The Argument

An interesting argument.... between XXX and YYY ....

Guess, who is XXX and YYY ..... ?

XXX (1:34:20 PM): Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. 19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight.
YYY (1:34:57 PM): All I'm talking is science
YYY (1:35:04 PM): nothing more than that
XXX (1:35:18 PM): yes you're talking about unprovable science
YYY (1:35:49 PM): I don't believe in any Dogma
XXX (1:36:51 PM): I don't believe in any science that is unprovable and is only a theory
XXX (1:37:24 PM): And dont call theory as a science. its theory and NOT science
YYY (1:37:31 PM): yes, every scientist/science had this problem
YYY (1:37:58 PM): people just want to stick to thier confortable thinking
XXX (1:38:08 PM): Yes thats what I say to you too
YYY (1:38:10 PM): they just don't think out of the box
XXX (1:38:23 PM): You wouldn't like to consider what I am saying bgut stcking on to your own
XXX (1:38:52 PM): And I say again, if you have verifiable proof to what you say I will consider. But talk theory as science
XXX (1:39:00 PM): I mean Dont talk
YYY (1:40:07 PM): once upon a time, man going to moon is also called impossible and not proven
YYY (1:40:15 PM): but time changed
XXX (1:40:19 PM): Yea talk it after you prove
XXX (1:40:28 PM): dont talk before you prove
YYY (1:40:32 PM): It is not for you
YYY (1:40:51 PM): you should have common sense to buy it or not
XXX (1:41:19 PM): You told about science and what you're saying is only theory
XXX (1:41:42 PM): I just need common sense to differentiate what u're talking is science or theory
YYY (1:41:54 PM): yes, first it will be theory and then it will become science
XXX (1:41:54 PM): And call theory as theory and science as science. dont mix both
XXX (1:42:06 PM): Hmm...
YYY (1:42:13 PM): se the history
XXX (1:42:21 PM): Good hope...
YYY (1:42:26 PM): for you too
XXX (1:42:39 PM): what shud I see in history?
YYY (1:42:45 PM): atleast science can be proven
YYY (1:42:52 PM): but not god
XXX (1:42:58 PM): yea thats what I say prove it
YYY (1:43:01 PM): god can't be proved
XXX (1:43:12 PM): Dont force your thing on others before u prove
YYY (1:43:36 PM): there is no god
XXX (1:43:46 PM): There is no evolution
YYY (1:44:49 PM): XXX, did you have biology in your studies ?
YYY (1:45:00 PM): in 10th standard
YYY (1:45:09 PM): which group in +2 are you ?
XXX (1:45:17 PM): why u're asking
YYY (1:45:31 PM): for "XXX (1:43:46 PM): There is no evolution"
XXX (1:45:42 PM): Yes there is no evolution
XXX (1:46:07 PM): Thats because it appears in some science text books, it is not science
YYY (1:46:13 PM): go back to your schooling
XXX (1:46:23 PM): I was never given proof
YYY (1:46:35 PM): did you write the exam ?
XXX (1:46:41 PM): yes...
YYY (1:47:00 PM): did you give the answer abt evolution ?
XXX (1:47:11 PM): No, it wasn't asked :)
YYY (1:47:11 PM): or you answered it differently ?
YYY (1:47:26 PM): ok, atleast you studied
XXX (1:47:32 PM): No either
XXX (1:47:41 PM): I asked you for proof you have any?
YYY (1:48:14 PM): Answer: go for schooling
YYY (1:48:18 PM): one more time
XXX (1:48:20 PM): It requires me great faith to believe something came out of nothing than to believe something came out of something
YYY (1:48:51 PM): it is not something came out of nothing
XXX (1:49:11 PM): mmm
XXX (1:49:20 PM): How did the universe came into existence then?
YYY (1:49:33 PM): then god is also nothing ????
YYY (1:49:53 PM): God came from Nothing ?
XXX (1:50:41 PM): God created time, space, matter. All that I see now. God hasn't given me the intelligence to comprehend beyond this. When I meet him I will find it out
YYY (1:51:08 PM): my question is simply
YYY (1:51:15 PM): who created GOD
YYY (1:51:31 PM): do you have answer ?
XXX (1:51:35 PM): My question is who created universe?
XXX (1:51:39 PM): do you have answer?
YYY (1:52:24 PM): Universe came out of Big Bang
YYY (1:52:47 PM): do you have any such theory ?
YYY (1:52:50 PM): for GOD
XXX (1:53:06 PM): who created big bang?
XXX (1:53:15 PM): Or who initiated
XXX (1:53:24 PM): and how did matter come into existence
YYY (1:53:32 PM): XXX, I answered yours
YYY (1:53:37 PM): you answer mine
XXX (1:53:39 PM): Not yet
YYY (1:53:43 PM): who create GOD
XXX (1:53:46 PM): Who initiated big bang
XXX (1:53:56 PM): How did matter come into existence
YYY (1:53:57 PM): atleast give some theory ?
XXX (1:54:14 PM): You didn't answer mine.
YYY (1:54:15 PM): you don't have any ?
XXX (1:54:22 PM): you answer me then I will
XXX (1:54:52 PM): You give me a thory for big band and the existence of matter then I will
YYY (1:55:03 PM): XXX
YYY (1:55:15 PM): the basis of any religion is GOD
XXX (1:55:22 PM): forget that
XXX (1:55:31 PM): I am talking abt big bang and matter
XXX (1:55:34 PM): tell me first
YYY (1:55:36 PM): but you don't know who create your GOD
XXX (1:55:51 PM): And you dont know how matter came into existence
YYY (1:55:52 PM): does it not given in your Book ?
XXX (1:56:09 PM): tell me first
XXX (1:56:44 PM): Is there any proof in the entire universe where matter came out of nothing?
XXX (1:56:55 PM): You at least need a photon dude!
XXX (1:57:12 PM): And how did the first photon originate?
YYY (1:57:12 PM): at least Science have some answers, but religion dont have any ???
XXX (1:57:20 PM): What answer??
XXX (1:57:30 PM): You asked me abt God and I asked you about matter
XXX (1:57:43 PM): It is more correct to say that both have no answer
YYY (1:58:27 PM): atleast science is digging deeper
YYY (1:58:32 PM): but religion is not
YYY (1:58:39 PM): it is blind
XXX (1:58:41 PM): yes dig deep and tell me how matter came into existence
XXX (1:58:58 PM): Atleast science is blind too in terms of origin of matter
XXX (1:59:04 PM): That is primary to any science
YYY (1:59:07 PM): atleast you can see matter
YYY (1:59:17 PM): but can you see god ???
YYY (1:59:23 PM): ok
YYY (1:59:27 PM): I don't see any god
XXX (1:59:29 PM): I am not asking abt matter, I am asking abt its origin
XXX (1:59:39 PM): I can see God's creation for sure
YYY (2:00:00 PM): but who is god ?
YYY (2:00:07 PM): do you say
YYY (2:00:14 PM): MATTER = GOD ?
XXX (2:00:16 PM): Isn't it best to conclude that both of us follow religion
XXX (2:00:21 PM): NO
XXX (2:00:31 PM): Matter is God's creation
YYY (2:00:35 PM): GOD create WORLD
YYY (2:00:49 PM): WORLD is made up of MATTER
YYY (2:00:58 PM): so GOD = MATTER
XXX (2:01:04 PM): Hey I admit mine is religion will you admit yours? If not give me proof of origin of matter
YYY (2:01:43 PM): matter and energy always existed
YYY (2:01:47 PM): like your GOD
XXX (2:01:50 PM): hmm
XXX (2:01:55 PM): Isn't it religion
XXX (2:02:07 PM): aren't both of us following religion?
YYY (2:02:10 PM): if it is religion
XXX (2:02:14 PM): Why do u call ur religion science?
YYY (2:02:18 PM): you will chatting like this
YYY (2:02:33 PM): there might have been no invention
YYY (2:02:36 PM): nothing
XXX (2:02:38 PM): hmm
YYY (2:02:45 PM): we will in complete darkness
XXX (2:02:47 PM): Isaac Newton wrote abt God more than science
YYY (2:03:11 PM): and Einstien also
YYY (2:03:16 PM): carl sagan also
YYY (2:03:26 PM): everybody
YYY (2:03:29 PM): I also
YYY (2:03:31 PM): I say
YYY (2:03:36 PM): MATTER = GOD
YYY (2:03:51 PM): Matter create the world
XXX (2:03:53 PM): This is ur assumption dude
XXX (2:03:58 PM): Who created matter
XXX (2:04:28 PM): I dont know who created God and you dont know the origin of matter
YYY (2:04:35 PM): does your God is male or female ?
XXX (2:04:36 PM): We both are following religion
XXX (2:04:54 PM): That doesn't matter and it is outside of our context
YYY (2:05:03 PM): what is he made out of
YYY (2:05:10 PM): flesh ?
XXX (2:05:21 PM): Man answer mine I already told you I dont know
XXX (2:05:38 PM): Now only you'd have to admit you dont know too
YYY (2:05:52 PM): are you making any progress to research into
XXX (2:06:02 PM): Are you?
YYY (2:06:16 PM): we we are researching into matter
XXX (2:06:23 PM): hmm any findings?
YYY (2:06:25 PM): are you researching into god ?
YYY (2:06:27 PM): yes
YYY (2:06:29 PM): a lot
XXX (2:06:33 PM): tell me whats latest
YYY (2:06:50 PM): read abt String Theory
YYY (2:06:56 PM): what abt god ?
XXX (2:07:02 PM): hmm
XXX (2:07:13 PM): what does it tell about the origin of matter?
YYY (2:08:33 PM): matter composed of bosons, Glue balls
YYY (2:08:34 PM): etc
YYY (2:08:42 PM): what is God made up of ?
XXX (2:08:52 PM): how did boson originate
YYY (2:08:54 PM): water
YYY (2:08:56 PM): fire ?
YYY (2:09:00 PM): earth
YYY (2:09:10 PM): which chemical compoent
XXX (2:10:12 PM): how diod boson originate
XXX (2:10:21 PM): and which chemical component it contains?
YYY (2:10:32 PM): now, tell me something abt your god
YYY (2:10:52 PM): do he eat to live
YYY (2:10:53 PM): ?
XXX (2:10:58 PM): I said I don't know. Only you seem to be telling you know everything. Thats why I am asking you
XXX (2:11:14 PM): how did boson originate?
YYY (2:11:19 PM): research it
XXX (2:11:19 PM): What it is composed of?
YYY (2:11:35 PM): XXX, as I told you
YYY (2:11:47 PM): scientist are studing it
YYY (2:12:00 PM): we still have long way to go
XXX (2:12:26 PM): hmm... we've already researched for 100 years and still we dont know how matter and God originated
XXX (2:12:35 PM): I mean life, not god
XXX (2:12:53 PM): And any chances of finding that are 50/50
XXX (2:13:15 PM): Say for now that whatever you have is theory and don't claim it as science
YYY (2:13:59 PM): atleast we are going into that path of finding the origin of matter
XXX (2:14:20 PM): But where are you getting at?
YYY (2:14:21 PM): can you tell me, is there is any research going on for GOD
XXX (2:14:22 PM): No where
XXX (2:15:07 PM): Scientists would never even accept the notion of God existing and how do you expect them to research God?
YYY (2:15:19 PM): atleast did you make any attempt ??
XXX (2:15:20 PM): But if you want you can individually research him
YYY (2:15:36 PM): oh .. my god
YYY (2:15:49 PM): you don't know anything abt god
XXX (2:16:06 PM): I can tell you God exists and I spoke to him today morning but you wont believe it unless you know it personally
XXX (2:16:16 PM): And yes you dont know anything about the origin of matter
YYY (2:16:17 PM): thru phone ?
YYY (2:16:27 PM): do you have his number ?
YYY (2:16:36 PM): do you cann heaven ?
YYY (2:16:54 PM): do you call heaven ?
XXX (2:16:55 PM): Do you really think you're speaking logic?
YYY (2:17:03 PM): LOGIC
YYY (2:17:06 PM): my god
YYY (2:17:16 PM): XXX is speaking abt LOGIC
XXX (2:17:29 PM): Yes YYY too is talking abt it.. My God
YYY (2:17:30 PM): LOGIC says GOD=NOTHING
YYY (2:17:37 PM): do you take it ?
XXX (2:17:47 PM): Logic says something should create something
YYY (2:17:54 PM): It take SCIENCE=NOTHING
XXX (2:17:55 PM): do u take it?
YYY (2:18:00 PM): what abt you ?
YYY (2:18:07 PM): I take it
YYY (2:18:12 PM): science=nothing
YYY (2:18:17 PM): do you take
YYY (2:18:22 PM): god=nothing ?
YYY (2:18:27 PM): by LOGIC
XXX (2:18:37 PM): what do u mean by science is nothing?
YYY (2:19:29 PM): XXX, do you believe in miracles ?
XXX (2:19:45 PM): do you?
YYY (2:19:59 PM): answer me, first
YYY (2:20:04 PM): do you or not
XXX (2:20:07 PM): yes
YYY (2:20:10 PM): ok
YYY (2:20:18 PM): then don't talk abt LOGIC
XXX (2:21:23 PM): ok I never said I believe in logic. But since you believe I asked whether the questions you asked are logical?
YYY (2:24:41 PM): XXX, you are a contradiction
YYY (2:24:48 PM): either you hold
YYY (2:24:53 PM): Miracle
YYY (2:24:57 PM): or hold
YYY (2:25:06 PM): Logic
XXX (2:25:13 PM): ok do u believe in logic?
XXX (2:25:24 PM): Anyway we are deviating from topic
YYY (2:25:27 PM): ha ha ha ...
XXX (2:25:47 PM): You asked me some questions and I asked you whether they were logical
YYY (2:25:54 PM): Science created logic
XXX (2:26:06 PM): And of course u're definition of logic is different from mine
YYY (2:26:17 PM): No way
YYY (2:26:25 PM): Logic is same for all
XXX (2:26:35 PM): No it depends on your belief
YYY (2:26:38 PM): there is no Your Logic and My Logic
YYY (2:27:00 PM): do interchange Logic and Belief
XXX (2:27:01 PM): I believe God is all powerful and all knowing. He can do miracles. And that is logical
XXX (2:27:18 PM): If you belive in God it becomes logical if not it isnt
YYY (2:27:28 PM): Miracle is not Logical
XXX (2:27:44 PM): God does miracle because he has power and this is logical
YYY (2:28:33 PM): how many watt power ?
YYY (2:28:54 PM): you said:XXX (2:17:47 PM): Logic says something should create something
YYY (2:29:17 PM): now you say God can create something without something
YYY (2:29:30 PM): I mean Miracle
XXX (2:29:34 PM): But I said I dont believe in ur opinion of logic
YYY (2:29:47 PM): there is no "opinion of logic"
YYY (2:29:52 PM): there is only Logic
XXX (2:30:01 PM): The power is not measured by watts... It is similar to ur brain power
XXX (2:30:08 PM): hmm
YYY (2:30:10 PM): either you tautologies or contradict
XXX (2:30:17 PM): If God is all powerful he can do miracles
YYY (2:32:00 PM): Brain is a matter XXX
YYY (2:32:12 PM): it has chemical reaction
YYY (2:32:31 PM): what is that "Powerful" means
XXX (2:32:53 PM): Powerful to do anything
XXX (2:33:08 PM): Now if you ask me about Go, I have already told you I dont know.
XXX (2:33:27 PM): I believe he is all powerful all knowing and with that I can logically conclude he can do miracles
XXX (2:33:38 PM): But only you're not trying to admit you dont know
XXX (2:33:45 PM): Mine is a religion I admit
XXX (2:33:52 PM): And yours?
YYY (2:34:08 PM): You mean he is a Super computer who create the world
YYY (2:34:17 PM): and controls all events ?
XXX (2:34:17 PM): I said I dont know
YYY (2:34:28 PM): may be he is ?
XXX (2:34:34 PM): Since you seem to know everything can we talk about yours?

