No one can operate in a vacuum, while I am learning about programming and software development, greater insights and faster progress can be had by interacting with other programmers and software developers. While this is usually done in a professional environment, it can also be replicated through open-source projects and public code reviews.
Archive | February, 2013
TDD: Test Driven Development
Today, for some unknown reason, I felt the urge to study Test Driven Development. I already have other subjects I need to get on with such as algorithms, learning more about the Java language, and refactoring. But there was a nagging sensation that was just begging me to focus on TDD today. On a side […]
Irrigation: Power System
I spent a few minute mulling over the kind of batteries I’ll need and the power requirements of the Arduino System. First the battery used for solar powered system will most like be a lead-acid deep-cycle 12v rechargeable. These batteries are quite robust and can handle full discharges (unlike a nickle cadmium or a lithium […]
Divide and Conquer
Preliminary thoughts about how to build the irrigation system is to divide the system into several independent parts. The power system – a solar powered system that uses a 12v rechargeable battery. The water distribution system – a normally closed 12v solenoid valve that is opened for 5-10 mins each day. The timing system – […]
DIY Solar Powered Automated Irrigation System
My mum, bless her grew up as a simple farmer in the rural back-end of Vietnam. She spent most of her childhood working in the rice paddies. 50 years on, and she still enjoys growing vegetables and plants. She probably wouldn’t admit it but I believe she gets a sense of achievement when the vegetables […]
DIY Fast Food IT
Working in a Chinese takeaway, we have an old school way of doing things. Pen and paper. Its fast, its cheap, its easy to use. However, lately we have been considering how information technology could help alleviate some of the short-comings that our antiquated system has. After a little fantasizing, day-dreaming, blue sky thinking … […]
Arduino Prototyping
A year of so ago I came across the Arduino. A handsome looking programmable prototyping board. After which I discovered the world of Makers and Make Magazine. A bunch of geeks creating cool looking gadgets and robots. I love engineering and innovation, and creating stuff from scratch, and seeing all these people do it makes […]
Java Overview
For a long time I figured that learning a programming language was easy. Learn how the new language does a few basic things. Variables Statements Loops Classes Objects Arrays etc. However, it turns out that these are classed as “traditional” language features. Each language however, comes with its own unique way of performing certain functions […]