|
Michael Dunn wrote:
you absolutely must have a dual CPU machine for the testing purposes alone.
Dual monitors also make it so much easier to debug UI stuff, as you can have VC on one monitor and your app on the other.
Can I put this through to my managers as a strong reccomendation from an industry expert?
- Nitron
"Those that say a task is impossible shouldn't interrupt the ones who are doing it." - Chinese Proverb
|
|
|
|
|
Actually, with a hyperthreading cpu (3.06Ghz here), its possible to test multithreaded processes with a single cpu. IMO, though, testing multithreaded software is nessesary on both single and multiple processor systems. Its not ever guaranteed that your program will be used on an SMP system if its a commercial app. Testing on single and dual systems, and now also hyperthreaded cpu's, is the neccesity. Hyperthreading has massive potential as well, and applications that properly utilize it can gain great boosts in performance and parallelism.
|
|
|
|
|
You know... I'd say ALL of us write multithreaded software these days. At my previous job I'd never really need to worry about multiple CPU's... the software we developed was to run on computers in truck bays and we'd be lucky for those guys to have a Pentium 2 with an OS greater than Windows 95. These days the software I write is for our internal use and on hardware that we control completely (kiosks). So... yikes. Mulithreaded is difficult enough without having to consider multiple CPU's. Spinlocks... yay.
|
|
|
|
|
I have a 2.4 GHz machine at work. It is plenty fast enough (compiles almost instantly) for the coding that I do, however if anyone tries to take my 21 inch monitor, they are dead.
Gary Kirkham
A working Program is one that has only unobserved bugs
I thought I wanted a career, turns out I just wanted paychecks
|
|
|
|
|
Gary Kirkham wrote:
Speed isn't everything
Next you'll be telling us size doesn't matter
cheers,
Chris Maunder
|
|
|
|
|
The only people that say that are those that possess little ones. You know who you are...
OTOH, speed kills!
Gary Kirkham
A working Program is one that has only unobserved bugs
I thought I wanted a career, turns out I just wanted paychecks
|
|
|
|
|
After developing with a dual-proc machine, I hope I never have to go back to a single-proc. Man, these things are sweet!
Jon Sagara
Hi! I'm Melanoma, Moley Russell's wart.
-- Uncle Buck
|
|
|
|
|
Actually, far more important than the speed/responsiveness of a dual-proc machine is the ability for a mulit-cpu machine to reveal threading/deadlock/race condition bugs which rarely, if ever, surface on single-processor machines. This is extremely important if you expect that your software will ever be run by someone with a SMP machine.
I've seen lots of organizations which write COM objects for IIS servers. I've seen these same organizations have nightmarish production roll-outs because all of the development and QA machines were single-proc, and all of the production machines were SMP.
|
|
|
|
|
I guess it all depends on how much stuff costs to a certain extent.
Like "markkuk" says I'd rather spend the money on a 19" (or bigger) display"
My arguement is that you should look at how you will increase your production with the spare cash you have.
I find good large twin monitors, a decent keyboard, and a great chair actually make me work more efficiently.
I don't really believe if I upgraded my current RAM and CPU I would actually get work done any faster.
On the other hand you must look at how long will the current specs you buy be appropriate for.
In 5 yrs time a 4Ghz processor will be absolute crud compared to the 30Ghz stuff that will probably be about then.
But quite often I'm sure a lot of people are upgrading more because of what the guy in the next cubicle has rather than using any fiscal logic.
Regardz
Colin J Davies
Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin
You are the intrepid one, always willing to leap into the fray! A serious character flaw, I might add, but entertaining.
Said by Roger Wright about me.
|
|
|
|
|
why everybody does not choose the quickest machine?
Mazy
"And the carpet needs a haircut, and the spotlight looks like a prison break
And the telephone's out of cigarettes, and the balcony is on the make
And the piano has been drinking, the piano has been drinking...not me...not me-Tom Waits
|
|
|
|
|
Because not everyone has access to the Boss' credit card?
cheers,
Chris Maunder
|
|
|
|
|
Everybody isn't a 3D FPS game junkie?
I'd rather spend the money on a 19" (or bigger) display, software and other actually useful stuff.
|
|
|
|
|
Fast enough for the job is all you need. I basically chose my current spec ( 2 gHz, 512 MB RAM ) as minimum, because I won't go backwards, but I must admit that the geek factor is the only thing that keeps me upgrading, my AMD 700 with 700 odd MB of RAM ran .NET just fine.
Christian
No offense, but I don't really want to encourage the creation of another VB developer.
- Larry Antram 22 Oct 2002
C# will attract all comers, where VB is for IT Journalists and managers - Michael
P Butler 05-12-2002
Again, you can screw up a C/C++ program just as easily as a VB program. OK, maybe not
as easily, but it's certainly doable. - Jamie Nordmeyer - 15-Nov-2002
|
|
|
|
|
i voted for the fastest and the memory. however, that is not good,if the machine is for developing software,since it can encourage the writting of bad code.
It's a sh*tty world. Take advantage of whomever,whenever,whereever. And oh.. becarefull what you say to me,am too sensitive.Or i might just show up at your house.
|
|
|
|
|
Developers need fast machines, but a minimum spec should be agreed to, and the code run on a machine at that speed at least weekly, preferably daily.
Having said that, it doesn't matter to me. All my stuff nowadays is browser delivered, and I *know* how fast the server is.
Christian
No offense, but I don't really want to encourage the creation of another VB developer.
- Larry Antram 22 Oct 2002
C# will attract all comers, where VB is for IT Journalists and managers - Michael
P Butler 05-12-2002
Again, you can screw up a C/C++ program just as easily as a VB program. OK, maybe not
as easily, but it's certainly doable. - Jamie Nordmeyer - 15-Nov-2002
|
|
|
|
|
Well said!
Deveopers with fast PCs never realize how slow they're programs work on low spec machine and also if the developer with big monitors often the program can't be used with a laptop
|
|
|
|
|
A big monitor is usefull, when developing (even for laptops).
Because additionally to the gui of the programm you are developing you need access to the toolbars of your developer-ide, dont you?
# THIS CODE AND INFORMATION ARE PROVIDED
# "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY
# KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED,
# INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE
# IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY
# AND/OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
# http://www.lennybacon.com/
|
|
|
|
|
Thats why a dual monitor system is a must have, espcially if you are developing custom paint code in your application or with DirectX, it will allow you to step through your code, without interupting your program.
Build a man a fire, and he will be warm for a day Light a man on fire, and he will be warm for the rest of his life!
|
|
|
|
|
kokie wrote:
however, that is not good,if the machine is for developing software,since it can encourage the writting of bad code.
Only if the developer is stupid.
Just because my software should work on a PII 200 Mhz running Win98 does not mean I want to run VC on such a computer. My whole life would be waiting for it to compile...
Test on slower computers, and develop on the fastest
- Anders
Money talks, but all mine ever says is "Goodbye!"
|
|
|
|
|
I follow a simple rule. Never have a faster machine at the office than at home! Why? Cuz getting used to a fast machine paid by someone else makes me want to spend my own money to match it. If you aren't using it you don't miss it.
Rob Manderson
http://www.mindprobes.net
|
|
|
|