Entries for the ‘Tech stuff’ Category

Quick tip: Do proper exception handling

This might be a bit of a d’oh, but if you decide to handle exception, handle it properly. What do I mean by saying “properly”? Have you ever seen code like this? var myClass = new MyClass(); try { myClass.SomeMethodThatCanThrowException(); } catch { } finally { myClass.Dispose(); } This code is stupid. Exceptions are a […]

Quick Tip: Create custom server controls with a grain of salt

In asp.net world, creating custom server controls has become some sort of a standard. In fact, it is so easy to create a server control, that developers usually do it without thinking. The problem is, that server controls are a bit more complex than an average Joe would think. There are bunch of things you […]

Other developer essentials: Part IV – Google search

I don’t know about you, but I still have a vivid memory of the time before internet actually became useful. In those days, learning how to solve your problem included a lot of trial and error attempts and eventually a trip to local library. If finding a book on correct topic wasn’t enough of a […]

Quick tip: Copying certificate serial number in windows has a glitch

The easiest way to obtain serial number of a certificate is to go to Internet options -> Content -> Certificates and double click the desired certificate. In the Details tab, there is a property list control with a row containing “Serial number” label in first column and value in second. When you click on it, […]

Other developer essentials: Part III – Pen and paper

In the olden days, when I was just starting my foray into the programming world (you know, late 80s, early 90s) we had this programming courses at our school. In this courses basic programming idea and knowledge was passed to us from old guys (you know in their 40s) with glasses and white lab coats. […]

Other Developer Essentials: Part II – Spell checker

Spell checker? Really? Really. When I look at the code, pages, error messages etc. full of spelling mistakes, my first assumption is that people behind this piece of software just don’t care about their customers and/or code. You can’t tell me you are passionate about your product, when you don’t care enough to make it […]

Other Developer Essentials: Part I – Wiki

I hope that in this day and age we all agree that project documentation is a must and not just an afterthought. No? We should be. But in case you work at one of those places where documentation is frowned upon (“Why waste time writing documentation, when you can code. Right?”), just take my word […]

MCPD

I have been quiet for a while now (and I appologise) for two reasons. One was, that I spend 4 days abroad and another that I increased my studies for final MCPD web development exam (Microsoft 70-519). Yes, I know the certification will soon be useless as MCSD is going to take over. But (and […]

Quick tip: Compile and deploy web application from command line (or script)

Sooner or later, your .NET web application project will gather helping hands and it is at that point that you will realize that deployment from Visual Studio is just not good enough. Yes, I know Microsoft did a grand job with their deployment scheme in Visual Studio, but let’s be honest. That only works if […]

Creating transparent CStatic control in MFC

For a side project, I am working on in my spare time since college, I needed to create a splash screen. Finally. Eleven years after version 1.0 and we are thinking splash screen. Anyway, the splash screen must contain a custom image as a background, a progress bar to display how the initialization is progressing […]