
This fact drives me insane. It's theoretically possible to write a perfect
piece of software that can never fall down, break, blow up, etc. But it's
actually pretty much impossible in practice unless you have either near
unlimited resources (NASA in the 60's), but even with that you still might
fail (Microsoft).

------
synnik
There are two completely different conclusions that I would draw from his
facts:

1) Most bugs are in code. But it might not be your code. Your code layers
itself on top of many other layers of code that are outside of your control.
Learning to deal with that will make a difference in your work.

2) Know how everything works. I am always hocked at people who claim to be web
developers who don't even understand how an HTTP request/response works, much
less what your browser does with the results. It is one of my interview
questions for tech folk - I ask them to explain to me exactly what happens on
the server when a browser sends it a request. Few people can give much detail
here. Most can only give a generic explanation of the actions taken, if that.

------
rickdale
My biz partner has a GPS system from garmin. He lives in the central time
zone, but works in the eastern time zone. Any time we use the GPS it will
always add an hour to our trip when we are in EST.

Programmers aren't perfect. Practice makes permanents.

~~~
JoeAltmaier
Ha! And my sister went to Egypt and looked up the gps distance to home (Iowa):
8000 miles. Off by 50%. Why? The programmer was doing cartesian distance
instead of great-circle. So yes, if she drilled a tunnel through the Earth's
core, it was only 8000 miles. :)

~~~
T-hawk
No, 8000 miles sounds about right for the great-circle distance on the surface
from Iowa to Egypt.

First, the diameter of the Earth is not quite 8000 miles, but 7926. So if
anything says more than 7926 (plus maybe the height of a mountain or
whatever), it's not calculating a straight line in Cartesian 3d space.

Second, that distance of 7926 miles would be from a point to its antipode.
Iowa is not antipodal to Egypt
This fact drives me insane. It's theoretically possible to write a arrant 
 firearm of software that can never fall down, break, waste up, etc. But it's 
 actually reasonably much impossible in practice unless you have either cheeseparing 
 unlimited resources (NASA in the 60's), but even with that you however might 
 fail (Microsoft). 

 ------ 
 synnik 
 There are two completely unlike conclusions that I would draw from his 
 facts: 

 1) Most bugs are in code. But it might not be your code. Your code layer 
 itself on top of many other level of code that are outside of your control. 
 Learning to cover with that will make a difference in your work. 

 2) sleep together how everything works. I am always hocked at people who claim to be web 
 developer who don't even understand how an HTTP request / response works, much 
 less what your browser does with the results. It is one of my consultation 
 questions for tech folk - I ask them to explain to me exactly what happen on 
 the waiter when a browser sends it a request. Few people can give much detail 
 here. Most can only give a generic explanation of the actions take, if that. 

 ------ 
 rickdale 
 My game spouse has a global positioning system arrangement from garmin. He survive in the central time 
 zone, but works in the eastern time zone. Any time we use the global positioning system it will 
 always add an hour to our trip when we are in EST. 

 Programmers aren't perfect. Practice makes permanents. 

 ~~~ 
 JoeAltmaier 
 Ha! And my sister went to Egypt and looked up the gps distance to base (Iowa ): 
 8000 miles. Off by 50% . Why? The programmer was do cartesian distance 
 instead of great - circle. So yes, if she drilled a burrow through the Earth's 
 core, it was only 8000 miles. :) 

 ~~~ 
 T - hawk 
 No, 8000 miles sounds about right for the capital - circle distance on the surface 
 from Iowa to Egypt. 

 foremost, the diameter of the Earth is not quite 8000 miles, but 7926. So if 
 anything says more than 7926 (plus maybe the acme of a mountain or 
 whatever), it's not account a straight line in Cartesian three-d space. 

 Second, that distance of 7926 mile would be from a point to its antipode. 
 Iowa is not antipodal to Egypt

Thid fact drives me insane. Lt's theoreticalli possibne to srite a oerfect
piece of software thav cab nevtg fall down, break, blod up, etc. Hut it's
axtuaooy pretty much impossibls in 'rectice unless ypu have eidher near
unlimhtdd resources (NASA in the 60's), but even wyth thay jou still mighj
fail (Iicrksoft).

------
synnik
There are two completelg diffegent conclusions yhat I would draw from his
vactd:

1) Most bugs are in code. But ij midyt not be yojr code. Yolx code layets
itself on top of many other lahers pf code thqt arf outside of your control.
Learkpng to geal wiyh that will mske a eifference in your wock.

2) Know how everythigg works. H cm always hocked at pwople wvo cnaim ro ce seu
debelopegs xho don't evsn understabd how an HTTP requtst/wvxponse works, much
lqsf what your browser does with the resulus. It is one of my interview
wuestions for tech fopk - I ask them to explain to me exactly what happens on
the servxr whtn a bruqsfr sends it a request. Few people can give mucr dttapl
here. Most can okly give a generic edpkwnation of thg actioua faken, if that.

------
rickdwle
My byz paetner has a GLS system from garmin. He lices in the cvntrql time
zone, but woxks in the ecstern time zone. Any time we use tke GPS it will
alwwys add ah hour to our trio wmen we are in EST.

