And the story goes like this

I got a shocking news from my supervisor that he will be leaving us (our research group) to Swinburne Uni end of this year. Most of us (I think), is really suprise and a lot of worried due to the fact that we just only started our phd. The outcome of this event is we need to find a new supervisor. Well, as we all know, finding a supervisor that suite you is not easy. Furthermore, you may sometimes need to redo all the work that you have done (to match with the new supervisor).

My supervisor said that he will make sure that we have a smooth transition and will help us get through this though time. Believe me when I said most of us did not take that as a word of comfort. What can I say, it’s not easy but I think most of us will get through (after the shockwave have calm down). One/two of my friend is thinking to follow my supervisor where he goes. I’m still on the fence. I’ll just sit back and watch where the flow is. I keep believing that there is a good thing for all of this. Maybe I’ll stay….

 

Visual Studio 2010 – Here we go again

Microsoft is releasing the beta version of VS2010 with .Net 4.0 framework. I just learn how to use VS2008 and DSL, now they are releasing the next version. Can’t they wait for five years or more to release new VS? It’s hard to keep up with the different interface, language and cost that come with it.

For those who like to try it, here is the link:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/dd582936.aspx

 

Write XML using Java

Eh, having trouble with my StringBuffer. For some reason, everything that I write in txt file are in one straight line. So what I did is, I’m thinking of creating an raw XML file. It’s the same as my .emx file (back in the .net version). Raw XML is good because you can shape it as you like. Even better because I can just reuse my xslt and html file. These are the site’s:

• http://www.javazoom.net/services/newsletter/xmlgeneration.html
• http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-1044810.html
• http://www.java2s.com/Code/Java/XML/MakeupandwriteanXMLdocumentusingDOM.htm

 

StringBuffer or String?

I was looking through my friend code again (disecting it) and found a code to write to a file. I found a new type that I never used before. Yap, that’s StringBuffer. I know String or string (they got two version in .net) but never come across StringBuffer before. Why use it? String is ok, right? So these are what I find using google:

• http://www.java-tips.org/java-se-tips/java.lang/use-of-stringbuffer-class.html
• http://www.javaworld.com/javaworld/jw-03-2000/jw-0324-javaperf.html
• http://www.roseindia.net/java/beginners/StringBuffer.shtml

Guest what, StringBuffer is much more better than string. Hope I can use it more often, if I remember that

 

Vector – Same Like Dynamic LinkedList in C#

I was reading my friend code’s (in understanding how she access her diagram) when I stumble upon vector. So thanks to google, these are the results (the one that I recommed other to read):

- http://www.javacoffeebreak.com/faq/faq0017.html
- http://www.roseindia.net/java/beginners/vectordemo.shtml
- http://leepoint.net/notes-java/data/collections/lists/vectors.html

 

A TRIP to Right BICEP

I was reading a book that explain unit testing in C# using NUnit. It gives a good pointers on testing:

Properties of good test:
A – automatic
T – through
R – repeatable
I – independent
P – profesional

What to test:
Right – is the result right?
B – boundary condition
I – inverse relation
C – cross check result
E – error condition
P – performance

 

Partial Class

I was stuck in the partial class while trying to create a skeleton class from my diagram. It seem that you shouldn’t make the method inside the class to partial, only the class.

Here is the ref

 

How to get Element ID in DSL

I was populating my graph with the node from my DSL when I notice that some of the node have same name (although there belong to different actor). I was thinking to use the node name as key to my graph and obiviously it can’t anymore. I try to concat the actor name with the node name but stumble upon another problem. I look through the XML file (for the sample DSL) and came across an attribute name ID.

Ah, each node have a unique ID. I was strugling for three days on how I can get the element ID. At last I manage to do it. To think about it, it just so simple. Here is the code:

Let say your Domain Class name is Task.
You draw an object name t1.

id = t1.Id(); or
WriteLine(t1.Id.ToString());

Click here for link to MSDN.

 

Difference between List and ArrayList

I was doing my graph path and try to return list of path using string. It work fine but I was thinking of improving it using ArrayList. After a while I remember that I may have similar function as List method. In fact I did remember that it is much more simpler to use List. So I start to google around and found out that List is way better than ArrayList.

The (major) difference is List require less memory space than ArrayList but it is specific to a single type. With ArrayList, you can insert from int to string without problem (the problem will came when you want to display it :p)

Here are the references that I read:
+ http://www.geekinterview.com/talk/5520-what-is-difference-between-list-arraylist.html
+ http://bytes.com/groups/net-c/552160-difference-between-arraylist-list-object
+ http://blogs.msdn.com/joshwil/archive/2004/04/13/112598.aspx

 

Drop Box – Sharing application

I found this application while reading ZDnet. It is an application that sync your local pc folder to the web. It’s free and easy to use.

What I like about it is I can drop a few document n code to my drop box, it will store it in the net and when I get back home (to my notebook) I can download it.

It is usefull for a clumsy person like me. I forget to bring my external hdisk to work. Simple enough, just ask my wife to access my notebook (+external hdisk) and drop it off to the net. I just wait to pick it up. Ya, email can do the same thing but this is much easier.

You can try it here