Columns: Dev How-To and Advice


XML's growing pains

The elders always said that XML 1.0 was but one part of a foundational trio comprising XML Core (syntax), XML Stylesheets and XML Linking, but it didn't take long for things to spiral out of control ... It may be moving beyond 1.0, but -- for now -- don't rush toward the next generation of XML.

We ought to plan to fail, right?

As Patricia Keefe writes in Oops! Ford and Oracles Mega-Software Project Crumbles, the bigger the project, the more likely it will fall apart before it’s done.

A review of Portfolio 7 and TierDeveloper 4.0 Enterprise Edition

A review of Portfolio 7 and TierDeveloper 4.0 Enterprise Edition

Use Managed Database Providers

DataDirect Connect for .NET's native managed database providers for Oracle, SQL Server, DB2, and Sybase improve data-access performance, reliability, and scalability.

Product briefs

A look at software tools and technologies on the market.

Sun Java Studio Creator: The VB of Java?

Sun has designed Java Studio Creator to be the Visual Basic of Java and J2EE Web development. It’s not there yet, but JSC is a major improvement over NetBeans, Eclipse, and even IntelliJ and JBuilder for quickly creating JSP applications that use JavaServer Faces.

Estimate the degree of risk

The mortality rate of software vendors seems to suggest an investment banker’s strategy, but a better approach would be that of an insurance underwriter’s.

Product Briefs

A look at software tools and technologies on the market.

Build Printable ASP.NET Pages

Provide printing capabilities in your ASP.NET apps using server-side controls and JavaScript automation, or by using VS.NET add-in tools such as Crystal Reports.

Leading software defines Web services

Defining what a service is, is a waste of time. The technology that dominates defines the service.

A review of CodeLogic for C# 2.0 and SQL Server 2005 Express Edition Beta 2

Mike Gunderloy reviews CodeLogic for C# 2.0 and SQL Server 2005 Express Edition Beta 2

Why Intel’s Otellini loves Moore’s Law

Otellini cites Moore’s Law for rapidly growing volumes of business data requiring more and more chips to store and process, and more and more PCs, notebooks, and handhelds to network and access.

Taming runaway spreadmarts

Runaway spreadsheets and desktop databases wreak havoc on organizations and it’s a problem that’s largely ignored.

Browsersoft lets developers write a little Java

Browsersoft’s eQ! Foundation is a solid product that is easy to set up and use. Its ability to script business logic makes it a great tool for inexperienced Java developers.

Enterprise data goes high fashion

Supermodels aim to capture all data the organization manages, but like supermodels in fashion, they may be expensive to maintain.

It’s time we took care of business

The new editor-in-chief of ADT outlines his plans for the magazine.

For students, not practitioners: A review of “Human Aspects of Software Engineering”

“Human Aspects of Software Engineering” succeeds as a textbook, but it is less useful to application developers and software development managers hoping to gain some insight into the human aspects of software development.

Reporter’s Notebook: Going up the stack

The story of the technology business has always been about moving up the stack. The story’s tenor changes with each new uptick, lately BPM. BizTalk Server, Microsoft’s play in this area, continues to bear watching.

BI challenges won’t go away

Creating a system to gather, store and analyze critical data has long been considered a panacea for most corporate departments, but implementing effective systems is becoming more and more difficult.

A review of ReSharper 1.0.1 and Pivia Performance Suite 4.0

Mike Gunderloy reviews ReSharper 1.0.1 and Pivia Performance Suite 4.0