Category: Code

A Binary Search Implementation

The binary search algorithm quickly searches a large array of numbers, it’s often referred to as divide and conquer.

public class BinarySearch
{
    public int BinarySearch(int[] items, int searchValue)
    {
        int left = 0;
        int right = items.Length - 1;

        while (left <= right)
        {
            var middle = (left + right) / 2;

            //If the searchValue is in the center, we found it!
            if(items[middle] == searchValue)
            {
                return middle;
            }            

            //If the searchValue is less than the current middle, we set the right to (middle - 1)
            //Because the searchValue is in the lower half of the items.
            if(searchValue < items[middle])
            {
                right = middle - 1;    
            }
            //If the searchValue is greater than the current middle, we set the right to (middle + 1)
            //Because the searchValue is in the higher half of the items.
            else
            {
                left = middle + 1;
            }

        } // now that we've either found the item and returned it or we've reset our search boundaries
          // we'll search it again.

        // Not found.
        return -1;
    }
}

The Benefits of Using a Build Framework

Continuous Integration (CI) and/or Continuous Delivery (CD) is the norm on software projects these days. There are many build servers such as Azure DevOps, TeamCity, Jenkins, and Cruise Control.Net. Most of these servers use proprietary languages to define build steps. But is codifying your build steps in a proprietary language a good thing?

Some applications are simple, with a few build steps, others are more complex with many build steps. When you define build steps in a proprietary language, the more complex the build steps (in sophistication or in number) the more coupled to a build platform you become. This becomes an issue when you want to switch build platforms. For example, you’re using JetBrain’s TeamCity in your on-premise datacenter, but the company decides to move to the cloud. Now you must re-write your build scripts because TeamCity isn’t supported in the new cloud platform.

Instead of writing your build scripts in a proprietary language, consider using a build framework.

Build frameworks have two benefits:

  1. Allowing transportability between build platforms.
  2. Allowing you to version your build scripts alongside your application code.

Transportability between platforms gives you the flexibility of moving between build platforms with minimal effort. There will always be some configuration on a new build platform, but build frameworks keep the effort low.

In my opinion, the biggest benefit to build frameworks is the ability to check-in and version your build scripts alongside your application code. Having the option to pull code from any point in your source control’s history and having that code build is well worth any downsides of a build framework.

There are two popular frameworks in the .Net space: Cake and Nuke Build. Both frameworks have been around for a while. I’ve used Nuke Build and enjoy it. I’ve heard great things about Cake and encourage you to look at it before deciding which is the best framework for your project.

So the next time you’re creating a new build definition for your application, consider using a build framework and checking it in source control with your application.

Tools and Resources I Commonly use to Develop Software

Below is a collection of tools, libraries, and resources I commonly use.

My Computer Setup

I’ve tried many configurations, and at one point, I even had three monitors.

What I discovered is that two 27-inch high-resolution monitors (4K+) work the best. I sometimes I miss the 3rd screen, but this is where the high resolution shines and I use split-screen.

I aim for a clutter-free workspace, it’s why I enjoy the iMac; it’s a beautiful computer with only a power cable.

27-inch 5k 2019 iMac 40 gigs of ram, 512gig SSD


It’s a compact, performant, capable computer, what else can I say?

Second Monitor BENQ 27-inch 4k HDR SW271

As a hobbyist photographer, a good monitor is a must. The BENQ is this monitor with its excellent color and brightness. The icing on the cake is the HDR support.

Keyboard – Logitech Craft

The Craft keyboard is quiet with backlit keys and supports both Mac and Windows key layout.

The biggest drawback is the price.

Mouse – Logitech MX Master 3

The MX Master series of mice has been phenomenal since the first version. Each iteration brings it closer to perfect.

HeadPhones – Beyerdynamic MMX 300 2nd gen.

I don’t know about you, but when I’m coding, I like a distraction-free space. In an office, that is nearly impossible, and I’m always the guy stuck next to the breakroom.

I’ve tried many brands, including three generations of Bose QC’s (wired and wireless), the Sony MDR1AM2’s, the Turtle Beach XOFOUR’s, and the Beryerdynamic’s.

For sound quality, wired is the way to go. Please don’t get me wrong wireless headphones sound good, but they can’t beat wired headphones.

The Beyerdynamics are not for everyone, the cans are huge, and some people have complained about a tight fit. But they have a great sound stage and have good isolation without being noise-canceling.

Aeron Chair Remastered

Aeron Chairs are the gold standard of office chairs. I’ve worked in an office for years sitting in cheap chairs that hurt my tailbone and back.

The Aeron is a dream compared to those chairs. There are other cheaper chairs with the same level of comfort, but there is no consensus on which is comparable to the Aeron.

XDesk (formerly NextDesk)

I had a dream of walking on a treadmill while coding; I purchased the NextDesk and a walking treadmill; it was awesome.

The dream lasted about a year.

Software

Operating System

MacOs Big Sur

In 2016, I switched from Windows to Mac, but since I develop in Microsoft technologies, I never truly left Windows.

Both operating systems have their appeal, but the integration between Apple’s products is hard to beat.

IDE’s

JetBrains Rider

When JetBrain’s released Rider, I thought they were nuts to compete with Microsoft’s Visual Studio.

I was wrong.

