Building Better Developers - CodeConnexx 2013

Thankfully, "rockstar" and "ninja" are now dirty words when it comes to describing developers. It's not about being a superhero, it's about simple, achievable steps to change the way you work. This talk collects together some personal favourite hints and hacks for improving how you approach software engineering. We'll dive into the Quake 3 source code, the Linux kernel mailing list and discover the One True Editor along the way.

Transcript

1. A CODECONNEXX PRODUCTION A CODECONNEXX PRODUCTION BUILDING BETTER BUILDING BETTER DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS ROWAN MEREWOOD PRESENTS ROWAN MEREWOOD PRESENTS
2. BIG PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTIONS BIG PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTIONS
3. BIG PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTIONS BIG PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTIONS “ “Who am I and why am I here?” Who am I and why am I here?”
4. BIG PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTIONS BIG PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTIONS “ “Who am I and why am I here?” Who am I and why am I here?” http://google.com/+RowanMerewood https://twitter.com/rowan_m http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1412348/
5. OUR SAD AVERAGE DEV OUR SAD AVERAGE DEV
6. OUR SAD AVERAGE DEV OUR SAD AVERAGE DEV “ “Perfection is achieved, not when Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take when there is nothing left to take away.” away.” Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
7. NO CAPES NO CAPES
8. NO CAPES NO CAPES S S
9. NO CAPES NO CAPES You are never going You are never going to be the best at everything to be the best at everything You don't need to burn out trying You don't need to burn out trying Other people will have to save you Other people will have to save you S S
10. YOUR EDITOR IS PART OF YOU YOUR EDITOR IS PART OF YOU
11. YOUR EDITOR IS PART OF YOU YOUR EDITOR IS PART OF YOU Tools are there to achieve goals Tools are there to achieve goals You are a professional, You are a professional, your tools are complicated your tools are complicated
12. YOUR EDITOR IS PART OF YOU YOUR EDITOR IS PART OF YOU Tools are there to achieve goals Tools are there to achieve goals You are a professional, You are a professional, your tools are complicated your tools are complicated
13. YOUR EDITOR IS PART OF YOU YOUR EDITOR IS PART OF YOU Tools are there to achieve goals Tools are there to achieve goals You are a professional, You are a professional, your tools are complicated your tools are complicated ^ ^ EMACS Hand EMACS Hand
14. HOLE HAWG HOLE HAWG
15. HOLE HAWG HOLE HAWG “ “I never blamed the Hole Hawg; I blamed myself. The Hole I never blamed the Hole Hawg; I blamed myself. The Hole Hawg is dangerous because it does exactly what you tell it to. Hawg is dangerous because it does exactly what you tell it to. Now I view them all with such contempt that I do not even Now I view them all with such contempt that I do not even consider them to be real drills--merely scaled-up toys consider them to be real drills--merely scaled-up toys designed to exploit the self-delusional tendencies of designed to exploit the self-delusional tendencies of soft-handed homeowners who want to believe that they have soft-handed homeowners who want to believe that they have purchased an actual tool” purchased an actual tool” Neal Stephenson Neal Stephenson http://www.team.net/mjb/hawg.html http://www.team.net/mjb/hawg.html
16. VIM VIM
17. VIM VIM
18. VIM VIM
19. VIM VIM
20. VIM VIM
21. VIM VIM
22. DELIBERATE PRACTICE DELIBERATE PRACTICE
23. DELIBERATE PRACTICE DELIBERATE PRACTICE