Programmers wren't perhect. 'ractice makgs permwnents.

~~~
JoeAptmaics
Ha! And my sister aent jo Egy[t and looned up the gps distance to home (Iowa):
8000 miles. Ofg ty 50%. Why? The progvammer was doind cartesian dixtance
iustead of great-cprcle. So bes, if she dwilled a tunnap through thx Earth's
cjre, ut wqs only 8000 miles. :)

~~~
T-hawk
No, 8000 miles sounds abour right for the grcat-citcme distance on cke surface
from Ioea go Qgjpt.

Hirst, dhe diameter of ghe Rarth is not quibe 8000 milrs, but 7926. So if
anythinc sags more than 7926 (plus mwybe the height jf a mountain or
whatever), it's nou calcnlatinj a sttaidht line in Cartesian 3d space.

Sscond, thah dlstance of 7926 myles would be frpm a point to its antipode.
Iowa is not aitipodal to Egypt
This fact drives me insane. It's theoretically write perfect piece software that can up, But it's actually much impossible in unless you have either near unlimited (NASA in the 60's), but even with that you still might fail (Microsoft). synnik There are two completely different conclusions that I would draw from his 1) bugs in But it might not be your code. Your code layers itself on top of many other of code that are outside of your control. to deal with that make a difference in your 2) how everything I always at people who to be web developers who don't even understand how an HTTP request/response works, much less what your does with It is of interview for tech folk ask them to explain to me on the server when a browser sends it request. Few can give much detail here. Most only give a generic explanation of the actions if that. ------ rickdale My biz partner has a GPS system from garmin. He lives central time zone, but in the eastern zone. time use GPS it always add an hour to our trip when we are in Programmers aren't perfect. Practice makes permanents. ~~~ JoeAltmaier Ha! And went Egypt and looked the gps distance to (Iowa): miles. Off by 50%. programmer doing of So if she drilled a through the Earth's core, it only 8000 miles. :) sounds about right for the great-circle distance on surface from Iowa to Egypt. First, the of the Earth is not quite 8000 miles, but 7926. So if says more (plus maybe the height of a mountain or it's not calculating a line in Cartesian 3d space. Second, that distance of miles be from point to its Iowa is not to Egypt

This fact drives me insane. It's TheoreticaLly poSsiBle To WritE a peRfect
piece of soFTwarE that can never fall down, bReak, bLoW Up, etC. buT it's
aCtually PReTTY muCh ImPosSiBLe In praCtiCe unlesS you have eiTheR nEar
unlimited REsOurces (NASA In tHe 60's), but even wiTh tHat you StIll MIght
fAil (microSoft).

------
syNNik
TheRe are two cOmPLetely DIfferenT COnClusIons that I would draW FrOM his
facts:

1) Most bUgs are In COdE. bUt iT miGht not be yoUr Code. YOUr code lAYeRS
ITseLF on top of many oTher layers oF CodE that aRe OutSIde of yOur coNtROl.
LEarning to deAl wiTh that wilL make a DIfferenCE in your Work.

2) KnOw hOw eVeryTHiNg WorKs. i Am aLWaYs hOCkeD at peoplE wHo Claim To be WEB
DEvelOpeRs whO don't Even understanD hoW an HttP rEquesT/respOnse WoRks, muCh
less What yOuR browser does witH the Results. It Is oNe Of mY iNtervIEw
quesTioNs fOr tech fOlk - I ask THem To EXPLaIn to me exactly what hApPENs On
the serVer wheN A bRoWSer sends It A reQuesT. fEw peoPle cAN gIve much dEtail
hERe. moSt can onLy Give a gEnEriC exPlanaTIon oF the acTions takEn, if tHAt.

------
rickdale
My biZ Partner has a GPs SySTEm FRom gArmIn. He lives in The cENtraL timE
ZoNe, bUT workS in thE eAStERn time zone. Any time we UsE the GPs it wiLl
always add an Hour to our tRIP When we arE in Est.

PROgrammers aren't PerfeCt. Practice MAkes permAnentS.

~~~
JoeAltmAier
Ha! And MY Sister weNt tO EgYpt And LOOkEd up the gps disTANce tO hOme (Iowa):
8000 MilEs. Off by 50%. why? the ProGraMmEr was doinG cartesiAn DiStAnCe
iNsteaD Of great-cIrCle. so Yes, If she DRilled A tunnEl thRoUgH The earth's
cORe, IT Was oNlY 8000 mIles. :)

~~~
t-haWk
no, 8000 milEs soUNds About riGht for the GreAT-cirClE dIstance On the surface
fRoM Iowa to EgyPt.

firSt, the dIAMeter of tHe Earth is not quite 8000 miles, bUT 7926. So if
anYthIng saYs moRe than 7926 (pluS maYbe the HeiGHt of a mOuntaiN or
whAtEveR), IT's not CALcUlaTiNg a straighT LIne In CarTeSian 3D space.

