I'm thinking of something smaller than a laptop that i can spend my hours on the way to work doing project euler problems or such.
Any ideas?
Used to love my PALM, I may replace it some day.
Jim C
2008-11-12 19:57:49
+10
A:
If you mean a programming platform, you could get a netbook like the ASUS EEE.
Or if you meant smallest programmable device, check out a PIC microcontroller:
FlySwat
2008-11-08 21:56:39
This is a pretty cool piece of hardware. (after reading the article)
Ólafur Waage
2008-11-08 22:03:56
The article doesn't say whether you can program one of these while riding a commuter train. :)
MusiGenesis
2008-11-09 01:40:24
Atmel AVR based microcontrollers are much cooler than the PIC based ones. GCC can cross-compile your code directly for AVR, which is a huge win when porting to the AVR platform. What are project euler problems?
slacy
2009-04-18 03:47:57
There are also many other netbooks out there other than the Asus machines. For examples, the Acer Aspire One is very highly regarded and inexpensive. Check out liliputing.com for more info.
slacy
2009-04-18 03:48:38
+1
A:
A netbook would be ideal.
A graphing calculator might be too limited for programming.
blizpasta
2008-11-08 21:57:34
My immediate reaction was "TI-82" ut then I realized it is not 1994. I'm not the only one thinking graphic calculator though.
wonderchook
2008-11-08 21:58:30
Why not? I learned programming on my Casio fx 6300 which have 400 _token_ memory and some graphic capability. It is very tempting to write a game on modern ones, considering there are color models and some memory ;)
artificialidiot
2008-11-08 22:28:36
The high end TI's and HP calculators will do most anything you can throw at them. Perhaps not quickly, but they'll do them. I'm familiar with the HP and it's really a fantastic portable programming platform.
Will Hartung
2008-11-08 23:25:16
I quite often develop on my JVC mininote. Problems are processing speed and screen resolution but it is great on train when you are low on space. Plus you can use Visual Studio.
BlackWasp
2008-11-09 11:34:55
+1
A:
If you're talking about doing a microcontroller, there are several models of arduino boards that are very easy for someone not familiar with embedded programming.
Jason Baker
2008-11-08 21:59:30
+1
A:
I have a Nokia E51 with python interpreter. It's not pleasant to type with a numeric keypad at all. I think it is as small as you can get.
artificialidiot
2008-11-08 22:05:19
A:
It's pretty subjective. I code on my commute using a 15.4" laptop and I find it quite limiting.
I could still work at 13", but the limitations would be getting so large I'd already be questioning if it's worth it. Anything smaller would be right out.
But then I tend to work with lots of windows open. Multiple editors, docs, browsers etc. Cutting back on that eats into my productivity. At home I have a 30" display. At work I have 2x 24" displays.
If you tend to work mostly in one window, rarely consult docs and other apps etc, you could probably go smaller.
It depends so much on the type of person you are, what you are comfortable with, the way you work, what you are working in and with... the list goes on.
My guess is that for most developers 13" is going to be the smallest before it gets so frustrating that you're better off just listening to podcasts or something - but YMMV - and will!
Phil Nash
2008-11-08 22:24:13
+7
A:
This may sound crazy but try pen/pencil and paper. No you can't run the code but it'll help you to not use online references so much (yes they are good but memory skills help us all) and it'll probably also help you plan your code better.
Teifion
2008-11-08 22:51:41
There was a great story on Daily WTF a while back about an Indian outsourcing company that could only afford one computer, so most of the coders worked on paper. "Debugging" meant looking at it really really closely.
MusiGenesis
2008-11-08 22:57:16
I would have voted you down if you hadn't reminded me of that story. :)
MusiGenesis
2008-11-09 01:47:16
"Pen and Paper" is one of the "language" options you can choose in your Project Euler profile
Jimmy
2009-01-16 16:47:01
Seconded. There's a lot of good programming one can do with one of these. Downside - slow CPU.
Thelema
2008-11-09 02:56:18
Ah, takes me back to when I was at college at 17 (far too many years ago). I used to generate Mandelbrot and Julia sets on my Casio when the lessons got too boring. Those were the days...
BlackWasp
2008-11-09 11:33:25
Thirded (or Foured, whatever). I've written quite a number of pieces of software for/on my 48GX. On the bus to college, during boring classes, on the bus back home. Anywhere, really. Even http://www.jarno.demon.nl/hp48.htm seems to still exist! ;-)
peSHIr
2009-01-23 14:37:54
I was even already into functional programming back then: http://www.jarno.demon.nl/ftp/gl01.zip ;-)
peSHIr
2009-01-23 14:56:26
+2
A:
I'll take the reputation hit to say this: why not read a book or watch the scenery go by? Trying to cram more programming into your day isn't actually good for you, and may even make you less productive.
eyelidlessness
2008-11-09 06:38:03
+2
A:
I have used SmallBASIC on my Palm OS 5 device for a while now, and it seems to work well with most of the problems I throw at it.
BP
2008-11-12 19:53:09