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Posted @ 3:15 AM EST
The entire Ultimate Rebate Trackerprogram at this stage in time works perfectly. No problems have
cropped up. Rebates can be moved back and forth from one place to another. Stable at this point. Here are the current program
polishing that I'm heading up right now:
- Calendar viewer: bring up to view calendar. Beats using Window's clock/date as one (or at least that's what I use).
- Rebate listing viewer: instead of reusing the rebate form, I'm going to create a separate windows form for displaying rebate
listing values.
- Rebate status checking (e.g. late). I need to add a process that does it automatically and manually.
- Refining automation options. Adding more options to have filled in the rebate forms. Wouldn't really know why having more than
what I have implemented already, but I bet someone would find it useful.
- Refining statistics collection. For those who just love to stare at numbers.
Those listed above are currently on my development list. Today's progress went by nicely. I was able to finish up having the program
done to the point where I can test adding rebates, moving them around, saving them, manipulating them, etc. I was happy. In
addition to getting it working perfectly, I went ahead and added a couple things to the program that I didn't at first want in.
First of all, the progress window. I would rather skipped this and let the program do it faster rather than count while doing its
task, as it wastes some CPU clock cycles. But who knows, maybe someone out there with a slow computer wouldn't see how I see it.
When I completed the progress window, that thing loaded up for a split second and it was gone instantly. Yes, my computer is fast.
Hehehe. I find it useless right now, but we'll see if I should remove it later on. Another was manually re-adjusting the column
headers option. When loading rebates at the start, it'll re-adjust the column headers' width automatically to either fit the
contents or the header title. But later on, if a lot of things get added or removed, one would like to resize the column headers.
Well, just by pressing Ctrl+H away would re-adjust all the columns for best fit. I love the feature. And not to forget, yeah, the
usual code optimizations here and there, and some program polishing. :)
Well, that's the update for the night. Time to get some sleep and get back at it and finish off a whole boat load of
implementations that I want to add (and finish off completely) to the program.
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Posted @ 11:15 PM EST
Oh yeah. I'm definitely withholding release of Ultimate Rebate Tracker. Don't know how long I really
want to do it, but a week maximum should do it. Got some program polishing to do (read: prevent user creating invalid inputs). Since
regular week days are back, this means that development during those times are more than weekends can provide time for me to
develop. Well back to my regular tasks.
Posted @ 12:30 AM EST
Managed to finish off everything I set out for the Sunday for coding Ultimate Rebate Tracker. That was
quite a work load I did today. A lot of coding to make the program close to completion. Now to add the small things to the program
that were left incomplete. Also fix some annoyances that I find in the program. Fixing things seems to take longer than to implement
things. Sigh.
I do not know if I'm able to release it on June 1st. I might voluntary hold back the release date a few days to finish
implementing everything I want to be in the initial version. Unless I magically run into very little problems later today when I
add and fix things to Ultimate Rebate Tracker.
It might be in the best interest to hold back the program a few days to make sure that it works correctly. I usually find that
the night before when I implement the features, the morning come when I'm back at it testing and adding more features, I find some
odd effects (read: bugs) that I usually correct. This would be determined later today if I need more time to test. I usually test
my newly implemented features while I'm coding it anyhow. But usually, I think of new ways to test it after I go to bed. My brain
thinks around the clock. Hehehehe.
I don't want to rush this out the door, so we'll see how it goes later today if I need more time to complete it, and polish up
the program to feel stable. In fact, it feels stable right now, but who knows what it'll be doing later today when I wake up and
start working on completing the program.
Well, time for me to get some rest and then wake up for another round of heavy dosage of Visual C# coding and testing. Oh yeah,
enjoy your Memorial Day.
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Posted @ 12:28 AM EST
Time for an update for Saturday's night progress. Wow. Saturday was a busy day for me. Managed to get some coding in for
Ultimate Rebate Tracker. Some optimizations here and there, some internal coding here and there, and some
fixes from yesterday's implementations. Still not close to finish, but will be pushing for it later tonight. What's left is the main
code. Since I mostly have working, glitch free code from Visual C++, it should be a breeze on converting. Just have to add one new
additional thing to the code, which is to extract out what I really need and write a few lines of code to use the existing code in
the way that I wanted to use it when I try it with Visual C++ but never worked.
