PHP Debugging - Look for Case Sensitivity In Variable, File Names and Class Names

This blog is coming out of conversation with one of the developer in my team. He recently made some changes in API in local development and push code to test server. But on server it was throwing an error and API was not working. So after trying hard for sometime he came to me and asked for help. He showed me lines of code he has added and as an experienced person I immediately caught his error. The problem was, he declared variable in lowercase and was using variable with uppercase in next line and that's what breaking on server. Something like this

$var = new Class();
$VAR->prop = value;

Case sensitivity is one of the major reason for errors while you are working on local development environment with XAMPP, WAMP in Windows. At this time case sensitive is not applied and it will  treat

$var;
$VAR;
$Var;

as one and the same variables. But when you are working on server, you have unix / linux operating systems like Ubuntu, Fedora etc. At this time case sensitivity is applied and

$var;
$VAR;
$Var;

Are treated as three different variables. So by mistake if you declare it with lower case and try to use it upper case, it will give you an error. So if you are facing this issue that, code works on your local machine, but does not work on server look for the case sensitivity.

Same goes for the filenames and class names. If you have adde file with name

Myclass.php

and if you include it with

include 'MyClass.php';
require 'MyClass.php';

Then it will not be able to find file and it will throw warning or fatal error if you are using require. So make sure that you maintain case sensitivity while naming your class, variables and files in PHP because ultimately your code will be pushed to UNIX / LINUX server and it is case sensitive. 

Why Your Business Needs A Chat bot

Recently we have been discussing to add a chatbot for our new venture and that lead me to write this article on why a business will need a chatbot and what are the advantages of it.

What is a Chat bot?

In a very simple definition, a chat bot is a computer program designed to simulate conversation with human users, especially over the Internet.

So yes a chat bot is nothing but a computer program which can handle communication with users over the internet using the smart and artificial intelligence programmed in it by the developers. So in a way chat bot is your virtual customer care executive which does not exits in real life but it's in computer. Many of the businesses and website have real time talk to customer care on their website. You start a chat and in few moments you got a reply from one of the executive. But may times it's not human it's bot replying to your queries and helping you in finding a solutions to your problem. It talks like human, it behaves like human and it lead conversions like human but the fact is it's chat bot program which is replying to you. Many of the businesses are using the chat bots successfully and many of the companies are developing chat bots. Real challenge right now in chat bot development is that you have to make it really really smart to handle all types of conversation and with the increasing use of Artificial intelligence, machine learning and deep learning, natural language processing chat bots are becoming smarter and smarter. Even smarter than human as well. 

One of the biggest trends in social media, specially social messaging apps, are bots and bot stores. Technology analysts predicted that bot stores will be the biggest thing since the rise of app stores. in 2017 we will see many developments on chat bots. Most of the businesses will opt for chat bot services to improve their business practices and customer care. Here are some reasons on Why Your Business Needs a Chat Bot

1) 24 X 7 Customer care

Computer do not eat, computer do not sleep, it needs only constant power to be on for 24 X 7 hours. So if you are using chat bot for the customer care, your customers will get 24 X 7 hours services. They can contact you any time and your bot will reply to them on behalf of you. This way your customer will be much satisfied and you can attend customers queries across the globe and different time zones. You don't need a call center and team of executives to handle it and it's cost effective too as you don't have to pay salary to customer care executives and do not need to invest in customer care center infrastructure, just invest in a chat bot and it will work for you all the time.

2) Better Customer Engagements with Buying Influence

Most of the companies selling online their services and products are using chat bots customer engagement. A customer browsing through your websites, products and services online on your website and chat bot can give more options to your customers based on customer preference and it will be more interactive experience to your customers and users as they feel it as a very personalized approach and they will be happy with this and you will get better customer engagements with this. Also chat bot can ask for the user preferences like what style they want and what brand they want and based on that, it will suggest the buying options thus influencing customer with more buying options.

