There is a reason why Java is widely used for very large projects. And it's not because of 'dumb programmers' (referencing another post here).
It's for Maintainability.
If you change something in Java, which makes it the wrong type to be passed to a function -- then that is a COMPILE TIME error, not a RUN TIME error.
In modern IDEs, these compile time errors show up instantly as you are editing the code. And one change can introduce a gigantic number of errors. For example, change the type of argument to a function, and you may have suddenly created hundreds or thousands of compile time errors in your project. And you can see all those files affected instantly get little red compile error flags next to them almost the instant you make this change in the editor.
That instant reaction is because the IDE has a sophisticated database model of the source code. That editor is not just a simple text editor. Every keystroke is making database changes to the internal representation of the source code model -- which is deeply integrated with the compiler.
Now I'm not knocking dynamically typed languages. I happen to like Python. I happen to especially like Clojure and other Lisps.
But in a large commercial project, I want as many errors as possible to be compile time (which usually means edit time) errors rather than run time errors.
Sure, one might argue that adequate testing can exercise all of the possible code execution paths. But are you sure? Really sure? Willing to stake a very large amount of money on it? What if a new code execution path is introduced later but a test is not introduced to test it?
I would argue that for unit testing, you should consider the compiler as your zero'th line of unit testing, before you run the first unit tests.
I understand the great productivity of dynamic languages for projects of a certain size. There comes a point where it is actually more productive to have strong typing with good tools that can analyze everything.
The argument of having to wait for a compiler is ancient history. The analysis of your code is done on each keystroke.
Ah, but Comcast can CONTROL those boxes under contract terms, in order to award those manufacturers with a contract to build Comcast's craptastical boxes.
That's why everyone wants a comcast box instead of their own, cheaper box, with more features.
It's all about control. If just any ol' riff raff could build boxes, how wold Comcast be able to abuse you with ad tracking, viewing tracking, and maybe even listening in to what is going on in the room where you are watching. Not to mention the possibility of building a camera into the telescreen, or um, set top box.
Philly would just claim that they put this up because they are fans of Google Maps.
Or it is free advertising for Google.
Or it was some kind of innocent, harmless mistake. Whoever did it, did not do it in an official capacity. They would have removed it anyway, as soon as they got caught -- which is now.
And who knows what other crazy lies they would make up.
I sympathize with any large tech organization trying to keep out hostile malware. Including the House of Representatives tech team.
Here's a clue for the Representatives themselves. (And the Senate)
Maybe you should be working to STRENGTHEN internet security instead of UNDERMINE security. Internet security works both ways you know.
Maybe the FBI should give up the exploit it has used in its Evidence Laundering (aka "parallel construction") as a network investigative technique?
I would also point out, imagine if the House of Representatives network encryption had a back door, (euphamism: "golden key") and the hacker got hold of the back door. If such a back door exists, the hackers WILL find it. Everyone else would like to keep their networks safe just as you do.
Should you: (A) hand over the exploit so that Mozilla (and other software projects) can make everyone safe (B) keep the exploit to yourself because you don't want bad guys to know about it
How about you take the same advice that you give to the 'nerds' and 'geeks' who should work out how to build your mythical Golden Key?
A Golden Exploit. It works for the government to hack into people's systems and perform your NIT (network investigative technique), but it doesn't work for hackers and bad guys that would make everyone less safe.
C'mon, you can do it. Just as you think silicon valley can do it.
Oh, wait. Maybe the government is part of 'the bad guys'? Maybe that's why we have the 4th, 5th and other amendments.
Maybe the court should order the FBI to produce such a magical Golden Exploit?
Do you realize what could happen if scientists are allowed to openly state reason, facts, data and interpretations of data for just anyone to hear? Especially if those facts and data are inconvenient and undermine some vast profit making enterprises?
How about a "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" science policy?
Public statements on science can be announced by the government after consulting the bones or alternately chicken entrails if bones are not available.
Gov't official 1: OMG!!! We're Going Dark! People are able to communicate in secret!
Gov't official 2: I have a solution. Get rid of FOIA. Get rid of the constitution and the inalienable rights it recognizes. Have secret courts, warrants, arrests, trials, evidence, convictions and secret prisons.
Citizen: Now that the government is 'going dark' or opaque, does that really help government to understand terrorists better? Maybe by becoming more like them?
