarking
Ted explores the myth of benchmarking and how to make sure that yours are valid.
-
Manager’s Corner: Teams and Scalability
When your team drastically changes size, you’ll understand Mike’s parallel lessons from writing code.
-
The Mythical Business Layer
Dino explains the business layer so that even a seven-year-old can understand.
-
Editorial
In this issue, Rod discusses the cost benefit analysis of tools.
-
Managed Coder: On Being an Idiot
Ted tells us how everyone is an "idiot" every now and then, and how to make the most of the situation.
-
The Software Comedy: State of the Art
Dino has a somewhat literary take on the things that go wrong in software development. You’ll follow him through the seven rings of Software Hell in a parallel to Dante’s “Divine Comedy.”
-
Manager’s Corner: Words Matter
Updated
Words aren’t the only aspect of good communication. Mike teaches us that the code should stand on its own, now, next week, next year, and for the next decade.
-
-
Manger's Corner: Simplicity
Updated
Simplicity doesn’t mean more abstract: it means more basic and clear. Mike tells us how to manage projects without introducing unnecessary complexity.
-
-
Managed Coder: On Negativity
Updated
Ted Neward explains how taking the negative approach just might lead to leaner, cleaner code.
-
Manager's Corner: Meetings
Updated
If your calendar has more meetings scheduled into it that time to work, you’ll appreciate Mike Yeager’s suggestions for making meetings more efficient.
-
Managed Coder: On Passion
Ted Neward's b-monthly column on development. This issue Ted discusses the concept of developer passion.
-
Twenty Years as a Software Engineer
This editorial reflects on past conferences and looks forward to 2014.
-
Curiosity-Driven Development
Nov/Dec 2013 Editorial by Rod Paddock
-
Managed Coder: On Efficiency and Effectiveness
Nov//Dec 2013 Managed Coder by Ted Neward
-
Manager’s Corner: The Emperor Has No Clothes
I’ve been working on a technical assessment of a system for a new client during the last few weeks. As I looked at line after line of the source code they gave me, I saw test-driven design (TDD), inversion of control (IOC), dependency injection (DI), and plenty of other TLAs (three letter acronyms). I saw “convention over configuration.” I saw layer upon layer of abstraction. There was more unit test code than code. Code coverage was very high. Marvelous! I can almost hear some of you salivating.
-
Codes of Conduct
Rod Paddock argues that the growing adoption of codes of conduct at software conferences reveals a deeper problem: a pervasive “brogrammer” culture that tolerates harassment and boorish behavior. While he agrees that harassment must be addressed, heeshifts focus from the codes themselves to the underlying environment that necessitates them, urging a return to merit, professionalism, and an inclusive, respectful culture. He advocates creating safe spaces for all attendees and reframing behavior without losing sight of constructive interaction, summarizing his stance with Wil Wheaton’s “Don’t be a dick.”
-
Managed Coder: On Conferences
Ted Neward argues that conferences are a valuable but underutilized opportunity for software professionals, and their value comes from deliberate preparation and behavior. In ten practical tips, he urges attendees to set upfront goals, do homework on sessions and speakers, come prepared with business cards, balance work and social time, engage respectfully with speakers and peers, and focus on meaningful networking and follow-up. He emphasizes realistic expectations about quick knowledge transfer, and frames success as demonstrable value to one's employer through new contacts, resources, and ideas that can be applied after the event.
-
Managed Coder: “If only Aristotle had not Said Otherwise, I Would Believe You”
Updated
July/August 2013 Managed Coder Article
-
-
-
Managed Coder: On “Done”
Updated
Writing software is hard, particularly when the schedules keep programmers’ “nose to the grindstone;” every so often, it’s important to take a breather and look around the world and discover what we can find. Ironically, what we find can often help us write software better.
-
-
-
-
The Skeptical Coder: Fixing Windows 8 and WinRT
Here’s a bit of news for you: Despite all the criticism and despite all the naysayers, Windows 8 is actually a very good operating system. Improvements to the desktop are good and welcome. A lot of the underlying tech for WinRT is quite impressive. Microsoft should be applauded for their willingness to invent and change. However, because of a long list of puzzling decisions, and due to a lack of polish and packaging, Windows 8 just doesn’t add up to a good product that serves all the market segments it aims to serve. That’s a tall order, of course, but anything less has to be seen as a dramatic failure for any version of the Windows operating system.
