Asserts vs Defects

This comes as no surprise to me – more assert()s means fewer defects.

I really dislike XML

Not technically Microsoft-hate, but since they’re such rabid XML-philes it counts.  There are of course many reasons why XML is awful, but today’s example is the .exe.config file format that MS loves so much.  Even programmers will mess up when editing one of those files, just imagine what will happen when your service people need to make a change.  Do they even have a keyboard they’re familiar with?  How do they figure out the syntax error they made in a huge mess of semi-structured ‘<‘s and ‘>’s?   When you’re trying to figure out what they did *over the phone* (no network connection on the demo floor, of course) you’ll learn to appreciate the .properties format real quick.