Well, later today will be the final day to lay the finishing touch on the program and move on with its development in other
area. Better be. Well, goodnight people. Must get some rest and then get back at it to complete the program.
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Posted @ 1:32 AM EST
Time for the late update for Friday night's Ultimate Rebate Trackerprogress. Some code optimizations
in placed. Can't believe I didn't realize that there was a better way that was staring at me from the beginning. Finished coding in
the GUI for the rebate form. So this means that all GUI code is finished. Now to focus on the internal engine coding. Been working
on that. Finished off quarter of the code for the rebate form calculation. So when someone enters in cost values, the program will
start crunching numbers, produce results (e.g. subtotal, etc...) if available. I also implemented a digit checking system, so that
the program doesn't crash when it tries to add non-numeric values. Got to implement to check for multiple decimals. That should
ultimately secure the dummy check. Not too hard to do. Just a few lines of code, that's all. Just have to code it in later in the
day. Need to get some sleep.
Internal engine coding that needs to be done: 3/4 of rebate form, chunk of main, all of find. I'm banking on Sunday would be
the latest that I need to get it all finished and move onto the next. Wow, this is cutting it close to release date. Like I said
earlier that the weekends may be busy. Well, it'll be somewhat busy all right. Re-painting the deck sounds fun doesn't it? Sigh.
I just hope that it doesn't take up the majority of the time and give me some time to code in the missing chunks in the program so
that I can get close to completion.
Well, that's it for the night. Goodnight.
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Posted @ 11:51 PM EST
Time for an update for the night before going to bed. So far, the conversion is painless, if not very difficult at all. There
are very small differences in syntax between the two, even in .Net Framework 1.1. Was able to alter the code without wasting too
much time before coming up with the solution. So far, what's left is modifying the code that's found in the main part of the
program and convert over the rebate form code and GUI. The GUI conversion should be finished by tomorrow definitely. I can't say
the same for the code for the main part of the program. The rebate form code however, can be done by tomorrow as well. The main
code is the trickery part, which I need to optimize, or rewrite all together for better efficiency.
The clock is ticking away. There's only four days left until June. Can I make the deadline I put out? It's possible. Given that
the weekend is coming up, development time over such time is reduced, for there are many other things to do unlike during the
weekdays. I'd be on the quick move on Monday. But I won't let that happen, as I know from experience that waiting until the last
minute is not a good thing. So I'll try to get even more finished than what I wanted finished tomorrow. I just got to remind myself
that coding the program isn't everything. Documentation and creating an installation package is after the coding. That's sure a lot
to do for a one man team. Hehehehehehe. I can handle the load. I'll come through... Well, goodnight people. Another day comes
around the corner to look forward to, another development day for me as usual. When does my fun days start?
Posted @ 12:56 AM EST
Time for the updates. Instead of just completing all the GUI and then the internal coding, I just went ahead and do one form
at a time. I've done the main part of the program's GUI, part of the code, part of options box, beginning of options code. It's a
slow conversion, but there are more things that happen just copy/paste/replace. Here's a behind the scenes description: Before
transporting Visual C++ code over to Visual C#, I examine the flow of the code. Most of the time, I'm trying to reduce the
redundant coding that I've made along the way with Visual C++. I break up the codes into segments, reduce redundancies, even try to
find a quicker path to complete the code with less lines of code. Most of the time spent is doing just that - optimizing the
program's code. Essentially, me switching over to Visual C# accomplishes just not only bypassing a problem I had with Visual C++,
but allows me to fine tune the code, write the code properly and formally, have the code in managed form (Visual C++ codes were
unmanged/managed) right from the beginning, and reorganize the code for legible reasons. In fact, moving over to Visual C# and
recoding accomplishes the 1.0 development road map that I set out on May 25, 2004. Just not in
Visual C++ form anymore, but now Visual C#.
Visual C# is sure a heck lot more smoother than Visual C++. I'm starting to like Visual C# already. Less clutter and more
friendly than Visual C++. Well, time for me to get some rest. Later today awaits me to transform more code and attempting to finish
the conversion by nightfall. Length of conversion is now only controlled by how far I want to optimize the code from Visual C++ to
Visual C# with performance. So much for hoping to finishing it in two days by just copy, paste, convert. Now it's more than that.
