What Do You Want in a Good Python Programmer

Python, as a general purpose programming language, can be used for creating a wide variety of applications for different devices. Despite being a high level programming language, Python emphasizes on code readability. The programmers can further use its syntax to express concepts without writing lengthy and complex code. However, it is always important for each enterprise to pick a good Python programmer. Along with having expertise in writing applications in Python, the programmer must know how to build applications rapidly according to varying requirements of clients. As an employer, you must focus on some simple points to hire the right Python programmer for your business.

Key Skills to Look for while Hiring a Python Programmer

Ability to Write Clear and Readable Code: Along with being simple and easy-to-learn, Python does not require programmers to write longer lines of code to express concepts. So a programmer can learn and write code in Python within a shorter span of time. But it is always important for the code writer to know how to write clear, readable and structured code. For instance, you must check if the programmer knows how to enable clear programs by using constructs provided by the programming language. The readable and structured code will make it easier to maintain and update the application in the longer run.

Experience in Writing Python Applications: It is also important for an employer to evaluate the experience and expertise of the Python programmer in detail. There are always chances that a programmer has already written several applications in Python. But you must evaluate the features and usage of the applications developed by the programmer in detail. You must give priority to code writers who have already developed applications for clients belonging to your sector. The relevant experience will help the developer in understanding your specific requirements and specifications.

Familiarity with Widely Used Python Frameworks and IDEs: A business can always curtail development time and effort by using Python application development framework. As an enterprise has option to choose from a wide range of Python frameworks. For instance, you can choose from several widely used Python web development frameworks like Pyramid, Web.py, Web2Py, Django, CubicWeb and Zope 2. Likewise, you can use an open source framework called Pivy to use Python for mobile application development. So it is important to check if the programmer is familiar with the Python development frameworks and IDEs selected by you.

Knowledge of Python Programming Best Practices: It is also important for the developer to understand some common Python programming best practices. As Python can be used for both scripting and general programming, it is important for the developer to know the best practices according to the use of the programming language. You must ask several questions to the programmers to ensure that he is familiar with Python programming best practices. It is also a good idea to ask him specifically about the best practices and style guide recommended by Google for Python coding.

Understanding of Common Programming Mistakes: Often some common programming mistakes can have a huge impact on the quality of the software application. So each Python programmers must understand common Python programming mistakes like incorrect use of class variables, specifying parameters for an exception block incorrectly, misinterpretation on Python scope rules, and creating circular module dependencies. When the programmer is familiar with these programming mistakes, he can avoid rewriting or modifying the code. The elimination of programming mistakes during the development phase will further curtail the overall software testing time.

As an employer, you also have option to hire a freelance Python programmer. If you are planning to use Python for creating specific application, it is a good idea to hire a freelance programmer. However, it is also important to hire the right freelance code writer for your project by focusing on these simple points. To get maximum benefits of Python development, you may consider hiring services of a custom Python development company.

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Javascript Tools That Developers Should Be Aware of

A client-side scripting language, JavaScript is a powerful tool when it comes to developing websites or web applications. When used by a skilled developer, it can work impressively to enhance the user experience. It also provides rich features and components. Syntactically JavaScript is an easy language to master but it is often predicted as a difficult language to work with owing to its environment – the Web browser. The popularity of JavaScript can be estimated from the way the latest technologies utilize it as a supported language for developing desktop apps. There are several tools within this language that help in speeding up the coding process, optimize codes and test the scripts in various situations. Besides these, they are also applied for unit testing, check security vulnerabilities and as debugging tools.

Here’s a list of JavaScript tools that the developers should be aware of:

JS Nice: This helps in reading the JavaScript codes even if it is obfuscated. In this sort of a program the JS Nice suggests new identifier types as well as names automatically. By using advanced techniques for program analysis as well as machine learning it can learn the name and type regularities from vast amount of open source projects.

