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  3. How do you write fewer lines of code?

How do you write fewer lines of code?

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  • realJSOPR realJSOP

    Ahh yes. For me, there has to be more than two lines of code to make it worth it, and then you have to consider th4 amount of stack and heap manipulation involved in making the function call (if it's "redundant", it probably requires some sort of poarameter for the function, thus increasing stack usage) versus just leaving the code where it is. Like everything else in coding, there are trade-offs.

    ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
    -----
    You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
    -----
    "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997

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    PIEBALDconsult
    wrote on last edited by
    #12

    John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:

    increasing stack usage

    Not if you make it a macro. :-O

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    • B Bassam Abdul Baki

      Nagy Vilmos wrote:

      case Comparison.GREATER_THAN { return (field.getValue().compare(value) < 0); }

      Shouldn't this be a >?

      Web - BM - RSS - Math - LinkedIn

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      Nagy Vilmos
      wrote on last edited by
      #13

      It's just an example! :sigh:


      Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. Drink. Get drunk. Fall over - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre I cannot live by bread alone. Bacon and ketchup are needed as well. - Trollslayer Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb - they're often *students*, for heaven's sake - Terry Pratchett

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      • M Marc Clifton

        From Mehdi's question about "is less lines of code better" -- Question: How do you go about writing fewer lines of code (omitting removing line breaks as an answer) ? One obvious answer is, replace redundant code with a function. Another possible answer is, using Linq to replace for-next loops (funny how we [well, I do] still call them for-next loops) One other answer to that comes to mind is using OOP to eliminate "if" statements regarding type. Anyways, that's my question--if you really want to achieve fewer lines of code but the same behavior, what really are good practices? Marc

        My Blog

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        NormDroid
        wrote on last edited by
        #14

        How do you write fewer lines of code? Easy; become a burger flipper.

        Software Kinetics Wear a hard hat it's under construction
        Metro RSS

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        • N NormDroid

          How do you write fewer lines of code? Easy; become a burger flipper.

          Software Kinetics Wear a hard hat it's under construction
          Metro RSS

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          L Offline
          Lost User
          wrote on last edited by
          #15

          Or if that is a bit too difficult, a manager.

          Every man can tell how many goats or sheep he possesses, but not how many friends.

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          • M Marc Clifton

            From Mehdi's question about "is less lines of code better" -- Question: How do you go about writing fewer lines of code (omitting removing line breaks as an answer) ? One obvious answer is, replace redundant code with a function. Another possible answer is, using Linq to replace for-next loops (funny how we [well, I do] still call them for-next loops) One other answer to that comes to mind is using OOP to eliminate "if" statements regarding type. Anyways, that's my question--if you really want to achieve fewer lines of code but the same behavior, what really are good practices? Marc

            My Blog

            D Offline
            D Offline
            Dalek Dave
            wrote on last edited by
            #16

            If you want shorter code, limit memory. Back when dinosaurs ruled the Earth we had 16K, and we did a lot with that because we were efficient and didn't fill stuff with unnecessary rubbish. I even used an NCR mainframe which had a massive 128K RAM and twin magnetic tape drives! Programs were 'Terse' to say the least.

            ------------------------------------ I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^] Trolls[^]

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            • B Bassam Abdul Baki

              Marc Clifton wrote:

              Another possible answer is, using Linq to replace for-next loops (funny how we [well, I do] still call them for-next loops)

              Using someone else's code is not technically reducing it.

              Web - BM - RSS - Math - LinkedIn

              M Offline
              M Offline
              Marc Clifton
              wrote on last edited by
              #17

              Bassam Abdul-Baki wrote:

              Using someone else's code is not technically reducing it.

              I was wondering if someone would say that. Well, technically, it reduces the lines of "my" code. Otherwise, you would have to take this to the logical extremes of 1) any framework code + calls to Win API and 2) might as well reduce it to lines of code in the MSIL/assembly language. That doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Marc

              My Blog

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              • realJSOPR realJSOP

                Ahh yes. For me, there has to be more than two lines of code to make it worth it, and then you have to consider th4 amount of stack and heap manipulation involved in making the function call (if it's "redundant", it probably requires some sort of poarameter for the function, thus increasing stack usage) versus just leaving the code where it is. Like everything else in coding, there are trade-offs.

                ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
                -----
                You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
                -----
                "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997

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                L Offline
                Lost User
                wrote on last edited by
                #18

                Don't forget that the compiler inlines small functions and so eliminates the entire effort for calling. But it's great that there still are people around who give such things a thought.

                "Dark the dark side is. Very dark..." - Yoda ---
                "Shut up, Yoda, and just make yourself another toast." - Obi Wan Kenobi

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                • M Marc Clifton

                  Bassam Abdul-Baki wrote:

                  Using someone else's code is not technically reducing it.

