2021-01-23 - DataTypes: Introduction

This series is going to look at how data is stored in a computer. We're going to start with simple things like numbers and references but eventually we will work up to more complicated data structures like arrays and queues.

My goal with the first part of the series is to get a solid grasp on how computers store simple values and touch a bit on how operations on those values are performed.

The second part will involve some more code and examples of simple versions of more complex combinations of values. These combinations of values form the basis for many of the containers that we use as programmers so I want to cement the understanding of the basics.

2021-01-19 - Well, it's Been a Year

Literally it's been over a year since I've posted on here. This year I will write more than I did last year. Since I only posted two things last year that shouldn't be hard.

Writing Goals for 2021

A DataTypes series starting with basic types like integers and floating point numbers but extending into more complicated things like linked-lists
Continuing the In IL series
Adding/Updating writing posts on my various projects
Adding more How-To's and References

Project Goals for 2021

Convert Comics and Pictures to use the database backend
Update PenguinMixer program to convert Comics and Picture flat-files to database files
Create a program for managing Comics and Pictures as well as syncing local testing environment with production data

2020-01-13 - Tomatoes

Someone recently asked me what kind of fruit I would be if I was a fruit and my automatic response was "Tomato" because that's always my response to questions about fruit. They were making a joke about bad pseudo-philosophical interview questions that are somehow supposed to provide insight about the perspective hire but I think the answer actually works for me.

The reason "Tomato" is my default response to questions about fruit is because a lot of people don't think of them as fruits. The botanical definition of fruit is at odds with the culinary definition when it comes to tomatoes which sets up an interesting contradiction. I also find it interesting that most berries aren't berries and peanuts are closer to peas than nuts.

The other reason I replied with Tomatoes is because I actually like tomatoes. They taste good and can be used in a variety of ways. You can put tomatoes on sandwiches, tomato sauce is the basis for many pizzas and pastas. They are also used to make ketchup which can be put on anything from fries to liver.

So on the one hand tomatoes are a good fruit to represent me because I am a contrarian at heart. People say left and I think "What about right?". People say vegetable and that tomato goes "What about fruit?". I also try to be generally practical. I never want to be the person who goes "Nah, I can't do that" instead I want to be the person that goes "Yeah sure, I'll try that".

So if I was a fruit I would be a tomato, delicious and contentious.

2020-01-04 - Parts of Speech: Adverbs

Adverb is a catch all term for words that modify things that aren't nouns. They can be applied to verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, clauses and sentences. Like adjectives they serve to provide more specific context and more detail. Instead of saying "He walked away" you could say "He quickly walked away" or "She slowly walked away". Most but not all adverbs end in -ly. Some adverbs have a long form with -ly and a short for without it.

Adverbs have several classifications. Relative adverbs are used to combine parts of sentences to provide clarification. Interrogative adverbs are used in questions. Conjunctive adverbs serve to connect sentences.

Like adjectives, adverbs can also be used for comparisons. For short adverbs not ending in -ly the comparative form is created by adding -er and the superlative form is created by adding -ed. The comparative can also be created by adding more/less and the superlative can also be created by adding most/least.