It's think, copy, paste, convert, rewrite, optimize, and cleanup. That's a load of work there.
To sum up why the move to Visual C#: flexibility. Goodnight folks.
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Posted @ 7:32 PM EST
Transition has taken its course. I am converting over to Visual C#. All I can say is, the code is shorter, and not cluttered
all over the place. The code is much more legible and not as lengthy as C++ can be. Also got to say that I don't have to deal with
too many files created either. Header files? Implementation files? Screw that, C# here I come. All in one little cs file per form
created. That's what I like to see. That's how I like to code. Well, as of now, I'm recreating the GUI of each window's interface.
Porting over the internal codes will happen afterwards. Need to create the shell of the program before filling in the guts. I think
that would happen later in the night and into tomorrow. By tomorrow night, I should be back working to complete the program.
It looks like the quarter of code that I was referring to a few days ago is going to get left out. I will reinsert it if needed,
but as of now, the internal memory storage doesn't need to be used at all. This means less code clutter and less code porting over.
I shouldn't take too long to finish the Visual C++ to Visual C# transition. Don't plan to run into many problems, as the syntax
aren't much different from C++ at all. I already understand it on the fly.
Well, time to get back to finishing up creating all the windows forms again and then work on the internal codes. Will report
back again tonight on the progress.
Posted @ 12:51 AM EST
I guess it is inevitable. I'm starting to end back up at square 1 when I code the left over features to complete
Ultimate Rebate Tracker. I'm going to keep running into this problem that I cannot solve. I cannot send
data back to the main form from a dialog box with pointers. Seems so easily done with C#. Quite possibly later today, I'm going to
port the current C++ code over to C# so that I can move on. Because this is just killing me that I can't go any further. I hate
the C2027 error that the compiler spits out, even if I used the forward declaration method.
I've Google'd for the answer for a very length process (few days), yet to come up with a work around. The only work around that
I see fit is to go ahead and move towards C# where it's much more flexible how I code. It might best be if I rewrote some of the
functions that are somewhat messy in my current implementation too. We'll see when I wake up. If there's a work around with C++ that
suddenly pops up out of no where, then I'll stick with C++. If not, C#, here I come!
Only problem is if I move to C#, it could prolong the release, and I'm not sure if I'll beat the deadline by June. All will be
determined when I wake up.
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Posted @ 9:05 PM EST
Sigh. The work around is giving me more issues than if I were to do the original idea. Flexibility that I demand isn't being
cooperative in C++. Although C# allows such thing, I might have to give up on some of the flexible ideas. Perhaps when I design
Ultimate Rebate Tracker 2.0, I may have to let go of C++ and move to C# because of its flexibility in
coding. Of most of the examples that I come across to, I've seen many C# examples. I would have to convert over to C++. That
would usually take some time converting over due to how C# is coded. Well, at this point in time, I'm stuck on converting a very
important technique over. Using forward declaration doesn't seem to help. I doubt I'm using it incorrectly though.
I'm about to give up hope on adding the flexibility and get back to what I was suppose to do a couple days ago. I'll just note
the flexibility is missing when I write the documentation for the program. Well, off I go to finish off what I started a couple
days ago instead of trying to add the flexibilities that I wanted.
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Posted @ 11:58 PM EST
I have posted up some new pictures of the program. Redone the old ones so that they look a bit better. Last time, saving them
compressed them too much. Will take pictures of other areas of the program later on in the week when I get the program 100% finish
where it can show all (if not most) features of the program. Right now, Ultimate Rebate Tracker is still
not finished. The work around brought up an old issue that came up couple days ago where I couldn't do anything about it. Now I am
able to do something about it. But it's getting late to do something about it, so I have to leave it for tomorrow. Too bad that
the problem held me back from completing the program today.
Well, time to go to sleep and finish up everything tomorrow.
Posted @ 7:02 PM EST
Implementing the work around sure brings up a few problems. I managed to catch myself leaving out a tracking item when saving.
Took some time to correct it to make sure it works and saves correctly. Didn't realize I left it out nor how I left it out. The
work around brings up another problem: it shows me that I can simplify other code functions into a single function with switching
options. This is taking longer than I thought. Going back and rewrite the more efficient function is time consuming. Not to mention
replacing those function calls from somewhere in the code. When I say rewrite efficient function, it only means that I'm replacing
repetitive coding in my source code. I have some scattered throughout the source code that I just copy and paste since they're
only a few lines. But I took the time and implement it the easy way so that there's only one function, many calls instead of many
lines of code that does the same thing in multiple spots.
