Clik here to view.
Your Controllers need to lose weight
Most software developers have probably heard of the design principle “Fat Models, Skinny Controllers” but I constantly come across code that doesn’t follow this principle. How skinny is skinny?...
View ArticleClik here to view.
How to use Zend Framework’s ResultSet class with Yii Framework
Note: This post refers to Yii Framework version 1.1.11 and Zend Framework version 2.0.0 I’ve been working with the Yii Framework for about six months now. While it’s decently designed there are a few...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Unit Testing URL Routes in Yii Framework
(This post refers to Yii Framework v.1.1.11) Let’s say you have a bunch of custom URL routes setup in your configuration file for Yii. Since custom URL routes can quickly become complicated due to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Safely Change Database Columns in Yii Framework
Note: This post refers to Yii Framework version 1.1.11 Let’s say you have an existing web application that uses Yii framework. For some reason, you would like to go about changing some column names in...
View ArticleLaunching an Info Course part 1: Overcoming Doubt
Recently my main source of work ended and it caused me to reflect on where I want to go with my career. I’ve always been interested in entrepreneurship but have only made a few half-hearted attempts...
View ArticleLaunching an Info Course part 2: MVP Style
This post is the 2nd part of a series of posts about my experience in launching an info course from scratch. Read part 1: Overcoming Doubt. One of the things that has been gaining steam on the web...
View ArticleWhen to Separate View Files
I was brought in to help development on a CakePHP web application recently. One of the tasks should have been relatively simple – add an option to an admin page. In a well-designed application, this...
View ArticleHow Much Does a Website or Web Application cost?
If you’re thinking about building a website or web app, one of the first questions that comes up is “How much will it cost?” If you don’t have a technical background, the choices can seem overwhelming...
View ArticleHow to Refactor a PHP Application
The great thing about PHP is how easy it is to get started. The bad thing about PHP is how easy it is to get started. I’ve worked on a few PHP sites where the code lived up to these statements. While...
View ArticleForget Sunscreen….Focus
Focus. If I could offer you only one tip for the future, focus would be it. In the next 20 years, we are going to face an extreme shortage of people who are able to focus single-mindedly on what they...
View ArticleHow to Create a RESTful API using Yii Framework
This screencast uses Yii 1.1.14. You can grab the code from https://github.com/mattmccormick/screencast-yiiframework-restfulapi Hi, there. My name is Matt McCormick. Welcome to this screencast on...
View ArticleWhat Living Abroad Taught Me About Software Development
Living abroad is one of those experiences that tough to communicate to someone who hasn’t experienced it. It’s like explaining colours to a blind man. Only someone who can see the colour will really...
View ArticleTips for Working Effectively as a Remote Developer
Communication, not programming ability, is the most important thing that will make you stand out as a great developer as opposed to just a good developer. If you can’t understand others or communicate...
View ArticleCode Odour: Using Both a List and Set Instead of Just a Dict
I came across something like the following code recently and ended up refactoring it to make it much simpler. Let’s take a look at what the original developer was trying to do. In the first statement,...
View ArticleThe Right Way to Think About TDD
When it comes to debate, “to TDD or not to TDD” is right up there with “rent vs. buy”, “Batman vs. Superman” and “Chocolate vs. Vanilla”. Like the other debates, there is only one right answer to this...
View Article