24. DELIBERATE PRACTICE DELIBERATE PRACTICE Kata ( Kata ( 型 型 or or 形 形 literally: "form") literally: "form") Deliberate, controlled, repeated Deliberate, controlled, repeated
25. DELIBERATE PRACTICE DELIBERATE PRACTICE Kata ( Kata ( 型 型 or or 形 形 literally: "form") literally: "form") Deliberate, controlled, repeated Deliberate, controlled, repeated Code Kata – Code Kata – Dave Thomas Dave Thomas http://codekata.pragprog.com/2007/01/code_kata_backg.html http://codekata.pragprog.com/2007/01/code_kata_backg.html TDD Kata – TDD Kata – Roy Osherove Roy Osherove http://osherove.com/tdd-kata-1/ http://osherove.com/tdd-kata-1/
26. Create a simple String calculator with a method: Create a simple String calculator with a method: int Add(string numbers) int Add(string numbers) 1. 1. The method can take 0, 1 or 2 numbers, and will return their The method can take 0, 1 or 2 numbers, and will return their sum (for an empty string it will return sum (for an empty string it will return 0 0) for example “” or “ ) for example “” or “1 1” or ” or “ “1,2 1,2” ” 2. 2. Start with the simplest test case of an empty string and move to Start with the simplest test case of an empty string and move to 1 and two numbers 1 and two numbers 3. 3. Remember to solve things as simply as possible so that you Remember to solve things as simply as possible so that you force yourself to write tests you did not think about force yourself to write tests you did not think about 4. 4. Remember to refactor after each passing test Remember to refactor after each passing test TDD KATA TDD KATA
27. TDD KATA TDD KATA
28. TDD KATA TDD KATA
29. TDD KATA TDD KATA
30. MASTER YOUR CRAFT MASTER YOUR CRAFT
31. MASTER YOUR CRAFT MASTER YOUR CRAFT
32. MASTER YOUR CRAFT MASTER YOUR CRAFT Dreyfus model of skill acquisition Dreyfus model of skill acquisition Novice Novice ⬎ ⬎ Beginner Beginner ⬎ ⬎ Competent Competent ⬎ ⬎ Proficient Proficient ⬎ ⬎ Expert Expert
33. MASTER YOUR CRAFT MASTER YOUR CRAFT 1. 1.Innocent Innocent 2. 2.Exposed Exposed 3. 3.Apprentice Apprentice 4. 4.Practitioner Practitioner 5. 5.Journeyman Journeyman 6. 6.Master Master 7. 7.Researcher Researcher The Seven Stages The Seven Stages Of Expertise In Of Expertise In Software Engineering Software Engineering http://www.wayland-informatics.com/The%20Seven%20Stages%20of%20Expertise%20in%20Software.htm http://www.wayland-informatics.com/The%20Seven%20Stages%20of%20Expertise%20in%20Software.htm
34. MASTER YOUR CRAFT MASTER YOUR CRAFT http://www.wayland-informatics.com/The%20Seven%20Stages%20of%20Expertise%20in%20Software.htm http://www.wayland-informatics.com/The%20Seven%20Stages%20of%20Expertise%20in%20Software.htm Productivity Productivity Stage Stage 1 1 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 7 7
35. MEASURE WHAT MATTERS MEASURE WHAT MATTERS
36. MEASURE WHAT MATTERS MEASURE WHAT MATTERS X X
37. MEASURE WHAT MATTERS MEASURE WHAT MATTERS Measure systems Measure systems Don't measure people Don't measure people (they'll just mess it up) (they'll just mess it up) X X
38. MEASURE WHAT MATTERS MEASURE WHAT MATTERS Measure systems Measure systems Don't measure people Don't measure people (they'll just mess it up) (they'll just mess it up) A metric helps you achieve a goal, A metric helps you achieve a goal, don't chase the metric if you achieve the goal. don't chase the metric if you achieve the goal. X X
39. “ “T T” ” SHAPED PEOPLE SHAPED PEOPLE
40. “ “T T” ” SHAPED PEOPLE SHAPED PEOPLE
41. “ “T T” ” SHAPED PEOPLE SHAPED PEOPLE Valve Software – Employee Handbook Valve Software – Employee Handbook http://www.valvesoftware.com/jobs/ http://www.valvesoftware.com/jobs/
42. “ “T T” ” SHAPED PEOPLE SHAPED PEOPLE
43. NOT THE SHARPEST TOOL NOT THE SHARPEST TOOL
44. NOT THE SHARPEST TOOL NOT THE SHARPEST TOOL If you're the smartest person in the room, If you're the smartest person in the room, you're probably not learning anything you're probably not learning anything