The viewing and editing the rebate data is being worked on right now, as it's still not finished since I took the time to
write efficient codes to use it with the work around, since the work around requires many lines of codes that are repetitive and
used in other functions. The find feature is also being worked on as well. It's not finished either. I've been switching back and
fourth between the two implementations because they use similiar codes.
Sigh. The more programming experiences I gain (which is everyday), the more backtracking and more efficient implementations I
do. Backtracking and implementing more efficient codes is what's holding me back to getting this all completed. Hopefully, today is
the last day required for me to finish implementing these last two features.
Afterwards, I'll put out a day to tweak and implement more efficient codes before moving on. I also need to do the documentation
of the program, write the installation code, and some testing. Hopefully, everything will be done by this weekend.
Realized that I didn't get to post new pictures of Ultimate Rebate Tracker program yesterday, I'll do
it tonight. Was busy with family stuff yesterday.
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Posted @ 4:00 PM EST
Awesome! I managed to find out a way to potentially fix my sorting efficiency problem. Now I don't even have to sort an internal
listing of all the rebates. When I use it, I can probably chuck out like one quarter of my code. But that quarter of the code is
going to be useful for the searching function though. So most likely, I'll have to keep that quarter of the code in for a speedy
search. Searching in memory is faster than searching files through the hard drive. So by tonight, I expect to implement the search
and loading of rebates that can be edited. Finding out this work around is way more efficient and much faster for me to implement
then writing so many lines of code to just do the same. I'm guessing the work around is only less than 10 lines of codes to use,
better than 100 lines of code to sort one internal part of the list. Genius at work here. :)
Posted @ 3:19 PM EST
Well, lunch was nice. Now I can't do much, since I'm full and getting a bit sleepy again from the lunch. But anyhow, I'm going
to run into a slight problem. It has to do with a different sorting, and its efficiency. It's either I make many functions to do
many things, or try to write one slick function. What I'm trying to do now is avoid writing many functions, yet only one thing
changes from that function. And the thing is that there are 15 valid comparing points. This is going to take some time to devise a
slick way to compare it all and be very efficient about it. But aren't I done with the sorting already? Yes. But this one is
different from the one I finished. I have to create another sorting algorithm as I couldn't incorporate an idea into the existing
sorting algorithm. I'll see if it can still be incorporated, as this would eliminate much coding.
Other news, the find feature is in development. Created the dialog box. Now to create the code to do the searching. At most
74 things to search from inside one rebate. Wow. That's a lot of code to write. The search code is going to be cake, but the code
would be lengthy since I'm having it search through 74 available information to search for. Might be less in the end when I look at
the scenario later.
Well, time to take a little rest and let my digestive system tear through my lunch before I go back to coding.
Posted @ 2:56 AM EST
Another day has gone by, and progress has been made. What kind of progress? My Ultimate Rebate Tracker
got a bit more flexible. I managed to implement the multiple selection technique and then some to the options section for the
headers section. Just like in Microsoft Outlook (2003), where you can move fields up and down, you can only do it when they're
consecutively selected. Not in mine. It can be selected all over the place, given that they can move up and down logically. That
was a challenging implementation. Before, I was writing many lines of code, until I realized that there was a better way. I
achieved that. Eliminated a lot of redundant coding too.
One other progress was expanding the options' selections. I put in a few more selections that can be automated in
Ultimate Rebate Tracker. When I went to check on the automation to see if it worked, silly me, I didn't
even code the automation to fill in the rebate form. Hehehehe. So I went ahead and coded the automation process. Didn't take very
long.
One last progress was that I polished up my program a bit more. Changed some things around and improved whatever that made me
puzzled. That was pretty much it for today. Didn't program for the entire day, so that's what I accomplished today. On another
note for Ultimate Rebate Tracker, I have put up a road map of Ultimate Rebate
Tracker here.
Looks like I'll be close to finishing up Ultimate Rebate Tracker. I have yet to even start on the
find feature. Been polishing up my program. Starting later today, find feature will be implemented since there's not much left to
fix any problems. Polishing up the program even more can start after the find feature implementation.
