Hello, this is my second topic-based blog and today I will be talking about something I learnt about in depth over several days in my Software Process Management class. This was a very interesting topic and I learned a lot of things about code that I had previously not known about. Some of the things that I was taught in my earlier days of coding were proven to not be the best way to go about making organized, clear code. One example of this is that I was originally taught to make comments after most lines of code, just to make sure everyone reading the code will understand it. However, it turns out this was just a beginner step to help myself learn. In reality, clean code should be easy to read and understand, making many comments obsolete.

Now I will talk about some examples of obsolete comments. One of these are redundant comments. These are comments that are unnecessary. An example of this would be: z = x + y (sets z to the sum of x and y). As you can see, the code speaks for itself, and this comment is completely obsolete. Another comment type that is unnecessary would be misleading comments. These comments are usually created when someone forgets about a comment after updating the code. This leads to the wrong comment being on a block of code that doesn’t even do what that comment states!

The blog I researched for this post is linked here: Writing Clean Code: Tips and Best Practices – DEV Community

Unsurprisingly, this blog shared many of the same values that I learnt about in class. It gave me an overview of the material I had gotten an in-depth understanding of, with many additional helpful tips and tricks. This blog mentioned using meaningful names for your classes, functions, methods, and variables. This ensures that someone else who is reading your code can easily understand EXACTLY what everything is used for. Ex) “bananas VS. bananasInBasket”

Another thing that this blog shared with what I learnt about is to make sure functions and methods are small and limited to a specific number of lines. You don’t want an entire code that may be repeated inside one method. Instead, create a function that you can call inside the method to keep the code clean.

The website also mentioned good practices for making comments, and to make sure you refactor your code a lot over time!

From the blog cs@worcester – Akshay's Blog by Akshay Ganesh and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Hello Debug Ducker here, and today this piece will be a bit different. I want to share my opinions and others about on a somewhat controversial figure in the coding community. Robert Cecil Martin also known as Uncle Bob is a well-known software engineer. He is known for many things such as the subject to today’s topic, “Clean Code” a book written by him that discusses and shares what clean code is. it offers advice on how to structure and write code for it to be “clean”.

From my experience from reading excerpts from the book and trying some of his advice on an old project of mine, I have found that it has made the code a lot more readable. However there is some advice that I don’t agree with. To paraphrase, Uncle Bob mentions that a function should avoid having more than one argument or have none at all. He saw that the more arguments, the less clear it is. I understand what he means but personality I feel this may not apply to all cases when writing code, especially if you need multiple arguments to achieve something, so the advice is situational. It made me curious to do a bit of research myself on what others may think of his advice, and I found an article that shares similar sentiments about the advice given by Uncle Bob.

The blog is from a username qntm, who is a novelist but also a programmer. The blog entry is called “It’s probably time to stop recommending Clean Code”, and as the name may suggest, is an opinionated piece on the book of the same name by Uncle Bob. The blog entry had critiques about the book, such as the advice from Uncle Bob that said functions should only be about 3–4 lines. The user qntm found this bizarre, and frankly, I did too as I find this very restrictive for making functions.

That is just one of the many examples from the blog entry, and I would advise you to check the blog yourself to read the full thing. I’ll provide a link below and perhaps search for his other entries as well. I wanted to show you this because the definition of clean code perhaps can’t be defined by one person. Though I have found some of Uncle Bob advice to be helpful, I don’t think all of it should be taken as gospel. Apply his teachings where it may help and perhaps consider finding other ideas of clean code elsewhere because Robert is just one man who wanted to share some advice, I am sure others have different ideas that may help you as well.

Here is the blog entry by qntm about the subject for those curious

It’s probably time to stop recommending Clean Code. Things Of Interest @ Things Of Interest. (2020, November 28). https://qntm.org/clean

Martin, R. C. (2016). Clean code Robert C. Martin. Addison-Wesley Professional.

From the blog Debug Duck by debugducker and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Intro

Have you ever forked a respository without looking at its software license? It’s easy for developers to unintentionally violate licenses, especially if they aren’t informed about what they are, leading to potential legal troubles. This blog post by Fernando Galano breaks down the complexities of software licensing, providing clarity on a topic that is often overlooked, but is vital for anyone involved in software development.

