Category: Computing

Smalltalk collections for Python coders

One of the great things about Python is the way you can easily juggle items around in collections -- lists, dictionaries, sets -- and the shortcuts you get when you combine them. For example, to get a unique collection of elements in a list: list(set(my_list)) will do it. Similar things happen in Smalltalk but these … Continue reading Smalltalk collections for Python coders →

Setting up QuantLib in Linux

[ This is an article that I started writing a few years back, when I was experimenting with Puppy Linux, then put on hold. Much of it is still useful, so the post merits to go public. ] Having written a walk-through on how to set up a Linux system ready for compiling software (see here), … Continue reading Setting up QuantLib in Linux →

A walkthrough guide to building yourself a Linux system for coding

In any technical role it is important to strike the balance between getting-things-done-quickly and knowing-all-the-details, and this is especially true when it comes to building computer systems. You can find lots of different Linux distributions to download, and most have a relatively easy system for adding components or software via some kind of package manager. … Continue reading A walkthrough guide to building yourself a Linux system for coding →

The power of notation in problem solving

It's trivial when you think about it: good mathematical notation is one way of making a problem easier to solve. In my introduction to advanced probability theory I put emphasis on how probability theory has developed a clever and natural way to describe the processes we deal with. If you think about it some more, … Continue reading The power of notation in problem solving →