Later today when I get up from my slumber, I will post up a few more pictures of Ultimate Rebate
Tracker. Need to get some fresh ones up and reorganize a picture gallery layout. The current layout just takes up a lot of
space on the page.
Things are turning out nicely well for my program. Everything works the way I want it to. Just have to add in some missing
codes here and there for improved features and I'm one step closer to being finished. I can see the program being finished off
this up coming week, probably mid week. This would give me some time to write up the documentation, create an installer, and verify
that everything works before June arrives.
Well, off to bed I go. I'm getting sleepy. When the afternoon comes later today, I'll be back in action, coding my program
away.
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Posted @ 3:57 AM EST
Well, Friday was one of those days where productivity was hampered by problems. Couldn't do anything until I fixed those two
bugs. Took me a while to locate them. Found them and took care of them. Even after that, I tried to write a few functions the way
I see it, but that didn't work. I had to think hard, and I managed to do what I set out to do. Just took too much time. Friday was
a time killer with minor productivity results. At least the listbox in the options section can be selected in multiples and be
added or removed. At first, I had it programmed as single select. Boy would that take some time to do. Now the multiple selection
method I added in improved a lot. But then this technique has its problem - now I have to work on making the moving up and down
work coincided with the multiple selection. At least now, everything is free of bugs from the program. Now I have to work on
getting the last set of features in and tweak the code around for a more efficient handling of things.
I was hoping to post a timeline/guideline of my Ultimate Rebate Tracker development after it's
initially released since yesterday, but right now, sleep is more important, so I will have to forgo the opportunity of posting it
up. It would give a glimpse of what I should expect Ultimate Rebate Tracker should be.
Well, that's enough from me. Time to get some sleep.
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Posted @ 10:33 PM EST
I didn't get a chance to update my website from last night about my Ultimate Rebate Tracker programming
progress. Sleep was calling my name, so I had to skip out on writing up the details. Now, I have the time to do it, so let's begin.
First off, today, I managed to squash every little problems I've encountered. My program fully works. It can read in a file, write
out a file, interpret the file. File I/O is done. That was one major hurdle that I had to over come. Many mistakes made here and
there when I programmed, but fixed it all. Working fully 100%. I've also recoded the sorting algorithm to sort by date. So when
dates are sorted, they are sorted based on the date and time, not by text representation values. When text are sorted, they are
sorted by text. Did some program polishing, fixing this and that for perfection.
Since today was a long and frustrating day, that ended in happiness since all problems were rectified, I'm going to go relax
for the rest of the night. I will continue on programming tomorrow. This is what I roughly have left to do in the program: work
on that find feature, allow rebate editing after it's in the database via clicking on its listing, and some more program polishing
(yes, I'm a perfectionist).
Well, off to relaxation I go. Tomorrow will be another same day for me: more programming.
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Posted @ 1:43 AM EST
So, what have I accomplished in the last many few hours before my bedtime soon enough? A lot. Even much more closer to
finishing off Ultimate Rebate Tracker. I just have to correct the file output so that when it's read in,
there's no trouble. This will happen later today when I wake up from my slumber. Once I correct this little problem, the program is
technically finished. Yes. So close, yet not finished.
After the file output problem is fixed, I'm going to add the find feature. This will let the user search through the rebates
and find whatever they want. This is the last major feature to be implemented into the program. When I mean last major feature, I
mean by that the program won't see much new stuff for now. It's in its final stage, and no new components are added. After adding
the find feature, will be going back to my code and optimize it. Will figure out if any new features needed to be added before
release date.
Sigh, optimization sure takes time. I did some optimizations just recently, and oh my gosh, I eliminated 5 long functions with
only 1 long function. One fifth of the original size. I'm such a bone head when I see such optimization can be done. I mean, why
didn't I think of the single function that can do all 5 functions in the beginning? Only if it jumped out at me when I originally
coded the program some time ago. I guess anybody would learn from experiences.
So, what's left to program my Ultimate Rebate Tracker as of current typing? Create a find feature,
some cosmetic polishing, finishing up file I/O, and viewing rebates from the lists. That's it. For now. Looks like I will be able
to finish all of these tasks in a couple of days without any disruptions from reality that is. Planning on playing Halo with my
friend, so we'll see how far I can get.
Well, that's the latest updates for you. Goodnight.
