Debugging Perl Debugger: Part 3 - Automation

We have Perl debugging integrated with Notepad++. We fixed variable values so they show up in watch lists. Now we want to automate the use of Perl debugging directly from Notepad++ while editing a Perl script.

NppExec is a plugin with powerful automation features for Notepad++. The documentation showed it had all I needed to get this to work.

Debugging Perl Debugger: Part 2 - Variable Values Vindicated

In yesterday's post, I described how I got Perl debugging integrated with Notepad++. I had issues with watch variables only showing the variable name and type, not the value. I had source code from both the DBGp plugin and the Komodo Perl debugger. My only real option was to change the Perl debugger source as the plugin was written in a language I'm unfamiliar with and didn't have a compiler for.

The DBGp plugin offers a cool button labeled "DBG" which pops up a window with the raw XML messages sent between the debugger and the plugin. Like a packet capture trace file, this was a great place to start. Adding a watch variable and querying it's state showed the XML exchange and specifically where the value was returned:

...
&ltproperty name="$VERSION" fullname="$VERSION" encoding="base64" type="scalar" constant="0" children="0" size="25" &gt
    &ltvalue encoding="base64"&gt
        &lt![CDATA[MS4wIC0gMjkgSlVMIDIwMTU=]]&gt
    &lt/value&gt
&lt/property&gt
...

So it was getting sent. Why couldn't the plugin read and display it?

Debugging Perl Debugger: Part 1 - Notepad++ Integration

I use Notepad++ for most of my Windows text-based editing including Perl scripts. Every once in a while I'm stuck and need debugging, but I was too lazy to learn the Perl debugger command line. I had a simple Perl-specific IDE laying around solely to use for the integrated debugging in its Graphical User Interface (GUI). The ideal solution would be Perl debugger integration with Notepad++.

Google searches revealed there was no Perl-specific debugger integration in Notepad++; however, there was a debugger plugin - DBGP Plugin listed on the Notepad++ Plugins list. It was originally written for PHP and Xdebug integration. Further searches and the README lead me to believe it may support other programming languages as long as they supported the DBGP - common debug protocol. Could Perl work this way?

Comcast PWP is Dead, Long Live VinsWorld.com

With Comcast discontinuing the Personal Web Page (PWP) service as of this October, I needed an alternative to host VinsWorld.com.

From https://publish.comcast.net/splash/, which soon may no longer return a page or even resolve:

Please Note:

Effective October 8, 2015, the Personal Web Page service (feature of XFINITY Internet) will no longer be available. Please retrieve all content currently saved on your site before October 8, 2015 to avoid permanently losing your files and information.

Customers who have activated this feature, please check your email for a special offer.

What a Difference 2 Years Makes

Two years ago, I was using Talkatone to make calls with Google Voice on Wi-Fi while traveling abroad to avoid roaming fees with my cellular carrier.

One year ago, I was using Talkatone as a standalone service to make Wi-Fi calls while on vacation in the mountains - a veritable carrier dead zone - after Google pulled the plug on third-party apps using the Google Voice API.

Now, two years after the first go around, one year later in the same mountain getaway, I changed my "Forward Unreachable" setting to my Google Voice number and could receive calls from anyone on my carrier number via the Hangouts app - provided I was in the cabin where Wi-Fi was strong.

Two years is an eternity in tech and waiting for this Google Voice / Hangouts integration was frustratingly long; however, the pay off was worth it. Next stop, carrier Wi-Fi calling on AT&T ... any bets on how long that one will take?

The Adventures of Rich and Vince

Characters courtesy of SP Studio

Internet of Stuff(-it Marketing Fluff)

I've attended a lot of Internet of Things (IoT) talks and webinars lately as it's one of the tech buzz words you'll need to know in 2015. While this is an emerging concept to the discussion as of late, the term itself has been around since 1999 and has been defined, redefined, coopted and usurped by many a vendor to flog their old product with new marketing material.

When it comes to technology marketing, I need three things:

1. Vision - sweeping future statement (optionally includes rainbows and unicorns)
2. Definition - what does the technology do
3. Architecture - how does it do it

When any of the above are not well-defined, vendor slide decks start to look like Swiss cheese.