Probably the best language to learn now is Python

Of course, you want the most popular and the most valuable.

According to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) , it is Python, the clear winner.

Here are the top ten in its rankings:

Why Python?

The answer appears to the fact that it iss now used for embedded applications and because it has beefed up its repertoire related to AI and Machine learning. It is for this reason R language (somewhat speccialized) has seen some decline.

Microsoft C# is still handing there at 5 and probably its place will be solid 5 for all types of programming - Web, desktop and Mobile. SQL is also there but does not show up as top 10 which is understandable given its area of usage.

Well here is the first 20. Find if your favorite is here

Well, you may want to know the basis for the ranking. You can get to know here.

You can find a lot of posts on R and Python on this site.



You can find a lot of Python and R posts in my blogs.

Develop Android apps on Windows 10

First of all you need Android Studio and for Windows you can download Android Studio 3.0 here. Of course you need to accept the license terms. More importantly brush up your Java skills.

https://developer.android.com/studio/index.html

Once you download the file you will be taken to the installing directions page here.
https://developer.android.com/studio/install.html

Review this page's image here:

Run the downloaded executable and follow the wizard.

JavaScript is number 1, but R is catching up

JavaScript is number 1  and then there ar others that follow:

Java
PHP
Python
C#
C++
Ruby
CSS,
C
etc.

R has moved from 17th to 13th Place according to RedMonk's biannual programming language rankings. TypeScript a subset of JavaScript a la Microsoft is another language on rapid move.

On what does RedMonk base this ranking?
Language usage on StackOverflow and GitHub.

More info here:
http://www.infoworld.com/article/3096812/application-development/iot-spurs-surprise-surge-in-assembly-language-popularity.html

On Thiobe index JavaScript is not the top, C++ is. My guess is IoT drives the language use in the future and if that is true then C++ will get the greatest grade.

http://www.infoworld.com/article/3096812/application-development/iot-spurs-surprise-surge-in-assembly-language-popularity.html

In 2015 JavaScript had just moved from 9 to 7 on the Thiobe Index:
http://hodentekhelp.blogspot.com/2015/01/how-popular-is-javascript.html

Microsoft Azure IoT Hub goes GA

With Azure IoT hub which became generally available(GA) you can be assured of reliable bi-di communication; connect to millions of assets; can operate with wide range of OSs and protocols and of course guaranteed to be secure. Azure IoT hub provides a complete set of services such as connecting, provisioning; monitoring and updating.

AzureIOTonGA

If you are looking for getting a good handle may be you should start with this tutorial. You do not need to have a device, but you will get the hang of it using a simulated device. The tutorial is well structured and clearly delineated. You have a choice of programming help, C#, Java or Node.JS.

• Create an IOT Hub
• Create a device Identity
• Get or receive messages sent by device to cloud
• Create a simulated device app
• Run applications

Watch this video targeted for developers:


Azure IOT Hub documentation is here.

Web Apps with backend data are crucial for business

We live in a data-centric world.

Data in your store changes with time and you may have to handle data that need to scale. It follows that the applications that you build should scale. Also the developers who work for you may be more proficient in one programming language than the other. Azure Web Apps using SQL and NoSQL database backends are most suited, as scaling is built into Azure. Further Azure Web apps can be written in a number of languages that include: 

• .NET
• Java
• PHP
• Node.js
• Python

Most developers can handle two or more from the above list.

Infrastructure management is highly automated and scaling is no problem as Auto scaling capability helps you to go up or down depending on your traffic.

Web Apps with backend are really crucial for your business and your backend can be SQL Database (relational) or NoSQL (non-relational). Microsoft can handle both types, relational with SQL Azure database and NoSQL with DocumentDB (service that helps you to store, index and query JSON-based data. Review references for DocumentDB on Hodentek blog at the conclusion of this post.

You are not sure but would like to try it out for free. Here is the link (https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/documentation/scenarios/web-app/) where you can get started.

Free trial may be available only for new users. I have been using Azure since it's beta and I have tried to get the free service but I have not been successful. This may be different now.

References:
Format SQL Response in JSON Format
Moving data to DocumentDB
Data store for IOT
Getting to know DocumentDB-2
Getting to know DocumentDB-1
Signing up for Azure DocumentDB
DocumentDB is announced
 

JDBC Type 4 SQL Server Driver announced

Microsoft has announced the availability of JDBC Driver for SQL Server that implements full compliance with JDBC Specifications 4.1 and 4.1. It supports the JDK 1.8 and the Transport Layer Security (TLS) for security over the Internet.  The JDBC 4.2 driver also supports the SQL Server's Always on feature.

Download link for JDBC 4.2 Driver is here (http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=11774)

JDBC is an important component of Microsoft Data Connectivty scheme:

JDBCMicrosoft.png\
The source for this information and image is here .