I disagree. While I don't mean to suggest he is on the verge of being as crazy as the Dear Loon, I would suggest that the distance is very much shorter than you might think. And especially once he gets actual power and not just pretend power like on a TV show. Or people who pretend to bow and scrape simply because of money.
Let me kindly offer you a suggestion which might improve your life and make you a happier person.
You might be much happier if you were the Dear Leader of North Korea. Did you know that you can use any penalty you want if someone merely looks at you the wrong way? You don't need an actual reason. And you can make up new laws on the fly. In fact, you don't really even need laws. And everyone will just adore you.
And we're not laughing at you. I swear. No, really.
Yes, in this case, Stingray is used to catch fast food thieves. But this is a national emergency. And people need to realize that they will have to give up some liberty in order to (not actually) have safety.
You can be sure that when the FBI says that if they could force Apple to create a back door into the iPhone, then it would ONLY be used for cases as serious as terrorists with iPhones. (and jaywalkers using iPhones)
On the post: How Java's Inherent Verboseness May Mess Up Fair Use For APIs
Re: Java "weakness"
It's for Maintainability.
If you change something in Java, which makes it the wrong type to be passed to a function -- then that is a COMPILE TIME error, not a RUN TIME error.
In modern IDEs, these compile time errors show up instantly as you are editing the code. And one change can introduce a gigantic number of errors. For example, change the type of argument to a function, and you may have suddenly created hundreds or thousands of compile time errors in your project. And you can see all those files affected instantly get little red compile error flags next to them almost the instant you make this change in the editor.
That instant reaction is because the IDE has a sophisticated database model of the source code. That editor is not just a simple text editor. Every keystroke is making database changes to the internal representation of the source code model -- which is deeply integrated with the compiler.
Now I'm not knocking dynamically typed languages. I happen to like Python. I happen to especially like Clojure and other Lisps.
But in a large commercial project, I want as many errors as possible to be compile time (which usually means edit time) errors rather than run time errors.
Sure, one might argue that adequate testing can exercise all of the possible code execution paths. But are you sure? Really sure? Willing to stake a very large amount of money on it? What if a new code execution path is introduced later but a test is not introduced to test it?
I would argue that for unit testing, you should consider the compiler as your zero'th line of unit testing, before you run the first unit tests.
I understand the great productivity of dynamic languages for projects of a certain size. There comes a point where it is actually more productive to have strong typing with good tools that can analyze everything.
The argument of having to wait for a compiler is ancient history. The analysis of your code is done on each keystroke.
On the post: Comcast Now Trying To Claim That Delivering Just TV To Third-Party Set Top Boxes 'Not Feasible'
1984 Telescreens
Do you think there could be open market competition, where just anybody could built Telescreens?
Imagine the rampant thoughtcrime that could occur!
On the post: Comcast Now Trying To Claim That Delivering Just TV To Third-Party Set Top Boxes 'Not Feasible'
Re:
That's why everyone wants a comcast box instead of their own, cheaper box, with more features.
It's all about control. If just any ol' riff raff could build boxes, how wold Comcast be able to abuse you with ad tracking, viewing tracking, and maybe even listening in to what is going on in the room where you are watching. Not to mention the possibility of building a camera into the telescreen, or um, set top box.
On the post: James Comey Still Trying To Blame Increase In Violent Crime On 'Viral Videos'
At 2 AM: Hey whare are you guys doing here?
On the post: Philly Cops Tried To Disguise An SUV With License Plate Readers As A Google Maps Vehicle
Re:
Or it is free advertising for Google.
Or it was some kind of innocent, harmless mistake. Whoever did it, did not do it in an official capacity. They would have removed it anyway, as soon as they got caught -- which is now.
And who knows what other crazy lies they would make up.
On the post: Philly Cops Tried To Disguise An SUV With License Plate Readers As A Google Maps Vehicle
Dear Philly PD
On the post: Court Denies Immunity To Law Enforcement Officer Who Arrested Crew Sent To Clean Out His Foreclosed House
Re: A New Standard?
On the post: At The Behest Of Big Pharma, US Threatens Colombia Over Compulsory Licensing Of Swiss Drug
Here is a way to make everyone happy
There is a simple solution that would make everyone happy. Big Pharma should be very happy because compulsory licensing would cease to exist.