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Posted @ 4:32 PM EST
Today, I managed to fix up all the warnings when I compiled Ultimate Rebate Tracker program. All of
the warnings are solved. Program would still work even with the warnings, but they're mostly just awkward programming habit
warnings. I decided to segment the Rebates Listing into its own entity, so I created another header selection for the Rebates
Listing. One more option selection under Options to change the Rebates Listing headers. Rebates Listing tab no longer shares its
header columns as the other rebates listing.
Now to move onto the main part of the program that I have yet to finish up yet: holding the data rebates through file I/O and
memory. Hopefully, I can get done by tonight. If I do, then I'm very close to finishing up the entire program. Will report back
tonight on how my progress is.
Posted @ 12:15 AM EST
Well, another night has gone by. Was close to finish, but ran into some problems. Will take care of the left over problems
that I didn't get to correct today later tomorrow. Looks like the program won't be fully finished until a few more days due to
problems arising when implementing some ideas.
Anyhow, I got a few screen shots of the program. The screen shots of the program are the screens that shows the rebate's data
entry part. You can see them here. Shows a lot of options to enter in doesn't it? Enter in some
data, all data, however much you want. It's all available to you if you need it. And yes, I've included an option where the rebate
that you've just entered can all be duplicated by two key strokes (Ctrl + D) in an instant. Neato.
Well, that's all from me. I hope I can get more screen shots of the program later this week. Will be back at the programming
scene at 9 AM later today to clean up a mess I've done to the program's code.
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Posted @ 4:16 PM EST
Well, another night has gone by. Was close to finish, but ran into some problems. Will take care of the left over problems
that I didn't get to correct today later tomorrow.
Anyhow, I got a few screen shots of the program. The screen shots of the program are the screens that shows the rebate's data
entry part. You can see them here. Shows a lot of options to enter in doesn't it? Enter in some
data, all data, however much you want. It's all available to you if you need it.
Posted @ 4:16 PM EST
Arg. Was so happy that I was about to finish programming Ultimate Rebate Tracker when I ran into a
decision problem: saving the rebate data. I couldn't decide whether to save it as one huge long file or save it in chunks. Looked
at the advantages and disadvantages, and so, I decided to go with saving in chunks. This way, it's better for me to know what to
look for in the files instead of coming up with some algorithm to sort the data within the file.
Other problems have risen, in terms of speed. I'm pretty sure I have a lot of code optimization soon after releasing the
program, as there are other better and faster ways to do what I wanted to do. Because I want the fastest way as possible, the
speculation that my program would be done by today is going to be an 80% miss. Going back to each chunk of code to modify and
correct the code for better performance is what's holding me back. I always manage to find a weird, yet better way to take the data
and manipulate it.
Who knows if I'll actually be finished by tonight though. But I'll still be able to meet my June deadline. The optimizations
are draining my logical and math skills. Sigh. Takes time to come up with a slick and easy way to accomplish things. And that's what
I want to do - come up with slick ways to calculate and move data around.
Well, that's the update so far. Going back to programming once again.
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Posted @ 6:23 PM EST
I'm excited. I'm even more closer to getting this program completely finished. Still got some ways off, but the task shouldn't
be too hard. Let me put it this way: I can be finished with the program tomorrow. Yes. That close, but yet, got some ways off.
Given that I don't run into any trouble though. Because all I have to do is do some coding integration. Knowing from past
experiences, nothing ever goes smoothly ever, so I'm expected to run into problems and go into fixing mode. So if I don't have any
problems, Ultimate Rebate Tracker would be done by tomorrow. If not, it should be done in a couple of days.
I'll have to put off watching some movies and get the program done much quicker. Sigh. Entertainment sacrifices.
Today was mostly about coding perfection. Was fixing this and that, making sure that it appears correctly and passing all values
in and out correctly. There's more perfection to go around, but I'll move on to completing the program. After that, there's still
plenty of time to make sure everything looks perfect as humanly possible before releasing the program.
Screenshots of the program will be obtained probably late tonight or tomorrow. Wow, just can't believe I'm almost finished with
this gigantic program of mine. Well, I'm off to help cook dinner and such. Will get back at programming later on in the evening
working overtime to get it finished ahead of schedule.
Posted @ 5:07 AM EST
There was a change of plan on Saturday, so I got more time to program. I managed to complete the header columns' customization.
