James Green - Developer. http://deepdark.net/
Q: Who is James Green?
A:[James Green]
I’m a senior developer at (for not much longer btw) a Sydney ISV that makes solutions for the hospitality/unique venues/event management space.
In previous lives I have been a unix nerd, network support reboot robot and bottle shop attendant.
Q: Why do you blog?
A:[James Green]
A few reasons:
- Sometimes if I learn a new little fact or technique, blogging about it helps me remember it. This is the most common category for me.
- Sometimes I have an idea I need to explore in code (like my reforming code-generation bent) and there isn’t the opportunity to take it all the way in my day job I’ll abstract it and continue it on the blog.
- Sometimes I just feel like the whole world should just stop for a minute and listen! This is rarely the case.
Q: Why is C# your preferred language of choice?
A:[James Green]
As far as the .NET Framework is concerned it does feel like C# is first among equals to some extent. Like Microsoft always lets one son sit in the front seat of the minibus on family outings or something.
Also, working in C# means people don’t beat up on you for also working in VB.Net :-)
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A:[James Green]
On a large sailing ship off the coast of north Queensland, some light hors d'oeuvres & champagne will be served. Guests will include Gillie & Ricky Ponting and a pretty European supermodel who speaks little English, and The Pixies will get out of rehab and play a live set on the deck. There will be wireless broadband too.
But seriously I don’t really know. I’ve got no plans that far out except to continue in the tech field. If you had asked me 5 years ago I could not have predicted being where I am now. Technically I’m a bit of an all-rounder so I may have found a specialization by then :-)
Q: Is there anything you would like to share with new budding C#.Net developers?
A:[James Green]
Editors Note: For added wisdom I was stroking my beard when I wrote this advice:
Not really C# specific advice, but I’d say that you should never loose sight of the fact that what you are writing is not code for code’s sake; but you are expressing the intent of solving a problem to a machine. Don’t get wrapped up in stuff that does not relate to the business problem you are trying to solve.
Secondly, advice for all budding developers: when estimating work and giving time lines keep the word “achievable” on the top of your mind. No one will think less of you if you take small bites at the problem and consistently deliver. From this position you can grow to taking larger bites. If you allow yourself to commit to more than is achievable you run the risk of loosing sight of the goal and not delivering, which is a problem.
Q: What is the best piece of advice you could give a C#.Net developer?
A:[James Green]
Don’t beat up on VB Developers!
Q: What part of the .Net framework do you most like to work with?
A:[James Green]
System.Data.SqlClient & System.Xml (Oh, and the My namespace! :-)
Q: What other technologies have you worked with?
A:[James Green]
Lots of SQL Server. I can’t remember when exactly I joined the party but it was on SQL Server 7.0 back when discussion of a 350Mhz CPU didn’t raise eyebrows!
My first VB was VB3 would you believe, I’ve used VB4 (yay parallel 16bit & 32bit), briefly VB5 but mostly I’ve also done heaps of VB6.
Q: What do you do for a living?
A:[James Green]
Developer! I try to never forget that I am lucky that I really enjoy my day job.
Q: What is your favorite gadget?
A:[James Green]
This changes by the hour. I am a USB memory stick connoisseur in the same way Warnie is a text message connoisseur. At the current rate I am due to be reincarnated as a USB memory stick!
Q: What gadget is going to be your next purchase?
A:[James Green]
My trigger finger is ready to buy everything listed on http://www.phidgets.com/ as soon as I can think of the perfect project.
(Because that’s all I need – less sleep!)
Q: Do you see yourself as a Geek or a Nerd?
A:[James Green]
I didn’t know there was a difference.
Um, option c) Both :-)
I try to be socially adept, but I sometimes bore dinner guests with talk of coding, and sometimes babble like rainman when I have two thought at once.
Q: What is in your toolbox?
A:[James Green]
For me, I am a CodeRush/Refactor! Pro addict. Money well spent.
That, and I don’t go far without installing NUnit, NAnt and NMock.