I was grappling with programming all day.
The module that I was making was exactly the CEO and I discussed the last week. I originally planned to finish the module today. It did not look so difficult. I had a nice sample which the CEO found on the Net. However, the reality was that I was shrugging even after nine thirty. The following is what I was struggling with today.
I was struggling because my Web program forgot all information I put in. This is bad. Information should be retained according to an information scope. An information scope is a kind of commitment by the computer that it will hold the information for clear period. We need such a commitment. What happens if a computer erases information arbitrary? Information scope for programmers is as important as project scope for project managers.
However, in Web programming, such a commitment seems to be valid no more. An application can clear all information at once. People call this phenomenon a “Post Back”. I spent time to understand and to cope with "Post Back".
Here is what I did. I used a lethal method. It is called a “global information scope”. This scope is an exceptional scope. When a computer receives this request, it has to keep the information for ever. This technique resembles to a drug. It is easy to write, it looks convenient, but it can destroy the program. A scope with too wide range is difficult to manage. Specialists advise us to avoid the global scope.
What is happening to the programming world? I have observed the development of programming technology as an amateur programmer. I believed that the development was all about improving scope management. There must be a reason for Web application to forget information. But what came to my mind is that this situation can be an opportunity for software companies. How much money could a person earn if he has found a solution to the scope problem?
By the way, this story is only for programmers. You do not have to worry about Amazon.com forgetting your credit number. Expert Web programmers know the way to cope with.
Posted by hfuruichi at August 23, 2004 10:34 PM