45. THE SHARPEST TOOL THE SHARPEST TOOL
46. THE SHARPEST TOOL THE SHARPEST TOOL John Carmack – id Software John Carmack – id Software
47. THE SHARPEST TOOL THE SHARPEST TOOL John Carmack – id Software John Carmack – id Software float float Q_rsqrt Q_rsqrt( ( float float number number ) ) { { long long i i; ; float float x2, y x2, y; ; const float const float threehalfs threehalfs = = 1.5F 1.5F; ; x2 x2 = = number number * * 0.5F 0.5F; ; y y = = number number; ; i i = = * * ( ( long long * * ) ) &y &y; ; // evil floating point bit level hacking // evil floating point bit level hacking i i = = 0x5f3759df 0x5f3759df - ( - ( i i >> >> 1 1 ); ); // what the fuck? // what the fuck? y y = = * * ( ( float float * * ) ) & &i i; ; y y = = y y * * ( ( threehalfs threehalfs - ( - ( x2 x2 * * y y * * y y ) ); ) ); // 1st iteration // 1st iteration // y = y * ( threehalfs - ( x2 * y * y ) ); // 2nd iteration, this can be removed // y = y * ( threehalfs - ( x2 * y * y ) ); // 2nd iteration, this can be removed return return y y; ; } }
48. THE SHARPEST TOOL THE SHARPEST TOOL John Carmack – id Software John Carmack – id Software http://www.beyond3d.com/content/articles/8/ http://www.beyond3d.com/content/articles/8/ float float Q_rsqrt Q_rsqrt( ( float float number number ) ) { { long long i i; ; float float x2, y x2, y; ; const float const float threehalfs threehalfs = = 1.5F 1.5F; ; x2 x2 = = number number * * 0.5F 0.5F; ; y y = = number number; ; i i = = * * ( ( long long * * ) ) &y &y; ; // evil floating point bit level hacking // evil floating point bit level hacking i i = = 0x5f3759df 0x5f3759df - ( - ( i i >> >> 1 1 ); ); // what the fuck? // what the fuck? y y = = * * ( ( float float * * ) ) & &i i; ; y y = = y y * * ( ( threehalfs threehalfs - ( - ( x2 x2 * * y y * * y y ) ); ) ); // 1st iteration // 1st iteration // y = y * ( threehalfs - ( x2 * y * y ) ); // 2nd iteration, this can be removed // y = y * ( threehalfs - ( x2 * y * y ) ); // 2nd iteration, this can be removed return return y y; ; } }
49. NOT THE SHARPEST TOOL NOT THE SHARPEST TOOL
50. NOT THE SHARPEST TOOL NOT THE SHARPEST TOOL
51. NOT THE SHARPEST TOOL NOT THE SHARPEST TOOL “ “It took working with John Carmack and other It took working with John Carmack and other high productivity programmers and admitting high productivity programmers and admitting that they were way more productive than me that they were way more productive than me before I really understood how much more before I really understood how much more productive I could be.” productive I could be.” Brian Hook Brian Hook http://bookofhook.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/smart-guy-productivity-pitfalls.html http://bookofhook.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/smart-guy-productivity-pitfalls.html
52. ADJUST YOUR ATTITUDE ADJUST YOUR ATTITUDE
53. ADJUST YOUR ATTITUDE ADJUST YOUR ATTITUDE
54. ADJUST YOUR ATTITUDE ADJUST YOUR ATTITUDE “ “The Dude abides.” The Dude abides.”
55. ADJUST YOUR ATTITUDE ADJUST YOUR ATTITUDE “ “The Dude abides.” The Dude abides.” Being passionate and authoritative Being passionate and authoritative is not the same as being an angry asshole is not the same as being an angry asshole
56. A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE
57. A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE “ “Mauro, SHUT THE FUCK UP!” Mauro, SHUT THE FUCK UP!”
58. A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE “ “Mauro, SHUT THE FUCK UP!” Mauro, SHUT THE FUCK UP!” “ “To make matters worse, commit f0ed2ce840b3 is clearly total and utter To make matters worse, commit f0ed2ce840b3 is clearly total and utter CRAP even if it didn't break applications.” CRAP even if it didn't break applications.”
