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by WDCDev 2963 days ago
In the field at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, next to old WWI style bunkers that were prob. full of mustard gas or chlorine gas 100 or so years ago, in a tiny trailer filled with server equipment ... with a failing AC unit, in the August heat of Maryland.

Did I mention the power line run to this trailer couldn't handle the load we were putting on it, and the circuits would break every 15 minutes or so?

So yeah .. I am sweating, literally, and our field test is about to begin. This was an anti-IED system, using passive biometric collection capabilities. I had written a big piece of the software to integrate everything.

Then ... 10 minutes before we begin, we get a nasty bug. General Such and Such is arriving, followed by Cnl. Whomever. Then the AC cuts out. I am in this trailer, and have to code up a fix in 10 minutes, literally, in 105 degree heat, dripping in sweat, with PMs and more important ppl staring over my shoulder.

I did it ... while dripping sweat all over the keyboard. Hooray for me! I saved the day!

Craziest ... most intense coding I have ever done.

Still fail white board interviews though. =/

2 comments

Now this is what Extreme programing should refer to!
That's pretty bad ass. Were you part of the military or a contractor?
Contractor ... Biometrics firm. I loved this company and would still be there today had they not lost so many ppl with the draw downs in Iraq and Afgh.

BTW ... this is a true story. One of my career's shining moments.

Ah, I was asking to try and figure out the fear level, if enlisted, I would imagine there would be more fear? Either way. LOTS OF FEAR! Cool story :)