Albaroud’s Weblog

Events:

- Did some work for WebSphere Commerce (for Jason Enzi and Nick Sharp).
- Discovered a very serious invoke() code error in CDLG.
- finished my foot doctor treatments.
- Vacation time is coming up soon
- Hot wings with the department is coming up soon (Dec 5th)

- Read up on Java Native Interface (JNI) for CDLG/SSG problem. JNI is a viable options, however there are no guarentees it can be implemented. Bascially, it would require a lot of time investment, and it is simpler to just install WAS on MDS server, as a second server to separate CDLG and SSG. Learning about basic JNI was interesting though; developing applicaitons that use the native services of machines need JNI to operate. Ill keep what i learned in mind for the future.
- Health Checks for STWWEB1 were done, just in time. They are simpler then they appear. In particular, new SSL keys do not have to be generated, which is good.

SSG and CDLG:

– So, CDLG crashes every 12 hours on STWWEB1. This is because of the invok() code error that comes up. The idiots solution to this is to restart STWWEB1. However, if anything goes wrong with this machine at restart, it will be difficult to fix as I do not have physical access to the machine. Also, many other applicaitons run on this machine (many different parts of IBM could be affected).
-> a better solution would be to implement CDLG like the SSG that runs on ichan. Instead of running in the background, CorelDraw sits on the task bar, visible to the user. The program then minimize/maximizes quickly, to prevent process hanging (a serious flaw with using Corel Draw). I did this to correct the above problem, however STWWEB1 appears….to prevent it from showing on the task bar. How odd.

- Some SSG updates have been proposed; I will update SSG this week.

- WebSphere Commerce

- project is falling WAY behind. I have to double time it.

– problems:
- communicate better
- FOCUS!

Events:

- CDLG and SSG have been launched

- did work for others (Jason Enzi, Cale Vardy)
- proposed a web calender database for Neill Wycik, waiting for approval
- got new wireless internet connection; fixed computer at work; can work at home now.
- frequent foot doctor visits have wasted my time a bit.

SSG and CDLG:

- Painstakingly CDLG was finished
- finally finished the (poorly designed form.jsp page)
- noticed that SSG tends to hang after X labels; however, if minimizd/maximied, this is avoided. Now, every 7 Splash Screens, SSG will minimize/maxinimze Corel Draw to avoid this problem.
- Encountered and solved a very strange error: Bad invoke() code returned from IDrawInvoke…
-> this is because the funcitons that call pass bad arguments.
-> Another more indepth problem with this was that, pieces of corel draw become corrupted from overuse. For example, Corel Draw could not save PDFs anymore, and when trying to do this with CDLG, a bad invoke() code would be returned. To correct this problem, the entire machine had to be restarted.
- It was noticed that the font size used in the templates was insufficent to show the special (TM) (C) (R) characters. To correct this, the CorelDrawFileObject class had to be motified, to increase the font size for these special characters.
- a lot of smaller tasks were done: tweaking templates, addimg more robust error checking, editing the multiple.jsp tempaltes, etc.

- CDLG launch was an interesting experience. The first problem that occured was that, the LDAP cached password, and intranet password for vdc@ca.ibm.com differed. A major problem with WAS V6.1 is that, even if one updates the intranet password, the LDAP cache is not updated. So a conflict occurs, and it becomes impossible to sign into WAS Integrated Solutions Console. I was lucky: someone set windows to remember the password!
There are two solutions to this problem: one) keep changing the intranet password until, you are allowed to use the same password over again.
2) While changing your intranet passowrd, sign in to the console. Then update the LDAP cache BEFORE the connection times out ( log in to console.change password, update cache, logout of console).

This was not the only problem however. WAS apparently does not do automatic mappings from CDLG to the App Server “server1″. This was corrected by simply mapping them manually in Step 2 of the (simplifed) installation process, “component mapping to servers”.

- Coming up: Other tasks that have to be done, before I leave include:
- a full Server Health Check
- CDLG is currently down on time of writing this, it has to be put back up ASAP. component mapping seems to be inoperative in WAS.
- CDLG minor tasks:
- change font size of text in various places
- more robust error checking
- proper JavaDoc-Umentation thoughout the classes.
- a Problem Determination document must be made, to assist new interns and staff in my absence>
- the language box in Form.jsp adds “undefined’ if nothing is selected in the multi-select box.
- minor tweaks to web pages…

– The barcode generator in CDLG is broken; it appends another set of ** around the bar code, making it unreadable for maunfacturers in Ireland and Boulder, US.

- problems:
- my taking of the rapid change in environemt was bad; i should detect when massive changes to my routine will occur, and specifically, when I want to do isnt feasible given the amount of time I put in. I need to be more realistic, I guess…
- i need to communicate with my team more; i have recieved a few small warning about this. As I am the only full time programmer in the deaprtment, it is crutial.

Overview:

SSG is due FRIDAY. However, most of the hurdles have been overcome. All that is left is, getting the image swapping code to work successfully; as of it, it is uncertain if it is fully possible. I designed a really nice Queue algorithm to solve this problem in very few steps; it would be a shame if Corel Draw’s native coordinate system made it impossible to work.

