Software Vs Hardware Interfacing

 Waring…Soft And Hard

In the world of electronic components and our desire to bring ease and efficiency to our daily processes, the utilization of machinery that can improve our productivity is priceless.

Likewise, the automations we manufacture are more than likely to fall into one of two categories, with those complex automations encompassing both. Hence, the world of software and hardware interfacing.

So OMNITEKK, what’s the difference… 

…So glad you asked my friend. Let’s take a deep dive into them shall we.

Software Interfacing is a method of developing a program or application that serves a specific purpose, which usually doesn’t include the alteration of any physical hardware components other than the utilization of the interfacing hardware used to execute the program, or to say it better -the specific machine or computer used to warehouse the application running the program or task itself.

So essentially, software interfacing is the utilization of application layer codes designed to accomplish a programmer’s aim usually without the utilization of secondary peripheral components or the alteration of any hardware components. 

This type of interfacing usually includes end users interfacing with the coded application itself by utilizing primary machine components, such as monitors, keyboards, mice and hard drives to accomplish the specific programming task, such as peripheral independent artificial intelligence applications. 

Ok OMNITEKK, now that we’ve shed some light on software interfacing - How about the hardware…

Hardware Interfacing usually includes secondary mechanical peripheral utilizations to accomplish a specific programming aim, such as robotic body parts or machine components that execute a coded computer program.

A good example of this type of interfacing is the manufacturing or factory workplaces that provide robust machinery applications tasked for a specific purpose. So, it’s essentially the use of software codes to interface with hardware components, like robots or worker utility applications, such as seen in manufacturing warehouse environs. 

Further, with hardware interfacing, the end user is usually interacting with a peripheral component whose program initializes the functionality of a secondary component to carry out a programming task.

In Closing…

It should be noted that while there are prescribed lines of demarcation relative to both software and hardware interfacing, as the complexity of a coded application increases, so might the mechanism required to accomplish it, as it can include the culmination of both hardware and software components to complete a designed programming task.

I say this because for some, especially the beginning programmer, there might be the misconception that programming and application interfacing design techniques should render either one or the other type of interfacing, which is the farthest from the ‘programmer reality’.

Fact is, while most believe programming and application development a science, it’s more an artistic concept to say the least. 

So do unleash your inner artist, and as you learn to think of those creative ways to solve complex programming and interfacing tasks, allow yourself the means to cultivate and apply unique ways to solve your automation projects.

Further, utilizing creative complexity in designing your software and hardware interfaces might help you devise the best solutions. So have fun while you learn new and improved program design methods to accomplish your most prized software and hardware programming tasks. 

   

Data Integrity And Obfuscation

 In a world of hackers and malicious software designed to pervert and infiltrate even the best of applications out there, design methods that serve to protect the integrity of data within an application should be a developer’s best friend. Not to worry though, the really smart guys have figured out a few pertinent things to help us along on our IT developer journey.

What is that you ask… well obfuscation of course!

Data transmission methods and applications should be secure enough to prevent them from being exploited by not so well intended people and their desires to bring the walls tumbling down of even the most well written software, interfaces, peripherals and the like. So, the application of coded and otherwise encrypted methods of securing data should be of the utmost priority when it comes to the design trends of applications development and data transmission methods.

The Thick Of IT  – Obfuscation is, in a broader sense, the means by which a developer builds a layer of protection or security within an application by obscuring its literal meaning or purpose using methods of indirection in data transmission and design that only the developer or those who are privy to the coded application or interface have the tools to de-obfuscate or decode to render as useful information.

The process of obfuscating data serves as the building blocks of data integrity in that it allows communicatory information between either a single node to be translated by a user, or likewise the safe communication from node to node within an application or on a network.  

Methods Of Obfuscation – Applications and interfaces can be secured with the application of cryptic cyphers or keys, or the use of indexing and likewise manufactured dictionaries of coded data that serve to provide special meaning to otherwise simple programming concepts and information.

These methods of obfuscating or otherwise obscuring pertinent or valued information and data, like our literal dictionaries of the English language, allow developers to procure specialized and unique meanings of data within the range of functionality that a programming language’s syntax and semantics are constructed for.

The Benefits – While simplistic application and data transmission methods have their specific place in applications and software design practices, their use can prove ineffective in a range of pragmatic or practical developer design goals, especially those that involve sensitive data or in instances where confidentiality in data communication is required.

As such, the benefits of utilizing data obfuscation methods and design techniques are the addition of safety and security within application design, that mightn’t otherwise be afforded without the means of using obscure programming methods, allowing developers to maintain the data integrity of their applications and data, thus keeping them safe from possible intrusions, breaches or malicious and otherwise harmful data applications.

Where Things Get Tough – As in any other complex method of design, such as in the construction of composite dwellings or other design intricacies, when the levels of complexity within a project increase, so does the level of talent required, along with significant time constraints in developing the software or interface. Likewise, developers should be especially cautious that they don’t manufacture an overly cumbersome application that is painstakingly more difficult to decode than its design needs call for. 

Further, as complexity is ingrained within an application, as some obfuscation methods can prove conceptually difficult both to code and decode, an error anywhere in an application can cause strange or otherwise divergent behavior to occur elsewhere, provoking a programmer treasure hunt of sorts, to track down a specific anomaly or problem within an application for revisioning.

So…..For all the technophiles and self-proclaimed tech gurus out there, code and code a lot. And as you do, know that learning obfuscation techniques will prove to be one of the most valued talents you could learn in your developer journey towards greatness… so go for it. 

