I have discovered that with code, just as with prose, you absolutely need editors and rewrites, because although computer languages grammar parsers are far superior to human language "grammar checkers" (because, after all, computer languages have much simpler and stricter grammars), they are still utterly incapable of following the logic behind what you write.

Lessons learned:

• Planning your design ahead of implementation is crucial.
• Your first attempt will most likely fail, but unless you try really hard in it too, so will your second one.
• As complete as possible testing of the lower levels is a requirement for building higher levels.
• Writing down your test cases and going over them with a partner is always a Good Idea.
• While reading the requirements, take notes.
• Never trust anything with "Micro$oft" in its name to keep your code safe.
• Nothing makes sense on your 30-something hour of the day, a.k.a. "I am not as young as I used to be".
• "Online reference" is searched with Google, because otherwise it sux.
• Computer screen resolution and refresh rate is much more important than what you had for breakfast (or whether you had anything at all, for that matter).

Will try to go see The Matrix Reloaded as soon as I can to compensate slightly for the sheer exhaustion (and slight terror) of this passed week.

to Team Manager, Instructor Nir, Corporal