Events:

- SSG Due friday

- Dry run of SSG went smoothly, on tuesday; all test cases passed. Julie, Lesley and Kathy found numberous typing mistakes; this is Lesley’s department however.
- Will be recruited by Nick Sharp soon enough, to code product mock ups for his team.
- Unfortunately, Steve Murphy will be put behind, because the barcode generator code is not fully operational.

- ECF bake sales, book sales, garage sales are on this week; should be interesting.

Project Notes:

- SSG:

- many, many minor errors have been fixed in the front end.
- hover help has been activated successfully.
- error checking was redone for SSG; one less field is required.
- Ian has yet to fix the security/session errors; he has been reassigned these tasks.

- the zip file problem has been repaired; the entire directory structure is now hidden, thanks to the -j option for winzip.

Mistakes:
- should have finished barcode stuff today.
- really need to get more sleep….:(

Overview:

The SSG and CDLG are progressing, at a discontinuous rate. Fatigue, and strange Rational problems reduced productivity. The rational errors were solved by Ian Chan: apparently, to solve multiple configuration exceptions, one has to delete the Enterprise projects (the were erroneously referencing ghost Web projects, on other users machines!). Somehow, CVS became corrupted, saving these ear paths into the configuration files; upon updating, this caused havoc on other developers machines.

Events:

– finalized todo list for SSG and CDLG
- Solved rational Errors. SSG still cannot be run on seanm, but is hostable on ichan .
- Machine damage: a power surge on seanm caused a full shut down. The power on password was forgotten, and had to be reset by IBM technicians. The Machine is now funcitonal, and hosting CDLG. And the new password is even memorable.
- assigned Ian some tasks: fix SSG security session bug, fix his parts of the CDLG code (line breaks, control character problems)
-currently, in the process of haggling for new pool cues/tables for staff.
- got 2 pool cues by mistake! I only bought one.
- need to somehow fill in a command line string for winzip, so it does not zip the entire directory for SSG.

- learned about the XMLHTTP.responseText property in AJAX; will help for InfoDump lateron….

Project Notes:

- SSG:

- now, 5 logos have been added to the project. An idealized algorithm was produced, using load/unload queues, and then FIFO principals to arrange the non-deleted icons sequentially. Unfortunately, the logos are all different sizes; given Corel Draw’s limitations, a compromise was made between designers and programmer (myself). The algorithm is not ideal, but at least it is not a brute force solution (make if branches for EVERY case of the five logos = 5!, or 1000s of line of code :<).
- updated templates, will test them out.
- updated the download paths in the E: directory; broken links are resolved.

- CDLG:

- using radio buttons to toggle off text input fields is proving insanely annoying (javascript just wont work in FF).
- 1/2 done the form
-fixed minor errors lying around the project.
- need to fix backend: handling of the *ip for the dSW STG option;the multiple.jsp addition of distribution type to brand title for 3 templates, validation code for multiple servlet, change “multiple” -> “ibm” thoughout the project.

Mistakes:
- again, better organization is needed.

Week of September 21st, 2007:

Overview:

This week, deadlines were looming. CDLG and SSG must be launched, October 1st in proper condition. Because of this, I had to work a lot of overtime, and additionally, come in and work on a Sunday. There was an initial shock, realizing the amount of work that to be done. It has been averted now, however.

Events:
- worked with Kathy, Jason Silzer to produce splash screens. Fixed a character formatting problem: save all files in DOS ASCII mode, to avoid problems.
- Had many meetings on Tuesday; realized the amount of work that needed to be done; learned that CDLG tasks needed to be done also.
-Started Testing SSG, wednesday -> friday

Project Notes:

- SSG:
- corrected character formatting with DOS ASCII saves.
- implented front end text; Julie and Leslie wrote it; i posted it.
- wrote the shortName() function: this names the splash screens (all splash screens used to be named “testtemplate.xxx”).
- solved the session problem (the splash screens from previous inputs were saved in the zip files of new inputs). However, now sessions are shared amonst users; a security problem has occured.
- edited the .xml file; for greater usability
- CDLG:
- planned with Steve Murphy, produced a task list with Julie.
- Steve finished the templates needed

Mistakes:
- did not get over shock quickly enough
- some procrastination noted.
- should think ahead more.

This was a fairly short week, with Labor day and an IBM Floater day consecutively. Only worked wednesday -> friday this week.

Events:
- meetings about SSG Brand mark Alightment;
- meeting with Eliane regarding EBC new website layout
- meeting wtih Julie regarding general SSG progress (missed XX)
- Interview with Bob Pryslak (co-op manager)
- Farewell lunch for Terry Xu
- was given control of server administration/health checks by Ian; met the server team upstairs.

Project Notes:
- SSG:
- Jason Silzer tried to test the SSG; it was found that the XML feedback was broken; ssg did not add an internal DTD to the outputted XML file. Also, control characters (\u00A & \u000D) caused weird spacing/justification in corel text boxes. The following code fix was used:
line = line.replaceAll(“\n | \r”, “\u0020″);
to alleviate this problem.
- as of now, I am still trying to get the select list to poplulate on the SSG single.jsp page.

- EBC website:
- Eliane reviewed the guidelines for the EBC website
- the website must look as close as possible to the personalized ‘tabs’ on the w3 home website.

- Mistakes:
- lack of sleep reduced productivity
- I missed a weekly meeting (Julie’s).