An ageing coder tackles his ageing code¶

Ageing Coder¶

Learnt on ZX81 - 1kB memory, Z80 assembly language, no permanent storage
Storage on cassette tape
Made a space invader move from left to right
Moved onto Acorn BBC Micro - 32 kB memory, BASIC - a high level language
Draw random squares - teacher complains most are diamonds - understand requirements
University - FORTRAN 77 - another high level language
deliver code to mainframe
now used many many languages and technologies

accounting system - built to try “innovative databases”
written in Lotus Approach
system moved to MS Access
converted to MS SQL Server with .NET client
change because
- SQL Server license cost
- Windows development environment, and Windows VM

wanted web app -> framework
started with Ruby and Rails (as experienced it already)
- only ever started from scratch with Rails - but this time needed to use existing database and Rails made it hard
then tried JS and node.js
- hate JS (emotional response)
Scala and Play framework - heard about it
- Scala language is a thing of beauty
- Play framework was OK, but it’s young, and libraries and tools weren’t there so would have to start from scratch
Python and Django
- was able to build stuff fairly quickly
- Postgres, Django REST Framework
- Logic as Django/DRF code (previously logic was in SQL Server stored procedures)
- angular JS UI, coffeescript, UI served separately
modular application
all built on open source
kept original database design