Programming and tech tips

  The Origin of Rubber Duck Debugging The concept of Rubber Duck Debugging is rooted in the idea that explaining a problem or code issue to someone else can lead to a deeper understanding and, often, a solution. The story goes that a programmer would carry around a rubber duck and, when faced with a problem, would explain the code or issue to the duck. In the process of articulating the problem, the programmer would often realize the solution without any input from the duck. This practice gained popularity as a form of solo brainstorming and debugging, and it has since become a humorous yet widely recognized method in the software development community. How Rubber Duck Debugging Works The process of Rubber Duck Debugging is simple but surprisingly effective: Grab a Rubber Duck: Obtain a rubber duck or any inanimate object. The choice of the object is not critical; your ability to articulate the problem to it matters. Place the Duck on Your Desk: Set the rubber du

Serialising Exception Data to JSON in C# Introduction: In software development, handling exceptions is a crucial part of writing robust applications. When exceptions occur, developers often need to log and report them for debugging and monitoring purposes. One way to achieve this is by serialising exception data to JSON, allowing you to easily store and analyse error information. In this blog post, we will explore how to serialise exception data to JSON using the JsonSerializer.Serialize method in C#. We'll use a custom class, ExceptionData , to encapsulate exception information. Creating the ExceptionData Class: To get started, we need to create a custom class called ExceptionData . This class will capture various properties of an exception, such as message, source, stack trace, type name, and optionally inner exceptions. Here's the ExceptionData class: public class ExceptionData { public ExceptionData(Exception exception, bool includeInnerException = tru

Introduction: In C#, it's common to need to find the first occurrence of a weekday in a particular month. Whether you're working with date calculations, scheduling, or any other scenario, knowing how to find the first weekday efficiently can be quite useful. In this blog post, we'll explore three different methods to achieve this task, each with its own implementation approach and considerations. 1. Using a Loop: When you need a straightforward solution, iterating through the days of the month until you find the first occurrence of the desired weekday can be effective. Here's how you can implement it: public static DateTime FindFirstWeekdayOfMonth(int year, int month, DayOfWeek weekday) { DateTime date = new DateTime(year, month, 1); while (date.DayOfWeek != weekday) { date = date.AddDays(1); } return date; } 2. Using LINQ: For a more concise solution, you can leverage LINQ to generate a sequence o

In today's fast-paced digital world, every second counts. Whether you're a professional multitasker or a casual computer user, knowing the right keyboard shortcuts can significantly enhance your productivity on Windows. These nifty shortcuts streamline tasks and reduce the need to rely solely on your mouse, allowing you to navigate your computer with finesse. In this blog post, we'll delve into some of the essential Windows keyboard shortcuts that can elevate your computing experience. 1. **Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V** – The Copy and Paste Duo    These timeless shortcuts, Ctrl + C (Copy) and Ctrl + V (Paste), are fundamental for transferring text and files. No more right-clicking or hunting for the toolbar – just highlight the content, press Ctrl + C, move to your desired location, and press Ctrl + V to paste. 2. **Windows Key + D** – Show Desktop    Instantly minimize all open windows and reveal your desktop with a simple press of the Windows key + D. Press it again to

Decoding JSON Strings in C# using System.Text.Json Decoding JSON Strings in C# using System.Text.Json In modern software development, exchanging data in the JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) format has become a standard practice due to its simplicity and ease of use. In C#, you can effectively handle JSON data using the built-in System.Text.Json namespace. This blog post will guide you through the process of decoding a JSON string step by step. Prerequisites Before we dive into the coding process, ensure you have a basic understanding of C# programming and Visual Studio (or any other preferred C# IDE). Step 1: Setting Up the Environment To get started, launch your C# development environment and create a new Console Application project. Step 2: Importing the Required Namespace In your C# code, include the necessary namespace for working with JSON data: using System.Text.Json; Step 3: Defining the JSON String Let's say we have the following JSON string that we want to decode: {

RestSharp is a popular and powerful library in the C# ecosystem that simplifies the process of making HTTP requests and handling responses. It provides a clean and intuitive API for interacting with RESTful APIs, making it an ideal choice for developers working on projects that require seamless integration with web services. What is RestSharp? RestSharp is a simple and lightweight library that allows developers to communicate with RESTful web services easily. It abstracts away the complexities of HTTP communication and provides a straightforward API for sending requests, handling responses, and working with JSON data. Getting Started with RestSharp To begin using RestSharp in your C# projects, you first need to install the RestSharp NuGet package. You can do this via the NuGet Package Manager Console with the following command: Install-Package RestSharp Example: Making a RESTful API Call Let's walk through a simple example of making a GET