I just spent the weekend converting a little in-home code over to using the new .Net4 code contracts. My opinion: FANTASTIC.
My initial goal for the weekend, was to create a simple demo, to see whether I'm in the
A) keep unit-tests for contracts. Or
B) don't unit test a contract.
Camp. Opinion on-the-net seams divided over this, so I wanted to make my own mind up by using CodeContracts in a non-trivial piece of software.
What I found: my code was full of potential bugs :( The starting code base wasn't my best work, but I did have a good set of unit tests for it. I was expecting the code-contracts to highlight some weekneses, but it ended up forcing me to think a lot more about the possible problems, so I spent my time fixing what looked like decent code.
To that end I now think
1. Writing verifiable code with CC is a must do.
1.1 it takes a lot more time (script kiddies will hate it), but better time now then bugs later.
2. The current lack of static-checking for Contract.ForAll and Contract.Exists is a problem.
3. Using Contract.Assume is a crappy, currently needed hack.
4. CC tutorials and examples need to focus on Contract.Ensure, not Contract.Requires. To my mind being able to express guarantees on what-my-code does is more important than expressing limits that clients need to obey.
5. Think of CC as like writing tests, docx, and defensive programming all rolled int a couple of code lines.
6. CC forces you to think far more critically. Sometimes, you won't believe it's warnings. Sometimes it'll be because the static checker isn't smart enough, but mostly it'll be the developer isn't looking close enough.
7. CC is NOT just for null checks, if you only Ensure not-null, your missing a lot of the power.
Requires that use more than the input params need to be simple for callers to check.
Sample contract on a duel-construct such as ui ctor + create.
Simple contract on disposable / disposed object.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
OS; Change in the wind
Context:
I have been a (proud) Windows fanboy since Win3.11.
At Uni I studied physics, by the end of my masters, I knew I wanted to be a developer; so I learnt C, and started building a career based on developing software for Windows. Back in the day, Windows was brilliant, it dominated desktops, gave me a single popular platform so I could build skills and get work. Sure there were challenges, but that's software development.
I just received a 'disturbing' email from my dad.
I received the email via gmail (Google). I gave up on Outlook about 3 months ago, too many problems trying to look after .pst files, could never find old emails in outlook.. it all got too hard so I imported everything to GMail.
The email was popped up on my iPad (Apple), using Google mobile-sync.
Yesterday I gave up on windows-live in favor of Blogger (Google), a close call, nearly went Wordpress.
So, the subject of this email:
Today: My dad, and 2 of my sister-in-laws' use Mac's.
I don't have a big social circle; so in my little corner of the world, this is a massive change.
This is one of those; things that make you go hmmmm....
P.S Gah, trying to write this blog; IE keeps crashing???... looks like I'm going Crome.
I have been a (proud) Windows fanboy since Win3.11.
At Uni I studied physics, by the end of my masters, I knew I wanted to be a developer; so I learnt C, and started building a career based on developing software for Windows. Back in the day, Windows was brilliant, it dominated desktops, gave me a single popular platform so I could build skills and get work. Sure there were challenges, but that's software development.
I just received a 'disturbing' email from my dad.
I received the email via gmail (Google). I gave up on Outlook about 3 months ago, too many problems trying to look after .pst files, could never find old emails in outlook.. it all got too hard so I imported everything to GMail.
The email was popped up on my iPad (Apple), using Google mobile-sync.
Yesterday I gave up on windows-live in favor of Blogger (Google), a close call, nearly went Wordpress.
So, the subject of this email:
Bought a Mac.And the content:
Well I finally got so sick of Vista I bought a Mac. 500gig 21.5" screen.This time last year, I knew one person with a Mac; the wife's boss.. he's in the 'creative' music industry, so I forgave him because he has to be 'hip'.
Vista was the cause of my not being able to access Bigpond (4 weeks of Technical support) by doing something to the usb ports and it also again stopped the disc drive from working so I couldn't install Windows 7
Installed the wireless Broadband onto the Mack and away it went no problem.
Today: My dad, and 2 of my sister-in-laws' use Mac's.
I don't have a big social circle; so in my little corner of the world, this is a massive change.
This is one of those; things that make you go hmmmm....
P.S Gah, trying to write this blog; IE keeps crashing???... looks like I'm going Crome.
Friday, September 24, 2010
A new day, a change of blog
Ok, firstly; I'm a lurker.
I lurk here, I lurk there... I lol, but rarely contrib.
Ever since getting an iPad a few months ago, my lurking has almost reached a professional level.
In a possibly futile attempt, I'm going to try blogging. If nothing else, I'll have my own little corner of the net to post in.
What you (should) find here:
1. Unstructured ramblings about software development.
2. Bad spelling, bad English bad punctuation.
3. The occasional curse words
4. Posts that are nothing but likes to stuff.
5. Lists... I like lists.
I lurk here, I lurk there... I lol, but rarely contrib.
Ever since getting an iPad a few months ago, my lurking has almost reached a professional level.
In a possibly futile attempt, I'm going to try blogging. If nothing else, I'll have my own little corner of the net to post in.
What you (should) find here:
1. Unstructured ramblings about software development.
2. Bad spelling, bad English bad punctuation.
3. The occasional curse words
4. Posts that are nothing but likes to stuff.
5. Lists... I like lists.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)