So what is this blog all about? As they say where I come from, “lemme break it down fo ya”.
» The Name
The name of this blog, Spittin’ Bits, is what you get when you mix a slang word with software engineering terminology. On the one hand, there’s spittin’. In hip hop vernacular, spittin’ is what a rapper does when spontaneously rhyming on top of a melody or beat. If you have ever seen the movie “8 MILE” featuring rap artist Eminem, then you know how this works. A good rapper can spit’ a verse to a random beat in a matter of seconds. He will create artfully crafted phrases and clever puns out of thin air, drawing upon stories of past life experiences. Sometimes making you laugh and other times making you think, a good rap verse can educate the mind and move the soul with amazing efficiency.
On the other hand, bits refers to the sequences of binary numbers, represented by 1’s and 0’s, that are used by computers to do whatever humans tell them to do. Every line of code in any piece of software I write boils down to bits. It is literally the only language that computers really “understand”. I often hear it said that there are only 10 types of people in the world: those who understand binary, and those who don’t. Anybody who wants to be a good programmer has to know how to spin those 1's and 0's!
So when I talk high-tech, I'm spittin' bits. When I'm writing code, I'm spittin' bits. I'm steppin' up to the metaphorical mic and makin' magic happen. That's how I get it done.
» The Purpose
Spittin’ Bits is about telling my story as a software engineer on my own terms and in my own words. While it’s true that I want this to develop into a solid programming blog, it’s not just about programming. Sure, this should be a place where you can find great commentary on patterns, practices, and good software design principles. And yes, I want to share the lessons learned over my career so that I can benefit someone else. My greatest desire is to show you how I have used all aspects of my life to transform from just another kid with a rough upbringing, to an accomplished software engineer. And I'm going to do it in a way that makes my story accessible to as many people as can be reached, whether geek or ghetto.
As an engineer, I will talk about writing efficient and robust code. As an ear-trained musician, I will show you how to recognize design patterns and teach you about how I use improvisation in my work. As a church boy, I’ll preach on developing good character and use examples from my upbringing to demonstrate the importance of ethical decision making. As a guy that grew up in a rough neighborhood, I’ll talk about how to be self-motivated, find positive influences, and about how to work with difficult people. And as a father and husband, I will share with you how I attempt to balance all the things that are important in my life beyond what I do between 9 and 5.
» The Audience
If you’re a tech head like me, then this blog is definitely for you. If you’re not, that’s OK. There will be plenty for you to enjoy as well. If you’re a teenager or a college student thinking about a career in software engineering, I am especially talking to you. In fact, anyone who doesn’t mind thought provoking conversation can find something on this blog that will resonate with them.
My name is Anthony Mays, and I hope you enjoy the Spittin’ Bits blog. And don’t worry, imma keep it real and represent ALL the way.
So wassup ya’ll, let’s get it!
» The Name
The name of this blog, Spittin’ Bits, is what you get when you mix a slang word with software engineering terminology. On the one hand, there’s spittin’. In hip hop vernacular, spittin’ is what a rapper does when spontaneously rhyming on top of a melody or beat. If you have ever seen the movie “8 MILE” featuring rap artist Eminem, then you know how this works. A good rapper can spit’ a verse to a random beat in a matter of seconds. He will create artfully crafted phrases and clever puns out of thin air, drawing upon stories of past life experiences. Sometimes making you laugh and other times making you think, a good rap verse can educate the mind and move the soul with amazing efficiency.
On the other hand, bits refers to the sequences of binary numbers, represented by 1’s and 0’s, that are used by computers to do whatever humans tell them to do. Every line of code in any piece of software I write boils down to bits. It is literally the only language that computers really “understand”. I often hear it said that there are only 10 types of people in the world: those who understand binary, and those who don’t. Anybody who wants to be a good programmer has to know how to spin those 1's and 0's!
So when I talk high-tech, I'm spittin' bits. When I'm writing code, I'm spittin' bits. I'm steppin' up to the metaphorical mic and makin' magic happen. That's how I get it done.
» The Purpose
Spittin’ Bits is about telling my story as a software engineer on my own terms and in my own words. While it’s true that I want this to develop into a solid programming blog, it’s not just about programming. Sure, this should be a place where you can find great commentary on patterns, practices, and good software design principles. And yes, I want to share the lessons learned over my career so that I can benefit someone else. My greatest desire is to show you how I have used all aspects of my life to transform from just another kid with a rough upbringing, to an accomplished software engineer. And I'm going to do it in a way that makes my story accessible to as many people as can be reached, whether geek or ghetto.
As an engineer, I will talk about writing efficient and robust code. As an ear-trained musician, I will show you how to recognize design patterns and teach you about how I use improvisation in my work. As a church boy, I’ll preach on developing good character and use examples from my upbringing to demonstrate the importance of ethical decision making. As a guy that grew up in a rough neighborhood, I’ll talk about how to be self-motivated, find positive influences, and about how to work with difficult people. And as a father and husband, I will share with you how I attempt to balance all the things that are important in my life beyond what I do between 9 and 5.
» The Audience
If you’re a tech head like me, then this blog is definitely for you. If you’re not, that’s OK. There will be plenty for you to enjoy as well. If you’re a teenager or a college student thinking about a career in software engineering, I am especially talking to you. In fact, anyone who doesn’t mind thought provoking conversation can find something on this blog that will resonate with them.
My name is Anthony Mays, and I hope you enjoy the Spittin’ Bits blog. And don’t worry, imma keep it real and represent ALL the way.
So wassup ya’ll, let’s get it!