Review here for the usage of this driver while connecting to data source.

Review this connecting to SQL Server from PHP.

What is TIOBE Index?

TIOBE index provides a measure for the popularity of programming languages as mined from search engines. It includes many browser results as well as covers many programming languages. The index is published every month and for the month of January you can find it here:
http://www.tiobe.com/index.php/content/paperinfo/tpci/index.html

Programming languages C and Java are the top dogs and Javascript jumped from 9 to 7 in January 2015 and C# steady from 2014 to 2015 at 5.

TIOBE Index is calculated by the query +"Language> programming" to the search engines.
Get more info on TIOBE here:
http://www.tiobe.com/index.php/content/products/tics/TICS_framework.html

 

Released this week, Visual Studio 2013 Update 4 CTP2

Visual Studio 2013 continues to grow and more bugs in the previous release are fixed.

Also released during the week are the following:

• Team Explorer Everywhere Update 2
• Visual Studio Tools for Unity 1.9.1

The download link for the Update 4 CTP2 is here:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=44240
The relevant files to download are:
VS2013.4 CTP.exe (1.8 MB)
VS2013.4.ctp2_tfs_enu.iso (2.5 GB)
VS2013.4.ctp2_tfs_exp_enu.iso (530.0 MB)

In the Update 2 CTP2 the main improvement is for Visual C++.
The full details are here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2994375

The improvements to C++ copied from the above are :
•Visual Studio now scans or rescans a solution and then updates the database much more quickly for large solutions. Therefore, the browsing process should be much more responsive, and you should experience fewer situations in which you are blocked when you perform browsing operations (such as Go To Definition) on large solutions.
•Visual Studio 2013 Update 4 CTP 2 enables you to collect and analyze GPU usage data for Windows applications by using the Performance and Diagnostics hub. This tool can help you determine whether CPU or GPU is the performance bottleneck of the application. You can also inspect timing data of each individual GPU event if supported graphics cards are present and the latest drivers are installed.

For details of the bug fixes please look up the KB article (2994375)

Wolfram a Knowedge based Programming Language

If you have not heard of this language it is high time you know about it. It is a proprietary

programming language that is knowledge-based, scalable, interactive and  runs on many platforms including,

• Linux
• Mac
• Windows
• iOS -near future
• Android -near future

and on all the devices including,

• desktop
• cloud
• mobile

The interactive user intrface runs natively on Mac, Windows and Linux on supported browsers.
Well that is all ready a lot.

It can do Graphics and hailing from its Mathematica origins it is extremely well suited for scientific

projects and it is well supported by a community eager to help.

Although started off with Mathematica it has grown over the long years and it now includes the
Computational Knowledge engine - WolframAlpha. It is neat and you just ask questions as simply as the one shown in this screen shot:

 

It is certainly knowledge based and as questions are not unique and based on your assumptions you may get a different answer.
Looks at this next one. The question is posed very simply and the answer is so very cool!


Here is another

These were queries in text. With the pro version you can input images and data structures that need computational assistance.

Here are what Bing and Google finds and Yahoo did no better. You may note these browsers can compute expressions like 2^2+3^2 etc. The example chosen is a little more difficult. Can Cortana get this intelligence?

 

Explore more about  Wolfram|Alpha here:

http://www.wolframalpha.com/

This video is very comprehensive. Do not skip!

http://www.wolfram.com/language/intro-video.html?

The language handles all kinds of data from SQL, Excel Spreadsheet to freeform inputs and it can source data from of databases as well.

This could be a good challenge to the star number cruncher MS Excel.

Here is screen shot of the Wolfram Cloud on which I have a basic membership.

 

What about IoT?

This is covered too and you may find examples with RaspberryPi.

 

What's more it has hooks to C, .NET and Java.

 

Visual Studio 2013 Update 3 is now available

Following its new version release scheme, Microsoft today released the third update for Vsual Studio 2013 and Team Foundation Server 2013. This release addresses some of the core IDE features.

Image source: TechCrunch.com site.

If you are using Visual Studio Ultimate, then Microsoft provides for CodeLens for Git repositories. CodeLens is in-situ help for code you write. Diagnostic tooling now includes tracking apps' CPU and memory usage. Application Insights (was in preview) is now part of Visual Studio.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn481095.aspx

What does Applications Insights provide?

• Allowed you to monitor (both .NET and Java) your deployed live application.
•  Find out how your app is used, so that you can improve your app and optimize it.
•  You can monitor apps for, web, Windows Store and Windows Phone.
•  Web service availability and responsiveness is tracked
• Your App   URL is tested every few minutes from locations around the world flag problems
• Diagnose performance issues either related to CPU or other resources.

