Primer

I haven’t been this excited about anything in a long time. Thanks, Robert, for the recommendation.

Python

A little girl walks into a pet shop and asks for a rabbit.

The shopkeeper looks down at her, smiles, and asks, “Would you like a lovely-fluffy little white rabbit? Or a cutesy-wootsy little brown rabbit?”

“Actually,” the little girl replies, “I don't think my python would notice.”

Italian Proverb

After the game, the king and the pawn go in the same box.

Nil's Party Mix

I’m making a mix CD for my sister. Here’s what I have so far:

1. The F***ing Champs — V — Air on a G-String
2. Yoshihiro Kusano, Tetsuya Ohuchi — Guilty Gear Isuka OST — The Irony of Chaste
3. Self — Gizmodgery — What a Fool Believes
4. Royksopp — Remind Me — Remind Me
5. Judy and Mary — Rurouni Kenshin OST — Sobakasu
6. Stereolab — Lo Boob Oscillator — Lo Boob Oscillator
7. Regina Spektor — Begin to Hope — Better
8. Portal — Portal OST — Still Alive

Do you get the general feel of the mix CD? Should I add, reorder, or remove any songs? I’d appreciate any feedback, thanks!

Stiff Asks, Raj Answers

While reading Wikipedia’s Vim vs. EMACS flamewar page, I came across a link to a questionnaire for great programmers. I shot the link over to my buddy Doug. He told me that he’s interested in my answers, and I’m interested in his. Here you go, Doug. :-)

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How did you learn programming? Were any schools of any use? Or maybe you didn’t even bother with ending any schools :) ?

“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.” — Mark Twain

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What do you think is the most important skill every programmer should posses?

A good sense of humor. Because if you can’t laugh at yourself, programming will make you cry.

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Do you think mathematics and/or physics are an important skill for a programmer? Why?

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What do you think will be the next big thing in computer programming? X-oriented programming, y language, quantum computers, what?

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If you had three months to learn one relativly new technology, which one would You choose?

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What do you think makes some programmers 10 or 100 times more productive than others?

I don’t know, and maybe that’s why some programmers are 10 or 100 times more productive than me. But I hope it has something to do with Red Bull energy drink. *taking another swig*

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What are your favourite tools (operating system, programming/scripting language, text editor, version control system, shell, database engine, other tools you can’t live without) and why do you like them more than others?

Operating System	OS X because it’s pretty.
Programming Language	C/C++ (GCC) because I know it. Oh, and interpreted and scripting languages are for weenies.
Text Editor	Vim because it saves me from RSI.
Revision Control System	Subversion.
Shell	BASH.
Database	I hate all databases equally.
Laptop	Apple MacBook because it’s pretty.
Guitar	Gibson SG because it rocks my face off.
Piano	Kawai baby grand because it’s beautiful.
Writing Implement	Leadholder.

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What is your favourite book related to computer programming?

“The best book on programming for the layman is Alice in Wonderland; but that’s because it’s the best book on anything for the layman.” — Alan Jay Perlis

My current library of programming books consists only of The C Programming Language and Operating Systems: Design and Implementation. I’d like a copy of Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach and The Art of Computer Programming, but these days, just about everything that I need to know is available online.

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What is Your favourite book NOT related to computer programming?

The Bhagavad Gita. This book calms me when I’m too angry and rouses me when I’m too apathetic. I also love The Cartoon History of the Universe and The Complete Calvin and Hobbes.

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What are your favourite music bands/performers/compositors?

Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Radiohead, John Williams (the classical guitarist, not the composer), Asian Dub Foundation, Blur, The Clash, Dr. Dre, Fountains of Wayne, The F***ing Champs, Judy and Mary, Led Zeppelin, Neutral Milk Hotel, The Slackers, Stereolab, Weird Al, and too many others to name.

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And here are Doug’s, Alex’s, and Sam’s answers.

Automata

I haven’t had much time to work on GRAY MATTER. I’ve been working on this instead:

I’ve also codified what I humbly call Raj’s Law. For two sets, A and B:

A – B = A ∧ A ∧ B

I’ll get back to GRAY MATTER soon.

Dwandy

“It continues to amaze me. The same people who accept that their computers crash for no reason also accept that anything that their computers print is pure truth.”

Etymology of Checkmate

Just when you thought that it wasn’t possible, I became even more interesting. You see, the word checkmate is etymologically related to my last name, Shah. The word checkmate is derived from the phrase shah mat which translates to, “The king is defeated.” Read more.

Library Quotes

The public library is the most dangerous place in town. — John Ciardi

A truly great library contains something in it to offend everyone. — Jo Godwin

I pray that no child of mine would ever descend into such a place as a library. They are indeed most dangerous places and unfortunate is she or he who is lured into such a hellhole of enjoyment, stimulus, facts, passion and fun. — Willy Russell

Forget about the Senior Prom and go to the library and educate yourself if you’ve got any guts. Some of you like pep rallies and plastic robots who tell you what to read. Forget I mentioned it… Rise for the flag, salute. — Frank Zappa

Existing libraries, in their very being, seem to question the authority of those in power. — Alberto Manguel

William S. Burroughs

“Language is a virus from outer space.”