Rider is faster and more innovative than Visual Studio.

JetBrains WebStorm

As with Rider, WebStorm is an excellent IDE; it’s natural to use if you’re used to other JetBrains IDE’s.

JetBrains DataGrip

Another IDE in from the JetBrain’s, but this one is for databases.

If you haven’t looked at JetBrains, I highly recommend you do.

Text Editors

Azure Data Studio

A SQL editor from Microsoft built on top of Electron. Many applications built with Electron amaze me, Azure Data Studio is one of them. To think at its core, it’s just javascript and HTML.

Visual Studio Code

As with Azure Data Studio, Visual Studio Code is built with Electron and is my de facto text editor.

I have to mention Sublime Text 3, from a performance standpoint, nothing can touch Sublime Text.

Programming Libraries

Nuke Build

In the olden days, we’d set up our CI/CD pipeline using Cruise Control.net with an MSBuild or a Nant script. You’d copy your script to the build server and be off the races. The problem is if your build pipeline changed, older versions of your application are no longer buildable.

This is where Nuke Build comes in. All of your build IP is checked in and versioned with the code, so you can roll back to an older version, and it’s still buildable.

XUnit

The two testing frameworks in the .Net eco-system are xUnit and nUnit. Both are great, but xUnit is simpler than nUnit, and as I mentioned at the start, I like simple.

Fluent Assertions

Be honest, you don’t test as often as you should. I didn’t think so, me either.

Fluent Assertions provide English like assertions making asserts easier to write and easier to read.

Bogus

In most unit tests, passing in dummy data is the norm. A good part of the time setting up the test is setting up the dummy data. Bogus eliminates the need to set up dummy data from scratch. It provides several common data formats out of the box.

Medatir

If you haven’t used MediatR, you’re missing out. It’s an excellent implementation of the Mediator Pattern. I use it in all of my applications.

Miscellaneous

Spark (Email Client)

This is the best email client on the Mac.

Slack

What is there to say about Slack. It’s one of the best communication platforms out there.

Typora (Rich Markdown Editor)

Typora takes Markdown to the next level. If you haven’t used it, try it, you won’t regret it.

Notion (Note Taking)

Finding the perfect solution for note-taking is nearly impossible, Notion is the closest I’ve gotten in a single application.

Beyond Compare

Beyond Compare is an excellent text comparer. I don’t use it often, but when I do, it’s well worth it.

GitKraken

If you’re looking for an application to visualize Git. GitKraken is the application for you.

Learning Resources

Udemy

Udemy is an excellent resource for courses of any type. If you want to learn something, check here first.

Pluralsight

Five years ago, Pluralsight, the king of technology videos. While they still have a great selection, other services have surpassed them. If you’re looking for .Net related content, check Pluralsight first, they’ll likely have a video.

Creative Live

Creative Live has a decent library of videos on drawing, photography, video production, etc. I’ve purchased courses on Final Cut Pro and photography.

Most of Creative Live’s videos are well produced and are high in video quality.

O’Reilly Learning

For me, this is the best learning platform for Software Engineers. It has videos, live sessions, hands-on coding, the entire O’Reilly book library, and Manning books.

Before subscribing to O’Reilly, I’d buy books from Amazon and Manning, now I don’t. Most of them are available on the O’Reilly Learning platform.

NVarchar Vs Varchar

Each engineer defining a new string column decides: Do I use nvarchar or do I use varchar?

Since I discovered nvarchar, I’ve always use nvarchar. My thought is, why use a datatype that may not support a text value, and you won’t likely discover an incompatibility value until it’s in production.

I hear the argument about space, but space is cheap and not worth worrying about. I know what you’re thinking, the cost doesn’t matter when the hard drive is full, and I agree.

Starting with Sql Server 2008 R2 data compression is applied to nchar and nvarchar (nvarchar(max) is excluded) fields. Depending on the data the effectiveness of the compression varies, but with English, there is a 50% compression, which puts it on par with the varchar’s space needs (1).

Something else to consider is most programming languages support UTF-16 as the string type. So each time a varchar is loaded from the database, it’s converted to UTF-16 (nvarchar-ish)

This StackOverflow answer sums up nvarchar vs. varchar:

An nvarchar column can store any Unicode data. A varchar column is restricted to an 8-bit codepage. Some people think that varchar should be used because it takes up less space. I believe this is not the correct answer. Codepage incompatabilities are a pain, and Unicode is the cure for codepage problems. With cheap disk and memory nowadays, there is really no reason to waste time mucking around with code pages anymore.

All modern operating systems and development platforms use Unicode internally. By using nvarchar rather than varchar, you can avoid doing encoding conversions every time you read from or write to the database. Conversions take time, and are prone to errors. And recovery from conversion errors is a non-trivial problem.

If you are interfacing with an application that uses only ASCII, I would still recommend using Unicode in the database. The OS and database collation algorithms will work better with Unicode. Unicode avoids conversion problems when interfacing with other systems. And you will be preparing for the future. And you can always validate that your data is restricted to 7-bit ASCII for whatever legacy system you’re having to maintain, even while enjoying some of the benefits of full Unicode storage. (2)

My conclusion is the only time the data is a varchar is when it’s at rest.

References:

1. Unicode Compression implementation
2. What is the difference between varchar and nvarchar?