59. A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE “ “Mauro, SHUT THE FUCK UP!” Mauro, SHUT THE FUCK UP!” “ “To make matters worse, commit f0ed2ce840b3 is clearly total and utter To make matters worse, commit f0ed2ce840b3 is clearly total and utter CRAP even if it didn't break applications.” CRAP even if it didn't break applications.” “ “Shut up, Mauro. And I don't _ever_ want to hear that kind of obvious Shut up, Mauro. And I don't _ever_ want to hear that kind of obvious garbage and idiocy” garbage and idiocy”
60. A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE “ “Mauro, SHUT THE FUCK UP!” Mauro, SHUT THE FUCK UP!” “ “To make matters worse, commit f0ed2ce840b3 is clearly total and utter To make matters worse, commit f0ed2ce840b3 is clearly total and utter CRAP even if it didn't break applications.” CRAP even if it didn't break applications.” “ “Shut up, Mauro. And I don't _ever_ want to hear that kind of obvious Shut up, Mauro. And I don't _ever_ want to hear that kind of obvious garbage and idiocy” garbage and idiocy” “ “And you've shown yourself to not be competent in this issue, so I'll And you've shown yourself to not be competent in this issue, so I'll apply it directly and immediately myself.” apply it directly and immediately myself.”
61. A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE “ “Mauro, SHUT THE FUCK UP!” Mauro, SHUT THE FUCK UP!” “ “To make matters worse, commit f0ed2ce840b3 is clearly total and utter To make matters worse, commit f0ed2ce840b3 is clearly total and utter CRAP even if it didn't break applications.” CRAP even if it didn't break applications.” “ “Shut up, Mauro. And I don't _ever_ want to hear that kind of obvious Shut up, Mauro. And I don't _ever_ want to hear that kind of obvious garbage and idiocy” garbage and idiocy” “ “And you've shown yourself to not be competent in this issue, so I'll And you've shown yourself to not be competent in this issue, so I'll apply it directly and immediately myself.” apply it directly and immediately myself.” “ “Fix your f*cking "compliance tool", because it is obviously broken.” Fix your f*cking "compliance tool", because it is obviously broken.”
62. A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE “ “Mauro, SHUT THE FUCK UP!” Mauro, SHUT THE FUCK UP!” “ “To make matters worse, commit f0ed2ce840b3 is clearly total and utter To make matters worse, commit f0ed2ce840b3 is clearly total and utter CRAP even if it didn't break applications.” CRAP even if it didn't break applications.” “ “Shut up, Mauro. And I don't _ever_ want to hear that kind of obvious Shut up, Mauro. And I don't _ever_ want to hear that kind of obvious garbage and idiocy” garbage and idiocy” “ “And you've shown yourself to not be competent in this issue, so I'll And you've shown yourself to not be competent in this issue, so I'll apply it directly and immediately myself.” apply it directly and immediately myself.” “ “Fix your f*cking "compliance tool", because it is obviously broken.” Fix your f*cking "compliance tool", because it is obviously broken.” Linus Torvalds Linus Torvalds https://lkml.org/lkml/2012/12/23/75 https://lkml.org/lkml/2012/12/23/75
63. ADJUST YOUR ATTITUDE ADJUST YOUR ATTITUDE
64. ADJUST YOUR ATTITUDE ADJUST YOUR ATTITUDE “ “There's a grocery store near my house that There's a grocery store near my house that I don't like. It's small, dark, and dirty, and it I don't like. It's small, dark, and dirty, and it just makes me uncomfortable. So I never go just makes me uncomfortable. So I never go there. It doesn't make me angry, it doesn't there. It doesn't make me angry, it doesn't offend me, it's just not a place I want to be; offend me, it's just not a place I want to be; there are other grocery stores around that I there are other grocery stores around that I like better. It's not worth my energy to try like better. It's not worth my energy to try and change the place.” and change the place.” Elizabeth Naramore Elizabeth Naramore http://naramore.net/blog/uncomfortable http://naramore.net/blog/uncomfortable