Summary of Source

The blog post explores the concept of software licensing, covering its purpose, types, and implications.

1. What is a Software License?: An explanation of how licenses define the terms under which software can be used, modified, and distributed.
2. Types of Licenses: An overview of open-source and proprietary licenses, including popular ones like the GNU General Public License (GPL), MIT License, and Apache License. It also explains what a copyleft license is as well as what a permissive license is.
3. Why Licensing Matters: A discussion of how licensing affects collaboration, compliance, and intellectual property rights. It describes the benefits of licensing from the standpoint of both developers and users.
4. Best Practices for Choosing and Using Licenses: Practical tips for selecting appropriate licenses for projects and understanding license compatibility.

The blog is an introductory resource for open-source software usage and distribution. It doesn’t go into excruciating detail, with pages upon pages of technical terms, but it does cover the basics and anyone interested in furthering their knowledge on software licenses should explore more sources.

Why I Chose This Blog

I chose this blog because it addresses a topic that is often overlooked in technical coursework but is integral to professional software development. As I aspire to work as a software developer, understanding licensing will help me avoid legal complications and help my work be protected. The blog’s concise explanations and practical examples make it an ideal resource for building foundational knowledge in this area.

Reflection of Source

The blog post provided a clear and structured overview of software licensing, breaking down confusing legal jargon into digestible information. One aspect that particularly stood out to me was the explanation of the differences between permissive and copyleft licenses. For instance, I now understand how the MIT License offers flexibility by allowing modification and redistribution with minimal restrictions, while the GPL ensures that derivative works remain open-source. Reading about software licenses makes me realize how easy it is to unintentionally violate licensing terms due to a lack of awareness. Before learning about licenses I had never even considered that I might be violating the original creators intentions when deriving their work. This blog has made me more vigilant about understanding and respecting licensing terms, ensuring that my future projects remain legally sound.

Future Application

As I move forward in my career, the knowledge gained about licenses will shape how I approach software usage and distribution. When contributing to open-source projects, I will carefully evaluate license terms to make sure it aligns with my goals. Also, while working professionally, I’ll advocate for the proper review of licensing agreements to prevent legal risks. This understanding also allows me to choose the right license when publishing my own work, depending on the terms I would like others to follow. By adhering to licensing norms, I aim to contribute to a more ethical and collaborative development environment.

Citation

Understanding Software Licensing by Fernando Galano https://www.bairesdev.com/blog/understanding-software-licensing/.

From the blog CS@Worcester – The Science of Computation by Adam Jacher and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

In today’s world of software development, understanding copyright and licensing is crucial for ensuring compliance with intellectual property and collaborative innovation. Developers often work with software libraries, tools, and frameworks created by others. Without a solid grasp of licensing terms, there’s a risk of infringing on someone else’s rights or unintentionally exposing some proprietary code to the public.

What is Copyright in Software?

Software copyright provides legal protection for the code written by developers, categorizing it as intellectual property. It grants the original creator exclusive rights to use, modify, distribute, and license their work. In most jurisdictions, as soon as a piece of code is written, it’s automatically copyrighted, even without a explicit registration.

However, copyright doesn’t cover ideas, or methods used in the software it only protects the specific implementation of those ideas in code. This means that while you can’t copy someone’s code without permission, you can write your own implementation of a concept.

The Types of Software Licenses

In class we learned about Software licenses and how they specify the terms under which code can be used, modified, and distributed. They range from very permissive to highly restrictive. Some common types include:

1. Open Source Licenses: These allow anyone to view, use, and often modify the code. Examples include:
   • MIT License: Permissive, allowing almost any use, including commercial purposes, as long as the original copyright notice is included.
   • GNU General Public License (GPL): Requires that any modified version of the code also be released under the GPL, ensuring that derivative works remain open.
   • Apache License(s): Permits use and distribution, even for commercial purposes, but includes a clause protecting contributors from patent claims.
2. Proprietary Licenses: These are restrictive and usually prevent users from modifying or distributing the software. Examples include end-user license agreements that accompany commercial software for example like Microsoft Office.
3. Creative Commons Licenses: While more common in creative works like music or literature, some software projects use Creative Commons to specify usage rights.

