Code Katas Spring 2012

Code Katas Practicing Your Craft Mike Clement @mdclement mike@softwareontheside.comhttp://blog.softwareontheside.com

“Often the true value of a thing isn’t thething itself, but instead is the activity that created it.” -Dave Thomas

Chad Fowler on Practice“As a musician, I might spend a significant portionof my practice schedule playing things that nobodywould want to listen to…. I would certainly neverrecord them and release them on a CD. I wouldn’teven bore anyone with these sounds unless theyeither lived in my house and had no choice or werebeing paid to listen to them and offer suggestionsfor improvement. This is an example of “work” inwhich the action is far more valuable than thedirect output.” http://chadfowler.com/2003/03/25/valueless-software

The LieBUT I “PRACTICE” ON THE JOB!

Dave Thomas on Practice“It’s like taking a group of fit kids and tellingthem that they have four quarters to beat theRedskins (hey, we manage by objectives, right?).In software we do our practicing on the job, andthat’s why we make mistakes on the job. Weneed to find ways of splitting the practice fromthe profession. We need practice sessions.” http://codekata.pragprog.com/2007/01/code_kata_backg.html

Dave Thomas’s Keys to Practice•Pressure Off•Learn how to play with code Fundamentally incompatible with “on the job”! http://www.codekata.com/2007/01/code_katahow_it.html

Quantity or Quality?CERAMICS

Shu Ha Ri• 守 Shu – House of Laws; to abide by, to defend• 破 Ha – Stone; to break• 離 Ri – Bird; to leave, to depart• Similar to Dryfus model – Novice, Advanced Beginner, Competent, Proficient, Expert• Similar to Apprentice model – Apprentice, Craftsman, Master

The rush past 守 (Shu)I’M SO SMART

So what are katas?

Code Katas are ShuSlow down!

Other forms of practiceKATAS AREN’T THE ONE TRUEPRACTICE?

Solo Randori?• Often referred to as “Katas”• Outline a problem, but don’t outline solution• More of a way to discover different paths• 破 Ha• Can lead to new Katas

Group Randori• Free-style practice • Pair Programming• “chaos taking” or “grasping • Use TDD freedom” • Start from scratch• Contrast with Katas • Everyone should be• “defends against multiple following attackers in quick • Pair should be explaining succession without knowing • Audience gives suggestions how they will attack or in only with when Green what order” • Example at http://vimeo.com/2499540 http://codingdojo.org/cgi- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randori bin/wiki.pl?RandoriKata

Koans• Koans are questions without absolute answers which are used to break down assumptions and reveal underlying truths• http://rubykoans.com/

Code Retreat• Problem: Conways Game of Life• Length of Session: 45 minutes• Duration: 8.30am to 5 or 6pm• Pair-programming is necessary, as the knowledge transfer contained in that activity is essential to the practice• Prefer using Test-Driven Development (TDD)• After each session, pairs should be swapped• After each session, code must be deleted, not put in a branch, not stashed, just deleted with no trace left http://coderetreat.com/facilitation.html

Guided or Prepared KataLET’S TRY IT OUT

“Often the true value of a thing isn’t thething itself, but instead is the activity that created it.” -Dave Thomas

Kata Lists• http://codingdojo.org/cgi- bin/wiki.pl?KataCatalogue• http://codekata.pragprog.com/2007/01/code _kata_backg.html• http://stackoverflow.com/questions/44533/yo ur-favorite-code-kata• http://www.katacasts.com/• http://katas.softwarecraftsmanship.org/

Action Items!• Repeat this kata at least once a day for a week or two. Memorize and perfect it!• Find other Katas that are useful to you• Share Katas with your friends and co-workers – Lead a guided Kata session at work• Explore other forms of practice – Come to my Randori session after lunch (1:30pm)• Attend the Utah Software Craftsmanship Group!• Practice, Practice, Practice!

Me• @mdclement• mike@softwareontheside.com• http://blog.softwareontheside.com• Utah Software Craftsmanship Group – https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/ut- software-craftsmanship – @utahsc – First Wednesday, Neumont, Room 300

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Code Katas Spring 2012

by Mike Clement

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