Read more here:
http://techcrunch.com/2014/08/04/microsoft-updates-visual-studio-with-deeper-git-and-azure-integrations-performance-and-diagnostic-tools/?ncid=rss

Visual Studio 2013 Update 3 download:

Download from here:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=43721

The above site is for downloading the RC and RTM should be the same.
Download file info:

Version: 2013File
Name: VS2013.3.exe
Date Published: 7/29/2014
File Size: 1.7 MB

OS support (Microsoft Site):
Supported Operating System
Windows 7 Service Pack 1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows Server 2012
Hardware Requirements •1.6 GHz or faster processor
•1 GB of RAM (1.5 GB if running on a virtual machine)
•8.5 GB of available hard disk space
•5400 RPM hard disk drive
•DirectX 9-capable video card that runs at 1024 x 768 or higher display resolution
Additional Requirements: •For Windows Phone development:
•Windows Phone 8.0 development requires Windows 8.1 (x64) or higher
•Windows Phone 8.1 development requires Windows 8.1 (x86) or higher
•For the Windows Phone emulators, Windows 8.1 (x64) Professional edition or higher, and a processor that supports Client Hyper-V and Second Level Address Translation (SLAT)

These are the download options:On-line, Off line and ISO image

You can also download Visual Studio Express 2013 for Windows from the same link to develop store apps.
 

Shimeji - the desktop buddy is a fun program

This is a fun program from the site here:
http://www.group-finity.com/Shimeji/

Download details are posted here:
http://hodentek.blogspot.com/2014/07/have-you-installed-java-on-your-windows.html

This video shows it all.

The zip folder as detailed in the previous link was downloaded to the Windows 7 (x64) bit computer and extracted to a folder in the C:/ drive. The folder contents are as follows. 

As per my previous link I believe I have Java x64 bit installed on the computer. The jre7/bin/ was appended to the path.
If you want to enable it in the path go here:

http://hodentekhelp.blogspot.com/2014/08/what-is-path-in-windows-7-and-how-do.html

The readme file in Shimeji folder specifically says the following are required:

1. Windows XP or higher
2. Java 6, must be 32-bit

However despite the above the program still works although Shimeji-ee.exe does not work and throws the error mentioned previously in the link. The Shimeji-ee.bat also does not work.

Double click the executable jar file. The following window opens:

Just accept the default and click Use Selected. The desktop buddies or, the desktop mascots appear as shown.

You also get the Shimeji icon in the tray which you can double click and use the drop-down menu. To close the program click Bye Everyone!

Mahalo

 

Have you installed Java on your Windows 7 64bit computer?

Well I have, and I have not. I have tried, but so far I have had no success. There are many other folks looking for an answer. Perhaps we need to crowd source a work around.

I recently came to know about a fun program which it appears a rage in Japan.
Shimeji is a fun program that you can find details here:
http://www.ashido.com/huntersmoker/shimeji.html

English code fork here:
http://code.google.com/p/shimeji-ee/

I downloaded Shimeji-ee_1.0.3_Mischievous.zip to try it out.
I extracted the folder to my hard drive.

Java is not installed on my computer (as seen in Programs and Features). But I suspect there is a x32  bit Java on my machine. I see it on Control Panel | Programs

 

I run Shimeji-ee.exe.
I get a Shimeji -ee message:
"This application requires a Java Runtime Environment 1.6.0" and
 it takes me to Java.com site and I download JavaSetup7u65.com

I download and run. Java Installer runs
Oracle installer takes over(notice the IoT items!).

After the installation I get a message that Java was successfully installed. Does not say which version, but I suppose it is x64bit.

 

[Well, I am busy saying yes to Java Updates on this machine like once a day!]

I find it in Control Panel's Programs and Features

It is time to verify, back in the Java.com site.

I now verify it in the java.com site by clicking on 'Agree and Continue'. Looks like it did not install since I get the

http://java.com/en/download/uninstallapplet.jsp

OK. Let me assume that there is some problem with this java's jsp page and I go ahead and try to run Shimeji-ee.exe one more time.

I get a fatal exception message:
Error: Could not create the Java Virtual Machine (error message in Windows 8.1 is slightly different but equally useless).

This is the same message on my Windows 8.1 Professional Laptop as well.

Have I installed Java on Windows 7 x64 (or Windows 8.1 )?
           The answer is Yes according to Control Panel, no according to java.com site.

Do I have Java x32 bit and x64 bit?
           Yes, definitely (also verified in Windows Registry)

Do they work?
           No

Well I am searching if I find it you will be the first to know.