Converse. Js: It is an open source chat app that can be used to connect to any Jabber or XMPP server. You will also find it in the footer of the webpages, such as, Facebook chat and acts as a support to one to one or multi-user conversations. This tool is used to decline or accept contact requests, set statuses, etc.

Hitch: This provides an extension model for both HTML as well as CSS. Hitch is defined as a prollyfill engine for JavaScript. By using this tool the developers easily import and utilize features from CSS selectors that have been merely proposed or HTML widgetry that is based on the previous web components proposal.

Responsive Nav: This is another JavaScript plugin that makes the creation of responsive menus a simple task for the developers. CSS3 transitions and touch events are used by this tool to ensure impressive performance. This also works well on screen readers even when the JavaScript is disabled. There are standalones in this plugin too. The developers can also make use of the callbacks for init, close and open events.

amMap: To include an interactive map functionality to the webpages the developers make use of the amMap. It is sued to display the locations of an office or the route through which one daily travels, etc. A distributor map can also be created by applying this tool. In addition to these, the developers can also include images or illustrations as backgrounds or layers in the maps. This would make a huge difference in the presentation or the e-learning tools.

Sequel.Js: For building the SQL query Squel.js is used as it strings conveniently through an object related to the API. It supports all kinds of SQL queries. It can work also on the browser. But the latter is not advisable as the queries in this case will be visible to all.

Candy: Another open source chat app that has been created with the help of this language. It uses Jabber in developing real time based communication. The added advantage for this open source tool is that it receives support from various rooms. Therefore the users can be active in multiple numbers of rooms. They can also chat both privately as well as publicly. These can be performed in impressive tabbed interfaces.

Radi: It is a visual design app that targets the web with both standard as well as human readable HTML, JavaScript code. There are built in tools for editing and creating graphics. The animations can be generated in the canvas output that works fine in all the modern browsers and even in handheld devices as well. For a more customized effect the filters (ready to use) as well as effects can be used by adding them in the developer’s codes.

Roole: If you are looking for an alternative that is SASS or LESS (+stylus) inspired then check out Roole. It supports variables as well as conditional logic. The reason why developers should use it is because it enables to define the format used in the CSS. It is a well documented tool that works on both the server side and client side.

As a developer if you are planning to use JavaScript as a programming language, these are some of the tools that you must be aware of. This would help you leverage the benefits of JavaScript development.

We provide JavaScript web development services. If you would like to talk one of our certified JavaScript developers, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.

Ruby on Rails and Their Testing Frameworks

Ruby on Rails (ROR), an open source framework, is used extensively for web development. It uses Ruby as the programming language which is quite similar to Python or Perl. The USP of ROR lies in its ease of use and speed. This is the reason why developers prefer Ruby on Rails over the other frameworks. Any changes made in the app are immediately applied. This saves time at the developing stages. Hence, it is a faster system to work with. As an open source it supports some of the most widely used engineering principles and patterns. Hence, achieving success in completion of tasks becomes an easy method. Further support is also integrated within while developing as application. The skeleton test code is used easily to write test in a simplified way. By using ROR it can also be ensured that the code is in sync with the functionalities mentioned earlier even after major modifications have been made.

Besides, the Rails also enable the developers to test the response of the apps through browser requests. The testing frameworks for Ruby on Rails are proving quite helpful for the developers. Here is a list of some of the most widely used testing frameworks:

Cucumber – To test web applications Cucumber can be applied quite effectively inspite of using ROR. The developers can use any programming language including Java, Python, Ruby or C# to develop an app but that can be tested successfully on this testing framework. Thus, it can also be used by the QA engineers even if they are not aware of the Ruby programming meticulously. The features of this testing framework allow the plain text functional descriptions to be executed as automated tests. Cucumber is an effective testing tool that also allows BDD (behavior driven development). Thus, it does not matter whether the stakeholders are technical or non-technical. The test codes can be verified without any trouble even before the original testing begins.

