Author Archives: Richard Rodger

How to Make Simple Node.js Modules Work in the Browser

Posted on September 27, 2013 by Richard Rodger

Node.js is all about writing small, simple modules that do one thing, and do it well. This can be taken to extremes by crazy people. There’s even a module for multi-line strings! Some people can’t resist writing frameworks either. This … Continue reading →




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Introducing NodeZoo.com, a search engine for Node.js modules

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Richard Rodger

I made a bet on a new programming platform 3 years ago, and it paid off. Every line of code that has earned me money since then has been run by Node.js. In case you missed it, Node.js is the … Continue reading →




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Why I Have Given Up on Coding Standards

Posted on November 3, 2012 by Richard Rodger

Every developer knows you should have a one, exact, coding standard in your company. Every developer also knows you have to fight to get your rules into the company standard. Every developer secretly despairs when starting a new job, afraid … Continue reading →




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Introducing the Parambulator module for validating “options” objects in Node.js

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Richard Rodger

If you’ve used any Node.js modules at all, you’ll have noticed a common pattern with configuration. Many modules provide complex functionality that you can control by providing a JavaScript object with a bunch of named options, possibly with sub options. … Continue reading →




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Node.js – How to Write a For Loop With Callbacks

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Richard Rodger

Let’s say you have 10 files that you need to upload to your web server. 10 very large files. You need to write an upload script because it needs to be an automated process that happens every day. You’ve decided … Continue reading →




Posted in Node.js | 23 Comments

The JavaScript Disruption

Posted on April 5, 2011 by Richard Rodger

The mainstream programming language for the next ten years will be JavaScript. Once considered a toy language useful only for checking form fields on web pages, JavaScript will come to dominate software development. Why this language and why now? What … Continue reading →




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Node.js – Dealing with submitted HTTP request data when you have to make a database call first

Posted on March 28, 2011 by Richard Rodger

Node’s asynchronous events are fantastic, but they can have a sting in the tail. Here’s a solution to something that you’ll probably run into at some point. If you have a HTTP endpoint that accepts JSON, XML, or even a … Continue reading →




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The Six Key Mobile App Metrics you Need to be Tracking.

Posted on February 3, 2011 by Richard Rodger

Mobile applications are web sites, and traditional web analytics are not appropriate for mobile applications. What you need is insight that will make your app more effective. You will not find this insight by tracking downloads and installs, phone platforms … Continue reading →




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Debug PhoneGap Mobile Apps Five Times Faster

Posted on September 30, 2010 by Richard Rodger

PhoneGap is a fantastic open source project. It lets you build native mobile apps for iPhone, Android and others using only HTML, CSS and JavaScript. It’s a real pleasure to work with. It makes developing mobile apps a lot faster. … Continue reading →




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The Difference Between Alchemy and Chemistry

Posted on September 20, 2010 by Richard Rodger

Paris. It is the 8th of May, 1794. Antoine Lavoisier, a partner in the despised Ferme général, stands before the guillotine. As a senior partner of the Ferme général, a tax collection agency for Louis XVI, Lavoisier is one of … Continue reading →




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