Mahalo

App development with outsystems - Cross-Platform App development - Part 2

outsystems is cloud based development platform built on top of Visual Studio.
You can create an account on the following page (by clicking Get Started):
http://www.outsystems.com/offer/ga/web-application-development/?utm_source=MSN&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=%2Bapp%20%2Bdevelopment%20%2Bplatform&utm_content=cross%20platform%20app%20development&utm_campaign=SEARCH%20-%20US%20-%20Dev%20Tools

I created an account as shown:

Once you start accessing your service by clicking on the email link from Outsystems site you are directed to the Personal environment overview where you can watch a video which describe how Outsystems works in simple terms.
For example, it created a Personal environment for me at:
https://hodentek.outsystems.com

When you click on Click here to continue you get to the Get Started page which is at

http://www.outsystems.com/hone/Personal_Home.aspx

This page is really useful and it points to many of the resources. There are tutorials, templates, app samples, etc. This is also where you start your app. I built both web apps as well as hybrid apps. You will hear about in another post.

Outsystems claims that you can build an app in 5 minutes (that's an awesome number of apps in a 8 hour day!). However, the interface is so easy and user friendly that you may even achieve this.

Watch this video,

There are two ways to use the apps:

• Use the outsystems cloud
• Or detach code (one way process) and compile for .NET or Java a ; once detached you cannot attach back to outsystems.

The platform is built on VS.NET / Java and therefore if you just wanted to use the source code (but not the outsystems platform) then you go through a process of detaching your code on outsystems and then compile the code either on VS (Visual Studio) or a Java compiler (Eclipse).

 

Google Cloud SQL goes GA

Finally Google Cloud SQL (mysql version 5.5 in the cloud) has reached General Availability status. With this comes an SLA of 99.95 for this service. All customer data is encrypted too.

Google Cloud SQL supports all the features of MySQL. For unsupported feature and differences follow the next link. Data Storage is limited to 250 GB by default. As to programming languages that you can use - only two are supported, Python and Java.

Frequently asked questions about Google Cloud SQL is here:
https://developers.google.com/cloud-sql/faq#whatissql

Pricing information is here:
https://cloud.google.com/products/cloud-sql/#pricing. There is a special price with discount for developers experiencing more traffic. On demand pricing comparable to Amazon's RDS for SQL Server.

More information here:

http://googlecloudplatform.blogspot.com/2014/02/google-cloud-sql-now-generally-available.html

and here:

http://techcrunch.com/2014/02/11/googles-cloud-sql-hits-general-availability-gets-an-sla-encryption-and-support-for-larger-databases/

Master C# and become a Universal Coder

Is this the coming of age of C#?

Of course with your C# mastery and XAMARIN Studio you can become a Universal coder. The apps are written entirely in C# but your target platform could be Windows, Mac, Android and iOS. Isn't that cool? You can have your favorite .NET libraries and still use stuff for platform specific libraries, and have a good mash. If you have not tried XAMARIN try it now and join the 0.5B developers World wide. Down load a free version here which is really bare bones.

http://xamarin.com/

The free version gives you:

Xamarin Studio and deploying to Device(s) or deploying to App Store(s) capabilities. Perhaps the app size is limited and if you want unlimited appsize, prepare to shell out $299/year in buying a subscription. The top end costs $1899/year.

Here is the product line-up, you choose.

Oracle software on Windows Azure

You can now have Oracle on windows Azure. Right now (effective immediately) it is in preview which means it is the time for you to check it out without shedding too many dollars.

This became possible as a result of a partnership between Oracle and Microsoft.

 

Customers can run Oracle supported software on:

• Windows Server Hyper-V
• Windows Azure

The following Oracle related items are available as preview in Windows Azure image gallery:

• Popular Configurations of Oracle
• Java
• Oracle Database
• Oracle WebLogic Server
• Oracle Linux

Customers who have Oracle license can run Oracle on Windows Azure (license mobility is OK)

Read more details here:
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/cloud/faq-1963009.html

Start your trial here:
http://www.windowsazure.com/en-us/campaigns/oracle/

Mahalo,

Jay

Silverlight(1.0) - 101

There are many products that can deliver rich internet applications to the user which includes Java, Adobe, Google, Yahoo, several JavaScript based frame works which includes Silverlight from Microsoft. Silverlight has moved to version 2.0 which is still in Beta. This article is based on Silverlight 1.0

Read this Silverlight 1.0 article to get a full flavor of what is needed to get Silverlight experience with your browser. This is a beginners tutorial, and if you already know how to work with Silverlight this may not be for you. There is so much written up on Silverlight 1.0 from its early days to the present that there are different ways of referring namespaces that a beginner can find it difficult to comprehend. The present article places the code in the article in the defined context of the article.

Silverlight 101

Look for similar articles at:

Windows Presentation Foundation
Accordion Pane: AJAX Toolkit
Dojo vs Microsfot: Battle of wizards
Dojo Ajax with JSON
Ajax Toolkit animation
On Dojo button -based on early version
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Basic Dojo -Early version
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