"Silence is an argument carried out by other means."
- Che Guevara (favorite Quote of Karadi)

Good Prayer for Daily Use

Good Quote

"Anything is possible. You can be told that you have a 90-percent chance or a 50-percent chance or a 1-percent chance, but you have to believe, and you have to fight."

Lance Armstrong

(Very good for my present situation)

Problems

Common Sense is not Common

There were once four learned and accomplished men. One day they said to themselves, "Of what use is all our learning if we do not seek the employment of a great king?" Accordingly, they set out for the capital.

Now among these four, three were particularly brilliant. The fourth was far inferior to the others in intellect, but he was the one with the most sense.

On the road, they came upon the skeleton of a lion. "Let us bring this lion back to life," proposed the first. "Yes, this will bring us great fame," agreed the second and third. The fourth one said, "If you bring this lion back to life, he will attack and devour you."

"Don't interrupt!" cried the first, who already used his superior knowledge to put flesh on the bones. The second quickly introduced blood, and the third was about to breathe life into the lion.

"We should think of safety," said the fourth.

"Quiet!" said the third from the depths of his labor.

"Well, then, I shall go sit in this tree," said the fourth. "Just in case."

The lion came back to life and killed the wise men. The only one who survived was the man with common sense.

Courtesy: Link

This Week Quotes

To be alive, to be able to see, to walk,...it's all a miracle.
-- Arthur Rubinstein (1887-1982) Polish Pianist

"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate."
-- Oprah Winfrey

People call me an optimist, but I'm really an appreciator....When I was six years old and had scarlet fever, the first of the miracle
drugs, sulfanilamide, saved my life. I'm grateful for computers and
photocopiers...I appreciate where we've come from.

-- Julian Simon (1933-1998) American Academic

"At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want."
-- Lao Tzu

A prudent man will think more important what fate has conceded to him, than what it has denied.

-- Baltasar Gracian (1601-1658) Spanish Philosopher

"Nothing is worth more than this day. You cannot relive yesterday. Tomorrow is still beyond your reach."
-- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

"A real decision is measured by the fact that you've taken a new action. If there's no action, you haven't truly decided."
-- Tony Robbins

Spiral Matrix Program

My Spiral Matrix Program

#include < stdio.h>

#define UP      0
#define LEFT    1
#define DOWN    2
#define RIGHT   3

int getele(int *arr, int x, int y, int size) {

    int pos=(x*size)+y;
    return arr[pos];
}

int setele(int *arr, int x, int y, int data, int size) {
    
    int pos=(x*size)+y;
    arr[pos]=data;
}

void setspiral_worker(int *arr, int x, int y, int data, int size, int dir) {

    if(data==1)
        setele(arr, x, y, data, size);
    else {
        setele(arr, x, y, data, size);
        dir=check_change_dir(arr, x, y, size, dir);
        if (dir == UP) {
            x--;
        } else if (dir == LEFT) {
            y--;
        } else if (dir == DOWN) {
            x++;
        } else if (dir == RIGHT) {
            y++;
        }
        setspiral_worker(arr, x, y, data-1, size, dir);
    }
}

void setspiral_driver(int *arr, int size) {
    
    setspiral_worker(arr, size-1, size-1, size*size, size, UP);
}

int check_change_dir(int *arr, int x, int y, int size, int dir) {
    
    if (dir == UP) {
        x--;
    } else if (dir == LEFT) {
       y--; 
    } else if (dir == DOWN) {
       x++;
    } else if (dir == RIGHT) {
       y++;
    }

    if (x>=0 && x<=size-1 && y>=0 && y<=size-1 
        && getele(arr, x, y, size) == 0)
        return dir;
    else 
        return (dir+1)%4;
}

int main() {
    int oper=UP;
    int size;
    int i,j;

    int *matrix;

    printf("Enter the size:");
    scanf("%d", &size);

    matrix=malloc(size*size);
    
    for(i=0; i < size ;i++)
        for(j=0; j < size;j++)
            setele(matrix, i, j, 0, size);
    setspiral_driver(matrix, size);
    for(i=0; i < size;i++) {
        for(j=0; j < size;j++)
            printf("%4d\t",getele(matrix, i, j, size));
        printf("\n");
    }
    return 0;
}

Some Chanakya Quotes

Chanakya (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC 75 BC)

"A person should not be too honest.
Straight trees are cut first
and Honest people are victimised first."

"Even if a snake is not poisonous,
it should pretend to be venomous."

"The biggest guru-mantra is:
Never share your secrets with anybody. !
It will destroy you."

"There is some self-interest behind every friendship.
There is no Friendship without self-interests.
This is a bitter truth."

"Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions - Why am I doing it, What the results might be and Will I be successful.
Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these questions, go ahead."

"As soon as the fear approaches near,
attack and destroy it."

"Once you start working on something,
don't be afraid of failure and don't abandon it.
People who work sincerely are the happiest."

"The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind.
But the goodness of a person spreads in all direction."

"A man is great by deeds, not by birth."

"Treat your kid like a darling for the first five years. For the next five years, scold them.
By the time they turn sixteen, treat them like a friend. Your grown up children are your best friends."

"Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person."

"Education is the best friend.
An educated person is respected everywhere.
Education beats the beauty and the youth."

