Ruling classes

The C# modifications to the Tick-the-Code rule cards are done. The cards are being printed as we speak in Finland. The nice thing about the modifications was that it was an adjustment of the rules to fit all object-oriented programming languages than just C#. Most of the rules were anyway usable as such (20/24) and even two pointer rules could be modified so as to fit to C# and Java better.

The new cards are missing a few rules, namely CONST 1ST, PLOCAL and FAR. In addition, the rule NULL is now called CLOSURE and deals also with other resources besides dynamic memory. Rule ARRAY is now called INDEX, and applies to tables, loops, strings and not just arrays. NEVERNULL was modified, but the name kept.

This kind of evolution is normal, and the rules must change from time to time. When you learn to follow a rule unconsciously, you don't need a card to tell you that. As long as following a rule isn't completely autonomous, there's always a risk that under pressure you'll inadvertently break the rule and possibly cause more complexity than necessary.

---

The spring is here. Temperatures of way over 20 degrees in the sun allow one to sit with a T-shirt on the restaurant terraces that thiw winter never really closed. I've been inline skating three times already, each time I've went three times around the Kemnader See and everytime it is getting easier.

---

Finally, I'm continuing to write. It was bothering me that during the dark winter I didn't really get much of anything done. I have a lot of ideas noted down, but it seemed that finishing them is impossible. Now I went through Chapter 3 of my Tick-the-Code book and found it almost totally written. I added some conclusions, had an idea for a quality comic, which probably should be called "The Quality Comic", and was generally happy with the way the chapter turned out. I sent it out for review and hope to get feedback in May. There's two more chapters to finish. I could be done by June...

---

If you know of software producing companies in Denmark, especially in Copenhagen, let us know. We intend to drive in June through Denmark and Sweden and we thought we could introduce Tick-the-Code on the way. We're grateful for any tips.

---

Suomeksi: Kevättä ilmassa, aurinko paistaa, mehiläiset pörrää kukkivissa puissa, Virpi aivastelee ja linnut laulaa. Näinhän ne päivät kuluu.