My pragmatic thoughts for the New Year

All of sudden, it's a new year. I came to visit my parents in Eastern Washington a few days ago, and I'm still here waiting for the passes to clear up enough for me to get home. I don't feel much like working, but wanted to share a thought while I had a few minutes to spare

I'm not much for resolutions, but I do have one for 2009. Years ago, when I first read The Pragmatic Programmer, as suggested in the book, I began an effort to learn a new programming language every year. So, for the last 5 years or so, I've learned a new language a year - not enough in any case to be an expert, but enough to adequately understand the language so that I could write simple utilities and be fluent in reading the code.

Last year, however, was an exception. With work on the book taking almost all of my spare time, I barely did any programming at all. HWTSAM, of course, is complete, so this year I'm going to see if I  can get my mind around Python. Python 3.0 is out, and Corey Goldberg has a great recommendation for a book, so we'll see how I do.

Good luck to everyone else who has some sort of resolution, and best wishes for the new year.

Comments

• Anonymous
  January 02, 2009
  AlanIt is always great to discover that you are doing well. A very happy New Year to you and the readers of your blog!Although I am not much for new year resolutions myself, I do make promises to myself from time to time. From now onwards, I plan to make larger contributions, in terms of expanding my knowledge as well as sharing it with the testing community from time to time. Better time management should take care of the problems that I faced earlier. If not, I would have to think up an innovative solution.Inder P Singh