Quiz Again

CODC Quiz is one of the Annual Event, which I always love to attend. Many Chocos to win, T-Shirts. Today, I won 2 Chocos and 1 T-Shirt.

I'm not much strong in Networking Area, my favorite areas are OS, esp. Unix/Linux.

Choco Question-1:

It is abt "Nicolas Writh" - A Turing Award winner who wrote Pascal PL, and many books on DS and Algos.

Choco Question-2:

It is a simple question, the answer is "Friend Class", you can guess the question.

One Summa Question:

Who wrote TeX - Donald E.Knuth (Thala...)

And The Great T-Shirt Question is....

What is the name "Unix" Stands for:

It is named as a pun on Multics, which some Bell guys like Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, Brian Kernighan were working. Multics is an Multi-users operating system, funded by GE. But Multics was huge flop, so they came with an new operating system which developed on PDP-11 and using C Language, it is been ported to other hardwares.

Guna answered 2 Choco Questions.

I still remember My Senior Dhinesh, asked this same question in the Ragging Session while I was doing my MCA in MKU.

Totally, it is an awesome experience.

C/C++/Unix/Linux Help

This is for some my friends who want to learn C, C++ and Unix/Linux Programming including C/C++ pointers, templates, STL, IPCs like Semaphore, Pipes/FIFO, MQs and Pthreads.

Just leave your questions on comments session, I will try to answer them to the best of my knowledge.

Start Music ...

Pthread Synchronization w/o Mutex

Today, when I was just going through some Pthreads concepts. Pthreads are very useful for writing multi-threaded application, it has more advantages over multi-tasking.

Here is my program of Pthread Synchronization without using Mutex

#include < pthread.h>
#include < stdlib.h>
#include < unistd.h>

int mx=0;

void *thread_function1(void *arg) {
  int i;

  for ( i=0; i<10; i++) {
    while(mx==2);
    mx=1;
    printf("Thread says hi-%d!\n",i);
    mx=2;
  }
  pthread_exit(0);
}


void *thread_function2(void *arg) {
  int i;

  for ( i=0; i<10; i++) {
    while(mx==1);
    mx=2;
    printf("Thread says hello-%d!\n",i);
    mx=1;
  }
  pthread_exit(0);
}

int main() {

  pthread_t mythread1, mythread2;
  pthread_attr_t my_attr;
  char *str;
 
  if(pthread_create( &mythread1, NULL, thread_function1, NULL) ) {
    printf("error creating thread1.");
    abort();
  }
  if(pthread_create( &mythread2, NULL, thread_function2, NULL) ) {
    printf("error creating thread2.");
    abort();
  }

  mx=1;

  if ( pthread_join (mythread1, NULL) ) {
    perror("error joining thread.");
    abort();
  }
  if ( pthread_join (mythread2, NULL) ) {
    perror("error joining thread.");
    abort();
  }
  printf("Pthread Joing Success\n");

  exit(0);

}

The main disadvantage of this code, is polling, the while() statement in the 2 threads. When you use Mutex/semaphore, this polling which consume CPU time, can be avoided. I don't know the implementation of Pthread Mutex. But we can try to analyze through time command in the next session.

Next Meet Pannalam....

ha ... ha... ha... Stalin

Stalin, What is the use of getting a book, if you are not going to read it ?

See, When ever you read that book, I have asked my Sister to beat you up and give you some important jobs in the Kitchen. Don't waste your precious time by reading other's blobs, go... go... go to Kitchen.

Some Dialogues from 300
=======================
.....
Persian Messenger: What makes this woman think she can speak among men?
Gorgo: Because only Spartan women give birth to real men.
....
Persian messenger: This is blasphemy! This is madness!
Leonidas: [He looks at Gorgo, who nods to him] Madness? THIS IS SPARTA!!! [kicks the screaming messenger down the well]
....
Persian Emissary: No, not slaves. Your women will be slaves. Your sons, your daughters, your elders will be slaves, but not you. By noon this day, you will all be dead men! A thousand nations of the Persian Empire descend upon you. Our arrows will blot out the sun!
Stelios: [grins] Then we will fight in the shade.
....
[The Spartans hold up their shields as a flurry of Persian arrows blot out the sun.]
Leonidas: Persian cowards.
[Suddenly, Astinos begins laughing.]
Stelios: What the hell are you laughing at?
Astinos: You had to say it!
Stelios: What?
Astinos: "Fight in the shade!"
....
Xerxes: Yours is a fascinating tribe. Even now, you are defiant, in the face of annihilation, and the prescence of a god. Imagine what horrible fate awaits my enemies when I would gladly kill half of my own men for victory.
Leonidas: And I would die for any one of mine.
.....
Stelios: It is an honor to die by your side.
Leonidas: It is an honor to have lived at yours.
....
Xerxes: There will be no glory in your sacrifice. I will erase even the memory of Sparta from the histories. Every piece of Greek parchment shall be burned. Every Greek historian and every scribe shall have their eyes put out and their tongues cut from their mouths. Why, uttering the very name of Sparta or Leonidas will be punishable by death. The world will never know you existed at all!
Leonidas: The world will know that free men stood against a tyrant, that few stood against many. And that before this battle is over, even a god-king can bleed.
....

Courtesy: 300 Wikiquote


Today's Quote
=============
"The starting point of achievement is desire. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desires produce weak results, just as a small amount of fire produces a small amount of heat."

- Napoleon Hill

Language Agnostic Books

I have consolidated some of the Language Agnostic Books from the Computer Zen Link.

List of Language Agnostic Books:
================================
1. Code Complete
2. Pragmatic Programmer
3. Programming Pearls
4. Refactoring
5. Design of the UNIX Operating System
6. Design Patterns
7. The Practice of Programming
8. The Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
9. The Mythical Man Month
10. Object Oriented Analyis and Design

The Tao of Programming

In the beginning was the Tao. The Tao gave birth to Space and Time. Therefore Space and Time are Yin and Yang of programming.

Programmers that do not comprehend the Tao are always running out of time and space for their programs. Programmers that comprehend the Tao always have enough time and space to accomplish their goals.

________________________________________________________________________________

The Tao gave birth to machine language. Machine language gave birth to the assembler.

The assembler gave birth to the compiler. Now there are ten thousand languages.

Each language has its purpose, however humble. Each language expresses the Yin and Yang of software. Each language has its place within the Tao.

But do not program in COBOL if you can avoid it.

________________________________________________________________________________

Once the Grand Master Turing dreamed that he was a machine. When he awoke he exclaimed:

"I don't know whether I am Turing dreaming that I am a machine, or a machine dreaming that I am Turing!"

________________________________________________________________________________

A master was explaining the nature of Tao of to one of his novices. "The Tao is embodied in all software - regardless of how insignificant," said the master.

"Is the Tao in a hand-held calculator?" asked the novice.

"It is," came the reply.

"Is the Tao in a video game?" continued the novice.

"It is even in a video game," said the master.

"And is the Tao in the DOS for a personal computer?"

The master coughed and shifted his position slightly. "The lesson is over for today," he said.
________________________________________________________________________________
Link: Tao of Programming

Memory for Programmers

The links to

Memory for Programmers Part-I

Memory for Programmers Part-II

________________________________________________________________________________

The Joel Test

The Joel Test

1. Do you use source control?
2. Can you make a build in one step?
3. Do you make daily builds?
4. Do you have a bug database?
5. Do you fix bugs before writing new code?
6. Do you have an up-to-date schedule?
7. Do you have a spec?
8. Do programmers have quiet working conditions?
9. Do you use the best tools money can buy?
10. Do you have testers?
11. Do new candidates write code during their interview?
12. Do you do hallway usability testing?

Some Quotes for this week

"God doesn't require us to succeed; he only requires that you try."
-- Mother Teresa of Calcutta

"Life's real failure is when you do not realize how close you were to success when you gave up."
-- Anonymous

What can be added to the happiness of a man who is in health, out of debt, and has a clear conscience?
-- Adam Smith (1723-1790)

"You learn in life that the only person you can really correct and change is yourself."
-- Katharine Hepburn

"The real measure of your wealth is how much you'd be worth if you lost all your money."
-- Unknown

"Other people's opinion of you does not have to become your reality."
-- Les Brown

"The soul is healed by being with children"
-- Fyodor Dostoyevsky (I miss my kid so much)

Happy about Stalin

I'm very Happy Now. Stalin called me !!! Don't mistake me, I'm not happy 'coz of Stalin called me from US, after a very very long time. (Anish lingo: inga vishyame verra).

I'm happy b'coz Stalin is not reading anything.... ha ha ha... Great .... Good ... Cool...

People like movies... Tell me the movies you watch, I will tell who you are ... ? (I'm not that freak)

Movies I love:

* The Matrix Trilogy
* Illusionist
* Troy
* 300
* Prestige
* Proof
* Sixth Sense
* Strangers

I like movies with style/adventure, movies with hidden agenda like Illusionist and Prestige ...

I don't like sad ending movies(expect Matrix, it is only climax which can be given to it), I always like good/happy ending movies. I also don't like sad ending books.

I don't like books like:

* Catcher in the Rye
* All books by Salman Rushdie
* Pulitzer won books (not all)
* Kite Runner
* Odyssey by James Joyce

I don't know, some people like these books. Books are meant for understanding, like a flowing river. It must give you the crystal clear view of what it is supposed to give you. These books are really hard to read and understand, how can you love a book which you don't understand.

ABC's of Life

The ABC’s of a Successful Selling Career

Attitude
Begins with the ability to handle failure and rejection.

Balance
Total fulfillment in all areas: financial, emotional, physical, and spiritual.

Confidence
Act it and you become it.

Discipline
Desire without discipline leads to disappointment, disillusionment, and depression.

Enthusiasm
En Theos = God within IASM — I am sold myself.

Flexible
Anything is feasible if you are always flexible.

Goals
Short-term and long-term — must be believable and worth committing to.

Health
To get rich and sick is stupid.

Integrity
Be trustworthy so people will like you, trust you, and want to listen to you.

Just
for today Live in the present moment. Burn the past. Don’t worry about the future.

Knowledge
is power when properly applied.

Laughter
is like medicine to the bones.— Proverbs

Mentor
Allow yourself to be mentored and mentor others.

Network
With every new person you meet, you expand your potential client base.

Organized
Pay fast attention to details.

Persistence
Growth occurs when you find you can’t go on, but know you can’t quit.

Questions
If I say it, they tend to doubt it. If they say it, it’s true.

Relationships
Begin with rapport. Develop respect and give more service than your clients expect and they will give you more referrals.

Success
The continuous journey toward the achievement of pre-determined, worthwhile goals.

Time
planning I must do the most productive thing possible at every given moment.

