From: James Edward Gray II <james@...>
Date: 2006-07-03T23:47:42+09:00
Subject: Re: [QUIZ] Sending Ruby code vs. provding URLs

On Jul 3, 2006, at 9:35 AM, ara.t.howard@noaa.gov wrote:

> On Mon, 3 Jul 2006, Josef 'Jupp' SCHUGT wrote:
>
>> Hi!
>>
>> At Mon, 3 Jul 2006 01:29:40 +0900, Dave Burt wrote:
>>> http://dave.burt.id.au/ruby/fixed_width_ints.rb
>>> http://dave.burt.id.au/ruby/weak_hash.rb
>>
>> The problem that the former URL is wrong turned my attention to the
>> question wether to post URLs that points to the Ruby code that one
>> assumes to be a solution to the Ruby Quiz or to post the suggested
>> code.
>>
>> My opinion is that one should post the code.
>>
>> - Posting the code is less error-prone simply because fewer sources
>>   of error are involved. No web server and browser is needed and in
>>   most cases mail user agents are superior to web servers and
>>   browsers as far as translation of one system's encoding to another
>>   one's is concerned. Solutions to the Ruby Quiz don't tend to be
>>   longer than ordinary e-mails so size is no reason not to use
>>   e-mail.
>>
>> - To my understanding, the reason of providing code is not primarily
>>   being listed as one of the people who contributed a solution. It is
>>   rather allowing others to comment on the code, point out mistakes,
>>   provide stylistic improvements, or even discuss if the solution
>>   actually fits the specification. This process is simplified by
>>   including the code in the mail so that it can easily be quoted.
>>
>> - Several mail user agents provide no easy way to open a URL. This
>>   usually means that one needs to copy it, perhaps start a Web
>>   browser, and then direct that browser to the given URL. The obvious
>>   question one may raise: Is that code acutally worth the effort?  
>> Theq
>>   likeliest answer is "No. If that guy were sure that he has written
>>   fantastic code, wouldn't he be proud and show it to everyone in the
>>   most direct manner? Next mail, please."
>
>   - when all the code exists inline in the message one can search  
> for it using
>     google or gmane.  this, to me, is by far the biggest advantage.

I agree that inlining solutions in the message is the best strategy.

That's actually a little more work for me, because I have to dig them  
out of the message, watch for file breaks, and try not to break name  
associations for things like a test harness.  Because of that, posts  
that clearly delineate files and there names (where it matters) are  
greatly appreciated.  Here's a good example from the solutions I just  
put up:

http://blade.nagaokaut.ac.jp/cgi-bin/scat.rb/ruby/ruby-talk/199917

Still, I think inlining is best for the quizzes's primary purpose,  
for others to learn from, so I accept the extra work and still  
believe it's the way to go.

James Edward Gray II