Const Correctness

When programming in C++, applying the concept of 'const correctness' can make your code easier to read and understand, as well as more robust and less error-prone. But it's a difficult subject to understand.

This series of 6 articles discusses all aspects of C++ const correctness quite thoroughly, with lots of example code. It progresses step-by-step, starting with simple examples and building in complexity with each article.

Definitely worth a read if you work on a large C++ project.

C++ Const Correctness

The Tao Of Backup

"A novice wanted to learn the Tao of Backup. The master said: "To become enlightened, you must master the seven heads of Backup. He who knows the heads will keep all his data forever. He who knows them not will lose all his data," and with that, the lessons began..."

If you're looking for a simple, fun way to explain proper backup strategy to someone, this is it. The content is very well written, and the advice is as good as you'll find anywhere.

Go on. Grab the pebble. Head out into the world with a clear mind and a reliable backup system.

http://www.taobackup.com/

Bubble, Bubble, Build's In Trouble

Here's a novel and fun way to alert the team when your automatic build tests start failing - light up a green lava lamp when everything's OK, and light up a red one when a test has failed.

The article explains what X10 home automation equipment you'll need, how to hook it all together, and how to interface it to your build machine so that the right lamp lights up in response to the output of your test framework.

It's more interesting than just sending emails out to the team!

http://www.pragmaticautomation.com/cgi-bin/pragauto.cgi/Monitor/Devices/BubbleBubbleBuildsInTrouble.rdoc: "Bubble, Bubble, Build's In Trouble"

Dear Manager, They Need A Build Machine

Mike Clark has written a letter to your manager, to help you explain why you need to buy a dedicated build computer for your software project.

He's planning to write a series of these Dear Manager articles. Programmers often need help convincing managers of the importance of various issues. Mike is able to put the technical issues into a business context which managers understand.

http://www.clarkware.com/cgi/blosxom/2004/10/19

James Patrick Kelly

James Patrick Kelly is a talented science fiction writer who has put most of his short stories on his web site for us to read. He has also been recording the short stories in mp3 format, which is fantastic for downloading to your iPod and listening to while commuting, exercising, attending a Quality training session, etc.

All this stuff is provided for free. If you like it, do consider donating something to James for his effort. He uses the donations to fund more studio time to record more mp3s, so it's very worthwhile.

http://www.jimkelly.net/pages/free_reads.htm