Understanding
The first step that creates empathy and builds a long-term relationship.

Vocabulary
The words we use create thoughts and feelings that result in actions.

Work
Combine PLAY and WORK and you’ll fall in love with PLORK.

X-tra
Find more creative ways to give thanks and recognition to your clients.

Y-wait
Overcome procrastination by living by these three words: DO IT NOW.

Zero
in with Zeal Stay focused. Keep yourself in a positive shell and unleash the Champion within you.

Love and French Revolution

La mamma morta
m'hanno a la porta
della stanza mia;
moriva e mi salvava!...
Poi a notte alta io cor.Bersi errava,
quando,ad un tratto,un livido
bagliore
guizza e rischiara innanzi a'passi
miei
la cupa via!
Guardo!...Bruciava il loco di mia
culla!
Così fui sola!...E intorno il nulla!
Fame e miseria!...
Il bisogno,il periglio!...
Caddi malata!...
E Bersi,buona e pura,
di sua bellezza ha fatto
un mercato,un contratto per me!
Porto sventura a chi bene mi vuole!

(A un tratto nelle pupille larghe di Ma

dalena si effonde una luce di suprema
gioia, una gran luce profonda come

riflesso di splendore misterioso)
Fu in quel dolore
che a me venne l'amor!
Voce piena d'armonia
E dice: "Vivi ancora! Io son la vita!
Nè miei occhi è il tuo cielo!
Tu non sei sola! Le lagrime tue
io le raccolgo!...io sto sul tuo
Cammino
e ti sorreggo!
Sorridi e spera! Io son l'amore!...
Tutto intorno è sangue e fango?...
Io son divino!...
Io son l'oblio!...
Io sono il dio
che sovra il mondo scende da
l'empireo.
Fa della terra un ciel....
Ah! Io son l'amor!...
E l'angelo si accosta,bacia,e vi
bacia la morte!...
Corpo di moribonda è il corpo
mio!
Prendilo,dunque!..Io son già
Morta cosa!....


Here is the (English translation of the) text to “La Mamma Morta”
It is about the famous and unique romance of “Madeleine” in the ultimate work of Umberto Giordano. It is the dramatic retelling by the Countess of Coigny, who had lost her mother and all things precious with the French Revolution to Gerard, already a butler in his palace and now boss in the tribunal of the people. So that the poet Andrea Chènier could be saved, with whom she is in love, Madeleine was disposed to offer herself to Gerard.

They killed my mother
Close by the doorway leading to
my chamber.
In dying,she saved my life.
Then,at dead of night.
I left the house with Bersi,
And in the distance,
The flames leapt up behind us;
Fierce tongues of fire set all the
sky aglow,
Lighting our path.
My home,my well-loved home,
Was burnt to ashes.
I was alone.
I had no shelter.
Hungry and needy,danger
haunted my footsteps.
Then I fell ill,and Bersi,poor
faitful creature,
She would not leave me:
She bartered her beauty to kee me alive.
I bring misfortune even to those.
who love me.
In all this sorrow,
My poor heart woke to love.
In a voice of soft compassion he
murmured: "Heard him who
calls thee.Life itseid enfolds thee!
In my arms,no harm can befall
thee,
I am here beside thee.
Thy tears of despair,I will banist
Tho guide thy faltering footsteps,
I shall be near thee!
Let joy fill thy being,
For Love itseld am I!
Though thy path be dark with
terror,
I shall bring solace.
Take heart again!
Raise your eyes and behold me;
I come to thee from out the vault
of heavem above,
Making earth a paradise.
The god of Love am I!
The angel hovered near me
And kissed me with the cold kiss
of death.
So take this worthless body,here
before you.
"This as you wish...for I am dead already"

If you want to hear the song.

Osho

Osho is one of the philosopher who have always fascinated me from my childhood days. His writings about Zen are exemplary, I always had a thirst for him. There were days when I used to read it very deeply.

Today I just went thru the list of books which he actually liked.

* TAO TE CHING
* SERMON ON THE MOUNT
* BROTHERS KARAMAZOV
* Thus spoke Zarathustra (he is a great fan of Nietzsche)
* The book of Mirdad
* Jonathan Livingston Seagull (I've read this)
* The parables of Chuang Tzu
* Bhagavad Geeta
* Gitanjali
* The book of sufis
* The Prophet
* The book of Lieh Tzu
* Dialogues of Socrates
* THE NOTES OF THE DISCIPLES OF BODHIDHARMA
* RUBAIYAT
* MASNAVI
* ISA UPANISHAD
* ALL AND EVERYTHING
* IN SEARCH OF THE MIRACULOUS
* LEAVES OF GRASS by Walt Whitman
* HSIN HSIN MING
* TERTIUM ORGANUM
* THE SECOND ORGANUM
* ORGANUM written by Aristotle
* GEET GOVIND
* SAMAYASAR
* THE FIRST AND LAST FREEDOM by J. Krishnamurti

I will write the next list in my upcoming Blogs.... uhhh...

The Japanese Fish Story

The Japanese have always loved fresh fish. But the waters close to Japan have not held many fish for decades. So to feed the Japanese population,fishing boats got bigger and went farther than ever. The farther the fishermen went, the longer it took to bring in the fish. If the return trip took more than a few days, the fish were not fresh. The Japanese did not like the taste of stale fish.

To solve this problem, fishing companies installed freezers on their boats.

They would catch the fish and freeze them at sea. Freezers allowed the boats to go farther and stay longer. However, the Japanese could taste the difference between fresh and frozen and they did not like frozen fish. The frozen fish brought a lower price. So fishing companies installed fish tanks. They would catch the fish and stuff them in the tanks, fin to fin.

After a little thrashing around, the fish stopped moving. They were tired and dull, but alive.

Unfortunately, the Japanese could still taste the difference. Because the fish did not move for days, they lost their fresh-fish taste. The Japanese preferred the lively taste of fresh fish, not sluggish fish.

So how did Japanese fishing companies solve this problem?

Here's what they did:
The Japanese fishing companies still put the fish in the tanks. But now they added a small shark to each tank. The shark eats a few fish, but most of the fish arrive in a very lively state. The fish are active and challenged.

Have you realized that some of us are also living in a pond but most of the time tired & dull, so we need a Shark in our life to keep us awake and moving? Basically in our lives Sharks are new challenges to keep us active and taste better...

The more intelligent, persistent and competent you are, the more you enjoy a challenge just be patient and courageous!!!!

Circle or Line

Circle or Line.... Finite or Infinite...

I'm not a student of Mathematics. This is just my contemplation.

There was one old poem by a Tenali Raman (I think so, or some Telugu Poet). In that poem he says about a situation where there is a large queue of goats standing. Each goat is eating the tail of the goat in front of it. It just came to my mind when I was reading GEB yesterday, which talks about Strange Loops in Godel, Escher and Bach.

The arrangement of the goats can be a Circle or it can be a Line. An line of infinite length is a Circle.

So here is the question, Is there anything infinite. We say that universe is infinite, my thought is when you reach the end of it(you can have a coffee:HGTG), it cycles and you come to beginning of the universe.

Just like mod counters.... once you reach n, the next is zero...

Maybe I will patent this idea... :-)

Courage

Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear.
- Mark Twain

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.
- Ambrose Redmoon

Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.
- John Wayne

I've recently read an article about Courage. Look at the definition of Courage given by John Wayne. Have you experienced it, you will be scared to death, but you will have no other option. You need to move into it, and at last you turn back to yourself and LOL..."Hey Man... if I knew it ..."

There way a poem which comes to my mind... I couldn't get the exact words... but the essence is...

Come here Kid, Come here...
No Mom, You will push me, I will fall

Come here Kid, Come here...
No Mom, You will push me, I will die

Come here Kid, Come here...
The kid came and the Mom pushed...
The Kid flew high...

This is a poem about the first flight of a Cuckoo...

Gödel, Escher, Bach

Recently I've started reading Gödel, Escher, Bach by Douglas Hofstadter. It is one of the great books in the array of "Alice in the Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll.

"Alice in the Wonderland" is one of my all-time-favorite books. It is not only a book for children, it is a good for intellectuals. You will come to understand when you read it very deeply and contemplate over it again and again.

You will come across many Paradoxes.

Books of Deep Understanding:
* Alice in the Wonderland (& other works by Lewis Carrol)
* How the Mind Works (& other works by Steven Pinker)
* Gödel, Escher, Bach

Zeno Paradox:

It says Achilles (one of fastest runner in the world) cannot overrun a slow tortoise.

The reason is something like this... say tortoise has already started the race and crossed over distance DT, now Achilles is started running. When Achilles comes to DT, let us say the time taken by Achilles to cover the distance DT is TA.

At this point, the tortoise has a time of TA, so covers a distance DT1. Now, Achilles who has already covered DT, takes TA1 interval of time to reach DT1.

At this point, the tortoise has a time of TA1, so covers a distance DT2, Now, Achilles who has already covered DT1, takes TA1 interval of time to reach DT2.


In C++ ...

for(i=1;i!=i;i++) {

At this point, the tortoise has a time of TA(i), so covers a distance DT(i+1), Now, Achilles who has already covered DT(i), takes TA1 interval of time to reach DT(i+1).

}

OPHH.... God Save it. Did you UNDERSTAND.... ?

Golden Car Photos

Night View of the Golden Car

A Close View of the Golden Car

Day View of the Golden Car


Thanks a Prasanna, my schoolmate. Actually speaking, I have stolen it from him.

Life . . .

What is life ... Got is from Orkut...

The adventure of life is to learn.
The purpose of life is to grow.
The nature of life is to change.
The challenge of life is to overcome.
The essence of life is to care.
The opportunity of life is to serve.
The secret of life is to dare.
The spice of life is to befriend.
The beauty of life is to give.
The joy of life is to love.

What about Artificial Life ? Can Life exist inside a computer like what we have seen in Matrix ... Are we living the real life or is it just a computer generated dream world.

Purpose of Life

Some more Quotes...

Happy Independence Day !!!

Some Quotes ....

"Time is a created thing. To say 'I don't have time,' is like saying, 'I don't want to."
-- Lao-Tzu

Whether you be man or woman you will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.

-- James Lane Allen (1849-1925) American Author

"Where you are headed is more important than how fast you are going. Rather than always focusing on what's urgent, learn to focus on what is really important."
-- Stephen Covey

Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.

-- Mother Teresa (1910-1997) Albanian Missionary

"Something almost magical happens when people break through the obstacles that hold them back and discover what is truly inside them."
-- Brian Biro

"Obstacles cannot crush me. Every obstacle yields to stern resolve."
-- Leonardo da Vinci

The Warrior

For the Warrior.....