3) Boost Social Media Engagement

In April, Facebook announced it would be opening up its increasingly influential Messenger platform in beta — and allowing brands to start using chatbots there. Not only can this help brands to achieve better sales, but it’s also a natural way with which to bolster social media engagement. By deploying a useful chatbot on Facebook, you’ll be far more likely to attract users on to your business page – where you are hopefully already bending over backwards in order to drive sales and engage with consumers on a personal level.

4) Simplify Your Business Processes

A chat bot is not just for the customer care and sales, it can even help you with your businesses. A custom chat bot designed for your business can help you simplify your business processes and let you be more productive in your business. A chat bot can also take business decisions based on certain parameters and help you in maintaining flow of your business.

In a way, chat bot is going to take industry by storm in upcoming years and chat bot will act as

• Your lawyer
• Your personal stylist
• Your personal assistant
• Your doctor
• Your financial advisor
• Your teacher
• Your Accountant

and many more you can imagine.

5 Best Examples of Internet of Things in Real Life

What is the Internet of Things?

Now a days we hear lot about this phrase, Internet of Things or IOT. The IoT refers to the connection of devices other than typical fare such as computers and smartphones to the Internet. So any device other which is able to communicate with Internet can be referred as IOT. So your smart car, wearable devices like heart monitors, your kitchen appliances or your smart TV can be considered as IOT as it's able to communicate with internet for different purposes. So a network of internet-connected objects able to collect and exchange data using embedded sensors and any stand-alone internet-connected device that can be monitored and/or controlled from a remote location is considered as Internet of Things. IOT is really growing in market. HP did a small survey in which they estimated the rise of connected devices over the years and the results are surprising. By 2025 1 trillion devices will be connected to internet. These devices will bridge the gap between physical and digital world to improve the quality and productivity of life, society and industries. 

Here are 5 Best Examples of Internet of Things in Real Life

1) Intelligent Fridge by Samsung

The ‘Family Hub’ refrigerator is equipped with a 21.5 inch HD LCD resolution screen, which allows consumers to use a calendar, post content, pin photos or write your notes. Additionally, you can look inside their fridge at any time with the help of cameras that are embedded in the fridge itself. Lastly, healthcarethe consumer can use the fridge to purchase things online, manage recipes and compile and compare shopping lists. You can read more about it from following link.

Samsung reveals 'Family Hub' fridge 

Family Hub Refrigerator

2) Apple / Samsung Smart Watch

And the most talked company of gadgets and devices. Apple has changed the world with its inventive and ultra-modern devices. Be it phones, laptops or any other electronic device, Apple has itself strongly established. The Apple watch is the example of how advanced the technology is at Apple. Apart from time and date, the Apple watch enables you to keep a track record of your health and daily activities.  Samsung also have launched the smart watch samsung gear S3 to take on Apple watch. You can read more about this at following links.

Samsung Gear S3

Apple Watch

3) Philips-Hue Bulbs

Philips hue bulbs have now stepped into a new stage of innovation with these smart bulbs. Linked with your mobile phones, you can now actually control the intensity of lights on your fingertips. The combination of bulb with mobile technology is next thing for your home. Instead of going for different watt of bulbs to suit the mood and the environment, simply change the intensity from dim to medium to full using your phone. You can read more about it from following link.

Philips-Hue

4) Connected Mascara by L’Oreal

L’oreal is working on interactive cosmetics, able to give its customers a useful how-to content. Imagine your mascara suggests you what type of make-up should you choose to match your outfit. Insane? Actually, it may become part of our everyday reality pretty soon. You can read more about it from following link.

Connected Mascara

5) Mimo Monitors

They have been around for some time now. Mimo Monitors are not only affordable but also presents a new technology. Used for several business purposes, this loT has been making things easier, simpler and is said to be very productive. But now Mimo Monitors offers something unique and unexpected. The technology now enables you get updated to your baby’s body position, their breathing level, body temperature, response to activities and health.  More you can read it following link.

Smart Baby Nursery