-
Managed Coder: On Skepticism
Jan/Feb 2013 - Managed Coder by Ted Neward
-
The Cloud Networking Effect
Rod Paddock Jan/Feb 2013 Editorial
-
Looking Into the Future
Rod Paddock Nov/Dec 2012 Editorial
-
Managed Coder: On Blogging
Ted Neward's Nov/Dec 2012 Column
-
Managed Coder: On Prototypes
Sept/Oct 2012 Managed Coder Article
-
You Get What You Pay For
Rod Paddock Sept/Oct Editorial
-
-
Managed Coder: On Warnings
Updated
Writing software is hard, particularly when the schedules keep programmers “nose to the grindstone”; every so often, it’s important to take a breather and look around the world and discover what we can find-ironically, what we find can often help us write software better.
-
-
New at CODE Magazine!
A lot of new things are going on at CODE Magazine, both online and offl ine, and both directly associated with the magazine as well as efforts even more directly related to your development efforts. You may have already seen some of the things we do with CODE Consulting (www.codemag.com/consulting) and CODE Training (www.codemag.com/training), but today I would like to draw your attention to other things.
-
The “Danger” of Dynamic Languages
Updated
Back in 2005, when Ruby on Rails started appearing on developers’ radars, there was an explosion of blogs and articles discussing how dangerous these loosey goosey languages were, with their hippy dynamic typing. And many predicted dire fates for companies foolish enough to take the plunge. Regular readers are certainly familiar with Ted Neward, who makes technology predictions each year on his blog. Here’s what Ted said on January 1, 2006:
-
-
-
Post Mortem: Xiine for iOS
Updated
EPS builds a user interface for the iOS that is very similar to the Android and desktop versions.
-
-
Managed Coder: On Being a Consultant
Jan/Feb 2012 Managed Coder by Ted Neward
-
Seeking Scale
Jan/Feb 2012 Editorial by Rod Paddock
-
Managed Coder: Thoughts of a //Build/ Gone By
Nov/Dec 2011 Managed Coder by Ted Neward
-
-
Managed Coder: Fear and Loathing of the FTC
On June 27, 2011, <i>USA Today </i>ran an article headlined, “FTC Probe Puts Google On Guard”. In it, Scott Martin, the author, said that “The Federal Trade Commission has formally begun its investigation into Google’s search and advertising businesses, examining whether the company has unfairly used its monopoly. … Legal experts say the FTC inquiry marks a turning point for the company as it will come under heightened regulatory scrutiny.” History does not offer great hope for those companies under that heightened regulatory scrutiny. When IBM faced off against the FTC in the 80s, it marked the beginning of what most analysts considered IBM’s slide into mediocrity, and arguments can easily be made that Microsoft’s day in court against the FTC in the last 90s has led to a similar sort of decline. Given Google’s current status as one of Microsoft’s chief rivals, it would seem that for the Microsoft-allied section of the industry, this would be great news.
-
MVP Corner: Leadership Is a Verb, Not a Noun
Recently I accepted a management/leadership position, one where I can be the proverbial “player-coach.” It’s a position I’ve actually been doing for some time, and it’s now official.
-
Not Found in a College Course Curriculum
Sept/Oct 2011 Editorial by Rod Paddock
-
Post Mortem: Xiine for Android
Digital content is becoming more popular. E-book readers encourage people that like to read, to read even more because they can take all of their books on one lightweight gadget. Even though I still love hard copies of a book (you don’t need power to read it), I have had very good experiences with several digital readers.
-
-
MVP Corner: Looking Back on the Great VB/C# War
Updated
Recently, I received an email comment on a blog post I wrote roughly 3 1/2 years ago. I had completely forgotten about writing the post, but as soon as I saw the title I remembered every word of it. It also got me thinking about who the guy was that wrote it... then and now.
-
-
Improve Your “Soft-Skills” and Keep Your Job!
Updated
What can you do to improve your job prospects in a weak economy? Paul has some thoughts on that.
-
Managed Coder: Advice to a New Programmer
Updated
Writing software is hard, particularly when the schedule keeps a programmer’s “nose to the grindstone”; every so often, it’s important to take a breather and discover what there is to find—ironically, what you find can often help you write better software. If you’re new to the industry, trying to figure out what to study, much less what to study next, frequently turns into the “Paradox of Choice.”
-
On Conferences
Updated
Rod gives you some pointers on how to get the most out of conferences and why you should go.
-
-
-
-
-
We Are Customer Service!
Rod Paddock editorial Jan/Feb 2011
-
Embracing Community: Becoming a Speaker
Chris Williams embracing community Nov/Dec 10 column.
