Thread: Developing, building, and testing. How do it the best? Learning from the world leader

  1. 11-12-2003 #1
    gicio
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    Question Developing, building, and testing. How do it the best? Learning from the world leader

    Developing, building, and testing. How do it the best? Learning from the world leader - Microsoft



    I'm very interested in how the developing/build/testing workflow @ Microsoft looks like. I think Microsoft as world leader in software developing business must have a very good workflow. Does anyone know how the development flow @ Microsoft looks like?

    I'm also interested in the workflow in your company perhaps the workflow in your company better then @ Microsoft? What do you think about test driven development?


    Regards,

    Gicio
  2. 11-12-2003 #2
    Prelude
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    >I think Microsoft as world leader in software developing business must have a very good workflow.
    No, they just have a very good marketing strategy.
    My best code is written with the delete key.
  3. 11-12-2003 #3
    Sebastiani
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    If Microsoft used a good workflow they wouldn't have to issue so many patches for their software! Reliable software engineering methodologies have existed long before Microsoft bought and modified the 'Quick and Dirty Operating System' (QDOS) from Tim Paterson (price tag: $50,000 - for an OS that was written in less than 6 weeks!). Market share != quality, my friend.
    Code:
    #include <cmath>
#include <complex>
bool euler_flip(bool value)
{
    return std::pow
    (
        std::complex<float>(std::exp(1.0)), 
        std::complex<float>(0, 1) 
        * std::complex<float>(std::atan(1.0)
        *(1 << (value + 2)))
    ).real() < 0;
}
  4. 11-12-2003 #4
    Felix
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    Note that Windows programs are so big that it is almost impossible not to have problems and bugs. The fact is, that whatever Windows programs in, it is that type of language that has this "alignment":
    It doesn't matter how big it is or how many errors in includes, as long as it does what it is supposed to do
    -Felix
    Rots Soft
    If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts.
    Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)
  5. 11-12-2003 #5
    joshdick
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    I'd suggest studying the open source model for developing software. Companies like Red Hat manage to be profitable without being evil and produce much more reliable products.
    FAQ

    "The computer programmer is a creator of universes for which he alone is responsible. Universes of virtually unlimited complexity can be created in the form of computer programs." -- Joseph Weizenbaum.

    "If you cannot grok the overall structure of a program while taking a shower, you are not ready to code it." -- Richard Pattis.
  6. 11-12-2003 #6
    Brian
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    Microsoft developmental flowchart.

    Code:
    Steal an idea
     |
     |
     v
Is the idea implemented  --- Yes 
already?                      |
     |                        |
     |                        V
    No                     Can the company
     |                     be purchased
     |                      |           |
     V                     Yes         No
Write a worthless           |           |
hack.  Sell patches         V           V
disguised as new         Buy the     Write a worthless
versions.                company.    hack.  use market 
                                     share and cheap
                                     gimmicks to kill off
                                     competition (bundle
                                     with next version of
                                     Windows).
  7. 11-12-2003 #7
    VirtualAce
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    So Brian you work for them don't you.


  8. 11-12-2003 #8
    Lurker
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    that Windows programs are so big that it is almost impossible not to have problems and bugs. The fact is, that whatever Windows programs in, it is that type of language that has this "alignment":
    Sorry, but wrong. The bugs are the cause of the language - visual basic .
    Do not make direct eye contact with me.
  9. 11-12-2003 #9
    Sebastiani
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    Visual basic - didn't Microsoft write that too?

    Actually, I think Windows was mostly written in C and later, in C++, with only a small percentage going to the other languages.

    To be fair, Microsoft hasn't totally failed at writing decent software, and they even introduced some innovations. Of course, had they *really* done it right, they would've come up with the Macintosh.
    Code:
    #include <cmath>
#include <complex>
bool euler_flip(bool value)
{
    return std::pow
    (
        std::complex<float>(std::exp(1.0)), 
        std::complex<float>(0, 1) 
        * std::complex<float>(std::atan(1.0)
        *(1 << (value + 2)))
    ).real() < 0;
}
  10. 11-13-2003 #10
    gicio
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    Question

    Which workflow use companies that are on the CMM levels 3, 4, 5 ???
    (http://www.sei.cmu.edu/cmm/)



    regards,


    gicio
  11. 11-13-2003 #11
    ober
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    Originally posted by Lurker
    Sorry, but wrong. The bugs are the cause of the language - visual basic .
    WTF... Windows and I'm sure most of the other software that is produced by MS is NOT written in VB. VB is a quick development language and there is NOTHING wrong with it in that respect. Stop bashing VB because a lot of companies use it as a very successful tool.
  12. 11-13-2003 #12
    gicio
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    LOL!!!

    VB6 rulez


    Which companies are on the CMM levels 3, 4, 5 ???

    regards,

    gicio
  13. 11-13-2003 #13
    Shiro
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    > I'm very interested in how the developing/build/testing
    > workflow @ Microsoft looks like.

    Writing Solid Code: Microsoft's Techniques for Developing Bug-Free C Programs
    Steve Maguire

    http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books
  14. 11-13-2003 #14
    Brian
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    Originally posted by Shiro

    Microsoft's Techniques for Developing Bug-Free C Programs
    hehehe
  15. 11-13-2003 #15
    Lurker
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    Originally posted by Brian
    hehehe
    I MUST agree .
    Do not make direct eye contact with me.
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