Simply eliminate patents on drugs.
Problem solved. Everyone happy.
On the post: House Of Representatives Tech Team Blocks All Google Appspot Apps Because Of A Single Trojan
A clue for the House of Representatives
Here's a clue for the Representatives themselves. (And the Senate)
Maybe you should be working to STRENGTHEN internet security instead of UNDERMINE security. Internet security works both ways you know.
Maybe the FBI should give up the exploit it has used in its Evidence Laundering (aka "parallel construction") as a network investigative technique?
I would also point out, imagine if the House of Representatives network encryption had a back door, (euphamism: "golden key") and the hacker got hold of the back door. If such a back door exists, the hackers WILL find it. Everyone else would like to keep their networks safe just as you do.
On the post: Mozilla Asks Court To Force FBI To Turn Over Information On Hacking Tool It Used In Child Porn Case
Golden Exploit instead of a Golden Key
It seems you're faced with a dilemma here.
Should you:
(A) hand over the exploit so that Mozilla (and other software projects) can make everyone safe
(B) keep the exploit to yourself because you don't want bad guys to know about it
How about you take the same advice that you give to the 'nerds' and 'geeks' who should work out how to build your mythical Golden Key?
A Golden Exploit. It works for the government to hack into people's systems and perform your NIT (network investigative technique), but it doesn't work for hackers and bad guys that would make everyone less safe.
C'mon, you can do it. Just as you think silicon valley can do it.
Oh, wait. Maybe the government is part of 'the bad guys'? Maybe that's why we have the 4th, 5th and other amendments.
Maybe the court should order the FBI to produce such a magical Golden Exploit?
On the post: Mozilla Asks Court To Force FBI To Turn Over Information On Hacking Tool It Used In Child Porn Case
Re:
Evidence Laundering is what it really is. Parallel Construction is the euphamism to make it sound nice.
Just as "enhanced interrogation" is the euphemism to make "torture" sound nice.
On the post: After Nine Years Of Censorship, Canada Finally Unmuzzles Its Scientists
Consequences
How about a "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" science policy?
Public statements on science can be announced by the government after consulting the bones or alternately chicken entrails if bones are not available.
On the post: US Court System Just Another Extension Of The Government's Ongoing Opacity Project
Going Dark
Gov't official 2: I have a solution. Get rid of FOIA. Get rid of the constitution and the inalienable rights it recognizes. Have secret courts, warrants, arrests, trials, evidence, convictions and secret prisons.
Citizen: Now that the government is 'going dark' or opaque, does that really help government to understand terrorists better? Maybe by becoming more like them?
On the post: Guy Who Didn't Invent Email Sues Gawker For Pointing Out He Didn't Invent Email
Question
On the post: Turkish President Erdogan Now Demands Injunction Against German Media Boss For Saying He Laughed At Anti-Erdogan Poem
Re: Re:
On the post: Turkish President Erdogan Now Demands Injunction Against German Media Boss For Saying He Laughed At Anti-Erdogan Poem
Re: You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
On the post: Turkish President Erdogan Now Demands Injunction Against German Media Boss For Saying He Laughed At Anti-Erdogan Poem
Dear Mr Erdogan
Let me kindly offer you a suggestion which might improve your life and make you a happier person.
You might be much happier if you were the Dear Leader of North Korea. Did you know that you can use any penalty you want if someone merely looks at you the wrong way? You don't need an actual reason. And you can make up new laws on the fly. In fact, you don't really even need laws. And everyone will just adore you.
And we're not laughing at you. I swear. No, really.
On the post: Your Tax Dollars At Work: Cops Use Stingray To ALMOST Track Down Suspected Fast Food Thief
But you should believe James Comey
You can be sure that when the FBI says that if they could force Apple to create a back door into the iPhone, then it would ONLY be used for cases as serious as terrorists with iPhones. (and jaywalkers using iPhones)
On the post: Judge Says Copyright Case Against Star Trek Fan Film Can 'Live Long' And Possibly 'Prosper'
How far does copyright extend?
As the Narn, the Minbari and Vorlon were turning to leave, Luke Skywalker raised his hand with his fingers parted and said "Live Long and Prosper".
On the post: After Only Nine Months On The Job, Administration's New FOIA Boss Calls It Quits
Alpha Channel
You would be technically wrong to say it is opaque.
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