The Taste of Biriyani

Biryani is one of the dish I like most since my childhood. My mom don't know how to cook Biryani. But my kids have better luck than me, My wife knows how to cook Biryani. She makes one of the Best Biryani, I have ever tasted.

In the early days of my marriage life, My Wife don't know cooking at all. I usually didn't liked her cooking, that's the reason why we often used to dine outside. After 2 years of our married life, She is improved her cooking skills drastically. Thanks to My mother-in-law and Chef Dhamodaran (Achi Masala samayal Programme).

Now-a-days, I like her non-veg dishes than any other restaurant's. Don't forget to ask for "Chicken Biryani" when anyone visit my home.

Pointer to functions - Simplified

Here is the code


1 #include < iostream >
2
3 using namespace std;
4
5 int add(int a, int b) {
6 return a+b;
7 }
8
9 int sub(int a, int b) {
10 return a-b;
11 }
12
13 // typdef pointer to a function
14 typedef int (*fpp)(int, int);
15
16 // Array of pointers to function
17 fpp fp[2];
18
19 // Function returning a pointer to a function
20 int (* getfp(int i) ) (int, int) {
21 if(i==1) return & add;
22 else return & sub;
23 }
24
25 // Pointer to a function returning a pointer to a function
26 int (* (*fgetfp)(int)) (int, int);
27
28 int main() {
29
30 fgetfp = &getfp;
31
32 fp[0] = (*fgetfp)(1); // same as fgetfp(x)
33 cout<<"10 + 20 = "<< fp[0](10,20)<< endl;
34
35 fp[1] = fgetfp(2);
36 cout<<"10 - 20 = "<< fp[1](10,20)<< endl;
37 return 0;
38 }
39


The Little Prince

Today, I have completed reading "The Little Prince" written by aviator Antoine de Saint Exupéry. It is one of the short children book. I love this book next to Alice in the wonderland and Looking through the Glass.

The book comes under the category of novella(a short novel). It is children book but with lot of insights for adults.

The novella is about a Little Prince, who lives in a Asteroid name B612, which has 3 volcanoes and 1 Flowering plant.

I recommend it for all. Enjoy reading.

Here is an introduction in WiKi Link

Epictetus: The Art of Living

Two days back, I completed reading a translation of Epictetus. Epictetus is a 3rd century Stoic philosopher. He was born as a slave and later he became a Stoic philospher. The book is very small and it's very good to read.

Jacob anna and Santo, it is a highly recommended book. I want you to enjoy it.

Here is a classic translation of "The Enchiridion"

Here is some of his quotes:(collected from http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/e/epictetus.html)

First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.

God has entrusted me with myself.

He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.

If evil be spoken of you and it be true, correct yourself, if it be a lie, laugh at it.

If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.

It is impossible to begin to learn that which one thinks one already knows.

Men are disturbed not by things, but by the view which they take of them.

No greater thing is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me that you desire a fig, I answer you that there must be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen.

No man is free who is not master of himself.

Practice yourself, for heaven's sake in little things, and then proceed to greater.

Silence is safer than speech.

Whenever you are angry, be assured that it is not only a present evil, but that you have increased a habit.

Paradoxical Commandments

The Paradoxical Commandments by Dr. Kent M. Keith

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

Programming & Maths

Programming Books
=================
http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/syltguides/fullview/13FHH28JQNLRD/ref=cm_syt_dtpa_f_1_rdssss0?pf_rd_p=253457301&pf_rd_s=sylt-center&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0139798099&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0E0JVZ79T9VVSWCWE296

1. Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs by Harold Abelson
2. Art of Computer Programming - D.E. Knuth
3. Computer Organization and Architecture by William Stallings
4. C Programming Language
5. Advanced Programming in the UNIX Environment
6. Thinking in C++


Mathematical Books (for Programmers)
==================
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/guides/guide-display/-/3MLMYHG1P537N/ref=cm_bg_em_vg_htm_btm/

1. Polynomials (Problem Books in Mathematics) by E.J. Barbeau
2. Calculus, Vol. 1 by Tom M. Apostol
3. Calculus, Vol. 2 by Tom M. Apostol
4. How to Solve It: A New Aspect of Mathematical Method by G. Polya
5. Basic Notions of Algebra by I.R. Shafarevich
6. Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications by Kenneth H. Rosen
7. Mathematical Analysis by Tom M. Apostol
8. Introduction to Analytic Number Theory by Tom M. Apostol

My Physics Interest

One of the subject which I love during my school days is Physics. And One of the Subject I love during my college days is Maths (esp. Calculus). But If you ask me what is my score in these subjects in my 10th and +2, I'm a very below average performer.

When I ask myself why I was not able to perform much in my school days, I could say that its the teachers fault in my school. I thinks it is the same fate with every school in India.

Why do one LEARN ? For me "To Learn is to understand." But in schools esp. in India "To Learn" is to "To Memorize." This is the same reason, why I'm able to shine better in Computer Science, because I Understand What I learn. I was able score good marks passed with distinction in my B.Sc (Computer Science) and M.C.A. by understanding.

As a Science subject, Physics is more interesting to me than Chemistry. My interest are more into Astronomy (yes, I know how to identify Big Dipper and Little Dipper. I learned it from a Russian Books (Ursa Major, Ursa Minor)) and Relativity Theory. Here are some of the Good Links for understanding Physics (which I browsed today):

http://www.einstein-online.info/en/elementary/index.html
http://staff.washington.edu/aganse/blog/files/relativityintro.html
http://staff.washington.edu/aganse/blog/files/centrip.html