-
Licensing and Obfuscation
Software piracy runs rampant these days! You need to protect your code using a good licensing scheme and obfuscation. If you develop software for a living (and since you are reading this magazine, I assume you are), at some point you will most likely figure out how to protect your investment in that software. Two things you will need to do to accomplish this are to add licensing to your software, and to obfuscate your code so others cannot reverse engineer your hard work. These two tools are absolutely essential in your efforts to protect your software. This article will provide you with an overview on how you can use these tools to protect yourself from piracy.
-
Post Mortem: Desaware’s Licensing System 1.x
Nov/Dec 2010 Post Mortem Article by Dan Appleman
-
Show Me the Money and Other Sundry Stories
Rod Paddock Nov/Dec 2010 Editorial
-
-
PostMortem: A Large Mission-Critical Educational System
When you read about history, the stories are mostly about the people involved, and not as often about the tools and technologies people used. In software engineering, the stories about the people involved are known as “human factors” - and it is often the human factors in the life of a software project that make life interesting for software developers.
-
Privacy and the Application Developer
Do you store information about your customers, clients, suppliers, vendors, and your employees on a computer system? If so, you need to be aware of the many different movements that are happening, at least in the United States, about keeping that data secure. Many states are enacting or have enacted legislation requiring businesses to not only safeguard that information, but also force those businesses to notify customers if such information becomes compromised
-
So You Want to Be a Consultant: Risk Management
Rod Paddock Sep/Oct 2010 Editorial
-
-
Excel Services in SharePoint 2010
Updated
Excel services is yet another important pillar in Microsoft’s business intelligence offering. Business users really like Excel because it is easy to use and they can add complex formulas to Excel to express their logic.They can do so without involving the IT guy. The problem with this scenario, however, is that it becomes very difficult to share some Excel sheets with their coworkers. Usually users prefer to send workbooks via email, but sometimes the workbooks are too large for email, sometimes they have backend data connections, and sometimes workbooks send via email cause version confusion hell.
-
Managed Coder: Yes or No (But Maybe…)
Updated
Writing software is hard, particularly when the schedules keep programmers “nose to the grindstone”; every so often, it’s important to take a breather and look around the world and discover what we can find-ironically, what we find can often help us write software better.Philosophy doesn’t just question the imponderables about the universe; sometimes it shows us the limitations of our own, programming-trained mind, and leaves us to question the approaches we take in building software for the rest of the human race.
-
PostMortem: Harms Millennium MedSpa
July/August2010 Post Mortem by Markus Egger
-
-
10 Years of CODE
This is where you would normally expect our popular “Post Mortem” column: An interesting article that describes a project after it is complete and some interesting points about things that went well and things that didn’t. This month is different, however, because this is the 10-year anniversary edition of <i>CODE Magazine</i>! So while <i>CODE Magazine </i>isn’t a project that is “complete” and we certainly expect the magazine to continue on for a long time to come (both in print and online), let’s take a look back and recap what has transpired!
-
-
Embracing Community: GiveCamps
Updated
What is community? A quick look at the Wikipedia defines community as “a group of interacting organisms sharing an environment” and I think that pretty much nails it. In this column, I talk about the developer community as a whole and highlight some people, organizations and events I think you should check out.
-
Managed Coder: The Intentional Fallacy
Updated
Writing software is hard, particularly when the schedules keep programmers “nose to the grindstone”; every so often, it’s important to take a breather and look around the world and discover what we can find-ironically, what we find can often help us write software better.When programming and psychology mix, usually it draws rolled eyes and heavy sighs from the programmer community. But when push comes to shove, knowing a little about how our minds work can only help keep us honest with ourselves, and potentially identify some of our bad habits.
-
Ensuring Quality Code
Updated
Every developer needs to test their code, or have it tested by someone.I don’t know about you, but I am horrible at testing my own code. Does this mean that I do not need to test my code? Heck, no! It is always best if you do not rely on your end user to test your code. This can end up with a very frustrated user, and your user can lose faith in your ability to get their project done.
-
Managed Coder: The Beetle in the Box
Updated
Writing software is hard, particularly when the schedules keep programmers “nose to the grindstone.” Every so often, it’s important to take a breather and look around the world and discover what we can find-ironically, what we find can often help us write software better.Life as a programmer is difficult enough, but what happens when even the simplest conversation with other programmers on your team (much less the customers) goes awry?
-
-
Can a Fish Use a Bicycle?
In "Can a Fish Use a Bicycle?", Rod Paddock argues that Agile development is fundamentally a philosophy focused on collaboration, individuals, and adaptability, rather than a set of tools or techniques. Responding to critiques that Agile fails to address the complexity of modern development toolsets, Paddock emphasizes that Agile principles are tool-agnostic and can be applied with any technology. He cautions against rigid interpretations of Agile and suggests that while some tools may align better with Agile practices, the methodology itself does not solve tool complexity, which remains an ongoing challenge for developers.
