Technology Made Simple

Technology Made Simple explores a range of computer science concepts, software engineering careers, machine learning, tech industry insights, and programming interview tips. It offers deep, yet understandable insights targeting tech leaders, coders, and managers, with a focus on practical application in tech and enhancing career pathways.

Software Engineering Careers Machine Learning Tech Industry Insights Programming Interviews Computer Science Data Structures and Algorithms System Design Ethics in Technology Financial Aspects of Tech Career Development in Tech Artificial Intelligence Data Privacy and Security

The hottest Substack posts of Technology Made Simple

And their main takeaways

Why Tech and Crypto Stocks are so extreme [Finance Fridays]

119 implied HN points • 22 Jul 22
💰 Finance Tech Stocks Venture Capital Investing
  1. Blitzscaling in tech leads to high valuations and rapid growth without immediate profitability, creating potential for massive crashes when unsustainable models are exposed.
  2. Tech companies often lack clear paths to profitability, growing on funding alone. When market conditions shift, these companies can implode quickly, impacting investors.
  3. Investing in tech involves a game of passing the hot potato, where VCs aim for profitable exits even if the invested companies are unsustainable. This dynamic can lead to losses for unsuspecting retail investors.

[Solution]Problem 73: Find the smallest positive number missing from an unsorted array [Apple]

59 implied HN points • 03 Feb 23
🚌 Education Problem Solving Arrays
  1. When given a complex problem, consider starting with a simpler version to gain insights on how to approach the harder problem.
  2. Challenging problems often have specific constraints that indicate the existence of a trickier, optimized solution. However, don't let these constraints limit your exploration of simpler, slower solutions first.
  3. To solve harder problems smoothly, create a brute-force solution and optimize incrementally. Remember to focus on maximizing efficiency in terms of time and space complexity.

How I networked with one of the most prominent Data Scientists online[Storytime Saturdays]

59 implied HN points • 29 Jan 23
💼 Business Networking Data science Career development
  1. Networking is a valuable skill to add to your toolbox for personal growth, career progression, or assisting others.
  2. Even without an established online presence, you can stand out and network effectively with prominent individuals in your field.
  3. Effective networking can lead to opportunities and contracts that showcase your skills and expertise to the right people.

How Khan Academy Successfully Handled 2.5x Traffic in a Week[System Design Sundays]

79 implied HN points • 14 Nov 22
🕹 Technology System Design Google Cloud
  1. Combining common ideas can lead to great results. The fundamentals of utilizing serverless architecture and CDNs like Google Cloud and Fastly CDN were key to Khan Academy handling increased traffic.
  2. CDNs are important for scalability. They consist of servers distributed worldwide, enabling faster user interactions by caching content and optimizing server resources.
  3. Serverless architecture provides scalability and performance. By hosting applications on external servers, like those at Khan Academy, the system handled increased traffic efficiently without manual intervention.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Strategies for Replication in Distributed Databases [System Design Sundays]

59 implied HN points • 16 Jan 23
🕹 Technology Data Databases AI Machine Learning Systems Design
  1. Replication in distributed databases involves keeping copies of data on multiple machines spread across a network.
  2. Benefits of replication in distributed systems include improved accessibility to data and fault tolerance.
  3. Handling changes to replicated data involves choosing between active and passive replication methods, each with its own trade-offs.

Problem 84: Discover minimum transmission range [Spotify]

39 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Arrays Problem Solving
  1. The problem discusses determining the minimum broadcast range needed for radio towers to cover all listeners along a line.
  2. A specific example is provided with listeners at certain positions and towers at various locations to demonstrate the concept.
  3. The post includes links for further reading, subscribing, and connecting on social media.

[Solution]Problem 84: Discover minimum transmission range [Spotify]

39 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Arrays Problem Solving
  1. The problem involves determining the minimum broadcast range needed to cover all listeners along a line, given a set of radio towers and listener locations.
  2. Understanding arrays and problem-solving techniques is crucial for solving this type of problem.
  3. Reframing the problem and approaching it systematically can help in identifying the minimum transmission range efficiently.

Why Kotlin is eating Java [Storytime Saturdays]

39 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Programming Software Development Tech Trends Industry insights Professional development
  1. Big companies are increasingly adopting Kotlin over Java for their workflows due to its multi-functionality and great design.
  2. According to surveys, Kotlin has been consistently well-liked and is expanding beyond Android development to other platforms.
  3. Understanding why Google initially chose Java for Android, what issues Java presented, and what makes Kotlin appealing to various organizations can provide valuable insights for tech professionals.

[Solution]Problem 70: Pow(x,n) [Amazon]

59 implied HN points • 23 Dec 22
🕹 Technology Math Logic Optimization Recursion
  1. The post discusses a solution to Problem 70, which involves calculating a number raised to a power using math, logic, optimization, and recursion.
  2. The problem statement requires implementing a function that calculates x raised to the power n, with specific input-output examples provided.
  3. Constraints for the problem include specific ranges for x and n, highlighting the importance of handling edge cases in the solution.