Test::Unit – This is another important tool that is quite effective for web app testing. Here the xUnit testing framework is implemented for Ruby. Once the developers begin to write the code, they will surely find Test::Unit. Despite being full of this programming language, the Test::Unit is not a static part in the framework. To write new test codes, the experts recommend the use of MiniTest.

RSpec – This also supports BDD like the Cucumber. As a result the business analysts and domain experts can analyze easily the test codes keeping in tandem with the features and the way the apps will used. There are certain features in this tool that makes the test driven development more fruitful. The benefits for testers lie in the fact that they can make use of the command in line program, customize the reporting, utilize the expectation language (extensible), text descriptions for groups and examples in the mocking framework.

Spork – This tool is used extensively to analyze the Ruby applications. The server copies will be forked every time a test is run. The ROR can be used for reloading files even if the developers are not uploading them on a continuous basis. Spork has an advantage as it runs solidly and is not corrupted even as time passes by. Moreover, this testing server is compatible with various other testing tools like the RSpec, Cucumber as well as supports a number of other app development frameworks. Various kinds of modules or meta-programming can be tested effortlessly.

Shoulda – This tool was initially designed wit unit testing in mind. However, this can now be utilized to test the Ruby apps by attaching it to the project. This is known as a meta gem which has two dependencies: shoulda matchers and shoulda context. These dependencies can be used distinctly by the testers to write test cases as the project requires. For carrying out the test it is important to add it to Test::Unit.

Ruby on Rails is packed with various kinds of testing frameworks that can be used quite conveniently to carry out all kinds of tests. However, when you have too many choices it might be difficult to decide upon. Hence, it is necessary for the testers or developers to first pick the tools they would require and then progress with the process. To get maximum benefits of ROR development, you may consider hiring services of a Ruby on Rails development company.

We provide Ruby on Rails development services. If you would like to talk to one of our certified Rails programmers, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.

Is Employing a Perl Freelance Developer a Good Choice?

The position of a Perl developer or a programmer is full of difficulties responsibilities and tasks. Each Perl programmer is required to be well versed with top level Perl Development skills over UNIX systems in an Agile market. On top of that, a Perl developer also is required to posses certain information about Apache, Linux, MySQL or some other commonly used SQL data base products, demonstrate knowledge of rising LAMP technologies and also have certain amount of knowledge in an Agile Development. Working with a freelance developer or a programmer for this kind of specific IT purpose could be filled with problems, many of them unseen & unexpected. The most suitable choice is to be done a bit of internet search then work with an efficient outsourcing company that may be efficient at providing you a committed human resource, ones own remote staff.

Are there any potential benefits of outsourcing to some full time and dedicated employee who actually does work from another location for you? yes there are. A full time member is actually a real advantage over the simple freelance worker who could spend just a couple of his overall working hours for your needs, managing because he actually does a number of clients as well as their assignments. Therefore, your assignment receives a less than the focus you would probably prefer. The full time virtual member will be your own committed resource, exactly like any locally employed employee. A remote staff works out of the well equipped workplace from the outsourcing provider, as a result, most of the advanced equipment along with software necessary for Perl development and also for programming are often readily available. A freelancer operating from home, in most cases using very little resources, could not expect to go with many of these technological ability.

A committed remote staff is the one whom you have chosen after having a thorough screening procedure. Evaluate this to the freelancer who may be normally found judging by his charges or bids instead of any other particular skills. Therefore, having a remote Visual Basic programmer, you are aware whom you are working with. That is much easier to deal with, manage and work together with any full time remote employee compared to a freelancer. The reason being the office of a vendor operates as an offshore expansion of your very own office, provided with all of the latest methods of communication, making it simpler for you to have interaction with the remote staff member may be many times daily, when you need to.