Will is ...
Will is something very clear and powerful which can direct our acts.
Will is something a Warrior uses, for instance, to win a battle which he, by all calculations, should lose.

Death is ...
... Warrior live with death at their
side, and from the knowledge that
death is with them they draw the
courage to face anything ...

Freedom is ...
Warrior prepare themselves to be aware, and full consciousness
comes to them only when there is no more self-importance let in them.
Only when they are nothing do they become everything


I found it in some pictures, it makes me to remember a Paulo Coelho (Manual of the Light Warrior)

New Genesis

New Genesis:

God created Man, he was lonely(happy). God thought it was not good for Man to be happy so he create Woman.

(It is just a JOKE...)

All that begins well, ends well. The Golden Car Festival went fine. This time I'm able to touch the car. I enjoyed festival, with mouth-watering Biryani and Chicken-65 by my mother-in-law. We are preparing for Baptism of my son, Julius Rohan. We have already given invitation to most of them.

Today, I did some changes in the blog. I have added 2 Page elements. One is the image of Marvin, the next thing is I added the chainreading link to track my readings.

Today's Quote
=============
"When I'm having trouble with someone, it's a sure sign that person is exactly the gift I am needing in my life. Sometimes it takes me years to write the thank you note, though."

-- Unknown


[Private Stuff for me]
On 04-Aug, I attended my grandpa's 16th day remembrance. He is one of the strongest guy I have ever seen. My Grandpa comes from a very poor background. He was a diver, he used to take diving lessons for British officers. He had 6 children, 2-M + 4-W. My mother was the 3rd child. In his last days, none of his children/grandchildren took care of him, except those who he had neglected in his life. He realized it just before his death. If my mother would've stayed alive, she would've taken care of her.

I dedicate this song to my grandpa
===================================
There's a hero,
If you look inside your heart,
You don't have to be afraid of what you are,
There's an answer,
If you reach into your soul,
And the sorrow that you know will melt away.

[chorus]
And then a hero comes along,
With the strenght to carry on,
And you cast your fears aside and you know you can survive,
So when you feel like hope is gone,
Look inside you and be strong,
And you'll finally see the truth that a hero lies in you.

It's a long road,
When you face the world alone,
No one reaches out a hand for you to hold,
You can find love,
If you search within yourself,
And the emptiness you felt will disappear.

[chorus]
Lord knows,
Dreams are hard to follow,
But don't let anyone tear them away,
Hold on,
There will be tomorrow,
In time you'll find the way.

[chorus]
That a hero lies in.....you.......
Ooohh that a hero lies in.....you.....

Science Fiction

Out of all science fiction books I've read, I like Dune Chronicles the most. The Story is set on a Planet named Dune(a waterless planet). It is story about a boy named Paul and how is comes back to power after his father's assassination.

The fictional characters are too good. I once saw the 3 part series in AXN, which I couldn't remember now. It gives us a clear picture of a future society(would-be).

Other than Dune Chronicles, I like HHGG (Hitchhikers Guide to Galaxy). But HHGG is total comedy, it is an old classic. HHGG is as comical as P.G.Wodehouse. I like the Marvin, the Paranoid Android Character in it very much.

Today, I'm leaving to Tuticorin to attend Golden-car festival of Lady of Snows Church. It is conducted after 7 years, it happened in 2000 when I did my First Year MCA in MKU. I invited over 10+ of my classmates, we had a really good time. The picture of PVK eating Crab is still making me to LOL.

Haskel VOD Part-I
Haskel VOD Part-II

Today's Quote
=============
Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine.
-- Lord Byron (1788-1824) English Poet

The End of Harry Potter

I've completed reading the final book on the series of Harry Potter books. I'm not going to give the spoiler here, it kills the reading. There are many opinions about "Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows", my opinion is that it has Exceeded Expectation.

Happy Reading to all Harry Potter Fans....

I've added Jacob's Blog in my blog page. I was quite amazed that Jacob is also a bibliophile. Good to hear that he reads my blog periodically. Some of the books which I have read within a week's time:

* Anthem
* Amulet of Samarkand
* Paulo Coelho Books (Alchemist, Pilgrimage, The Valkyries, Manual of Light Warrior)
* HP & the Half-blooded Prince
* HP & the Deathly Hallows

Today's Quote
==============
Believe nothing just because a so-called wise person said it.
Believe nothing just because a belief is generally held.
Believe nothing just because it is said in ancient books.
Believe nothing just because it is said to be of divine origin.
Believe nothing just because someone else believes it.
Believe only what you yourself test and judge to be true.

- Buddha (Got it from somebody's Orkut profile)

Good Quotes

UNIX is simple. But It just needs a genius to understand its simplicity.
--Dennis Ritchie

It's hard enough to find an error in your code when you're looking for it; it's even harder when you've assumed your code is error-free.
-Steve McConnell Code Complete (Very True)

Good code is its own best documentation. As you're about to add a comment, ask yourself, 'How can I improve the code so that this comment isn't
needed?'
Improve the code and then document it to make it even clearer.
--Steve McConnell Code Complete

Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment..
--Fred Brooks

Measuring programming progress by lines of code is like measuring aircraft building progress by weight. (very much True)
--Bill Gates

Programmers are in a race with the Universe to create bigger and better idiot-proof programs. The Universe is trying to create bigger and better idiots. So far the Universe is winning.
--Anon (ha..ha..ha)

Harry Potter and IMSc

I love this Marvin character in HHGG.

I started reading Harry Potter when I did my mca project in IMSc (Institute of Mathematical Science). I'm proud that my name is mentioned in Home of Dr.Venkatesh Raman, my mentor, guide and guru.

It was abt 5+ years back, it is one of the series of books which I can never forget in my life. I can't leave it without completely reading it within a week's time. I still remember time, when I've taken leave from office to read it.

Saying abt IMSc, my god this is heaven where they pay you for learning. I got a stipend of Rs.3000 per month for doing my project over there. I could've given them at least 10k to get such a high-class education. If I really miss anything in my life, it is the life I spent in IMSc. I can never forget it.

I've bought the HP and the deadly hallows from Big Bazaar, and currently reading it, nearly 300 pages are completed. It is a paper-turner, I don't know the exact word, It will make you to sit on the edge of the Seat.

Today's Quote
==============
A person is only as big as the dream they dare to live.

-- Unknown

Harry Potter and IMSc

I started reading Harry Potter nearly 6 years back, when I was doing my MCA project in IMSc (Institute of Mathematical Science, Taramani). I love to read HP, I have already completed 6 parts. On 21-Jul, after a great negotiation my finance minister Mrs. S.Juliet Reemus approved my HP Budget.


I've completed reading 100+ pages.

Laws and Programmers

Today, I read an article Laws of Software. It is quite interesting.

The Law which I like most is:

"If anything can go wrong, it will."

Programming is not a science anymore, it is more of art. Read "Art of Computer Programming" by Donald E. Knuth (Need a lifetime to finish reading it). It is classical master piece and must read for all life-time programmers.

I also read another article abt being a Programmer by Peter Norvig.

Geeks And Haskell

The word geek has recently come to be used to refer to a person who is fascinated by knowledge and imagination, usually electronic or virtual in nature.

Some use full links:
* Being Geek
* Programmer
* Hackers

Books:
* Hackers and Painters
* ESR (Cathedral and Bazaar)

Here is Good Tutorial for Haskell

Today's Quote:
To get your ideas across use small words, big ideas, and short sentences.
-- John Henry Patterson

Top Programmers and Python

In a survey of Top Programmers Linus Trovalds is rated #1. The List is

1. Linus Torvalds
2. Alan Turing (Great Hacker)
3. Dennis Ritchie (No info needed)
4. Rasmus Lerdorf
5. Donald Knuth ( The Guru Programmer)
6. Richard Stallman (GNU)

Out of all, I met Richard Stallman in person. Yes, I met him in MIT (not that MIT, MIT chennai), when I was doing my MCA Final Year Project. I got 2 GNU stickers from him, I've pasted it in my "Unix Internals" book by Uresh Valhallia. I've preserved it as my treasure for the past 5 years.

He is one my inspiration, my other inspirations are:

=> Donald Knuth
=> Grady Booch
=> Bjarne Strustrup
=> K & R
=> Alan Turing
=> Marvin Makinsley
=> John Backus

Just got a short and sweet tutorial for Python. You can learn Python in 10 Mins.

Today's Quote: (I feel lucky, got Ayn Rand quote today)

"Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one's values."
-- Ayn Rand

Books of this Month

Finally, The Game ends here. I want focus, I need to read all the Books I own.

So, the Books of the Month:

* Hitchhikers Guide to Galaxy
* TCP/IP Illustrated Vol-I
* 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
* Code Complete

Santo and Myself are going to read and discuss TCP/IP Vol-I. Later, We are thinking of moving to TCP/IP Illustrated Vol-II, the implementation, anybody can join...If interested post a comment here.

7 Blunders of the World

We know the 7 Wonders of the World, but what is this new "7 Blunders of the World".

Well, It is as follows:

1. Wealth Without Work
2. Pleasure Without Conscience
3. Knowledge Without Character
4. Commerce Without Morality
5. Science Without Humanity
6. Worship Without Sacrifice
7. Politics Without Principles
8. Rights Without Responsibilities (Added by Arun Gandhi)

The list is given by the "Father of Our Nation". Click here for the Article by Arun Gandhi.

Procrastination

"Procrastination is the seed of self-destruction."
-- Matthew Burton

What is Procrastination ? (Wikipedia)

Procrastination is the deferment or avoidance of an action or task to a later time. Psychologist and author Neil Fiore defines procrastination as:

"a mechanism for coping with the anxiety associated with starting or completing any task or decision."[1]

For the person procrastinating this may result in stress, a sense of guilt, the loss of productivity, the creation of crisis, and the chagrin of others for not fulfilling one's responsibilities or commitments. While it is normal for individuals to procrastinate to some degree, it becomes a problem when it impedes normal functioning. Chronic procrastination may be a sign of an underlying psychological or physiological disorder.

How to overcome Procrastination ?

Overcoming Procrastination

Coding

"Always code as if the person who is going to maintain your code is maniac serial killer who knows where you live."

- Programming Tip of the Day.

Today's Link: Tao of Programming

Today's Quote:
Right actions for the future are the best apologies for wrong ones in
the past.

-- Tyron Edwards

Success Coach Robin Sharma

"Success" - is a journey not the destination. It is enjoying life every moment of it. Drink the cup till you empty it.

Robin Sharma on Sucess

Never Search Happiness in others,
But Search it in yourself.

