This is a new series that I will be starting, called “Don’t do this”. Basically it is a spin on another series I started called “Learn this”, but it is more of an observation of things that I have had to learn a lesson from.
In this article, I want to discuss the dangers of allowing junior developers to “cowboy code“, or do whatever they feel is right. The junior programmer does not know what “right” is, or better yet, has not shown you what right is. A lot of people might think this is common sense, but it isn’t. I have seen it too many times and lately I have been trying to become more aware of it. Ignoring this is not only bad for the code base, but it is bad for you, the client and the actual junior employee.
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Marcel Best Practices, Don't do this, Opinion Best Practices
How many times have you hopped into Flex’s source code only to see the modifier “mx_internal”? No public, private or protected, just mx_internal. It is everywhere in there. But what is it? Turns out, according to Adobe, it is a namespace used to flag functions and properties within the framework that may change in future releases. Obviously, since they might change, Adobe, with all its motherly goodness, hides these properties and functions from us behind this namespace. This does not mean we cannot access them though. We just have to jump through a few small loops. This article will go over how and when to use mx_internal, but also what to be careful about when using them.
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Marcel Best Practices, Flex, Opinion, Random Notes Actionscript, Flex
It is hard to deny that the Google Maps API has a lot of built in functionality to it. I enjoyed writing the last article and I felt it was time to get into it a little more. In my last last article on the API, I focused primarily on how to add a marker to the map and also how to create a custom infoWindow. This article’s main topic will be on how to plot PolyLines on a map, how to get the distance between them, and using Markers to had a little bit more usability to your application.
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Marcel Flex, Google Maps API, tutorial Actionscript, Flex, howto, tutorial
Anyone who knows me knows that I hate touching the mouse. I do not like using it one bit. If there is a shortcut on the keyboard, its a pretty big guarantee I am going to do my best to find it. Being a programmer, I spend a massive amount of time using Eclipse. Naturally I have a pretty good understanding of all the shortcuts that make my life easier. Here a list of shortcuts that can help you. Also a brief how to on removing the most annoying shortcut of all, show in breadcrumbs.
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Marcel Best Practices, Opinion, Random Notes, tutorial Best Practices, tutorial
Alright designers, lets get one thing straight. I don’t like you and you don’t like me. You design components that are either a)impossible/painstakingly difficult to build or b) has more transitional effects that even make a mac snob would vomit. Dare I complain? Too bad. The client already signed off on it and they loved it. Guess what though, jokes on you! Following my typical fashion, I have made it as easy to style as you have to build it. TAKE THAT EDGY COOL GUY(or girl)!.
Unfortunately, this vicious circle doesn’t help you and it doesn’t help me. You can call me lazy and I can call you a moron but it leads us to the same spot. With this in mind, I’ve recently decided to extend the olive branch. I have sat down with one of the main designers at my job and asked “What can I do to my components that will make your job easier?”. With a warm smile, he thanked me and gave me some good tips on how I can make not just his life easier, but also make my components just that much more versatile.
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Marcel Best Practices, Flex, Opinion, Random Notes, tutorial Actionscript, Best Practices, Design, Flex