How to Choose the Right License

When releasing software, selecting the appropriate license is vital. If you want maximum collaboration and sharing, permissive licenses like MIT or Apache might be ideal. However, if you want to ensure that your work remains open source in derivatives, a copyleft license like GPL is a better choice.

Key Takeaways:

1. Read the License: Always read and understand the terms before using third-party software. Misinterpreting a license can lead legal issues.
2. Attribute Properly: Many licenses, even permissive ones, require attribution to the original author.
3. Derivative Rules: If you modify software under a restrictive license like GPL, you must release your changes under the same license.
4. Protecting Your Work: If you’re releasing your own software, choose a license that aligns with your goals for sharing or monetization.

Resources

• GNU Operating System: Licenses
• Choose an Open Source License
• Refactoring Guru on Software Licensing
• https://www.10duke.com/resources/glossary/software-copyright/

From the blog CS@Worcester – function & form by Nathan Bui and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Throughout the beginning half of my Fall 2024 semester, I’ve learned about development processes such as environments, strategies, and team policies. As the year has progressed I wanted to know more about the development process of software before beginning my blogs. After tackling AGILE and Scrum I have been interested in seeing other ways of team management, and potential connections back to AGILE. To begin in understanding these processes I first found an article designed around general team management. This article is found on desktime.com, and it is not focused particularly on computer science, but on managing a team. The article’s title is A guide to team management: Strategies and techniques to help you succeed by Viesturs Abelis

This post outlines key strategies for effective team management to boost productivity and morale. It first emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive team culture, where employees feel valued and heard, mentioning Google’s Project Aristotle which found that psychological safety and feeling heard are crucial for team success. The article states that managers should engage actively with their team, foster inclusivity, and lead confidently. It is stressed that managers must be considered part of the team. The article also mentions the need for a clear vision and direction, including both long-term goals like a mission statement and short-term objectives like Key Performance Indicators and Objectives and Key Results. It highlights that employees are more motivated when they connect personally to the organization’s values. The use of productivity software is also recommended to improve team management. Tools for time tracking, performance evaluation, and project tracking provide valuable data, helping managers optimize team performance and streamline workflow. The article continues to reaffirm that team management combines fostering a positive culture, setting a clear direction, and using the right tools to enhance productivity and success.

This was a good article to step into team and development-based blogs, as it is a very broad and applicable subject matter. This is a key step in constructing a blog based on understanding development environments and processes. Without having a baseline understanding of team management, tactics like AGILE can be confusing to grasp. I wish to refine my knowledge in this area and prepare for working in and managing teams going forward into classes like CS-448. Next in my blog I will look into articles relating to development environments, such as Docker or GitPod, or look into articles based around AGILE and Scrum principles.

Source:https://desktime.com/blog/team-management

From the blog CS@Worcester – WSU CS Blog: Ben Gelineau by Ben Gelineau and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

One of the topics we covered in Software Process Management this year is Scrum. I’ve always been curious about how big companies and tech corporations manage their teams and make everything work smoothly. In the article “Achieving Team Purpose and Pride with Scrum” by Sophia Ciocca, a Web Engineer at Spotify, she shares her team’s journey to creating a more efficient and structured routine using Scrum principles.

Sophia starts by describing the struggles her team faced when they first tried applying Scrum. Meetings felt unproductive, sprints were often left unfinished, and there was little connection between their daily tasks and long-term goals. To fix these issues, Sophia’s team reached out to a Spotify Agile Coach and decided to adopt the full Scrum framework, as outlined in the Scrum Guide.

This shift involved several key changes, like holding weekly backlog refinement sessions, simplifying sprint planning, improving sprint reviews, focusing retrospectives on actionable steps, and enhancing stand-ups. These adjustments helped the team stay aligned, better understand their workload, and communicate more effectively.