I have also started on the file I/O. Got the program to save the program's options. So I have completely knocked out the available
options in the program. There's nothing to be added that I can think of right now. I'm pretty sure there are more flexible options
to exploit in my program, but enough is enough. Just need to get the important options down. If I keep adding all the options I can
ever think of, I won't be finished with Ultimate Rebate Tracker program.
So, what's left for me to program? The way I see it, I still got file I/O for the actual rebate data, parsing all those data
into the program to be viewable, creating a rebate database. Those are the major components. Looks like I'm really about to finish
this program up quickly.
Well, I'm going to get me some sleep. Goodnight people.
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Posted @ 11:00 PM EST
Well, graduation celebration was a time killer for me. Time consumption started from 1:45 PM all the way to 9 PM. This included
traveling time, graduation ceremony, eating with friends. Worth the time spent to see all my friends once more before they go
separate ways. Had fun with them while it lasted. Now things got to move along. Will miss them. Sigh.
This morning and into the afternoon before going to the graduation celebration, I managed to squeeze in some programming time.
I was able to finalize the options of adding what categories into the header columns. Although I have yet to write code that will
add the customized header columns chosen at run time. So this will happen Saturday night or Sunday. Next up would be to integrate
data management (the engine I call it). After that, file I/O. Finalize everything between all those things I need to do and the
programming project would be completed.
I'm having a positive feeling that I'm able to complete Ultimate Rebate Tracker before June and be on
time considering that I don't expect any delays whatsoever from anything.
In other news, I managed to land an A and the rest all B's for my spring 2004 semester. This is good news for me. No C's or
lower at all. Woo hoo! I was happy when I saw all my grades.
Well, time for me to get some sleep, as I have a busy day tomorrow to take care of and then afterwards, I can start programming
again.
Posted @ 11:59 AM EST
I got a wake up call this morning at 9:30 AM from one of my friends to come to the graduation and hang out all on the same day.
Guess it isn't until sometime next week. Oh well. Programming will take a one day break so that I share happiness with my friends.
I'll see what time I have left after hanging out with them. Don't know what time I'll be home, but programming will continue on
tomorrow.
Posted @ 12:53 AM EST
An update on my Ultimate Rebate Tracker programming: I have completed the rebates listing method
coding. Getting it right was the challenging part. I would like to display the listing of the rebates a certain way in the window.
Got that finished at long last after playing around with the coding. After that, I completed the sorting method as well (ascending
& descending) for each column of data. Works perfectly and flawlessly. Two subjects down, plenty more to code later on Friday.
Sigh, it'll never end so quickly.
After finish coding how the rebate information would be displayed in a listing, I realized that the displaying technique must
be flexible at one time or another. I'm pretty sure that other informative data wanted to be displayed or removed from current
window viewing is desired. So I went back and recoded it so that the listing can be changed dynamically. Well, I'm almost half way
done. I just finished up coding an option to add and/or remove the headings. The next part is to make the program do this
dynamically, and not static as it's set up right now. I should be done with this later today.
One thing I've learned is coding a GUI is more cumbersome than a DOS like prompt program. There are too many ways anything can
be done, and too many problems can crop up. I've eliminated bugs that crop up after features I've put in. Did not realize coding a
GUI can be this much trouble. Any feature I add into my program, I test it afterwards to make sure that it works. I also try to
make sure that bugs don't pop up if I happen to do something abnormal.
This is why I'm taking so long. I write lines of codes and test it and make sure bugs don't appear. I don't code dozen lines of
codes and compile just to make sure it compiled fine, then continue on coding. That would be a no no for me. Anyhow, if I keep up
the rate that I'm going right now, I just might be able to finish it before June after all.
Well, that's pretty much it from me. Time for me to get some sleep.
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Posted @ 10:45 PM EST
Well, first brand new day of summer 2004 started quite well. Everything today was productive for me. That's a start, something
that doesn't happen quite often. I was able to do things that I wanted to do, and they were all accomplished. I have yet to
actually start working on my program, but I was actually doing research for my program. I was investigating
whether I would use an installer for my program or not.
