Brian Vanderwal on Atomic Spin

Six Strategies to Spend Less Time Debugging

Sometimes time pressures require a shot-in-the-dark solution. But your codebase will be healthier if you understand the root cause of the issue.

Android Development

Automating Android NumberPicker using Espresso

While writing an Android UI test involving a NumberPicker, I learned instrumenting the picker with Espresso was not as easy as other Android controls.

Objective-C

Centralize Callback Handling by Creating a Reactive Signal

Go beyond basic ReactiveCocoa operations by using createSignal to abstract a collection of delegate callbacks behind a single signal.

Development Practices

Three Strategies for Maintaining an App on Two Platforms

My current project involves iOS and Android apps, both written natively for their platforms. Here are a few guidelines we follow to keep them in sync.

Personal Optimization

Stay Sharp by Standing While You Work

It's possible that using a standing desk will benefit my health in the long term. Regardless, I've noticed a few ways it helps me work better right now.

Development Practices

Three Attitudes that Lead to Maintainable Code

There are many great coding principles, but it can be hard to keep them all in your head at once. Instead, I try to remember these three attitudes.

Objective-C

3 Good Habits for Avoiding Memory Leaks in Objective-C

The best way to deal with Objective-C memory leaks is to stop them before they start. Here are 3 good development habits that can help.

iOS / OS X

Achieve Resolution Independence in Your iOS App Using SVGs

Devices of varying sizes lets users to choose what is right for them, but supporting all those combinations of resolution and pixel density can be a hassle.

iOS / OS X

Getting Auto Layout to Work in a UITableView

Even if you have no choice but to use UITableView, I’ve found it is usually possible to get it working with Auto Layout by following a few key steps.

Android Development

Getting Android ListView Right the First Time

Three common mistakes and how to prevent each of them when subclassing BaseApapter to provide content for Android ListViews.

Developer Tools

Parallelize Development Using Git Worktrees

Gits worktrees give you an extra working copy of your repository, and setting one up is almost as easy as creating a new branch.

Extracurricular Activities

How Software Development is Like Rock Climbing

Both disciplines require mental focus. Fears (whether rational or irrational) may cloud one’s judgment.

Brian Vanderwal

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