Multiline Bash

This is so simple, yet so easily forgotten

$ echo ‘this is a test of the emergency
> backslash multiline
> prompt system.
> When will it end, I dont know for sure
> how about if i close the string’

this is a test of the emergency
backslash multiline
prompt system.
When will it end, I dont know for sure
how about if i close the string

So in your sh scripts, can end each line with a sole backslash, for your command to wrap to the next line (and make your scripts easier to read).

Apparently, env variable PS2 will define what the > prompt appears as.

References: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1062297

Scratch your Groovy itch on the web

Here is a web based Groovy console, so the next time you are say on the train and want to write some Groovy using your iPhone* or at some PC with a locked down environment, you can!

http://groovyconsole.appspot.com/

Hours of fun or your money back :-p

* Nope, never wanted to write Groovy on the train either, but you never know.

Update from a former colleague of mine:

BTW, this is hosted on Google App engine, which only recently started supporting Java! There still seem to be some issues, I can’t execute code like System.properties{e,k->println e} due to some security exceptions. Similalry File based code also seems to be violating some google App Engin security.

Because I don’t use a social bookmarking service…

Nothing against them, but my blog is the most useful thing at present to record interesting sites that I may or may not read later.

To have hope that Scala can work in the enterprise: The Book Of JOSH – but more so to feel the state of where Java is.  Also the comments form a point of very interesting discussion.

To increase learnings in Spring through the use of a purpose built (Eclipse based) IDE: SpringSource Tool Suite

To learn Maven through all lessons learnt by others: Five tips for successfully deploying Maven

Want AJAX, why not try GWT?

GWT or Google Web Toolkit, is a platform that lets Java developers write Java apps and have them compiled in native javascript to run in the browser.  There are a lot of neat optimisations and support for RPC.  Although I’ve heard about GWT many times before, this article made things crystal clear.

Blank PDF tabs in Firefox

If you ever have issues with PDF’s not displaying correctly in your browser then this Adobe support link appears quite helpful.

I installed Foxit Reader then uninstalled it on my Windows 7 box and now my Firefox wont open PDF’s.  Just a blank page. 🙁