                  I was wondering if someone would say that. Well, technically, it reduces the lines of "my" code. Otherwise, you would have to take this to the logical extremes of 1) any framework code + calls to Win API and 2) might as well reduce it to lines of code in the MSIL/assembly language. That doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Marc

                  My Blog

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                  D Offline
                  Dalek Dave
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #19

                  Marc Clifton wrote:

                  I was wondering if someone would say that. Well, technically, it reduces the lines of "my" code. Otherwise, you would have to take this to the logical extremes of 1) any framework code + calls to Win API and 2) might as well reduce it to lines of code in the MSIL/assembly language.
                   
                  That doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

                  Let me reduce that... I thunk other may ?"that". Reduction.true < MyCode Else U forced object +/- ∞ Case 1: != code.null +API Case 2: < Code.Lines lower language Sense tends to zero.

                  ------------------------------------ I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^] Trolls[^]

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                  • D Dalek Dave

                    If you want shorter code, limit memory. Back when dinosaurs ruled the Earth we had 16K, and we did a lot with that because we were efficient and didn't fill stuff with unnecessary rubbish. I even used an NCR mainframe which had a massive 128K RAM and twin magnetic tape drives! Programs were 'Terse' to say the least.

                    ------------------------------------ I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^] Trolls[^]

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                    L Offline
                    Lost User
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #20

                    Ha, beat you! My old computer first had 256 bytes RAM and then was genrously expanded to 4k :)

                    "Dark the dark side is. Very dark..." - Yoda ---
                    "Shut up, Yoda, and just make yourself another toast." - Obi Wan Kenobi

                    D 1 Reply Last reply
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                    • realJSOPR realJSOP

                      Close the IDE after the next semi-colon.

                      Marc Clifton wrote:

                      One obvious answer is, replace redundant code with a function.

                      But that's just writing the code somewhere else, so that doesn't count. There are no "good practices. You can eliminate error checking (bad practice), elminate line breaks (bad practice), or according to some start writing in VB (bad practice). This bizarre search for "less code" leads to the crap we get from Microsoft.

                      ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
                      -----
                      You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
                      -----
                      "Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997

                      M Offline
                      M Offline
                      Marc Clifton
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #21

                      John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:

                      But that's just writing the code somewhere else, so that doesn't count.

                      Well, no, if I've copied and pasted the same code into two different methods, I've got x lines of code, but if I make that code into a function, I've got x/2 lines of code (where x is the line count of the code I pasted twice, for those who like arguing. :) )

                      John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:

                      There are no "good practices.

                      You know, I like that philosophy. "There are only bad practices." :) Marc

                      My Blog

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                      • L Lost User

                        Ha, beat you! My old computer first had 256 bytes RAM and then was genrously expanded to 4k :)

                        "Dark the dark side is. Very dark..." - Yoda ---
                        "Shut up, Yoda, and just make yourself another toast." - Obi Wan Kenobi

                        D Offline
                        D Offline
                        Dalek Dave
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #22

                        256 Bytes! That is not far up from an abacus. :)

                        ------------------------------------ I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^] Trolls[^]

                        L 1 Reply Last reply
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                        • OriginalGriffO OriginalGriff

                          If you really want to write fewer lines of code: get a kitten.

                          Real men don't use instructions. They are only the manufacturers opinion on how to put the thing together. Manfred R. Bihy: "Looks as if OP is learning resistant."

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                          Marc Clifton
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #23

                          OriginalGriff wrote:

                          get a kitten.

                          Amen to that. My cat definitely reduces the number of lines of code I write! Then again, he's been known to write some extremely verbose, monotonic code. I've been well trained - Win-L to lock the keyboard when I walk away from the desk! Marc

                          My Blog

                          OriginalGriffO 1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • M Marc Clifton

                            From Mehdi's question about "is less lines of code better" -- Question: How do you go about writing fewer lines of code (omitting removing line breaks as an answer) ? One obvious answer is, replace redundant code with a function. Another possible answer is, using Linq to replace for-next loops (funny how we [well, I do] still call them for-next loops) One other answer to that comes to mind is using OOP to eliminate "if" statements regarding type. Anyways, that's my question--if you really want to achieve fewer lines of code but the same behavior, what really are good practices? Marc

                            My Blog

                            P Offline
                            P Offline
                            PIEBALDconsult
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #24

                            What's a line of code ? OOP, generics, code generation, code reuse, implants[^]...