-
Managed Coder: On Certainty
Writing software is hard, particularly when the schedules keep programmers “nose to the grindstone”; every so often, it’s important to take a breather and look around the world and discover what we can find-ironically, what we find can often help us write software better.Psychology seems no less strange a partner to the software craftsman than philosophy, but understanding how we engage in that practice called “thought” and “feeling” improves interpersonal skills, like how to deal with annoying co-workers like yourself.
-
Transitioning from Employee to Self-Employed
An invaluable self-starter kit from Paul, who has gone through this himself. Paul breaks it down into categories and other useful information you should know.If you are considering making a jump from being an employee to being self-employed, the following article will help you make the transition.
-
Managed Coder: On Software Developers
Writing software is hard, particularly when the schedules keep programmers “nose to the grindstone”; every so often, it’s important to take a breather and look around the world and discover what we can find-ironically, what we find can often help us write software better.Philosophy seems a strange partner to the software craftsman, but a brief dip in the waters of abstract thought will often help hone skills later useful to the craft of code, models, and dealing with idiot users.
-
Not a Spectator Sport
Cover Headlines: VS 2010, C#, VB, EF, Silverlight, ASP.NET, ASP.NET MVC
-
Getting Back to Basics
Our industry is constantly changing. So much so, that it is difficult to keep up sometimes.
-
Managed Coder: Of Software and Philosophy
Writing software is hard, particularly when the schedules keep programmers “nose to the grindstone.” Every so often, it’s important to take a breather and look around the world and discover what we can find-what we find can often help us write software better.Philosophy seems a strange partner to the software craftsman, but ironically a brief dip in the waters of abstract thought will help hone skills later useful to the craft of code, models, and workable software.
-
Smaller Is Better
Rod Paddock Sept/Oct 09 Editorial
-
-
Keep Software Simple
Updated
A lot of programmers tend to over engineer their software solutions.In the course of my consulting, I have reviewed many applications from many companies. In many cases I find a lot of areas where the software was just too complex. The reasons for this are varied, but seem to be centered around a few main areas: inappropriate use of design patterns, the “not invented here” syndrome, and building a Cadillac when a Chevy would do the job. You can solve these issues in many ways. All it takes is a little bit of re-thinking on how you build software. This article offers guidance on some things you can do to simplify your software development process
-
-
-
Roundtables vs. Lunch Counters
Rod Paddocks Jan/Feb 09 Editorial
-
A Letter from the Director of Accessibility at Microsoft
Updated
Accessible technology eliminates barriers for people with disabilities and it enables individuals to take full advantage of their capabilities."-Bill Gates, Chairman, Microsoft CorporationAccessible technology eliminates barriers for people with disabilities and it enables individuals to take full advantage of their capabilities."-Bill Gates, Chairman, Microsoft Corporation
-
Back to Basics
Rod Paddock's Nov/Dec 2008 Editorial
-
MVP Corner: Good Contracts or Good Friends
Nov/Dec 2008 MVP Corner by Juilia Lerman
-
Languages Re-Unleashed
Sept/Oct 08 Editorial by Rod Paddock
-
Boy Scouts, Dungeons and Dragons, and Community
Updated
Rod Paddock argues that growth as a software developer is inseparable from active participation in a community. Through his own arc—from Boy Scouts and high school gaming to online forums, user groups, conference speaks, and editorial work at CODE Magazine—he shows how mentorship, collaboration, and sharing knowledge build skills and confidence. Personal stories of teaching, presenting, and forging lasting connections illustrate the rewards of contributing and helping others. He ends with a call to action: engage in user groups, Code Camps, Open Space events, blogs, and writing to strengthen and sustain the community.
-
Introduction to Microsoft’s Windows Live Platform
From the consumer products associated with the MSN Butterfly, the Windows Live Platform has steadily grown and evolved.In this article you will discover some of the history behind the Windows Live Platform and explore where it is heading now and might be destined to go in the future. This article will explore the opportunities for you as a developer in this brave (nearly) new world.
-
-
Have You Xiine It?