Prognosis is that it is most likely I would include an installer with my program. It looks not too difficult to do. At first, I
was thinking I would distribute the program's installation old fashion style. Old fashion style being user would manually unzip the
program files manually to whichever self created directory they want to and go on from there. Then there was the idea of me writing
an installer from scratch, would is possible, but too much time dependent and on my own imagination to create. This would lead to
excessive development time, thus I would have to go with my manual unzip idea, and then write up an installer after the program has
been finalized.
Got to be an easier alternative right? Of course. Use Windows Installer. Create one from Windows Installer and do the
configuration stuff from there. Never used one, so it's all new to me. All I know is that I'll be experimenting with it. Hopefully,
it'll lead me to success and allow me to use it for my program's installation. And hopefully, it'll work at the initial launch of
my program too, not later on in revisions of the program.
Been reading up on how to use it tonight. Not going to develop it just yet. Will have to look at my options on what I can do at
the end of my program's initial development phase.
One last point to make. And this is going to be a hard one. It looks like I really should have this program done before the
beginning of June. I know it's a long shot, but if it can be done, it'll be awesome. I'm aiming to have it done before June, so
hopefully, it'll be done by then. I just hope my development does not hit massive road bumps for the journey I have ahead of me.
Well, that looks pretty much it. Time to continue on with my research and squeeze in some coding time before tonight ends.
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Posted @ 6:05 PM EST
I am in three moods right now: glad, sad, tired. The glad part: spring 2004 semester is over and was decent. I don't expect any
bad grades at all. The sad part: Half of my friends graduating and probably never see them again. The tired part: Getting barely
decent amount of sleep for the past few days. Yet I'm 100% wide awake. We'll see how I do tonight goes when I come crashing down and
indulge myself in countless hours of sleep.
Well, summer of 2004 has arrived for me. Gee, now what to do, what to do. Boat load of things. Mow the lawn for one thing. The
other thing is to kick back and relax for a bit, for studying all those hours were crazy. Need to take a rest, studying drained me
of my energy too much. My brain can't take it anymore. Too many equations to remember, try to remember doing this and that, etc...
To get things rolling for my website, tomorrow, I'll be at it programming the Ultimate Rebate Tracker
to get it finished. At first, I wanted to finish before the beginning of June. It could be possible if I worked all day and
night and do nothing but programming. But we'll see how lazy I can get over the summer. But since I can't be lazy over the summer,
it shall be done sometime around there. Hopefully.
After finishing or during my programming, I'll have to work on my senior design project. Main project of the summer. It'll have
to be finished or pretty well be near finished before fall 2004 semester. Don't want to leave it hanging and unfinished when fall
semester starts. I'll be asking a lot of trouble if I don't finish it. My part of the project is to write a program for a Microsoft
Pocket PC compatible PDA. Guess what... Since my Ultimate Rebate Tracker is already utilizing Microsoft
.NET Framework 1.1's it'll be a lot easier for me to use and know Microsoft .NET Compact Framework 1.1. Piece of cake? Don't know.
But it should be a heck lot easier for the group since I'll be the only grand master at it.
Well, that's pretty much it from me. Time for me to look for something to eat, as I had no lunch this afternoon. I'm starving.
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Posted @ 12:51 AM EST
Well, first post of the month. Would like to say that later today is the last day of my spring 2004 classes. Then comes the
final exam studies. Then comes the part where I say goodbye to half of my friends since they are going to graduate this year. Sigh.
Life goes on and on. Out with the old, in with the soon to be new. Anyhow, May 11th is the last day for final exams. Thereafter,
I'll be working hardcore to get a lot of things finished since this summer is going to be a suckfest one. Productivity to the max
is the theme of my summer vacation.
I was suppose to program a little bit on my Ultimate Rebate Tracker this weekend, but too many things
around the house. I finally was able to clean up my room so that it looks a heck lot cleaner. It was so unorganized. So I basically
took a chill out session for this weekend. Watched a few movies and enjoyed them. Long time since I watched some movies. I guess
I'll officially resume after my final exam on May 11th and start where I left off. Still working on the file I/O part. It isn't that
clear and a clean cut routine. I would think that file I/O would take up a chunk of development time. There are some things to
explore, as I hit a few of them already. More to come down the road I predict.
Well, that's pretty much from me. Until sometime May 11th in the evening, I will declare summer vacation time... Well, not
really summer vacation, more like summer development time. Well, peace out people. Time to get some sleep.
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