The results were impressive. The team’s efficiency improved significantly, and tasks were completed faster. They even tripled their monthly active users without adding more team members. Most importantly, the team gained confidence in their work and a stronger sense of pride and purpose.

I chose this article because it directly relates to the Agile methodologies and Scrum Guide we’ve discussed in class. I also wanted to understand how big companies use these frameworks to foster teamwork and efficiency. It’s fascinating to see how systems like Scrum can make a huge difference in how teams work together.

Sophia’s story highlights an important Agile principle: “responding to change over following a plan.” Her team’s ability to adapt their process while staying true to Scrum principles was key to their success. One of my main takeaways is that asking for help, like Sophia did by reaching out to an Agile Coach, can lead to growth and positive change.

As I prepare for my career in tech, learning how to implement Agile and Scrum effectively is crucial. This article showed me how small changes, like adding confidence checks to stand-ups, can improve teamwork and productivity. I’m excited to apply these insights in my future career and work with teams that value collaboration and continuous improvement.

Sources:

Achieving Team Purpose and Pride with Scrum

Citation:
Spotify Engineering, S. C. (2022, January 27). Achieving team purpose and pride with Scrum. https://engineering.atspotify.com/2021/05/achieving-team-purpose-and-pride-with-scrum/ 

From the blog CS@Worcester – CodedBear by donna abayon and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

This week, I will be talking about the differences between coding and hacking, some of the confusions associated with them, and what your skill set should look like if you are learning about being a hacker. One question that will receive lots of attention is, “Do I need to learn coding to become a hacker?”

Let’s jump right into this. First, it’s important to note that coding and hacking are closely tied, but have important distinctions. Coding is the act of writing machine instructions, or code for a computer, which can be done in many different languages. Hacking, on the other hand, is the act of identifying and exploiting weaknesses in a computer system or network, usually to gain unauthorized access to personal or organizational information (to put it simply, you are breaking in). Hacking is not always a malicious activity, and there are actually several examples where hacking is used for good, like with penetration testing. Unfortunately, the term has garnered mostly negative connotations for its association with cyber-crime. It is important to remember that hacking is a tool–where it is not the tool that matters, but rather the intention of its user (what they wish to do with the tool).

Without a doubt, coding is a prominent part of hacking that has helped shape what it looks like today. If you are trying to learn about hacking, or are interested in taking part yourself, you would likely be doing yourself a disservice by having little to no prior knowledge of coding, because of how intertwined they are–but it is not absolutely necessary. In fact, there are multiple forms of hacking that require little to no coding skill. For example, social engineering is a type of hacking that focuses on the social, human aspect of security rather than the technical aspects. These attacks rely on human nature rather than code, and aim to manipulate people into compromising their personal security, or even the security of an entire network or organization they may be a part of.

In the podcast, Chuck raises an interesting question about having basic, fundamental knowledge of coding (specifically mentioning functions and classes) and asks if it’s really necessary to go much further than that if you are trying to become a hacker. John responds, “You don’t need to go much further beyond that. When people ask [that] question, I always say no, but with a disclaimer that you should learn some programming, but you don’t need to learn absolutely everything… I am not by any means a software engineer or architect, but I can script; I can write a loop that might brute-force passwords… and you don’t need to know a lot of hardcore, complex programming concepts for that. You just need to know the basics for that.”

John makes some very good points as the show continues, and focuses on how a lot of the basic, rudimentary skills in programming are often the ones that require the most practice, because of their importance, and because of how frequently they are used to build more complex pieces of code. He believes that the best way to get that practice is by immersing yourself in the world of hacking and trying to solve those problems with the skills that you have.

In conclusion, coding and hacking, despite being so closely intertwined, have some very distinct differences, and as it turns out, you may not need to know as much as you think you do about coding in order to start learning about hacking or becoming a hacker yourself. Although you may not need to know everything there is about programming, having some rudimentary knowledge is really all that it takes for you to start and branch out from what you have.

This episode can be watched in full, for free here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7AaBcNj-mA&t=0s

From the blog CS@Worcester – Owen Santos Professional Blog by Owen Santos and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.