ByMarkus Egger
CODE Magazine · 2007 - July/August · CODE Focus Magazine · 2008 - Vol. 5 - Issue 1 - Extensibility · Markus Egger Talks Tech
Updated
Article on Xiine by Markus Egger July/August 2007
-
Welcome Letter from the VSX Team
Welcome Letter from the VSX Team
-
It’s an Agile World
Jan/Feb 08 Editorial by Rod Paddock
-
-
The Age of Specialists and Generalists
Nov/Dec 2007 Editorial Column by Rod Paddock
-
Heard on .NET Rocks!: Frank Savage on Programming the Xbox 360
.NET Rocks column for Sept/Oct 2007
-
MVP Corner: Perspectives from a .NET Guy at GDC
Sept/Oct 2007 MVP Corner Article
-
Re-Igniting Creativity
Rod Paddock Editorial for Sept/Oct 2007
-
Heard on .NET Rocks! Dead Head Bill Wagner
Updated
Carl Franklin's .NET Rocks July/August 2007 column.
-
-
A Look at Windows Vista from a Developer Perspective
Updated
Rick Strahl discusses Windows Vista for developers.
-
ASP.NET 2.0 and Visual Studio 2005: You win some, you lose some
Updated
Rick Strahl discusses Visual Studio 2005.
-
ASP.NET AJAX 1.0 is here
Updated
Rick Strahl discusses the newly released ASP.NET AJAX 1.0 (MS AJAX)
-
Beyond HTML: Rich Internet Applications
Updated
Rick Strahl discusses building rich internet applications
-
The Client-Side JavaScript Dilemma
Updated
Rick Strahl discusses considerations when writing JavaScript
-
-
-
-
How to Be Where Your Customer Wants to Be
We all know that applications have evolved, and not just towards Web deployment, .NET Framework development, and mash-up functionality.
-
Welcome from the Mobile and Tailored Platforms Group
Welcome to our second CoDe Focus issue on mobile PC development.
-
-
Coaching Agile Teams: A Companion for ScrumMasters, Agile Coaches, and Project Managers in Transition - Chapter 2
“This book excerpt is from Coaching Agile Teams: A Companion for ScrumMasters, Agile Coaches, and Project Managers in Transition, authored by Lyssa Adkins, published by Pearson/Addison-Wesley Professional, May 2010, ISBN 0321637704, Copyright 2010 Pearson Education Inc. For a full Table of Contents: www.informit.com/title/0321637704”
-
Welcome!
ByYair Griver
CODE Focus Magazine · 2007 - Vol. 4 - Issue 1 - Sedna: Beyond Visual FoxPro 9 · VFP Conversion Papers
Updated
Welcome to the third Fox Focus issue!As I write this (publishing deadlines being what they are) I’ve recently returned from a trip to Europe where I spoke at three different Visual FoxPro conferences in Germany, Amsterdam, and France. I showed off many of the new features coming in Sedna as well as a number of the enhancements being created by the community using the awesome extensibility built into VFP.
-
A Silverlight to Illuminate the Path Ahead…
Updated
At Mix 2007 in Las Vegas, Microsoft announced Silverlight (formerly known as WPF/E) to much fanfare. Silverlight is very intriguing in concept, as it further travels the path previously laid out by WPF (Silverlight’s big brother), and it aims to bring the worlds of Windows and Web development, as well as the worlds of software development and graphical design, much closer together. As more and more details emerge (and the first released version is now available), it becomes clear that Silverlight is not just an intriguing concept, but it is for real! Markus discusses Silverlight concepts in this article.
-
Native JSON Parsing: What Does it Mean for Your AJAX Applications?
Updated
JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) has become the de facto data transfer standard for client-side Web applications that use JavaScript. JSON is a JavaScript-based object/value encoding format that looks very close to raw JavaScript and can be very easily parsed by JavaScript code because JavaScript can effectively evaluate a JSON string and re-materialize an object from it. Unlike XML there’s no parsing involved in the process, so it’s easy to work with and also relatively quick because the actual parsing (or rather evaluating) of a JSON string is done internally in the JavaScript engine rather than through manual code. The format and data types are also well defined so it’s easy to generate JSON strings in other languages like .NET (although parsing is a bit more complex).
-
REST-Based Ajax Services with WCF in .NET 3.5
Updated
Rick Strahl discusses Rest-Based Ajax Services.
-
Use the ASP.NET MVC Framework to Write Web Apps without Viewstate or Postbacks
Updated
The Web View October 2007
-
Agile Development: Swimming with the Current
Two roads diverged in a wood, and we… we took the one that led straight to hell, where we thought nothing of reconciling ourselves to the sad state of software affairs that followed.
-
Ask the Doc Detective
Jan/Feb 07 Doc Detective Column
-
Heard on .NET Rocks! Moving VB6 Applications to .NET
Jan/Feb 07 .Net Rocks Column
-
Surfs Up!