The remote staff member is assured with a 24x7 HR assistance along with IT back up if there is technical problems, in that way never getting your project being affected or unnecessarily overdue. The freelancer is usually subject to power outages and also internet breakdowns and can also accidentally become a cause for work turning out to be badly delayed or broken down. Data security is not a hazard with the virtual staff as the office of the vendor has advanced software securing technology as well as getting the member of staff to sign an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) while joining. Therefore, employ a full time Perl developer in order to work remotely for your assignments or projects. To get maximum benefits of Perl development, you may consider hiring services of a Perl application development company.

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A Comparison between ROR and PHP Frameworks

While choosing a technology the first thing that a business owner thinks of is how many years will the technology last? For them, it is important to introspect on why they want to choose a specific technology. The developers also look for technologies that will last for long so that the ROI is high. Thus, both business owners and developers prefer a technology that has a fairly large community and highly recommended. In this regard, both the ROR (Ruby on Rails) and PHP frameworks have their own set of pros and cons. Both of these can be compared on the basis of their performance, scalability, support, maintenance, and costs.

However, it had been stated several times by experts that it is not exactly fair to compare PHP with Ruby on Rails. It is like comparing apples to oysters. This is due to the fact that while PHP is a programming language that is used to write applications, ROR is a web framework. In this regard, the Ruby on Rails can be more suitably compared to Zend framework, CakePHP, Laravel, Codeigniter, etc. PHP is popular as it is an open source technology that can be used by any developer for creating complicated apps well. There are other frameworks like Laravel that is growing in popularity. The question is why developers and business owners would opt for ROR? One of the main reasons is the library. This is an absolute necessity for developing as well as organizing the applications. There are several PHP based projects which till date lack a proven and mature framework. Ruby on Rails in this regard endeavors to simplify the learning process by using conventions.

Here’s a brief comparison between Ruby (the language) and PHP:

Scalability, Maintenance: Both PHP and ROR are scalable. However, this issue rises quite early with Ruby because its use of resources and it includes quite common issues when compared to the other. Thus, while comparing these for scaling, reviewing will be based on way the app is being designed. To solve the scaling problems there are several online services as well. For developers who want to scale a website, there are ample resources which can be written for PHP. However, the same rule does not apply to the other framework.

As far as maintenance is considered, here too, ROR has a limited selection of web frameworks as compared to the other. On a general note it can be said that as long as one uses a framework to develop apps, maintenance is no trouble at all.

Performance and Pace: Where performance is concerned it has to be remembered that one is a language while the other is a framework. The latter is definitely used to accelerate productivity over speed. On the other hand, a language, in its purest form, is quite fast. But as the developers keep adding the web frameworks their performances drop. At certain stage you will find that both are at the same pace. When compared to other frameworks, like, Laravel, ROR has a better performance ratio. As languages, both Ruby as well as PHP are known as the slowest ones but the former requires more resources to work. There are various runtimes for both. These are slower when compared to the other languages.

Resources: If both are compared on the issue of resources then PHP obviously scores. The problem is that there are many resources for these frameworks that are outdated. However, the communities from both sides do pay heed to such issues. They try to keep the resources available and up to date.

Cost: There is a tough competition in the world of PHP. As a result the developers charge less. There are various factors responsible for this. The two primary reasons are that this language is easy to learn and although developers are readily available but they might not all be experienced. As opposed to this, the web framework is more difficult to learn. Most of the languages have limits on the availability as well as how many codes can be written. But there are no such limitations here. On the contrary there is a huge audience for this language. Hence, the popular companies select this. For the web framework the cost can shoot up pretty fast and it is more difficult to find a hosting that supports it.

Developing time: For both the languages the developing time is quite fast.

Hence, a lot has to be considered before comparing these two. Both have their set of advantages as well as disadvantages. Which language suits which developer is purely a question of personal preference. To get maximum benefits of ROR development, you may consider hiring services of a Ruby on Rails development company.

We provide Rails development services. If you would like to talk to one of our expert Ruby on Rails developers, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.