Code, Console, Content

The popularity of Java and .NET these days has relagated the lonely ODBC on the sidelines. To heck with ODBC? It is inherently slow and besides newer technologies for database connectivity are all over the place. In fact, they come bundled with the platform or framework or the SDK you are using.

Problem arises when you are not so free to use those fancy technologies. Now, for all its sake, read further as this one actually happens to a programmer I know and you might get a chance to experience the same as a working programmer.

Jeff was asked by his IT Department Head to develop an application to generate reports against an existing in-house developed HR Application with MS SQL Server at the backend. The reports will be used by Department Heads accross the office over their local area network. He is not to install anything on the already slow client machines.

[Read more…] about Connecting PHP to MS SQL via ODBC

“Working for government provides you with the most secure job on earth. The government can never go bankrupt!”

“Why don’t you apply for a job at X Corporation? It is the largest in town and offers the most benefits you can have.”

I am sure you have encountered remarks such as these from some well-meaning friends and relatives who are very much concerned about your future. I got the same advice, especially during my early years of work.

Their message is clear: Get a secure job and stay there until retirement.

Did you follow their suggested path?

[Read more…] about Job Security Myth

The early years of my freelance programming journey was very tough for me personally not because I can’t find clients or projects to do, but due to the general perceptions people have on what I am doing. My relatives, friends, and former co-workers think I am crazy. Well, I guess I am.

If you are a freelance programmer in the Philippines, I’m sure you also share the following external factors that have become the greatest conceptual enemies I have faced.

Being Disconnected
Every time I meet a former co-worker or an old classmate, the first thing that gets asked after the usual “How are you?” is “Where are you connected?” Now, depending on his background or the last time you saw each other, that question can be very difficult to answer. I can either be honest and admit being a freelance programmer, or joke on my reply by saying I am currently “disconnected.”

[Read more…] about Freelance Programming Challenge

The Christmas Season holds a special place in the hearts of the Filipinos; the Philippines being a predominantly Christian country. They Philippines is considered to have longest Christmas celebration that lasts for more than 30 days! Here, Christmas is celebrated with the different sounds of fire-crackers, never-ending parties, drinking seasons with friends and attending an early-dawn mass know as the “simbang gabi.”

Such is true for the rest of the places in the Philippines, except in Davao City.

[Read more…] about A Different Kind of Christmas in Davao

Web Developers have tons of server-side scripting tools to choose from. Basically, these tools can be grouped into three major categories: a) Microsoft-based, b) Java-based, and c) LAMP-based (LAMP has come to mean Linux, Apache, PHP, Perl and Python.) Anyone wanting to develop a web-based application eventually has to decide which camp he should jump.

[Read more…] about Why PHP and MySQL

Call it a personal journal or a diary, but with a little twist. In this Blog Category, I will be expressing my personal views and opinion on various topics and issues that interest me. I will be sharing my thoughts on Politics, Science, Religion, Travel, etc.I could have named this Category as Miscellaneous, Uncategorized, or anything, but naming it Personal seems to fit.

This section is really intended for my personal use. This should be the last section to browse (and only if there is nothing more to browse) since this is the only category that has nothing to do with technical work whatsoever.

You don’t have to agree with the things I write here. As a matter of fact, you should feel free to disagree with me and write your opposing opinions using the comment form provided next to each post.