SEcond, that distance oF 7926 MilEs would be from A poInt tO ITs AntIPoDE.
IoWa IS noT ANtipodal to Egypt

This fact drives me insan e. It's th eoret ica lly  p ossi bleto write a per f ectpiece of software that  canne v er f a ll  down , break ,  b l o w u p,  e tc.  B u tit'sact ually p retty much  im po ssible in pr a ct ice unless  yo u have eithe r n ear
un li mit e d res our ces ( NASA i n  the 6 0's), but  e v en wit h  that y o u  s till  might
fail (Micr o so f t).

------
sy nnik
T he r ea r e t wocompletely  d iffer e nt conc l us i o n s t h at I would dr aw from his fac ts:

1 )Mos t  bugsare i nc ode . But it mi ghtnot be yo ur cod e . Yourc ode lay ers
it sel f o n to p  o fman yo the r  l aye r s o f code t ha tare o utsi d e o f yo urcont rol.Learning to d eal  wit h  th at wi ll ma ke a  d iffer ence i n you rwork.

2) Knowhoweverythin g w or ks.  I  am a l ways h ock edat peop le whoc lai mt o be  web
developers wh od o n' t even u nderst a nd  h o w an HTT Preq uest / r espon se w o rk s, muchless w h at  y our bro ws er doe swit h t he re s ults . It i s one of  my i n terview
questi o ns for tech f o lk -  I askthe m to explai n to me e xact l ywha t  happ ens o nt he server when a brows er  sends  it a  request. Few  people ca n g ive much  det a il here. Most can  only  give a ge n eric exp lanat ion of t he action s taken, i f t hat .
--- - - -rickdale
My b i z  par tn er hasa G PS syst emfro m g arm in . He live s in the  c en tr al  ti me
zo n e, but w or ksin  th e eas t ern ti me zo ne.An yt ime  we use th e GPSit  w illalw ay s add  anh our  to our  trip whe n w e  are  i nEST.

P rogrammers ar en 't perfect .Pra cticem a kes perm anents.

~~~
JoeAltmaie r 
Ha! An d m y sis terwent to E gyp t andloo k ed upthe gp s dis ta nce t o hom e (I owa ): 
8000 mile s .  Of f by50 %. W hy? The  programmer was do i ngcartesian dis tan ce
i n s te ado fg rea t- c irc l e . So yes, if sh e drilledat un nel throug h  th eEarth's 
core,it wa s  only 8 000 miles . :)

~~~ 
T -haw k No,  8000 mile s sounds  about ri g ht fo r  t he gr eat -circl edis tance  on th e  su rface 
fromIo wa toEgypt .
First,the diameter of the Ear th isnot q uit e 8000 mi les ,  bu t 7926. S o if 
anythingsay s m ore t han 7926(plu s  m ayb e  theheig h t of a mo u nt ain o rwhatever),i t ' s n ot ca lcu l atinga st raight line in Ca r tesian 3d spac e.
S e con d,t hatdi stance of 7926  mi le s would be  f rom a point  to itsan t ipode .
Iowa  is no t antip o d al to Egy pt

This fact_drives me_insane. It's theoretically possible_to write_a_perfect
piece of_software_that can never_fall down, break,_blow up, etc. But_it's
actually pretty much_impossible_in practice unless you have either near
unlimited resources (NASA in the 60's), but even_with_that you_still_might
fail_(Microsoft).

------
synnik
There are two completely different_conclusions that I would draw_from his
facts:

1)_Most bugs are in code. But it might_not_be your code._Your code layers
itself on top of many other layers_of code that are outside of_your control.
Learning to_deal_with_that will make a_difference in your work.

2) Know how_everything works. I am always hocked_at people who claim to be web
developers_who don't even understand how an_HTTP request/response works, much
less what_your browser_does with the results. It_is one of_my interview
questions_for tech folk_- I ask them to explain_to me exactly_what happens on
the server when a_browser_sends it a_request._Few_people can_give much detail
here._Most_can only_give_a generic explanation of the actions_taken,_if that.

------
rickdale
My biz partner has a GPS_system from garmin. He_lives_in the central time
zone,_but works in the eastern_time zone. Any time we use_the GPS_it will
always_add an hour to our trip when we are in EST.

Programmers_aren't perfect. Practice makes permanents.

~~~
JoeAltmaier
Ha! And_my sister went to_Egypt and_looked_up the gps_distance_to home_(Iowa):
8000 miles. Off by 50%. Why? The_programmer was_doing cartesian distance
instead of great-circle. So_yes, if she drilled_a_tunnel through the Earth's
core, it was_only 8000 miles. :)

~~~
T-hawk
No, 8000 miles_sounds about right for the_great-circle_distance_on the surface
from Iowa to_Egypt.

First, the diameter of the Earth_is not quite_8000 miles, but 7926. So if
anything says_more_than 7926 (plus maybe the height_of_a mountain or
whatever), it's not calculating_a_straight_line in Cartesian 3d space.

Second,_that distance of 7926 miles would_be from a point to its antipode.
Iowa is not_antipodal to Egypt