65. SPEAK OUT AND BE HEARD SPEAK OUT AND BE HEARD
66. SPEAK OUT AND BE HEARD SPEAK OUT AND BE HEARD
67. SPEAK OUT AND BE HEARD SPEAK OUT AND BE HEARD Being rational and accepting Being rational and accepting does not mean giving up your principles does not mean giving up your principles
68. SPEAK OUT AND BE HEARD SPEAK OUT AND BE HEARD Being rational and accepting Being rational and accepting does not mean giving up your principles does not mean giving up your principles Attack ideas, not people Attack ideas, not people
69. SPEAK OUT AND BE HEARD SPEAK OUT AND BE HEARD Being rational and accepting Being rational and accepting does not mean giving up your principles does not mean giving up your principles Deliver bad news early Deliver bad news early
70. SPEAK OUT AND BE HEARD SPEAK OUT AND BE HEARD Being rational and accepting Being rational and accepting does not mean giving up your principles does not mean giving up your principles Learn to say “no” Learn to say “no”
71. SPEAK OUT AND BE HEARD SPEAK OUT AND BE HEARD Being rational and accepting Being rational and accepting does not mean giving up your principles does not mean giving up your principles Ask the DFQs Ask the DFQs
72. JOIN THE COMMUNITY JOIN THE COMMUNITY
73. JOIN THE COMMUNITY JOIN THE COMMUNITY
74. JOIN THE COMMUNITY JOIN THE COMMUNITY Ok, you can be a hero – just not on your own Ok, you can be a hero – just not on your own
75. JOIN THE COMMUNITY JOIN THE COMMUNITY Conferences Conferences Blogs Blogs Podcasts Podcasts Mailing lists Mailing lists Bug reports Bug reports User groups User groups Mentoring Mentoring Patches Patches Pull requests Pull requests Adding tests Adding tests Money Money Pizza and beer Pizza and beer Equipment Equipment Build RCs Build RCs Invest in employees Invest in employees Test-fests Test-fests Sponsor stuff Sponsor stuff Buy subscriptions Buy subscriptions Ok, you can be a hero – just not on your own Ok, you can be a hero – just not on your own
76. JOIN THE COMMUNITY JOIN THE COMMUNITY Conferences Conferences Blogs Blogs Podcasts Podcasts Mailing lists Mailing lists Bug reports Bug reports User groups User groups Mentoring Mentoring Patches Patches Pull requests Pull requests Adding tests Adding tests Money Money Pizza and beer Pizza and beer Equipment Equipment Build RCs Build RCs Invest in employees Invest in employees Test-fests Test-fests Sponsor stuff Sponsor stuff Buy subscriptions Buy subscriptions Ok, you can be a hero – just not on your own Ok, you can be a hero – just not on your own WRITE CODE WRITE CODE
77. ENJOY WHAT YOU DO ENJOY WHAT YOU DO
78. ENJOY WHAT YOU DO ENJOY WHAT YOU DO
79. ENJOY WHAT YOU DO ENJOY WHAT YOU DO “ “Let's put a smile on that face.” Let's put a smile on that face.”
80. ENJOY WHAT YOU DO ENJOY WHAT YOU DO “ “Let's put a smile on that face.” Let's put a smile on that face.” This is a career, a profession, a life-style choice, This is a career, a profession, a life-style choice, not just a 9 'til 5 job not just a 9 'til 5 job
81. Could this Dev... Could this Dev... Be you? Be you?
82. HTTP://JOIND.IN/9613 HTTP://JOIND.IN/9613 Thank you ! Thank you ! GO AND BE AWESOME GO AND BE AWESOME MANNEQUIN FROM MANNEQUIN FROM DIRECTMANNEQUINS.CO.UK DIRECTMANNEQUINS.CO.UK - NO MANNEQUINS WERE HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS PRESENTATION. - NO MANNEQUINS WERE HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS PRESENTATION.