Computer Applications Trend 2011

Posted on 9 Dec 2010 by Yodanto

DirectionsLooking at the facts in 2010, I believe that web based applications will gain more uses in 2011. Web application marketplace is going to be more common available. Currently we see those virtual marketplaces in Apple, Nokia, Google, and Samsung devices. Since they have strong infrastructure and user base, many more and more people are using the marketplaces. Soon, web application marketplace may replace the current conventional software distribution system, where softwares are purchased then installed locally in our computers.

Many advantages brought by this new software distribution system. One significant one for users is lower maintenance cost since applications are maintained centrally by the provider. Another one is accessibility, like the ones provided under Google Apps. You don’t need to use your own computer in order to access the same application set up for you and your organization. You can go to another country and immediately use the local computer there to access your same web applications you have been using. No re-installation, re-setup, and memorizing your technical settings.

In some years from now, I expect to see less “Software Installation Wizard” running in our computers and also reduced software piracy.

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Some Tips for Development Using CakePHP

Posted on 29 Nov 2010 by Yodanto

DevelopmentSome practices I do when developing with CakePHP. This is a growing list and may be updated.

Use standard variable naming

CakePHP uses Inflector to relate variables. This is actually a very useful feature for software developers. For instance, models are suggested to be named in singular form while controllers are in plural. You can still name those whatever and in any format, just in case you’re curious. But, following this standard will help you save some time to deal with the hassles in variable management.
One important benefit is when you relate a field with a selection (or combo) box. Let’s say you have a field named user_id in table/model Recipe. When preparing for a list of users in RecipesController you may write this way:

function add() {

$users = $this->User->find('list');
// This will pass $users variable to the view
$this->set(compact('users'));

}

And in your form in add.ctp view, you can simply write this:

<?php

// This will display a combo box with values from $users variable
echo $this->Html->input('user_id');

?>

CakePHP internal use of it’s own Inflector system is smart to automatically relate user_id variable with a list from $users variable. Very convenient.

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Software Development Environments

Posted on 24 Nov 2010 by Yodanto

EnvironmentAs a background, I have been developing software systems since 1996 under DOS, Windows 95 and newer versions up to Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 using the following popular technologies:

  • Microsoft Windows API,
  • COM/COM+, ATL, WTL,
  • Microsoft Jet Database Engine,
  • Microsoft SQL Server,
  • SQLite,
  • Microsoft Visual C++ and Visual Basic,
  • Microsoft ASP (IIS).

Since 2005, I have also seriously been developing using Open Source technologies for mostly web database applications. The following technologies are used:

  • FreeBSD, Debian GNU/Linux, Ubuntu,
  • Apache Web Server,
  • PHP,
  • MySQL,
  • PostgreSQL,
  • CakePHP Framework.

Currently, I am sticking with the Open Source Software and joining the trend in online accessible applications development for Small and Medium Businesses (SMB). So, if you’re looking for someone to develop systems under those technologies in Indonesia, get in touch with me.

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Why a Software Developer/Architect Loves His/Her Job

Posted on 16 Oct 2010 by Yodanto

This is something I take from CNNMoney web site, featuring an article ‘I have the Best Job in America!’.

The job: Software Architect

“I put together applications people actually use. So for me, the greatest joy comes from seeing people use the product in a way that makes their life better or makes it easier for them to do their job.”

Similar to the above, a Software Developer may say

“I develop/create applications people actually use.” (The joy would be the same)

Software developers, keep dreaming, keep aiming high, and say “I love my job!” Not only in America of course.

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MSSQL DateTime Field in CakePHP

Posted on 3 Sep 2010 by Yodanto

(This is a note on modification of CakePHP functions for Microsoft SQL Server, in my case is version 2000).

CakePHP version: 1.2.x, 1.3.x

Add two sections into the function:

function value() {

}

in dbo_mssql.php:

/* Yodanto, 2010-01-21 */
'datetime', 'smalldatetime'

to prevent empty date stored as 0 (zero) and make it ‘NULL’ instead..

To find the exact location, find the following lines (in your core CakePHP dbo_mssql.php):

if (in_array($column, array('integer', 'float', 'binary')) &&
    $data === '') {
    return 'NULL';
}

and change it to:

if (in_array($column, array('integer', 'float', 'binary',
    'datetime', 'smalldatetime')) &&  $data === '') {
    return 'NULL';
}

Additional note:  there’s probably another way officially to prevent this 0 (zero) value problem in date/datetime field, but so far I have not digged into it.

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