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                            • D Dalek Dave

                              256 Bytes! That is not far up from an abacus. :)

                              ------------------------------------ I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^] Trolls[^]

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                              L Offline
                              Lost User
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #25

                              Typical static RAMs available around 1976. Something like 256 words x 4 bits. You needed two of them to get your 256 bytes. The computer was a kit and you had to solder it together yourself. Back then a small but working computer for 100$ was sensational, but you could not expect it to have plenty of anything. But it still works and sits on a separate desk at home :)

                              "Dark the dark side is. Very dark..." - Yoda ---
                              "Shut up, Yoda, and just make yourself another toast." - Obi Wan Kenobi

                              D 1 Reply Last reply
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                              • P PIEBALDconsult

                                What's a line of code ? OOP, generics, code generation, code reuse, implants[^]...

                                M Offline
                                M Offline
                                Marc Clifton
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #26

                                That's a great question! Marc

                                My Blog

                                1 Reply Last reply
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                                • L Lost User

                                  Typical static RAMs available around 1976. Something like 256 words x 4 bits. You needed two of them to get your 256 bytes. The computer was a kit and you had to solder it together yourself. Back then a small but working computer for 100$ was sensational, but you could not expect it to have plenty of anything. But it still works and sits on a separate desk at home :)

                                  "Dark the dark side is. Very dark..." - Yoda ---
                                  "Shut up, Yoda, and just make yourself another toast." - Obi Wan Kenobi

                                  D Offline
                                  D Offline
                                  Dalek Dave
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #27

                                  I bet word processing was a bugger! :)

                                  ------------------------------------ I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^] Trolls[^]

                                  L 1 Reply Last reply
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                                  • P PIEBALDconsult

                                    What's a line of code ? OOP, generics, code generation, code reuse, implants[^]...

                                    L Offline
                                    L Offline
                                    Lost User
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #28

                                    About 3 quid I think, depending on who you buy it from. Oh sorry, it was a 'd'.

                                    Every man can tell how many goats or sheep he possesses, but not how many friends.

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                                    • M Marc Clifton

                                      OriginalGriff wrote:

                                      get a kitten.

                                      Amen to that. My cat definitely reduces the number of lines of code I write! Then again, he's been known to write some extremely verbose, monotonic code. I've been well trained - Win-L to lock the keyboard when I walk away from the desk! Marc

                                      My Blog

                                      OriginalGriffO Offline
                                      OriginalGriffO Offline
                                      OriginalGriff
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #29

                                      Mine has discovered the delete key, the space bar (good for dialogs, it acts as OK on most of them, whether I want it to or not) and his particular favourite: F11. Holding that down gives him hours of fun (and me a headache).

                                      Real men don't use instructions. They are only the manufacturers opinion on how to put the thing together. Manfred R. Bihy: "Looks as if OP is learning resistant."

                                      "I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony
                                      "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt

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                                      • M Marc Clifton

                                        From Mehdi's question about "is less lines of code better" -- Question: How do you go about writing fewer lines of code (omitting removing line breaks as an answer) ? One obvious answer is, replace redundant code with a function. Another possible answer is, using Linq to replace for-next loops (funny how we [well, I do] still call them for-next loops) One other answer to that comes to mind is using OOP to eliminate "if" statements regarding type. Anyways, that's my question--if you really want to achieve fewer lines of code but the same behavior, what really are good practices? Marc

                                        My Blog

                                        R Offline
                                        R Offline
                                        Ravi Bhavnani
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #30

                                        IMHO, probably the most efficient way to realize this goal is by refactoring and using existing frameworks where possible.  Some MS technology shops exhibit the "not invented here" syndrome and prefer to shy away from non-Microsoft, non-commercial libraries, sometimes for legal reasons (putting a company's IP for sale is easier when you reduce dependencies on open source and other non-MS commercial libraries). /ravi

                                        My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

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                                        • M Marc Clifton

                                          From Mehdi's question about "is less lines of code better" -- Question: How do you go about writing fewer lines of code (omitting removing line breaks as an answer) ? One obvious answer is, replace redundant code with a function. Another possible answer is, using Linq to replace for-next loops (funny how we [well, I do] still call them for-next loops) One other answer to that comes to mind is using OOP to eliminate "if" statements regarding type. Anyways, that's my question--if you really want to achieve fewer lines of code but the same behavior, what really are good practices? Marc

                                          My Blog

                                          C Offline
                                          C Offline
                                          CPallini
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #31

                                          Inheritance. Then you have to look up all that huge class hierarchy to see what the concise fu#*in' code is supposed to do. :)

                                          If the Lord God Almighty had consulted me before embarking upon the Creation, I would have recommended something simpler. -- Alfonso the Wise, 13th Century King of Castile.
                                          This is going on my arrogant assumptions. You may have a superb reason why I'm completely wrong. -- Iain Clarke
                                          [My articles]

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