Here is a great article that compares different programming languages speed and size using visualizations. It is very easy to see the differences using his approach.
(via reddit)
Author: grant
Objective-C Bindings for PLT Scheme
Objective-C Bindings for PLT Scheme are included in the most recent release. They are brand new and apparently limited; but they are a start.
Standford Programming Paradigms Course Videos
Programming Paradigms (CS107) introduces several programming languages, including C, Assembly, C++, Concurrent Programming, Scheme, and Python. The class aims to teach students how to write code for each of these individual languages and to understand the programming paradigms behind these languages.
Standard Haskell
This is the the Haskell Platform, version 2009.2.0.1: a single, standard Haskell distribution for every system.
The Haskell Platform is a blessed library and tool suite for Haskell distilled from Hackage, along with installers for a wide variety of systems. The contents of the platform are specified here: Haskell: Batteries Included.
The platform saves you the task of picking and choosing the best Haskell libraries and tools to use for a task. Distro maintainers that support the Haskell Platform can be confident they’re fully supporting Haskell as the developers intend it. Developers targetting the platform can be confident they have a trusted base of code to work with.
It looks interesting; a blessed package collection and a compiler ready to run on OS X, Windows, and Linux.
(via Control.Monad.Writer via reddit)
Top Ten Things You Don't Want at Your Next Job
Fractal Imaging
What is fractal imaging? Well, it’s more than just the algorithmic generation of ferns (like the generated image above) from non-linear equation systems. It’s a way of looking at ordinary (bitmap) images of all kinds. The hypothesis is that any given image (of any kind) is the end-result of iterating on some particular (unknown) system of non-linear equations, and that if one only knew what those equations are, one could regenerate the image algorithmically (from a set of equations) on demand. The implications are far-reaching. This means:
1. Instead of storing a bitmap of the image, you can just store the equations from which it can be generated. (This is often a 100-to-1 storage reduction.)
2. The image is now scale-free. That is, you can generate it at any scale — enlarge it as much as you wish — without losing fidelity. (Imagine being able to blow up an image onscreen without it becoming all blocky and pixelated.)
— Kas Thomas
Here is the book, Fractal Imaging, referenced by the article.
The Inconsolata Font
Inconsolata is my new favorite programming font. It looks great and it works fine across Windows and OS X.
A Programmer's Cover Letter
If somehow all programmers were to read this article, and follow its advice by aspiring to the gold standard of cover letters (for their company at least), it would be good for all of them, but it would surely create a DOS attack of sorts for the hiring managers!
(via Signal vs. Noise)
New version of PLT is out
HtDP on National Radio
HtDP was mentioned on NPR!
Thanks to David for transcribing:
Thomas, Manhattan Beach, CA – Starting a tech company
Thomas is 10 years old and he wants to start a software company with his friends! He programs in C++, Java, and Python?! Wow. Leo says he wants Thomas to learn these programs right, not just noodling with them and learning bad habits. So Leo says that Alice is a good place to start, but Leo suggests HTDP.ORG. It’s a programming book written by software professors all over the country and teaches “SCHEME,” which is a “flavor” of a programming language called LISP. Download DrScheme. This will teach you to plan, design, and organize your software ideas.
(via PLT)