Here’s A Few Noteworthy Projects As You Do  

Recoding The ASCII Alphabet

User Defined Data Types Instead Of Primitive Types In Tasks

Coding A Dictionary Of Key-Value Pairs 

 

   

Synchronous And Asynchronous Threads

 Most simple programming tasks can be completed within a single process or thread of execution. However, there are a few complex tasks that might call for processes to run concurrently with other tasks or that likewise require notification or confirmation that they have been finished or that run in the background while other processes are at work. 

The concepts of threading or synchronous and asynchronous programming functionality within most programming languages allow developers to accomplish these tasks with ease and efficacy.

So Just What Are Threads  – Long story short, threads are instances of application processes that carry out a specific programming task. In other words, a thread is the actual process that programmers utilize to execute application instructions.

When we write code or instructions, whether in a high level or low level language, such as C or Assembly language, the compiler that reads and translates that code into a machine friendly language that your specific machine can understand, process, and run, utilizes the notion of threads to carry out the designated tasks coded by your computer program.

If the task is simple enough, a single thread might be sufficient to carry out your programming goals. However, as levels of complexity are introduced into your program, more than one thread or process might be used to carry out a specific task, and the synchronicity of that task might call for a number of processes and functions to run concurrently to accomplish it with success. 

Synchronous Programming Threads – With synchronous programming tasks, the processes within the program are usually executed in a sequential order or on a single thread, as the processes are “in- sync” within the application process, with one set of instructions being carried out after the last has finished on the same thread. 

For instance, let’s say a developer codes an application that simply reads in some gathered information from an outside source, such as a file. The file is organized such that its contents are on several lines, and the programmer reads in that information line by line within the program. Each pass within the program to gather the information from the file or files within the application can be carried out using a single process, thread, or using synchronous methods to accomplish this aim. 

Asynchronous Programming Threads – Asynchronous instructions are coded instructions or tasks that operate independently of some other process or thread. And while they may have some correlation or functionality that is connected to some other process within a program, they function and are usually carried out in an un-sequential manner, with the implementation of processes being completed concurrently as some other process is also being accomplished.

For instance, let’s say a program has been coded that performs some function and also “listens” and waits for a programmer to press a specific key to halt the program. In this instance, a developer can use a number of threads to successfully accomplish this aim. One can be used to perform the “some function”, such as acquiring the timing of some other task, while the other listens for a key press or some input to carry out some other instruction or sequence of events on a different thread.

This is the primary objective of poly threads and the concept of synchronous and asynchronous programming concepts. 

Benefits – In the world of automation, robotics and our human nature to bring ease and efficacy into our everyday tasks, the use of application processes and their many threads or processes, allow developers to make those mundane or repetitive tasks to be carried out using autonomous application methods that help us manage them, void of human interaction.

Likewise, as programming tasks incur layers of complexity to be carried out efficiently, or simultaneously, the use of application threads allows programmers to accomplish these tasks more effectively.

So, if your programming tasks as designed to accomplish a number of things concurrently, learning how to program synchronous and asynchronous threads might help immensely with those tasks.

Lastly, if your programming tasks have been designed to accomplish a number of things concurrently, learning how to program synchronous and asynchronous threads might help immensely with those tasks.

Here’s A Few Noteworthy Projects 

Simulation Airport Flight Scheduling

Adding A Timer To A Specified Task

Online Call Center Chat Application

 

Choosing A Programming Language

For the average programmer choosing the right programming language for your programming tasks can be a challenge, as there are an array of them to choose from.

 Here are a few things to take into consideration.

Functionality Level Of Your Task – Some languages are known to give the programmer a far greater arsenal of functionality than others when it comes to their uses.

For instance, some languages allow developers to code hardware and machine level peripherals where others don’t.

Likewise, some languages are specialized in tasks, such as string matching or data processing.

Type Of Application Host – Will your application run on a desktop or mobile device or some other platform…some language libraries are designed specifically for a certain host platform.

Ease Of Use – There are quite a few programmers who prefer one language over another one simply because of its language syntax structure and the ease of use when writing their applications.

True indeed, some languages allow developers the same or similar functionality with far less actual lines of coding than others.

Programming Environs – Although some languages have similar language structure, there might prove a slight difference in language syntax and structure based on the environ the application is being on.

For instance on Linux and Unix machines, the syntax for an application developed on them might have a slight variation in the syntax and functionality for applications written on Windows machines. 

Versatility – Just as there are specialized languages that are designed for a specific platform or machine, there are likewise software languages that are cross-platform in both their functionality and uses.

Some languages allow developers to write applications that can be run on both Unix, Linux, and Windows or both Android and Apple devices.

Audience – If a developer is looking to manufacture an enterprise level application, some languages are better equipped to handle sophisticated or elegant data intensive tasks with ease more so than others.

 

Likewise, a developer can be a little laxed on the language they choose if their programming task might prove less robust or feature rich than an enterprise level application.

Maintenance & Scalability – As a project scope might differ or an application’s functionality might suffice improvised task objectives, developers should consider how well the language they choose can scale and be maintained within their application goals.

They say a craftsman is only as good as the tools he uses. I couldn’t agree more.  In learning and developing a keen use with a language that serves to allow developers to efficiently and cohesively procure their application design goals with ease of use and efficacy, programmers have the advantage of utilizing the language in the best ways to accomplish their projects and tasks. 

When choosing your language, if you consider these attributes, you should be well equipped to choose one that is best for your design goals.