NinethSense

Agile Software Development is said to be today’s methodology. The modern definition was started around 1990.  It is pretty an old term now but would like to say something about it since it is now a big trend in Software Industry. I hope this will be good for beginners at least.

Agile Software Development is a set of software development methodologies. Well, it is based on iterative development process. In this process the needs (requirements) and collaboration (from client to developer basically) work together. Agile model is successful in most cases since the project management process is always monitored in all directions. A set of best practices in software engineering is the base.

Well the concept of this method is still developing though its Agile Manifesto and is considered to be non ending. There are many agile development methods. Most of such methods try to promote iterations, team work, collaboration and process adaptability though out the life of a project.

These methods break tasks into small increments with minimal planning. Iterations last usually between one to four weeks only. A full software development process is conducted for each iteration. (i.e., planning, requirement analysis, design, coding, testing etc.). Each iteration will be demonstrated to the respected people (eg: clients). The plus point of this process is the customer can identify “is this what I need” and the development team can reduce overheard by identifying the issues at the beginning itself. It is helpful for the customers (or customer representatives) to add changes quickly as the new change will not affect the whole development process like in old days.

Communication have a big role in this process. It forces face-to-face communications or or videoconferencing (or similar technologies) if possible on daily basis itself. Written documents are also important.

Below is a very basic figure for your understanding:

To improve the quality of output methods like continuous integration, TDD (Test Driven Development), Design Patterns, Code Refactoring etc. are also used.

There are merits as well as demerits exists for Agile method. But the full explanation of Agile Software Development is certainly out of scope of this post. So I halt.

The Microsoft Vine Beta connects you to the people and places you care about most, when it matters. Stay in touch with family and friends, be informed when someone needs help. Get involved to create great communities. Use alerts, reports and your personal dashboard to stay in touch, informed and involved.

Well, seems Vine is yet another Twitter. Hope there will be much more.

Read more at http://www.vine.net/

Just came though an interesting banner when I was reading my friend Vikram’s Blog. There was a quiz which gave me result 75%

75%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Well some thoughts on my Internet Browsing model:

• When I use to browse?
  • I usually do not allocate time for browsing unless it is an R&D task
  • Usually check mails in morning and in evenings. Average time required is from 5 to 10 minutes. I rarely get mails which need a reply.
  • Do browsing while development. While my application is in building process or waiting for client on Skype when he says “1 min, I am on phone”.
• Does my browsing affects my office work?
  • Certainly NO. I know how to manage.
• Your internet-log may reflect much links – may 10 URLS/minute. And you still say you do not spent much HOURS?
  • I do not spend much HOURS!. I am a MULTI TASKER.
  • I try to use MAXIMUM, when ever I get at least 1 minute.
  • I know how much time it will take to load each page.
  • I usually open multiple websites in multiple tabs/browsers
  • Try to read all websites at a time.
  • After I click a mail subject, I will read another mail message on another browser.
• What types of websites I browse?
  • I am a Microsoft MVP. To keep my status, I will need to use technical community websites mainly
  • My own Blog
  • Websites which I have moderator role
• What types of websites I do NOT brose?
  • News
  • p0rn
  • Regional
• What are the side affects if internet is restrictions suddenly?
  • I need to struggle much to keep my MVP status. Who ever benefits it will not understand this.
  • In this period of financial crisis (recession?) it is not possible for me to take an personal internet connection. So I will need me to wait some more.
  • I am a moderator of several public communities.
  • R&D – Many useful websites are blocked. But I hate “requesting” unless it is a client requirement.
• Why are you silent?
  • I obey policies.
• What you believe?
  • Give and Take respect.
  • Knowledge Sharing.

Laterz…

using System.Net;
 
 
IPHostEntry he = Dns.GetHostByName(Dns.GetHostName());
Text = he.AddressList[0].ToString(); // returns IP address

Well, this will return multiple IP addresses if you have multiple IPs (multiple ethernet cards etc.)

• Download latest SQLLite – System.Data.SQLite provider from – http://sqlite.phxsoftware.com/
• You can get a good tool for SQLLite administration at – http://sqliteadmin.orbmu2k.de/.

1. Refer the System.Data.SQLite.dll file in your project
2. Now you should be able to do this – using System.Data.SQLite;
3. Now you should be able to use ADO.NET statements in your project. Eg: SQLiteDataAdapter, SQLiteConnection etc.

Here goes a sample code for C#:

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Data;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Windows.Forms;
 
using System.Data.SQLite;
 
namespace WindowsFormsApplication1
{
    public partial class Form1 : Form
    {
        public Form1()
        {
            InitializeComponent();
        }
 
        private void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            string strCon = "Data Source=C:\\your_path_to_file\\msgBC.s3db;Version=3;";
            string qry = "SELECT User, Message FROM tbl_Messages"; //your query
 
            SQLiteDataAdapter da = new SQLiteDataAdapter(qry, strCon);
 
            DataSet ds = new DataSet();
            da.Fill(ds);
 
            dataGridView1.DataSource = ds.Tables[0]; // I use a grid to show data
 
        }
    }
}

“The Art of XSD – SQL Server XML Schema Collections” is a book by Jacob Sebastian (who is a Microsoft MVP) which is available for public as free download.

URL: http://www.red-gate.com/specials/Ebooks/XSD_0409.htm (Registration required)

Also, the Mr. Jacob (author) maintains a forum specific to answer the queries from readers. You can reach there with this URL: http://beyondrelational.com/groups/the_art_of_xsd/forum/default.aspx

What is a Microsoft Tag?

It is Microsoft’s own 2D barcode. It allows data to be stored in a graphical bitmap using shapes and colors. But with a twist.

• Start here: http://tag.microsoft.com/
• Another: http://www.istartedsomething.com/20090108/microsoft-tag-microsofts-own-2d-barcode/

Here is a simple method in .NET to detect whether your OS is 32 bit or 64bit.

int size = Marshal.SizeOf(typeof(IntPtr));
if (size == 8)
{
 Text = "64 bit";
}
else if (size == 4)
{
 Text = "32 bit";
}

Namespace: System.Runtime.InteropServices

Just installed a twitter writer plugin for Windows Live Writer. This post is a test for it.