In this editorial Rod Paddock urges developers to "paddle out" and seize the current software waves—Windows Vista and Office 2007, .NET 3.0 (WPF, WCF, WWF), SharePoint 2007, Team Systems, and the upcoming Orcas/LINQ—each offering new UI, workflow, communication, and development opportunities; he highlights how these platforms simplify tasks and enable richer applications, shares his own interests (LINQ and SharePoint), and thanks contributors and readers as he enters his sixth year as CoDe Magazine's editor.
-
I Have a Dream
Rod Paddock Nov/Dec 2006 Editorial
-
Designing for Database Movability
Updated
Eventually SQL Server databases in a production environment must move from one server to another. It’s important to plan for eventual database moves when architecting a database solution.Designers and developers often overlook the eventuality that a database will need to move to a different server. This month’s column is the first of three dealing with the issues surrounding database moves. In this first part, you’ll learn about the reasons why you should plan for moving a database when you design and architect your application.
-
How Developers Can Avoid Transact-SQL Cursors
Updated
Ron Talmage discusses how developers can avaiod Transact-SQL Cursors
-
Methods for Moving a Database
Updated
Moving a SQL Server database from one server to another is simple-initially. But there are various methods for moving a database, and some have more advantages than others. Investigating the types of moves ahead of time can make planning for a database migration easier.It takes essentially three steps to move a database from one server to another: take the database out of production, copy it to another server, and then bring the copy back into production. While you can choose from many methods to accomplish these steps, it can be difficult to complete the move given all the database’s dependencies. In this article I’ll describe the methods for moving the database. In my next installment I’ll discuss the dependencies and additional related objects that you must also move along with the database data.
-
Moving a Database: Dependencies
Updated
xIn the past two installments of this series I’ve discussed two key aspects of moving a SQL Server database from one server (or instance) to another. First I covered the advantages of designing databases to make them easier to move, and then I looked at the methods that you can use to move a database. Now it’s time to look specifically at the types of database dependencies that you must account for after you move a database.
-
Performance Counters on the 64-bit Road Less Travelled
Updated
Ron Talmage discusses performance counters in SQL Server.
-
SQL Server 2005: Scaling Up and Out
Updated
Ron Talmage discusses SQL Server 2005 in this introductory SQL Server Observer Newsletter
-
SQL Server Database Mirroring Roles: Instance versus Database
Updated
Ron Talmage discusses the roles of SQL Server databases and instances in high availability scenarios.
-
The x64 Path Less Travelled
Updated
Ron Talmage discusses 32-bit vs. 64-bit version of SQL Server 2005
-
Axes and Imagination
So what the heck is Rod doing with Stewie and Brian Griffin (of Family Guy fame) you ask? Well, Rod is sharpening his axe.
-
-
-
-
-
-
The Modern World of Mobility
Rod Paddock - Editorial for Tablet PC 2006
-
Welcome Letter from the Tablet PC Team
Tablet PC Team Welcome Letter Jan 06
-
Heard on .NET Rocks!: Joel Pobar and Brad Abrams on the CLR
.Net Rocks by Carl Franklin Nov/Dec Article.
-
Tragedy and a Call to Action
Rod Paddock Nov/Dec Editorial Article.
-
-
-
What an Amazing Five Years It Has Been!
Markus Egger 5 Year Anniversary Editorial May/June 2005
-
-
It's a Blog World
Rod Paddock January February 2005 Editorial Article
-
Best Practices
Rod Paddock Editorial Article November December 04 Issue
-
What Makes an Effective Software Manager?
Rod Paddock Editorial September October 2004 Issue
-
-
Great Reasons to Ring In 2005!
Wow, another year has gone by, and as you read this, you are probably returning to the office after a few more or less relaxing holiday time spent with friends and family and a New Year's celebration. Interesting things have happened in our industry in the last 12 months, but I predict that the next 12 months will be quite a bit more interesting! Seldom before have I been as excited about new technologies and developments as I am now.
-
LINQ Up!
At PDC 2005, Microsoft announced a new technology called Language Integrated Query (LINQ), which will be available with Visual Studio “Orcas” (the next version of Visual Studio). A lot of exciting new technologies are announced at every PDC, and as a result, LINQ got some attention, but not nearly as much as I think it deserves. LINQ represents the ability to run queries right inside of Visual Basic, C#, or any other .NET language.
