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Technology

Text processing options

The last two weeks, I have been researching options for processing free text. I think I have explored the entire spectrum of possibilities. Below are some notes that I can revisit in a few months and not spend the same effort again. Background I was looking at a way to process auto-generated tweets, like the ones on http://twitter.com/moneyvidya_com. Some sample tweets: #moneyvidya arunthestocksguru (5 Star rated) says Buy Vijay Shanthi Builders - 6m (Monday 29 March 2010 @ 09:55 … http://bit.

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Education Technology

The great runtime shootout

It is becoming more and more obvious that there are just two runtimes left to execute code, the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and the Common Language Infrastructure (CLI). So, I decided to see how they stack up. Looks like both environments have something for everyone. Here is a list of programming languages available on these runtimes. Can run on CLI using IKVM.NET Can run on JVM using Mainsoft solution Not yet usable Can run on CLR, but is behind the JVM implementation The main reason for the research was to identify a new language I should pick-up.

Categories
Education Technology

Playing with Small Basic

Yesterday I stumbled upon SmallBasic, while looking for something else. It is an interesting little project by Microsoft to create an entry level language to teach programming. It is a mix of toned down BASIC and Logo. Since the language (or is it an application) is still in infancy, version 0.5 released recently, I will try not to be too harsh on it. Sample program with obligatory screenshot Showing Flickr Image 1: url = Flickr.

Categories
Technology

Javafx 1.2 - First impressions

Spent the last couple of days looking at Javafx, Sun’s response to Silverlight and Flex. It is an interesting mix of ideas. Clearly inspired by dynamic languages as well as Silverlight. Maybe Flex as well, but I couldn’t tell as I have not tried Flex. Things I liked: Type inference: Could have been better, but I will take this any day over the verbose Java alternate Binding: In fact this is a great thing.