Coding

By “coding”, I am referring to the activity of writing computer instructions (a.k.a., code). This can range anywhere from coding a simple Windows batch file all the way to coding a sophisticated executable application that must be compiled before execution.

The term coding can encompass other terms like programming, developing, software engineering, writing code, and scripting. Basically all of the different types of coding share the same foundation: using a language that either the hardware or intermediate interpreter or compiler software can understand, you provide logical instructions for the computer to follow.

The building blocks of these higher level tasks that are coded involve logical routines than can be ported between the different coding languages. So, text manipulation logic, sorting logic, searching logic, and many other logical routines that you create in one language can benefit you when you must work in another language.

With the advent of scripting and RAD (“rapid application development”) tools, it is incredible what you can do without having to learn the intricacies of the computer. Thus, in a short amount of time, you can build a full-fledged application with a user interface and all the bells and whistles. And with the speed of today’s computers, the performance is not too shabby compared to a professionally optimized application.

It is my intention to eventually share tips and techniques that I have learned in:

  • HTML
  • CSS
  • JavaScript
  • VBScript
  • Python
  • AppleScript
  • Windows HTA’s
  • Windows Delphi/Pascal
  • Windows VisualBasic
  • Objective-C

Links

Some quality development resources, including user communities:

  • Apple Mac Dev Center (resources): This is the center for Mac development resources.
  • MacScripter.net (forum): This is a great user community to find help with AppleScript.
  • Office for Mac 2008 (resources): This site has lots of tips and tricks for scripting with Office for Mac 2008.
  • Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) (resources): This is a great place to get detailed information on the latest techologies, development kits, sample source code, and updated free Microsoft applications that support scripting and other technologies.
  • Borland Code Central (source code): Many people share their snippets of code (or even full blown applications) covering a wide variety of special programming tasks (in each of the supported languages) that most people would be interested in using without having to write from scratch.
  • Google Code (open source projects): Google provides this site to promote the collaborative development of mostly freeware.

Some quality development language references/tutorials:

  • MSDN Library (reference): The library section of the MSDN site provides the most up-to-date reference documentation for each of the technologies. This should be more up-to-date than anything you may have downloaded. Most of the Microsoft / Internet Explorer links below come from this resource.
  • AppleScript (reference): Get all you need to know about working with AppleScript, including concepts, references, and samples.
  • Windows Scripting | JScript | VBScript (reference): These links will have all you need to know about working with these scripting languages, including concepts, references (functions, statements, objects, etc.), and samples.
  • FileSystemObject | Regular Expressions (reference): These links are key supplemental topics regarding scripting. The FileSystemObject link is a key area of scripting covering file operations (which JScript and VBScript do not support on their own). The Regular Expressions link provides details on how to use this very powerful "search and replace" functionality provided by the scripting engines.
  • HTML (Safari) | (Internet Explorer) (reference): Get the latest HTML syntax, as well as the related Document Object Model (DOM) references.
  • HTML Applications (HTA) (reference): Get the latest HTA syntax. Note: HTML Applications (HTA's) are full-fledged Windows applications created with just HTML (and a few extra tags), and they run like Windows applications without requiring a compiler.
  • Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) (Safari) | (Internet Explorer) (reference): Get the latest CSS syntax for powerful webpage control through style sheets.
  • Document Object Model (DOM) (WebKit) | (Internet Explorer) (reference): Get the latest Dynamic HTML (DHTML) reference information to dynamically modify webpages after they are initially rendered.
  • SQLite (reference): If you have any databases based on this cool, robust technology (Note: Safari Javascript has embedded support for SQLite databases), this is a straight-forward set of references on its SQL-like syntax. Note: I previously used it for querying my MediaMonkey 3.0 database.
  • Windows Media Player Object Model (reference): Here is where you get the latest info on controlling the Microsoft Windows Media Player application (or an embedded control).