Latest News from John Gomez

.NET Track - CLR Internals

Wed, 15 Dec 2004 00:00:00 EST

When you run a .NET application, do you ever wonder about what goes on 'under the hood?' Starting with a simple 'Hello World' application, we will see exactly what happens when you compile your source code to IL.

Exception Handling From the Inside Out

Tue, 06 Apr 2004 00:00:00 EDT

From the perspective of most programmers, the ability to raise an exception is typically a rather straightforward set of semantics that allows your program to react to an unexpected situation. But as with most things related to .NET, there are a variety of under-the-covers 'happenings' that allow your particular programming language to implement a common service without sacrificing the language's usability or flexibility.

The Science of Threading

Fri, 13 Feb 2004 00:00:00 EST

In Part 1 of this series (.NETDJ, Vol. 1, issue 12) we explored some basic background in regard to .NET threading. We explored concepts related to threads in general, their appropriate usage, and how to work with the thread pool in .NET as an alternative to managing our own threads. This month we will build on what we know and dive deeper into .NET threading. We have a lot to cover, so let's get started.

The Science of Threading - Part 1: An overview of a little-understood area

Wed, 10 Dec 2003 09:44:49 EST

If I had to bet on what is the least-understood - yet most often viewed as a cure-all - area of software engineering, I would have to place my money on threads. The topic of threading, in my opinion, causes a tremendous amount of confusion and is typically implemented in situations where there is no need for the use of threads.

Whidbey: The Next Evolution of .NET

Tue, 07 Oct 2003 12:09:25 EDT

For many people change is a scary concept - and in the world of technology it can cause a roller coaster ride of emotions. As developers, you would think that we would be used to change, as we are typically the instruments of change.

Marissa's Guide to the .NET Garbage Collector, part 2

Thu, 11 Sep 2003 00:00:00 EDT

When we left Marissa last month she was getting rather cranky, but now she is well rested and ready to get down to business. And that business is how Microsoft .NET manages memory through the use of what is commonly known as the garbage collector or GC.

Marissa's Guide to the .NET Garbage Collector

Mon, 11 Aug 2003 14:56:27 EDT

'What's wrong, Uncle John?' I hadn't realized how my facial expressions were illustrating my inner feelings. I had been working on a new coding project, and as I worked I became more and more amazed by the native memory management provided by .NET.

Feeling the Need for Speed?

Mon, 21 Jul 2003 11:54:00 EDT

Ah, the need for speed. It drives many of us insane as we spend late nights in a dark and dingy development shop tricking out our code to gain just another microsecond of performance. Programming legends live and die by the performance of their code. Many of my brethren have lost the pink slip to their laptop on a Friday night in a parking garage on Microsoft's Redmond campus.

The Art of Writing High-Performance Code

Wed, 28 May 2003 00:00:00 EDT

The Aglo tribe lives on a small island called Zerep, located in the South Pacific. From year to year the Aglos are never sure of what to expect. Sometimes they have plentiful resources and life is good, things run smoothly, and there is much joy and happiness. At other times they find that they can barely find enough to survive on and only their trust in the spirit of the Tij and their natural affinity to do things as efficiently as possible keep them alive.

MSIL: A Wizard's Tale

Thu, 27 Mar 2003 00:00:00 EST

There are places in this universe were mortals fear to tread dark mysterious places replete with shadowy cliffs, hidden treasures, and rumors of spiritual powers. These places are best left to wizards, hobbits, and elves and those few who have an unbridled passion for adventure, challenge, and conquest.