Today's Quote:

"He is a letter to everyone. You open it. It says, 'Live!'"
-- Mevlana Rumi

Essential List of Computer Books (without any language basis)

I just read Six Essential Language Agnostic Programming Books. So thought of putting my own computer essential book list.

1. The Pragmatic Programmer:From Journeyman to Master
2. The Practice of Programming
3. Writing Solid Code - Steve Maguire
4. Programming Pearls - Jon Bentley
5. Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
6. Design Patterns Explained - Shalloway, Alan
7. Refactoring :Improving the Design of Existing Code - Fowler, Martin
8. After the Gold Rush - Steve McConnell

Today's Quote
==============
"The good life, as I conceive it, is a happy life. I do not mean that if you are good you will be happy; I mean that if you are happy you will be good."
-- Bertrand Russell

Haskell

New Post after nearly 20 days. Lot of things changed, it is all because of Orkut. I have found lot of my +2 classmates who studied with me in St.Thomas School in Tuticorin.

The Big surprise came to me like, 3 of us (myself, Vetri, Vijay) are working in & around Vadapalani. Now, I have the contact of Kingsley, Vetri, Vijay, Brihesh.

I renewed my friendship with Panja(I forgot to invite him for my marriage). Thanks a ton to Orkut Communities.

Now, my new passion is Functional Programming. I have installed Haskell (winhugs) and Scheme (DrScheme). I will blog the proceedings of my learning here.

Anagram

After 2 days of struggle: my Anagram problem got accepted. :-)

I'm not able to cut and paste the file, I need to write a program to convert C++ Source Code into HTML acceptable format.

As of now I have merely completed 5 ACM problem. I will complete the set whenever I get time.

I need to read more on STL. The tools that STL provides are very very powerful. If you know STL very well, you can solve the the problem very easily. One more thing is read the problem carefully, this will save hell-a-lot of time.

I joined the ACM on 14-Jun-2006. My Statistics on ACM.

Sometimes, my friends and juniors can me Guru. I'm ashamed to be called as Guru, there are lot of C++ guru's in ACM.

ACM Problems

After a quite time, I'm into blogging again. My flight was off track for sometime, but now I'm back to the track. This is one of the main advantage of having Goals in Life.

ACM Contests = online problem solving+verification+ranking+fun

My ACM Page Enjoy !!!

I have promised myself to solve as much problems as I'm able to solve before my last call. It is purely for my own satisfaction. To make it happen I must be able to sacrifice my sleep and learn new things. It gives me great pleasure solving these little riddles.

* C++ (My Forgotten Love)
* Data Structures & Algorithms
* Problem Solving

"Whatever you want in life, you must give up something to get it. The greater the value, the greater the sacrifice required of you. Everything has a price. There's a price to pay if you want to make things better, and a price to pay for just leaving things as they are. Nothing worthwhile ever comes easily."
- Max Steingart

Einstein's God

Other than Computer Scientists and Mathematicians, I like physics very much. Einstein is one of the scientists I admire.

His famous is equation E=mc^2. Today while browsing internet I found an article of Einstein's God. One of his famous quote is "God doesn't play dice", he didn't believe in personification of God. To him God is something a Universal Mind, far beyond our comprehension and perception.

John sometimes quote this thing in a different manner, "How can a computer program (eg. AI) will perceive us (humans) if they intelligence ?" It is like the same thing that how we perceive God (The Creator). Note I'm not talking about any religion here.

Einstein is far more intellectual that any human being alive. He admired God in the mathematical elegance of Nature in terms of its working.

"Matter and Energy" is equal to "Sivam and Sakthi". Matter and Energy is different manifestation of the same thing. There is a hidden truth in the Ancient Tamil Literatures. It say "Without Sakthi(Energy), there is no Sivan(Matter). Likewise Without Sivam, there is no Sakthi." They my co-exist, intervened together.

Robin Podcast on Habits

Recently, I heard the podcast from Robin Sharma on "8 Habits of Effective People". The podcast is too good to miss. There is bunch of podcasts, altogether 35 are available there.

Here is the summary

* Focus
* Positive & Passion
* Work Hard
* Never Stop Innovative (How Can I improve life)
* Time Management
* Serve Others
* Human Connection
* Devoted to Excellence

Awareness --> Better Choice --> Better Results

The list is nearly closer to Anthony Robbins' Commodities of the King. I've made good progress on "Being an Early Raiser", I wakeup on an avg. @ 6:30. I need to improve more on this.

In case, If you want to hear the posdcast...

Current Reading: The Monk who sold his Ferrari - Robin Sharma
Next Reading: The Mechanism of Mind - Edward de Bono

Robin Sharma

I've been reading "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari" again. This is one of the good book have ever come across in my life. It is a must for all Self-Help book readers and all those you want to improve their standard of living.

Two main reason which why I say this book is unique is that.

* It is written in first person singular, so that when you read you get a feeling that as if you are writing the book as Julian Mantle comes into your life. (Note: Every Robin Sharma books are written in first person singular)

* The way of association of the principle with the fable will make you remember the concept very well. You don't need to refer it again.

The major concepts of this book is:

* Master your Mind (The Magnificent Garden)
* Follow your Purpose (The light house
* Practice Kaizen (Sumo wrestler)
* Live with Discipline (Pink wire)
* Value your Time (The golden stop watch)
* Serve Others (The fragrant roses)
* Embrace the Present (The path of diamond)

The mind is a monkey, but if we train it, it can do wonders. Every concept can be composed into a Fable, which can be easily remembered by our Neural Networks. Because they are trained like that. I need to read the book Mind Map by Tony Buzan.[**Note**]

When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all of your thoughts break their bonds: your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world.

Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive and you discover yourself to be a greater person than you ever dreamed yourself to be.

- Robin Sharma (The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari)

Programming Magic

Computational processes are abstract beings that inhabit computers. As they evolve, processes manipulate other abstract things called data. The evolution of a process is directed by a pattern of rules called a program. People create programs to direct processes. In effect, we conjure the spirits of the computer with our spells.

A computational process is indeed much like a Wizard's idea of a MAGIC(yes, the same type of magic in Harry Potter, LOTR,etc). It cannot be seen or touched. It is not composed of matter at all. However, it is very real. It can perform intellectual work. It can answer questions. It can affect the world by disbursing money at a bank or by controlling a robot arm in a factory. The programs we use to conjure processes are like a spells in HP. They are carefully composed from symbolic expressions in arcane and esoteric programming languages that prescribe the tasks we want our processes to perform. Magic Spells are carefully composed in Elven Language (Refer: Eragon, LOTR).

Fortunately, learning to program is considerably less dangerous than learning Magic Spells, because the spirits we deal with are conveniently contained in a secure way. Real-world programming, however, requires care, expertise, and wisdom. A small bug in a computer-aided design program, for example, can lead to the catastrophic collapse of an airplane or a dam or the self-destruction of an industrial robot.

Master programmers have the ability to organize programs so that they can be reasonably sure that the resulting processes will perform the tasks intended. As Top Wizards like Dumbledore or Lord Voldemort have the ability to organize and control their Magic Spells.

Master Programmers can visualize the behavior of their systems in advance. They know how to structure programs so that unanticipated problems do not lead to catastrophic consequences, and when problems do arise, they can debug their programs. Well-designed computational systems, like well-designed automobiles or nuclear reactors, are designed in a modular manner, so that the parts can be constructed, replaced, and debugged separately.

Djinn/Wizard need to visualize the behavior of their Spells and their consequences (The Children of Lamp).


Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
-- Arthur C. Clarke

(Reference: Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs)

Road-side Vendors and Single Day Customers

It was a routine that Indra, Sankar, John and myself go for having tender coconut to the Road-side Vendor near Vijaya Hospital, Vadapalani. These guys always cheats one way or other, it is frustrating that these guys are cheating themselves by cheating us.

I'm seeming the same pattern over and over again all over Chennai. The Road-side Vendors always try to find a way to Cheat you. And obviously they will only get "Single Day" Customers. If vendors are not loyal to their customers, how could they expect loyal customers. People hate getting FOOLED !!! You get something negative emotional effect towards those who fools you. He will look like an Enemy, the next you see him.

I don't know why these people are not using their Common Sense and have long-lasting relationship with the customer. These people wanted to make "Quick Money", analogous to the childhood story "The Goose with the Golden Eggs". But, I could see few of them practice building trust in their customer and they reap a good harvest.

Unix Books

There is lot of improvements I can see in my life, after started blogging and maintaining a daily journal. I can see my patterns are changing. Now, I need to Goal to move toward it.

This is my plan to become a Unix Hacker:

* Unix C Odyssey
* Advanced programming in Unix - Rebecca Thomas
* Advanced Unix Programming
* The Design of Unix OS - Maurice Bach
* Unix Internals - Uresh Vahallia
* Linux Programming - Wrox Pub.
* Understanding Linux Kernal
* Unix Network Programming - Vol-I, Vol-II
* Illustrated TCP/IP - Vol-1, Vol-2, Vol-3

This is my Road Map for 1 Year (2007). I must follow it consistently to be sucessful.

Currently, I'm reading "The Road Less Travelled" By Scott Peck. I have also improve my blogging skills. Need to buy some book abt blogging and read it.

The Illusionist

I recently watched movie "The Illusionist". The movie's plot is really good. It is a love story of "Eisenhiem the Illusionist". It's has "The Sixth Sense" and "The Others" sort of Climax.

Currently I'm reading "Living With Honor" By Shiv Khera. As I have mentioned before, it give you "Clarity on Values". A man must be sucessful in every aspect of life. You are not a complete sucess, if you have attained sucess in some aspect of life with the expense of others.

I'm also reading "Understanding Linux Kernal". I have completed the introductory chapter. Day by day my blogging ablity is decrecing, I should read some books on blogging.

Yesterday, I got 2 more movies, "Proof" and "The Prestige". I will be watching it in this weekend.

C++ Pure Virtual Functions

Can C++ Pure Virtual Functions can't have implementation ? The Answer is yes.

#include
using namespace std;

class A {
public:
virtual void display()=0;
};
void A::display() {
cout<<"A::display"<<endl;
}

class B : public A {
public:
void display() {
A::display();
cout<<"B::display"<<endl;
}
};

int main() {
B b;

cout<<"hello world"<<endl;
b.display();
return 0;
}

Yesterday, I went to Chennai Book Fair - 2007 with Sankar. I bought "Ke. Mu. Ke. Pe" by Madhan, "Bharathiyar Poems", "48 Laws of Power" by Richard Greene. I'm currently reading "Unlimited Power" by Anthony Robbins, here are the Commodities of the King.
* Passion for Excellence
* Belief that you can succeed
* Strategy for Excellence
* Clarity of Values
* Energy to Persist
* Bonding with others
* Mastery of Communication (Both Self and others)

Network/System Programming

Today is an important day in my life. I have made a important career decision. I had it in the dilemma for a longtime. Now, I have decided to choose Networking/Network/System Programming, I'm going to focus on it. I dont want to be a "Jack of all", I wanna be a Expert on these areas.

