Read me if you can

In my starting days of coding I had a notion if you don't understand the code means its a tough program, some hi-fi advanced code. And if the code compile with out error and execute properly means its perfect in all aspect.

My first programming language was C. There was a lab exam where we need to code 5 given program. I had completed well ahead of time, all the five were compiling and running properly. The teacher was checking each student's program and evaluating. You have to get minimum three programs right to clear the exam. The teacher came to me he read one by one program. He had checked 4 programs and found all are correct. Fifth one he saw the code, in first look he didn't get the logic he told its incorrect with out compiling or executing. Before I could explain back he had already deleted the source folders. I was bit upset because I knew I got five out of five correct. But it was recorded 4.  I was thinking I didn't get 5 out 5 just because some body was not able to read it.

And after I started working in real time project, I understand 90% time you will be working around the codes not written by you. And some point of time some one else will be working on your code for sure. And there is some figure floated on internet, as 80% effort goes in to understanding others code. All these made the point clear codes need to be written such a way that another person can understand it well. And sometime people prefer simpler algorithm instead a complicated one.
There are different best practices in line with various programming language. I found few points which help
1) Naming Convention
name of the variable and method  revel lots of information. for ex :
if ( authenticate(userName,password)
 {
  }
It clearly understood that we are authenticating by passing user name and password.
2) Comments
We all know we need to write comments. I feel Class label comments, method label comments are always handy. It should always tell more than code. I mean certainly by seeing code we get some idea, and comments should add some thing to it. For ex:
/* Check for  Ldap authentication */

if ( authenticate(userName,password)
 {
  }
In this case comments add some more info to the picture.
It is always nice to add few line of comments for a particular block of code.
3)  Use of parenthesis while doing logical operation.
parentheses always make easy to understand complex logical expression.

And the list goes on. You also can share some of the ideas here which helps understand the code. If the code is well understood it adds lots of value. And programmer can happily understand it and work with it. Happy Programmers always do wonderful things. ;)

Life and Java both throws Exception

With each passing days we realize " man proposes and god disposes" , well we plan some thing if there is an deviation we called it exception. Exceptions are annoying and we just hate it. More or less each exception holds lots of vital information of reality,  to go forward we need to decode these exception. I have not much idea how to decode the exceptions that life throw, but in Java we can certainly plan it very well.

Java got a one of the advanced way to handle exception. To know more about exception handling framework in java follow this link.

I will focus how to design exception in applications. Designing of exceptions is start right from application design. Every time an error happens or something goes wrong, the ideal way is capture as much as information possible and notify some controller who can take alternate steps in run time. Mostly applications are integration of java classes and they perform the task my calling each other method. Consider if methodA of Class A use methodB of Class B and methodB encounter some error. Obviously methodB will not have any idea what could be the alternate flow. The best thing methodB can do is log the exception. Capture as much information possible about the error and wrap it to a customize exception to report to the methodA, methodA will have idea if methodB fail what to do. It should have the alternate plan ( exception handling block).
Mostly application are segregated into different layers like UI layer,  business layer and data access layer. So if an error happen in data layer business layer can take a decision can another operation is possible to carry out or need to report error to UI.And UI layer decide what kind of message need to displayed to the user.

Its always best practice to use application specific exception which wrap java native exceptions. So that it can contain more information about the error. And logging of these exception is very important. Logs help to track the error and the reason of error which gives the required information to fix the problem.
I hope with this we can plan better for unexpected flow in Java, And guys I need your inputs how to handle exception comes in life.

new iPad

After more than one year apple released new version of iPad. And they named it "new iPad". With in less than 2 years people around the globe accepted iPad as a new way of computing and in a lots of way iPad is changing life. Apple is successfully building the ecosystem and content by its app store, iTunes, iCloud and the latest iBook which makes iPad more and more useful.

The new iPad got lots of hardware up-gradation in compare to previous version iPad2. In original iPad Steve Job used to claim it gives a magical experience. And the  experience comes from display and touch. To make the magical experience further better, the new iPad got retina display. And this is big break through in terms of display. To complement it new iPad got a better processor, better camera and new generation antenna system.

In the same event apple had released new version of iWork, iPhoto and iMovie. And these are very powerful and simple apps which specially built for iPad. With apps each day iPad is adding more capability to itself. I am thrilled to see iBook. Reading textbook was never so fun before. It makes book reading more interactive.
I was anticipating new ipad will get Siri. Last year apple introduced Siri with iPhone 4s. which created a whole new way to interact with the system. According to me that is the one this new iPad is missing. Its a great tablet with same old price. I just hope it will be in India soon in right price.