Author Archives: Richard Rodger

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 →




Posted in Uncategorized | 72 Comments

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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Do Something Practical With CSV Files!

Posted on September 5, 2007 by Richard Rodger

Want to be able to export and import tables from your database using a web interface? You've come to the right place! I've just finished a new tutorial for our CSV Manager product: Uploading and Downloading CSV Files from a … Continue reading →




Posted in Java | Leave a comment

Spark Lines Without the Spark

Posted on August 10, 2007 by Richard Rodger

Sparklines are one of those great ideas that you just know is “right” the moment you see it. Edward Tufte invented them, and let me tell you, he knows his stuff. Here's an example: . Want to make some yourself? … Continue reading →




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Some Volatile Patterns

Posted on June 21, 2007 by Richard Rodger

I've always regarded Java's volatile variables as voodoo variables. In fact, I've been scared off by very many articles telling you how terribly dangerous they are. In cases like these I tend to retreat to the safety of a few … Continue reading →




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How to Beat Nasty Interview Programming Tasks

Posted on June 14, 2007 by Richard Rodger

Shane Bell does a write-up of an interview he went through. Apparently the company just dumped a programming exercise on him and left him with a pencil and paper for an hour. Nasty! While the basic idea of a “real” … Continue reading →




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