-
-
-
-
-
.NET Gripes and XAML Worries
Rod Paddock Editorial January February 2004 Issue
-
An Introduction to Visual Studio .NET Whidbey
ByCODE Magazine · 2004 - January/February · CODE Focus Magazine · 2003 - Vol. 1 - Issue 3 - Whidbey and Yukon PDC Special
Updated
Yair Alan Griver surveys the upcoming Visual Studio .NET Whidbey, outlining a broad set of enhancements across languages, the .NET Framework, and the development environment. He emphasizes continued cross-language interoperability, new language features (generics, partial types, iterators, anonymous methods, and more across VB, C#, C++, and J#), framework improvements (Windows and Web client capabilities, device support, data access, and Web services), and a strengthened IDE with extensibility, debugging visualizations, MSBuild integration, and task-focused productivity tools. Griver aims to give a focused roadmap of Whidbey’s ambitious, productivity-driven changes.
-
Aux Displays Rock!
Updated
Markus Egger discusses the new Aux Display feature supported in Windows "Longhorn".
-
Editorial - Thinking about .NET
Markus Egger argues in this editorial that Microsoft’s Visual Studio.NET aims to integrate development with the operating system to simplify Web and enterprise application development through XML, HTTP, Web Forms, and Web Services (SOAP), while tying tools to the OS via the CLR. He cautions that, despite impressive demos, real architecture and interoperability remain essential, and early hype should not eclipse core skills in Web architecture and low-level understanding. VS.NET could ease development, but debugging and reliability will still depend on solid foundational knowledge.
-
How Microsoft Builds Community
In his article, Markus Egger explores how Microsoft strategically fosters developer communities by dedicating significant resources and creating a collaborative ecosystem. Through discussions with key Microsoft personnel, Egger highlights the company’s approach of empowering developers with freedom, information, and support while integrating community feedback into product development. The initiative spans multiple language-specific groups and global efforts, supported by dedicated roles and partnerships like INETA. Egger conveys Microsoft’s shift toward customer-centric engagement, emphasizing the importance of viral knowledge sharing and sustained investment to cultivate vibrant, self-sustaining developer ecosystems.
-
The Web at your service
Markus Egger argues that Web Services—driven by XML, HTTP and SOAP and accelerated by platforms like .NET—will transform how business logic and data are published and consumed over the Internet, enabling rich desktop and web applications to interoperate via simple remote method calls; however, he warns that standards, interoperability, security, state/transaction handling and service discovery remain immature, so developers should learn and experiment now despite current limitations to seize emerging business opportunities.
-
Thinking About Services
Markus Egger argues that the rise of Web Services will transform software by enabling seamless, server‑driven functionality while outsourcing many control and maintenance burdens to providers. He acknowledges the promise of easier updates and better‑performing reused services, but warns of the painful transition and the erosion of direct control, drawing an analogy to how modern cars and their parts work versus early expectations. Through a candid ISP anecdote, he underscores the practical pain of relying on services and humans, yet remains hopeful that Web Services will ultimately streamline the Internet.
-
Welcome to CODE Magazine!
Markus Egger presents CODE Magazine as a premier resource for Web and Enterprise developers to leverage the latest Windows DNA, Web technologies, and distributed architectures across multiple languages. He argues the magazine will focus on technologies, design principles, and the development process (including testing and architecture) rather than any single tool, while highlighting a stronger Visual FoxPro presence and openness to contributions from the community. Egger envisions articles on modern development practices, patterns, XML/HTTP-driven services, and practical guidance for building scalable, multi-language applications in a changing standards landscape.
-
Hearts and Minds
Rod Paddock argues that the ongoing VB.NET vs C# debate is less about one language being inherently superior and more about context and practical needs. Drawing on his background across VB, Visual FoxPro, and other tools, he contends that good design transcends language and that supporters of either side often overstate benefits. He notes VB.NET’s unique features like edit-and-continue, acknowledges its warts, and suggests choosing a language based on the developer’s background and project requirements. Ultimately, CoDe Magazine will showcase multiple languages, emphasizing pragmatic, task-driven development.
-
-
Toys, Toys, Toys
Updated
Rod Paddock portrays the Whidbey and Yukon previews as exciting new software development “toys” that expand and energize the developer landscape. He shares his enthusiasm for features like integrating .NET into Yukon’s triggers and stored procedures, creating new data types, and Whidbey’s edit-and-continue, along with numerous ASP.NET, Windows Forms, and language updates. Paddock invites readers to explore these advances and reads the accompanying expert articles, underscoring a playful yet serious anticipation for the next generation of Visual Studio, .NET Framework, and SQL Server.
-
State of .NET Development
September/October 2003 Editorial by Rod Paddock.
-
-
-
-
Looking Forward and Back (Editorial)
In this editorial, Rod Paddock reflects on the pivotal technological developments of 2002, highlighting the significance of Visual Studio .NET, the rise of web services, and the expanding influence of SQL Server and Microsoft’s acquisition of Great Plains. He emphasizes the growing importance of security and notes Microsoft’s strategic retreat from My .NET Services. Additionally, Rod points to emerging technologies like Tablet PCs and the Compact .NET Framework as promising opportunities for developers, ultimately encouraging readers to embrace these innovations as they look ahead to the future.
