software

XML Editing/Viewing Software

What software is recommended for working with and editing large XML schemas? I'm looking for both Windows and Linux software (doesn't have to be cross platform, just want suggestions for both) that help with dealing with huge XML files....

SIMPLE Bug Tracking Suggestions?

Any suggestions for good, solid, bug tracking solutions that let me (and company members) document bugs in 1-or-2-click steps? Basically I grew tired of all the overhead Mantis brings in... All I need is a list (do away with assign/status/priority/notes, phew! we're a small company!). I'm tempted to write it up in CakePHP, but before I...

What are the best RSS feeds for programmers/developers?

I am looking for a breakdown of some really good RSS feeds. I have quite a few subscriptions with Google Reader but lack many very good development/programming feeds. I would love to see some lists here. Will Stack Overflow have an RSS feed? I found the answer to the Stack Overflow RSS feed question: "Have an RSS feed of recent quest...

Should a first release be an 0.1 version or 1.0b?

I see so many projects and softwares released on the internet that has a 0.x version and they never reaches 1.0. Shouldn't a first release be 1.0 (or 1.0b at least)? Example, the VLC project dated 1996-2008 now at version 0.8.6? ...

Automatically check bounced emails via POP3 ?

Hi all, Can anyone recommend software or even a .net library to develop software, that will check for bounced emails and the reason for the bounce? I get bounced emails into a pop3 account that I can read then... I need it to keep my user database clean from invalid email addresses and want to automate this (mark user as invalid email)...

What types of software testing are there?

What are all the types of software testing that you can put in front of the word "Testing"? Here are some examples: Unit Testing Functional Testing Integration Testing Performance Testing Stress and Volume Testing White Box Testing Black Box Testing User Testing Automated Testing Regression Testing Let's see if we can come up with g...

.NET Framework dependency

When developing a desktop application in .NET, is it possible to not require the .NET Framework? Is developing software in .NET a preferred way to develop desktop applications? What is the most used programming language that software companies use to develop desktop applications? Is the requirement of the .NET Framework just assumed b...

software: when to pay, when to use free?

What are your criteria when evaluating free vs pay software? Which is your "default" choice? update: Is the answer different for application and development software? ...

Poll: What measure do you use to size software?

Intended to be a quick heartbeat of what people out there are actually using to determine software size (which may lead to an estimate) in order to plan and project schedules. Post Unique answers and Vote +1 to second an existing option. Context : Let me get this off my chest... I detest function points because its difficult to coun...

How much should a "software guy" (or "software gal") know about hardware?

Aside from the software developers working on embedded systems and hardware modeling or any other job that deals with software for or on hardware, how much should a software engineer know about the underlying hardware that they might be developing for? Should it be treated as a black box that just works or should there be a very strong w...

How do you keep your tools updated?

I don't know why, but I always seem to neglect updating my tools, even when they nag me. I think I'm encountering two problems. First, for the tools that tell me there is a new version, I don't want to update at the moment because I'm using the tool, so I put it off, and then forget to update it later. Second, the tool doesn't tell me an...

Software Testing Books

So I've recently read Test Driven Development by Kent Beck, which I found interesting (although it felt a bit light on details) and I've started using unit tests in my programming which I'm really enjoying the added peace of mind about code quality versus ad hoc testing, although I'm not at the stage of doing full fledged TDD (yet). I...

What is the best subversion client for Linux?

I like Subclipse when working within eclipse, but would like to find something better when working on files outside of Eclipse. I'm currently using RapidSVN. Is there anything better? ...

What free software can I use to create UI mockups?

What are good Open Source / Free software packages that let you design GUIs quickly, like "on a napkin" style, but also give a bit of polish that you could throw into a slide deck? Preference would be to use some clipart/objects ala Visio, but not required. NOT: Visio PowerPoint KeyNote OmniGraffe Balsamiq (althought it's worth the m...

Can USB devices directly access hardware?

Here's why I'm wondering. I recently bought an external TV tuner for my laptop, which has a feature that when it's being jostled, the hard drive stops spinning. However, even when I move my laptop, the video from the TV tuner (which handles all of the video processing, according to the book on it) doesn't stutter. I'm wondering if this T...

What do you want to develop?

If you had chance to select, which application would you like to develop? For instance, "I want to save the world, I want to develop an application for that matter. Yay!" could be one of the best answers. Maybe people can find each other for developing an exotic application for the sake of humankind. ...

Why are software requirements always phrased with "shall" instead of "will"?

Why is it when I'm documenting requirements, it always has to be phrased as "It SHALL do this..." vs. "It WILL do this...". I know this is a odd question, but one I've never been able to find an answer to. It's always just been, "that's the way you write them". I know it's a silly question, but one that's always puzzled me. ...

What is the biggest problem with software development?

What do you think the biggest problem is with software development? To me, when I think of the problems I face developing software, I think of a lack of precision. There's too much "Hey, let's try this out and maybe it'll work." Not all of you may work in a field that requires any kind of precision, but for me, I'm constantly battling ...

Extreme Programming

As developers and as professional engineers have you been exposed to the tenants of Extreme Programming as defined in the "version 1" by Kent Beck. Which of those 12 core principles do you feel you have been either allowed to practice or at least be a part of in your current job or others? * Pair programming[5] * Planning game * Test dr...

Hosting control panel with JEE Application Server support?

I currently have WHM/cPanel on my server, but it doesn't integrate properly with any JEE App Server. I installed Tomcat manually, and have made it work through Apache, but the configuration is more fragile than I'd like. So, I'm trying to find a replacement where a JEE App Server can be properly integrated & managed. Requirements: Open...