Archive for Design
Create Singleton in C#
Posted by: | CommentsOne of the most basic and most useful object patterns is the Singleton design pattern. A Singleton is a class of which there will only be one instance created at any time. All users of the Singleton class will all use the same instance. This is great for a wide range of applications such as cached values and lookups or utilities that execute quickly. The Design Patterns book by Gamma et al . describes the structure of a basic Singleton. We’ll describe how to create one in C#.
Good Azure Video from PDC09
Posted by: | CommentsHere’s a great intro to Azure from PDC 09. If you have not looked at Azure or Cloud computing in general, take a look at this video for an introduction. Cloud Computing is here and in use. It will only grow in the near future.
PDC Video on Cloud Computing with Azure
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Java vs. .Net – Another Blast From the Past
Posted by: | CommentsHere’s another ancient article I wrote that I recently reread. It is interesting to see what has changed since this was first published on SearchSOA almost 8 years ago (see link at end of article). There are also many things that have not changed in those years. Companies continue to be faced with the question of what technology platform to choose for their Line of Business (LOB) applications. Often decisions are made based on criteria that have not been properly matched to business objectives. Sometimes the result is that the new technology platform is abandoned in the not so distant future, with a corresponding loss of investment dollars.
With a Just Enough Technology approach, a company evaluates technology against its core problem or objectives. I work with business and technology leaders within a company to define their true objectives and then weigh the technology decisions with their business objectives as the main criteria. Read through this article on choosing between the Java and Microsoft platforms. Both technologies have evolved quite a bit since this was first published, but some of the core arguments remain to this day.
Windows Azure Now Available
Posted by: | CommentsMicrosoft’s Windows Azure and SQL Azure cloud services are now generally available with full SLAs. This ends the free test period for those who signed up last month. This is a key release milestone for Microsoft. Azure has been in development for several years and in beta since late 2008. From the Azure team blog:
Starting today, customers and partners in countries across the globe will be able to launch their Windows Azure and SQL Azure production applications and services with the support of the full Service Level Agreements (SLAs). The Windows Azure platform AppFabric Service Bus and Access Control will continue to be free until April 2010 for those that sign up for a commercial subscription. Additionally Microsoft codename “Dallas” will continue to be in a free CTP.
Craftsmanship and Software Development
Posted by: | CommentsIn a previous post I quoted a colleague who stated :
I like how they use the term “Craftsman” to describe what we do….[the craftsmen are] the ones who have taken the time to master the tools that have been made available to them to assist in their craft.
Craftsmanship in the manner used above, refers to an attention to detail and a pride in one’s work product. A craftsman is more than a worker – he or she truly cares that they do things right and to the best of their ability. I agree with this thought in principle, but I want to expand on it a bit and speak to one difficulty with software craftsmanship as a methodology. Read More→