-
The Importance of Friends
Rodman (Rod Paddock) reflects on the September 11, 2001 crisis to argue that, beyond professional achievement, the true value in life lies in friends, family, and freedom. He uses the tragedy to illustrate how quickly life and global connections become fragile, and how meaningful exchanges with loved ones sustain us. The piece then broadens to celebrate international collaboration in his field, before urging developers to prioritize human relationships and personal time over constant work, reminding readers to nurture what truly matters.
-
The Silver Bullet is Found
Updated
Rod Paddock argues that despite recurring claims about miracle tools and methodologies—CASE, Java, the Unified Process/UML, Extreme Programming—none are a true "silver bullet" for software development; instead, he contends that practical common sense, a problem-solving mindset, and judicious use of tools (and even a simple notebook and pen) are what consistently produce successful software.
-
User Groups - The Next Generation
Generating Abstract... please wait...
-
All for a Box of Onions
Updated
Rod Paddock uses a lighthearted box-of-onions anecdote to argue a serious point about consulting: the value of choosing the best tool for the job, not what’s most familiar or easiest for the consultant. When a client faced Mac incompatibility with Visual FoxPro, Paddock suggested Citrix, and the client’s success validated that recommendation. The story illustrates that good advisers think outside the box and prioritize the client’s outcomes over personal gain, even if that means passing up an opportunity to build a flashy solution.
-
-
Crawl, walk, run. Could be fun.
David Stevenson analyzes Microsoft’s PDC reveal of .NET My Services pricing and rollout, arguing that Microsoft intends to monetize hosting-based services through a staged “crawl, walk, run” approach that favors larger organizations and imposes significant licensing fees on small developers, potentially deterring early participation even as some core services (Passport, Presence, Alerts) may be free. He emphasizes the tension between cutting-edge opportunity and cost, and considers how developers must decide whether to join or observe as Microsoft builds out the hosting infrastructure and business model.
-
A developer's life...
Updated
This page is dedicated to strictly non-technical aspects of our lives as a developers.After all, most developers are real people, too (except for automated code-generating programs, of course). Look here in each issue for commentary and insight into the struggles (and joys) of balancing life and logic, people and programming, fun and flowcharts, and (you fill in the blanks).You will be invited each time to think on a topic, then express yourself via email for possible inclusion in a future issue. Enjoy!
-
Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!
Updated
David Stevenson reflects on three pleasant surprises: his unexpected return to publishing as CODE Magazine’s editor, the persistent shift toward “stateless” business communication (email-driven negotiations) and its tradeoffs, and the exciting independence and advances of Visual FoxPro 7—arguing that the magazine will deepen developer coverage, that distributed communication is here to stay despite its challenges, and that VFP7’s standalone direction and Web Services support bode well for its users.
-
Keeping Up
Updated
In "Keeping Up," David Stevenson highlights the significant technological shift brought by Microsoft's .NET framework and Visual Studio.NET, emphasizing that these changes represent a true paradigm shift for developers, far beyond incremental improvements. He underscores the need for developers to actively engage with new tools, languages like C#, and frameworks such as ADO.NET, and advocates using resources like Component Developer Magazine and specialized Tech Conferences to stay current. Stevenson also points to upcoming events and educational materials as essential for mastering these innovations, urging the developer community to embrace this transformative period with proactive learning and adaptation.
-
Customers vs. Code: Customer Relationships
Nancy Folsom argues that successful software projects hinge on strong customer relationships, not technical prowess alone. She reframes “customers” as anyone who funds or will use the system—bosses, colleagues, clients, and end users—and offers practical rules to improve satisfaction: keep ego in check, prioritize the customer’s goals over personal attachment to the project, treat everyone with respect, focus on the real business problem, and maintain open, proactive communication. The column previews concrete approaches for each development phase to align delivery with customer needs and expectations.
-
Visual Studio Platform and Extensibility
Updated
As a .NET architect and developer I cannot imagine my everyday work without Visual Studio. I was always in a strange excitement when waiting for a new CTP, Beta or RTM of Visual Studio because I always expected some great new features with every release. During the years I have bought a few third-party add-ins and utilities for Visual Studio to make my development tasks easier and even created small add-ins to produce some useful piece of code. I knew that Visual Studio was extensible; I downloaded the SDKs and tried to get familiar with those hundreds of extensibility interfaces. However, due to lack of good documentation I often got frustrated.