* TCP/IP
* Unix/Linux Programming

Other things are not important. But still I read other topics, My focus is those two. One book per month. I need to complete CCNA and CCNP in this year.

2007 New Year

2007 - New Year was good. Got lot of SMS from friends wishing "Happy New Year". Kannan & Mani called up from US to wish Happy New Year. I spend all the my time with My Boy and Wife. It is his first New Year and Our's too. And it is my first Christmas/New Year without my Mom. I really miss her a lot.

Yesterday, I read an article in Health. I found the SMART principle by Paul J.Meyer. If you want to achieve some goal, it should be SMART.

What 'SMART' ? Yes, It should be

S - Specific
M - Measurable
A - Attainable
R - Realistic
T - Tangible

All my life goals remain same for this year also, I need to SMART it. I mean I need to put it into words according to SMART principle.

Today, We had our Team Lunch in Adithya sponsered by Sankar.

Today's Quote :

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.
- Ambrose Redmoon

Anish Trade Secret

Atlast, I got what I want. The Trade Secret of Anish (My PL). He is a geek, he use to have interest in Unix Internals and Network Programming in his college days.

Today, I learned something important from Anish which I used to do in my college days and lost in touch of it in these days. It is imagination or having a mental picture of what you are studing or what you are doing while fixing the Bugs. I remember now, why I have interest in Fatasy Books like HP, LOR, ... I have a taste of Imagination. Pure Imagination. To put it in Shiju's Word ENVISAGE.

I'm going on a long weekend, I will be back only on wednesday(27-Dec-06).

Paulo Coelho

Yesterday, I read one novel and completed it. Now, I can read a Novel in a Day. It is The Valkyries by Paulo, the novel is abt "Seeking once Angel/Dream". It is really good to read. I have already read The Alchemist and The Pilgrimage, and reading "The Manual of the Light Warrior"(I will be reading it thru out my life). I once read it to my boy, when he is inside his mother.

In short, it says "Follow your dream, however hard it is, have patience. Seek help from god, he will help you." It also talks abt relationship between husband and Wife.

I have to start reading again "Awaken the Gaint Within." I have started returing to my god. Wisdom - Knowing and Doing what is right.

I read the Six Hats by Edward de Bono.

White hat - Informational (no good or bad, only info.)
Red hat - Emotional (or linux implementation)
Black hat - Caution
Yellow hat - Possitive Thinking
Green Hat - Creativity
Blue hat - Overview (thinking abt the thinking) control hat

Six Thinking Hats
- From Mind Tools

Waking Up Early

Today, I woke up at 9:00 am. What the hell is this mean ? I'm slowing off the Track. If one want to improve his personal effectiveness, he must be a early raiser. Great Guru's like Robin Sharma & Anthony Robbins advises to wake up early in the morning.

Now I have decided (my decision = my commitment) go to bed at 11 or 12 pm and wake up at 5 or 6 am.

Benefits of waking early in the morning

* having good Coffee or Tea in the early morning
* can read your newspaper
* going for a walk in Anna nagar Tower Park
* the freshness when you go to work
* start your work with the good song
* can save money by eating the food in the nearby hotel
* taking your breakfast on time
* if you come early and leave early from work

Never lie to yourself. It is a trust you cannot abuse. If your subconscious know that you won’t do what you say you want to do by getting up early, it’ll sabotage your efforts and dilute your commitment.

Proud Moments

These are the moments which I was proud of myself.

1. When I won first programming competition in TCE.
Thousand of hands clapping for me. (me alone, its great). Ofcourse, I submit it for my mom and my dad and my god. I won it in the following year also. One more in ASAN memorial college.

2. When I got an offer letter in Polaris, 2 days before my flight to Sharjah.

3. Got an offer letter from HCL Technologies and faced Sriram (my polaris manager) and greeted him with a smile in my face. (to put it correctly, I laughed at him)

4. When I got the project in IMSc, Taramani. After a lengthy interview with Venkatesh Raman Sir. Thanks to Girish.

People who shaped my thoughts:

* Manonmani Miss (St. Thomas)
* Suruli Sir (He taught me everything I need to know in Life, My Role Model)
* Peter Sir (He taught me programming)
* Murugasen Sir (MKU HOD, My Role Model)
* Alex Sir (My philosopher)
* Shanmugam Sir (Kamaraj College)

I'm greatly indebted to:

* Pakyam Sir (My Guru, My Guide, My philosopher)
* William Sir (MKU VC PA, A great personality)

My Song

It's a song from "The Lord of the Rings", sung by Enya. Whenever I get stuck, this song keeps me going.

May it be an evening star
Shines down upon you
May it be when darkness falls
Your heart will be true
You walk a lonely road
Oh! How far you are from home

Mornie utúlië (darkness has come)
Believe and you will find your way
Mornie alantië (darkness has fallen)
A promise lives within you now

May it be the shadows call
Will fly away
May it be you journey on
To light the day
When the night is overcome
You may rise to find the sun

Mornie utúlië (darkness has come)
Believe and you will find your way
Mornie alantië (darkness has fallen)
A promise lives within you now
A promise lives within you now

Friday (08-Dec), I went to Tuticorin to see my wife and my baby. Both are doing fine. Thank God.

I'm currently reading "Awaken the Gaint Within", It is a great book. I have decided to put forth the ideas given in it to my life. Anthony Robbins is my guru. Once in my life I want to meet him in person. (I will). The Pain and the Pleasure principle is a great idea. (This man must have read a lot of books to achieve such a great wisdom.)

If I would I will translate this books in Tamil. This book stands third in "To Be Translated into Tamil", the first 2 are Fountain Head and Atlas Shrugged.

Redirection and Pipes

Yesterday, Kamesh wrote a program to redirect the output of the program to a file.

char *ar[]={"ls",">","mylog.dat"};
execv("ls",ar);

I'm going to kill this guy. He dont know what is the difference between passing argument to a command and output redirection. And also dont know who is doing the redirection.

when you say,

ls -l > mylog.dat

this is what shell does

1. Shell forks itself
2. Close the stdout of the child process
3. Open the file and bind it with the stdout of the child process
4. execl "ls -l" on child process
5. parent process (i.e. shell) waits till the complete execution of the child process

Program 1:


#include <unistd.h>
#include <fcntl.h>

int main() {
char *ar[]={"ls","-l"};
int fd;
close(1);
fd=open("/users/revincen/cpp/sample.dat",O_CREAT|O_WRONLY);
write(1,"hello world\n",12);
execv("/bin/ls",ar);
return 0;
}


Program 2:


#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>

int main() {
char buf[256];
FILE *inp,*outp;

inp = popen("ls -l","r");
outp=fopen("hello.dat","w");

while ( fgets(buf,sizeof buf,inp) != 0 )
fputs(buf,outp);

pclose(inp);
return 0;
}


My Son

My son born on 03-Dec. I left home at 7:00 am morning, took a flight to Madurai, took cab to matuthavani bus stand. I reached AVM Hospital at 6:00 pm. I saw my Baby the next day (04-Dec). I took him in my hands on 05-Dec. He is too small, so fragile, like new born flower. When I called Pappukudi, he opened his eyes and saw me. I lost myself.

Till now we have 2 name choices Aslan (The lion in Narnia) and Romulus (Brother of Remus).

I love my son.

Same Mistakes

I'm making the same mistakes again and again. I should not do that. I dont have a plan for my life, I'm walking in the direction of Life.

Yesterday I bought "Awakening the Gaint Within", a great book by Anthony Robbins. I need to change my behaviour.

Coming weekend I will be father a child, but I still myself feel like a child. I still need to mature a lot. Till now I dont have Vision and Mission. I need to start with a Vision statement for my life.

Vision - What would I be after 5 years from now ?

I see myself as
* Good programmer (only C, C++ & Perl) nothing else
* Good Debugger (In my work, Fix more bugs)
* Good husband (Few Fights, more understanding)
* Good Dad (Good caring)

Mission - What are the steps I will be taking to achieve it ?
* Read books on programming (General, C/C++/Perl)
* Start solving problems in ACM
* Start reading documents on my work
* Serious abt Professional Growth
* Speak to Juliet (1 hr atleast)
* Play with & Care my Pappukudi
* Blog my growth daily

Dont Do List
=========
* Stop beating the bushes (no more book collecting)
* Stop skip reading books

Book Reading

After a long time I completed reading "Anahetken Adventures: Children of the Lamp" - PB Kerr. It is a good book to read. I mostly read fanstacy Novels. Waiting for Harry Potter Book-7.

Yesterday, I had chat with Guna Machi. We had a rough calc. of how many books am I going to read in rest of my life.

Currently Reading
=================
* Discover you destiny (Robin Sharma)

Reading on hold
===============
* C++: STL
* Beginning Linux Programming

Books on My List(2 months)
================
* Color of Magic
* Greatness Guide (Robin Sharma)
* Perl Programming
* Cosmos
* Power of Now

Coincidence Strange thing

Yester while I was reading C++ STL, I had a coincidence. The diplay function which I wrote back a week ago is coded in that. The same problem with typename is described in it.

Sometimes, in life we have coincidence. On that day on T.Nagar, when I took my wife there, my brother Virgil came. That too on the same spot, where I was parking my bike. T.Nagar is a crowded place in the work, the probability of such a coincidence is very low and rare ( < 1/1,00,000).

My Mother

My Mother expired last week Sunday (29-Oct-06). She suffered from lung cancer for the past 6 months. I don't have words to describe her, I'm deeply feeling sorry for her.

She is the only one who was behind my every success. Right from my schooling, she wanted me to be a knowledge one. I was very playful when I was a kid, I'm a poor performer in my school. She used to pray for a lot.

She cried in all Chruches in Tuticorin for me (and my brothers), there is no exception. When my dad gave a voluntary retirement, she put her faith in me, that one day I will bring up the home.

She selled her Thali twice for me. Once when I joined NIIT, next when I got admission in MCA MKU.

I can't praise her in words, but She is my god. My wife is my god's gift. I married Juliet because of my Mother.

May her soul rest in peace.

Standard Template Library

For the past few days, I'm learning STL. The good think is that I'm reading it continuously without break and working out the examples chapter by chaper.

