Is Writing Good Software Too Hard?
on 05.20.05, 07:05am in windows • comments (6)
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the difficulties that developers must face when approaching a new project, especially when they have to learn a new set of API’s or some piece of unfamiliar technology. I’m constantly surprised on how little information there actually is (that’s actually useful) on certain aspects of Windows programming.
Sure, there are lots of books out there on the ‘basics’, but finding good reference material on some of the more interesting (and not necessarily advanced) topics is almost impossible. I find myself frequently asking "is anyone out there writing this stuff?" on topics that I would have assumed there would be tons of interest. I would love to see a version of Chris Sells book "Windows Forms Programming in C#" that specifically tackles Win32/64 programming instead of .NET, because it’s one of the few books that focuses on "real world" issues that developers face, rather than just a rehash of the reference docs.
Here’s another example - how many references can you find that talk about all of the really cool things you can do with layered windows? (outside of the SetLayeredWindowAttributes and UpdateLayeredWindow reference)?
So my question is: Why is that? Is writing software for Windows just too damn hard?
Chris Sells (May 20, 2005 @ 6:57 pm)
Personally, I think it’s because authors of books that “[focus] on ‘real world’ issues that developers face, rather than just a rehash of the reference docs,” are under-appreciated. I mean, come on, when’s the last time someone through any of their underware up on stage for an author?!? : )
Steve (May 21, 2005 @ 7:43 am)
Yeah, that’s a good point.
Kees (May 21, 2005 @ 12:05 pm)
If you elimate the “Windows” from your question, I feel confident enough to the answer it with a resounding YES. Software engineering is too hard, and no amount of documentation will make that go away completely.
A more elaborate response to your question can be found in my own web log.
http://www.leune.org/blog/kees/2005-04-21_SoftwareEngineering
Jeff Atwood (May 21, 2005 @ 4:43 pm)
The first problem is the word “Layered Windows.” Why do I have to click through to a bunch of dense documentation to figure out that means “Transparent Windows” and “Irregularly Shaped Windows”?
Anyway, I’m not sure either one of those concepts is all that useful. I certainly can’t think of any app that needs or would benefit from either of those.
Except maybe Clippy.
Sean McLeod (May 26, 2005 @ 3:03 pm)
Is video playback of transparent video over the desktop that still allows you to view and interact with your current desktop windows while watching the video a really cool thing?
If you think so check out:
http://www.codeproject.com/useritems/TransparentDesktopVideo.asp
Jeffrey Palermo [C# MVP] (April 27, 2006 @ 7:16 am)
Writing software is too EASY these days - 300
Writing software is too easy these days. – level 300
Everyone needs software these days….