Author Archives: Arthur Liao

Quickly determine the day of the week or the day of the month

Posted on July 22, 2014 by Arthur Liao

I often need to know the day of the week for a recent date, or more often, the day of the month today when I know what day it is today. You can find a good amount of information on … Continue reading →

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JavaScript, a rising star

Posted on June 2, 2012 by Arthur Liao

I didn’t notice the JavaScript phenomenon until recently. Although I started using JavaScript on Netscape4/IE4 when web was still new, and did some Ajax for a while, JavaScript has always been a supporting role in my mind, some auxiliary tool … Continue reading →

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The abstract nature of software makes coder’s life hard

Posted on May 26, 2012 by Arthur Liao

Is software a science or engineering? To coders, I think it’s engineering because we build something to ship. On the other hand, unlike most engineering disciplines, software is abstract. The things we build are computer instructions – no flavor, no … Continue reading →

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Software complexity is software entropy

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Arthur Liao

Entropy is a thermodynamic term, and I regard it a very profound insight applicable outside physics. For example, things in the world get worn over time. I’d describe that as a process of increasing entropy, which is basically irreversible unless … Continue reading →

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