Why Do Computers Count From Zero?
Lewis Coosner
2023-09-27
Ever wondered why Java arrays start from zero? Lewis explains
Coding Matters
Coding matters: In with the old
Jacqui Coosner
2023-09-21
Shiny object syndrome is when we are distracted by anything new. Programmers like the idea of working on a new system, but there are many advantages to maintenance programming.
AWT vs Swing vs JavaFX
Lewis Coosner
2023-09-20
Sometimes you need to write a rich client graphical user interface in Java. Lewis looks at the standard JSE toolkits: AWT, Swing and JavaFX.
Coding matters: Tech with empathy
Jacqui Coosner
2023-09-14
Technology can do many things, but here’s one that we need and didn’t think of before: improve our empathy.
Sealed Classes in Java
Lewis Coosner
2023-09-12
Sealed classes in Java are a way to control inheritance. This is a new feature in Java 17 and provides a cleaner approach than using access modifiers.
Coding matters: Slow-motion apocalypse
Jacqui Coosner
2023-09-07
It was a double-whammy in SA this week: stage 6 load-shedding and fuel price hikes. It’s like a slow-motion apocalypse that’s developing our prepper skills. Problem-solving and basic maths are skills every survivalist needs.
Upgrading from Java 8 to Java 17
Lewis Coosner
2023-09-05
There are good reasons to upgrade from Java 8 to Java 17. Big companies don’t upgrade Java versions easily or quickly. Lewis compares the two versions to explain some of the advantages.
Coding matters: The answer is in the camera
Jacqui Coosner
2023-08-31
As usual, I sent out the Zoom information to delegates booked on a virtual course this week. Then one of the delegates phoned and asked if she could rather have classroom training. Why still virtual? At the end of every virtual course, we ask delegates to complete an online evaluation
Coding matters: Left bananas and chicken lips
Jacqui Coosner
2023-08-24
I’m a stickler for proper punctuation and spelling. Some people roll their eyes at me, but programmers know better. Part of learning to program is learning that every character counts. A missing symbol, or a character in the wrong place, causes an error. And a bracket is not just a
Coding matters: Hello World
Jacqui Coosner
2023-08-17
If you are a programmer, you might remember writing your first Hello World program. It’s a program that does nothing more than display a message on the screen that says "Hello World". Where did it come from? This is a well-established programming tradition. A Hello World program is simple. It