This extremely useful tool allows you to search masses of open source code. It’s nothing new, but I only stumbled upon it the other week and have been using it ever since.
http://www.google.com/codesearch
One of the many cases I find it handy is when I’d like to know how a function is used. For example, search “wxtoolbar(” including quotes to instantly find out how to add a toolbar with wxWidgets. It saves wading through documentation (or lack of it) to learn how to perform simple tasks. You can also enter a string of text describing what you are looking for. Or, if you’re familiar with regular expressions, you can find some very specific code examples.
It’s a must for programmers looking to improve productivity.
I have already written my Christmas list for the jolly man himself, and on that list is the iPod Touch. I’ve been meaning to get my hands on one for a while, in fact, ever since the second generation version was launched back in September.
A few of the new features it boasts is 3D graphics acceleration, built-in speaker, accelerometer, and the App Store through which you can download thousands of games. As a game developer, I’m not going to miss out on an opportunity like this! Ever since I bought my PDA six years ago, I have always loved creating small-screen applications (obviously it was far more primitive than what you can achieve with the iPod). There’s a certain satisfaction to carrying around your own software on the move.
In the meantime I’ll be doing some research. Cross fingers I’ll be able to port TIDE. Because I’ve abstracted OpenGL, it might indeed be possible to create an OpenGL ES wrapper. I’ll just have to wait until the big day to find out.
It’s a known fact that when engaged in activity, time seems to pass quickly. Programming is no exception, as I’m finding out. The days are flickering away, and I rarely feel satisfied about what I have achieved. In a day I can usually rattle off a few bug fixes, start a new feature, extend an existing feature, and by the end I feel I could have done so much more. That’s the curse of programming; it’s hard graft and seemingly endless. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy it immensely, but once I’m ‘in the flow’, the day is gone in a finger snap.
For an interesting read on what causes such a sensation, take a look at the following article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3532195.stm