STL in a Nutshell
============
STL is a powerful library. It adds more PERL power to C++. STL is an elegant and generic solution. STL have 3 major components :

* Container
* Algorithms
* Iterator

Containers
=======
Stores and retrives data. Examples:

* Simple Array
* Vector (dynamic array)
* Deque (double ended queue)
* List (dohbly linked list)
* Sets & Multisets
* Maps & Multimaps

Algorithms
========
* Copy
* Sort
* Min/Max
* etc ... (You name it, everything is here, expect graph algorithms)

Iterator
========
Thanks to Wikipedia
* input iterator
* output iterator
* forward iterator (sets & maps)
* bi-directional iterator
* Random access iterator

It took me around 1 hr correct the problem in the following code

template <typename>
void display(ttype v) {
typedef typename ttype::iterator v_itr;
cout<<"Element in v :";
for(v_itr i=v.begin();i != v.end();++i)
cout<<*i<<" ";
cout<<endl;
}

I was not able to declare the iterator for the generic type ttype. Most of the programmers are used to

for(int i=0;i<x;i++)

We use i++, postfix increment operator. In some compiler implementation i++ consumes more cpu cycles/memory read than ++i (prefix). The problem is we dont understand i++, when i++ stands alone there is no use. i++ must be used in expressions/assignments.

Silence is sometimes the best answer

Always remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

Today is a good day. Woke up at 7:00 pm. Morning walk @ Anna nagar.

It was a long time since my brother mailed me. I mailed him today, after all he is my own brother. I can forgive him.

I'm keep shifting my books. I couldnt read the books which I promised myself to read.

Currently I'm reading no technical books or self-help books. I'm reading "Children of the Lamp" by PB Kerr. I need to start learning Linux System programming and C++ programming, then Linux kernel programming.

Last week I read "Zen Tarot", the fool is the first one. There are 3 types of fools.
1. simple fool - who dont know that he dont know anything
2. complex fool - who dont know anything, but think that he knows everything
3. blessed fool - who knows that he dont know anything

Done it again

I woke up at 6:30 am today, went for walking and Kovai fruit stall. I need to repeat the success.

As I already said I'm reading "The 7 Habits". P/PC (Production/Production Capacity) factor with the "Golden eggs laying Goose" parable is really exceptional. I name it as "Producer/Consumer" factor, the thing is simple, if you want to consume more, then produce more. Examples
* If you want to good healthy, excercise
* If you want good job, learn
* If you want good finance, save and invest

The 7 Habits are

Independance
==========
* Be Proactive
* Begin end in mind
* First things first

Interdependance
============
* Think win/win
* Seek to understand, then to be understood
* Synergize

Excellence
========
* Sharpen the Saw

Good Start Up

Voila, I made it. I woke up at 6:30 am this morning. It is a great experience.

I've started learing Thinking in C++ (Bruce Ekcel). It is a good book to start with.

I will be reading Pragmatic programmer and The Practice of Programming, next.

One shot at a time. "One Donkey at a time" - Oscar Sir(my school teacher).

Manonmani Miss - My Favorate Teacher

I'm starting with C++, my favorate. I first started learning C++ from 1998(NIIT). My friends used to call Bjorne Stroustrup as my MAMA.

I know this article is not structured, sorry.

Technical Book to Read This Month: Thinking in C++
Self Help Book to Read This Month: The 7 Habits of Effective People

nothing else, I will read it completely. "No beating around the bushes this time".

Quiz

Yesterday I won 3 Chocos for answering 3 question ?

Figure the personality - Dijkstra
What is Euler cycle ?
Diff. between mutex & semaphore ?

The question which I loved to answer was answered by another guy.

How to distinguish postfix and prefix operator in operator overloading ?

Ans: Add a dummy variable "int" in postfix

I ran a sample program using boost library. It is so cool.

I need to learn Qt.

sample boost code:
==================

vector x;

x+=1,2,3,4,5,6,8,9,0;

will append the elements into the vector. += operator is overloaded and used (...) variable parameters.

Now, Finally I have list of Areas which I need to Master
=========================================================
1. Data Structures & Algorithms (C, C++, Perl)
2. Unix/Linux Internals (Maurice J.Bach, Vahallia, Understanding Linux Kernal)
3. Object Oriented Programming & Design (+UML)
4. Network Programming (Richard Stevens)

I don't want any deviation from these areas. From here onwards I will be posting blogs regarding these Areas(and nothing other than this).

God Please Help Me !!!

Some Ayn Rand Quotes

Evil requires the sanction of the victim.

I don't build in order to have clients. I have clients in order to build.

Only the man who does not need it, is fit to inherit wealth, the man who would make his fortune no matter where he started.

Run for your life from any man who tells you that money is evil. That sentence is the leper's bell of an approaching looter.

The purpose of morality is to teach you, not to suffer and die, but to enjoy yourself and live.

The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me.

To say "I love you" one must first be able to say the "I."

What objectivity and the study of philosophy requires is not an 'open mind,' but an active mind - a mind able and eagerly willing to examine ideas, but to examine them criticially.

Anyone who fights for the Future lives in it today. - "I love this"

Great men can't be ruled.

There's nothing of any importance except how well you do your work.

Reason is man's basic means of survival.

"The three cardinal values of the Objectivist ethics with their three corresponding virtues: :
* Reason - Rationality
* Purpose - Productiveness
* Self-Esteem - Pride

"What is greatness? I will answer: it is the capacity to live by the three fundamental values of John Galt: Reason, Purpose, Self-Esteem."

My quote:

Pride is not evil, if have pride over your own creation.

Once Again

Once Again I'm late. I got up at 9.00 am. I must do something, I want to put an end to my laziness. I don't know why I'm not doing that.

Morning Walk is always good. Fresh Air, Trees, Excercise, Lily Pond ... It is really good in the morning.

Weekend (long weekend)

* Read "Unlimited Power"
* James Barclay
* Sophie's World - I love this book

One thing I really like abt myself is preservence. I thrive to be my best.

I'm a follower of Ayn Rand (Philosophy of My Life).

Quote of My Life
================
"Never, Never, Never Give Up"

My Life Statement
=================
"I want to be a Programmer". One who is able to read D.E.Knuth, that will be my greatest achivement in my life.

Steps towards that
==================
1. Build programming skills in C/C++
2. Read all library books ***
3. Build strong mathematical foundation with J language
4. Read Knuth

Library Books **
================
The Pragmatic Programmer:From Journeyman to Master -- Currently Reading
The Practice of Programming -- Currently Reading
WRITING SOLID CODE Steve Maguire
Programming Pearls Jon Bentley
Data structure and Algorithm Analysis in C Mark Allen Weiss
Step-By-Step Problem Solving Chang, Richard Y
How to Solve it :New Aspect of Mathematical Method Polya, G
Working with Emotional Intelligence Goleman, Daniel
Time Management Bird Polly
Advanced C Herbert Schildt
Code Reading-The open source perspective Diomidis Spinellis
Design Patterns Explained Shalloway, Alan
Design & Implementation of 4.4BSD Operating System
C Traps and Pit Falls Koenig, Andrew
Advanced C++:Programming Styles & Idioms Coplien, James O
Effective C++ Meyers, Scott
More Effective C++ Meyers, Scott
Generic Programming and the STL Austern, Matthew H
Refactoring :Improving the Design of Existing Code Fowler, Martin
After the Gold Rush Steve McConnell
Code Complete Steve McConnell
Programming Perl Larry Wall
Learning Perl Randal L Schwartz
Lex and Yacc John R Levine
Computer Architecture - A Quantitative Approach John L Hennessy
Beginning Linux Programming Stones, Richard
How to Solve it : Modern Heuristics Michalewicz, Zbigniew
The Psychology of Computer Programming Weinberg, Gerald M

Final Reading - Before I die
============================
* Read "Concrete Mathematics"
* Read "Art of Programming" - All Volumes

I remember oneday Shiju (I don't remember whether it is shiju or stalin or kannan) asked me, "What do you want to become after 10 years down the line ?", I answered "A Programmer". No man, It is not Stalin. He is the one who understands me completely.

Sometime back I forwarded an haox mail to Stalin. He replied back, I know he would. I replied back, which he don't know I was making fun of him.

I want everyone to learn. I, myself love to teach, esp. Kannan. Yes, Everyone but One. Stalin !!! I dont want him to read any other book in rest of his life. I hate him reading books. (If he happen to read this blog he will kill me). This idiot has already red(old noun read - past-tense, I can put 'read' there but one has to read it as 'red') a lot of books, now I'm struggling hard to read the books which he has already red.

I couldnt bear it. Now, this idiot is reading "World is Flat". In Phani's words "Thokka fellow".

Quality Issue

The Quality of My Life is in question ?

I'm waking up late these days !!! I need to do something abt it.

I want to regulate my daily activities. I will record my morning waking timings. At first I will start by 7.oo am.

Today I made an important decision. I'm going to install Linux in to PC. I'll be doing it this weekend. I got Linux CD from Joju.

Mathematics is fun

After a logtime, I've started blogging again.

I want to blog, b'coz I want to learn ... to track my learnings ... to learn is to know you know no more ... the more you learn, the more you learn you know nothing. (Truth: I want to know that "I know nothing" more.)

Blogging is a sort of "Time Talking" .. You can talk to your future self (this is not bad..)

I love programming, b'coz I love "Problem Solving". If there is a problem, there is a solution (no, there are solution. No !!! I meant an elegant solution.)

Today I visited some sites... mathematical sites.

It proves pyathoras theorem, with geometry.

* I know why area of an decahedran = 3R^2
* I know 1^3 + 2^3 + 3^3 + ... +n^3 = (1+2+3...+n)^2
* I know 1+3+5+... (n-terms) = n^2

I can prove that(thats is what Mathematicians are Proud of). Now, I know "I know nothing in mathematics" really!!!

Coming to Programming...

I didn't learn anything today, in programming.

To start with programming. I'm going to learn programming...

* The Pragmatic Programmer:From Journeyman to Master
* The Practice of Programming

* I'm going to solve some problems in ACM Contest (1/(week/month))

* I have to learn all the e-books I have collected (hmm... Let me see).

Today is Friday !!! Weekend !!!

* Lunch @ Kebabish
* Chruch
* PG Wodehouse/TerryBrooks
* Chat with my MiniMe (Already I'm Mini, MiniMe for Me...)

Duplicating Knowledge in Programs

Many a times I wanted to write a Programmer's Blog. Now, I'm going to do it.

Duplicating Knowledge in Programs

I dont know how to write this ... I'm a Programmer not a writer...

If you have a knowledge in a program, put in one place. Dont replicate it.

for example -

if you have a condition check or a small piece of calc. , put in inside a function. The benefit is one access point of change. C++ dont that using Classes.

I will try to write this blog in professional way...

After a long time

After a longtime, I want to write my blog. Let me see, how I'm going to to it.