Feature news

How Algorithms Changed The World





This infographic sets out to show the impact programming has had. It is indisputable that software has touched most things in the modern world, but you might still be surprised by the selection of algorithms in this chart.
This infographic, prepared by College Degree Search, is clearly designed to generate some enthusiasm among students for studying the most important subject of all - programming. However, it does raise some interesting questions about what exactly and algorithm is.
The definition it provides is
An algorithm is a set of instructions for solving a problem or performing a task.
and while this is true doesn't this apply at a mathematical formula as well? Isn't the traditional well known formula for the roots of a quadratic equation an algorithm by this definition?
Yes of course it is!
The point is that programming is mathematics without the abbreviated symbols - but don't tell the students this because it might just put them off.
Take a look at the infographic - be warned it is big and deserves to be printed out and put on a wall somewhere - and see what you think about the choice of algorithms.

infoalgorithmsSMALL


You can get an even higher resolution version from: College Degree Search.
While the first example, the Euclidean algorithm, seems fine as an algorithm, the second, the quadratic algorithm, doesn't seem quite as good. Programming and algorithms that belong more to programming than math have the property that they use iteration and conditional logic in a way that math formulas usually don't. While the Euclidean algorithm does include iteration the quadratic algorithm doesn't.
You can pick and choose which algorithms you think belong to programming and which to math. Personally I'm pleased to see the Fast Fourier Transform in the list. It is difficult to appreciate how much change this improvement from an order N2 to an order NlogN algorithm brought about. It probably deserves the accolade of algorithm of the century - but that would be 20th not 21st.
Learn more »

BASH Programming " Part 1"

 

Familiarity with GNU/Linux command lines, and familiarity with basic programming concepts is helpful. While this is not a programming introduction, it explains (or at least tries) many basic concepts.
This document tries to be useful in the following situations
  • You have an idea about programming and you want to start coding some shell scripts.
  • You have a vague idea about shell programming and want some sort of reference.
  • You want to see some shell scripts and some comments to start writing your own
  • You are migrating from DOS/Windows (or already did) and want to make "batch" processes.
  • You are a complete nerd and read every how-to available
This HOW-TO will try to give you some hints about shell script programming strongly based on examples.In this section you'll find some little scripts which will hopefully help you to understand some techniques.
  #!/bin/bash          
  echo Hello World
This script has only two lines. The first indicates the system which program to use to run the file.
The second line is the only action performed by this script, which prints 'Hello World' on the terminal.
If you get something like ./hello.sh: Command not found. Probably the first line '#!/bin/bash' is wrong, issue whereis bash or see 'finding bash' to see how sould you write this line.
#!/bin/bash tar -cZf /var/my-backup.tgz /home/me/
"SOON Part 2"
Learn more »

Learn Beginner and Advanced HTML/CSS Skills for Free


When you want to make something awesome on the web, you have to start with HTML and CSS. With plenty of options, picking a good tutorial isn't always easy. Here are beginner and advanced lessons that'll teach you the basics and beyond.
Designer/developer Shay Howe put together a set of free lessons to help you learn the basics of HTML and CSS as well as more advanced techniques to improve your abilities. Each lesson walks you through various concepts, providing code-based and visual examples to help you understand. When you finish each, Shay offers additional resources so you can keep learning more about HTML and CSS beyond his guides. Whether you're looking to get started or improve your skills, check them out. His guides are very organized, detailed, and helpful.
Thanks for the tip, Arvin!
Learn more »

Ubuntu Phone the SuperPhone that's also a Full PC !

Ubuntu, the Linux-based operating system running on plenty of corporate servers, will arrive on smartphones in October 2013, according to the man leading the project. Developers will get access to the mobile OS in late February.

Mark Shuttleworth, CEO of Canonical, a company that provides services to companies that use Ubuntu software, had previously announced his company was taking Ubuntu to phones, but originally gave the target date of early 2014.



Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Shuttleworth said the first Ubuntu-based phones would be coming in October. Developers, however, will get their hands on the software as early as this month.

Why would anyone try to compete with the likes of Android and iOS, especially when there are already alternative OSes such as BlackBerry and Windows Phone? Shuttleworth believes Ubuntu phones will really solve a problem, letting users stream corporate software — even Windows desktop apps — right on their handsets as well as boot up the full Ubuntu OS when they're docked to a workstation. Check this Video 


That could make Ubuntu handsets very attractive to a set of corporate IT departments who already use Ubuntu on the desktop and back end. For security-conscious companies that are heavily Linux-based, Ubuntu might even be a better choice than BlackBerry. Check Ubuntu Phone Design

Ubuntu isn't the only dark-horse mobile OS trying to fill a niche that the larger platforms have seemingly overlooked. Mozilla is vying for a spot with its Firefox OS, and there's also Tizen (formerly MeeGo), which has gotten limited backing from Samsung.

Are you looking forward to Ubuntu's mobile OS? Let us know in the comments.

Image courtesy of Canonical
Article Source

What Do You Think ? Ubuntu can compete with Android and iOS ?


Learn more »