programming

Articles

Top Twelve Myths of Agile Development
When it comes to agile development, Allan Kelly has noticed a lot of misinformation is being passed off as fact. In this article, Allan takes a closer look at twelve of the most common agile myths he has encountered while training new agile teams.
Pair Programming in the Clink
In this personal experience story, Daryl Kulak relates the day he spent behind bars. He was there to participate in a program that pairs prisoners with software developers “from the outside” to explore the art and science of agile software development. “It’s like a code retreat,” Kulak notes, “except it’s inside a prison.”
Mocks and Making Tests Easier to Read

There has been a lot of recent discussion on Twitter about the use of mocking frameworks and writing readable tests. Here is a roundup of some of the recent blogs on the subject.


Making Tests More Readable

Learning from Reading (and Rewriting) the Tests

Automated unit tests verify that a component is working as expected.  They also serve as a way to understand how code works, though this doesn't always happen by reading tests.  Sometimes understanding comes from tweaking the tests to observe new failures, or rewriting the tests themselves. 

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Better Software Magazine

When Software Smells Bad
Most software needs to be "maintainable" and have high "internal quality." But what does that mean in practical terms? Code smells form a vocabulary for discussing code quality and how well suited code might be to change. The smells also provide good indications as to what to refactor and how.
The Ghost of a Codebase Past
Revisiting your old code can be an enlightening experience. Pete Goodliffe encourages us to look back at our old code to see how our technique has improved, how our programming skills have progressed, and what we can learn from it.
A Gram of Prevention
Following an "I-click-therefore-I-Program" methodology does not lead to quality software. Good code can and should evolve from clear, up-front descriptions of the solution to the problem at hand.
Developers ... Start Your Engines: Reuse with Source Code Searches
Source code search engines can help you find chunks of reusable code. These search engines differ from generic text search engines by organizing the results to reflect the way code is organized—into functions, classes, packages, etc. These reviews of some popular engines can help you rev up reuse in your work.
Code Improvement: Five Practices to Help Spread the Joy of Great Code Design
The software we produce is like the neighborhoods in which we live--the blueprints aren't as important as the enjoyment of simply using it. The best design brings joy to both those who create it and those who use it. Jeff Grover and Zhon Johansen detail five practices to help you spread the joy.
Refactoring: Small Steps to Help You Clean Up Your Code
Poor software design will slow down even the most well-meaning code. Code smells are one element of poor design to watch out for in your projects. C. Keith Ray explains how you can start washing away your code smells with a dose of code refactoring.
It Takes Two to Tango: What You Should Know About Pair Programming
Pair programming is an Agile practice that has been shown to greatly improve code quality without a huge increase in development time. This article explains the ins and outs of pair programming and some things you need to consider before you tell team members to grab a partner and get programming.

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Interviews

Maintaining the Programming Mob: An Interview with Woody Zuill
Video
"Fun" and "kindness" aren't the first things that come to mind when thinking of the mob, but in software development—they're mandatory. Woody Zuill discusses how mob programming takes a very agile and collaborative effort at delivering great software on time, and with the respect of everyone on board.

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TechWell Stories
Book Review: Discover to Deliver—Agile Product Planning and Analysis
How Embracing Feedback Helps You Avoid the Vaccum
Agile Is Not for Everyone (And That's OK)
Can Your Agile Team Be Trusted?
Book Review: Lean UX

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