CVu V16 1 PDF

In the last issue of C Vu we started a journey into the world of software development teamwork. We looked at team structure, personal skills for good teamwork, at team working tools, and team organisation. Phew! That's quite a lot of stuff to take in, but I guess after two months you've finally digested it all, and are now back ready for more.

The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people. (Theodore Roosevelt)

Last time we began a high-paced stroll through a gallery of collected programmer stereotypes. In this concluding article we'll finish the tour, and see what makes the best type of programmer. Brace yourself: here come more Code Monkeys...

In my previous article we learnt the important optimisation process, the steps that ensure any optimisation really is worthwhile. Being eager code monkeys, I can see that you're all desperate for practical code optimisation techniques.

So here they are - in this final part we'll investigate specific code techniques for optimisation. Just don't tell anyone that I showed you. To redress the theological balance, we'll also see how to avoid optimisation in the first place.

In the first part of this series, we looked at what it means to optimise code, and saw the cases for and against optimisation. In this article, we'll look at the process of optimisation. We'll see the correct, methodical approach that will lead to solid, worthwhile code optimisations.

Back in 2001, the then-editor of C Vu, Francis Glassborow, announced his intention to pass the editorship of this journal on to a new volunteer, and so at the start of 2002 I took the reins. In fairness I should say that Francis gave me considerable support in putting together my first few issues, and to this day continues to invest a lot of time in preparing various sections of C Vu. Since the time I took over, a lot has happened. I personally have moved from Bournemouth to Bristol, from Bristol to San Francisco, and from San Francisco to San Diego. The last two moves are not entirely unrelated to a spirited young lass by the name of Désirée, who was also closely involved when I became engaged and then married. Between those changes and others, it is now time for me to step aside and look for a new editor for C Vu; I can no longer give the job the time and energy it warrants.