Problem 58:Kth Largest Element in a Stream [Amazon]

79 implied HN points • 29 Sep 22
🕹 Technology Coding Recursion Binary Trees
  1. Problem involves finding the kth largest element in a stream, not the kth distinct element.
  2. The 'KthLargest' class has methods to initialize the object with 'k' and a stream of integers, and to add integers to the stream and return the kth largest element.
  3. Constraints include bounds on 'k', the length of the array, and the values in the array, with at most 10^4 calls to the 'add' method.

Problem 80: Unique Paths[Google]

39 implied HN points • 23 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Coding Dynamic Programming Recursion
  1. The problem discussed in the post is about finding unique paths in a grid using dynamic programming and recursion.
  2. The example solutions provided in the post illustrate how a robot can navigate from the top-left corner to the bottom-right corner in different grid sizes.
  3. The author also shares personal information about being a university student seeking work post-graduation and invites readers to check out their resume and LinkedIn profile.

How to check if a number is a power of 2 using logical operations[Technique Tuesdays]

59 implied HN points • 14 Dec 22
🕹 Technology Coding Computational efficiency
  1. You can check if a number is a power of 2 by doing a simple comparison using bitwise operations.
  2. Using logical operations and bit shifting to check powers of 2 is computationally efficient and essential for coding interviews.
  3. Mastering AND, OR, and NOT operations can significantly improve your programming skills and make you a more effective software engineer.

How to become very good at Machine Learning[Storytime Saturdays]

79 implied HN points • 18 Sep 22
🚌 Education Machine Learning Learning Strategies
  1. The author shares a unique approach to mastering Machine Learning without a Master's degree or costly courses, using free online resources.
  2. The author emphasizes building a comprehensive understanding of Machine Learning concepts beyond basic project work like Kaggle challenges.
  3. The post discusses a system for learning that has benefited those seeking mentorship from the author.

How I got a USD 100/hour offer at 21[Storytime Saturdays]

99 implied HN points • 03 Jul 22
🕹 Technology Career Networking Communications Skills Opportunities
  1. Getting a high-paying job offer involves building credibility in your field and mastering a craft.
  2. Networking through shared hobbies and interests can help create deeper, more meaningful connections.
  3. To make the most of your network, focus on being good at what you do, cultivating strong communication skills, and staying open to hidden opportunities.

[Solution]Problem 56:Climbing Stairs[Amazon]

79 implied HN points • 16 Sep 22
🕹 Technology Dynamic Programming Logic Recursion Math
  1. The post discusses a solution for the climbing stairs problem with dynamic programming, logic, recursion, and math.
  2. The problem involves finding the number of distinct ways to climb to the top of a staircase by either taking 1 or 2 steps at a time.
  3. The post provides examples and constraints for the problem, along with a link to test the solution on Leetcode.

Problem 68: Valid Sudoku [Netflix]

59 implied HN points • 08 Dec 22
🕹 Technology Coding Hashing Verification
  1. A valid Sudoku board needs to follow specific rules like no repetition of digits in rows, columns, and 3x3 sub-boxes.
  2. Validation of a Sudoku board only requires checking the filled cells and not necessarily solving the board.
  3. Ensure to keep your skills sharp to navigate through challenging situations like layoffs in the tech industry.

Algorithms you should know before taking System Design Interviews [System Design Sundays]

79 implied HN points • 11 Sep 22
🕹 Technology Algorithms
  1. Focus on understanding a few key algorithms that frequently show up in System Design interviews. Knowing these well can lead to great results.
  2. Prioritize learning the 'Five-star' algorithms, understand why they exist and the problems they solve. These are very important for interviews.
  3. Remember the 80/20 rule - most results come from basics that are commonly tested. Invest time in mastering those before moving on to advanced topics.

Find the Middle of a Singly LinkedList[Technique Tuesdays]

39 implied HN points • 08 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Coding Software Engineering Algorithm Career Leetcode
  1. To find the middle of a singly linked list, use 2 pointers - one fast and one slow. This approach simplifies the process and is efficient.
  2. The reasoning behind finding the middle involves understanding the ordered structure of values in a linked list. It exploits this organized structure to bisect the list and locate the middle.
  3. Learning to think in abstract groups instead of specific data types can enhance problem-solving skills. This technique can be extended to more complex structures beyond linked lists.

Math is a Language. This is how you should learn it. [Math Mondays]

99 implied HN points • 14 Jun 22
🚌 Education Math Language Learning Teaching Self-study
  1. Math is a language that helps express complex ideas in quantifiable ways, and understanding it is crucial for technical careers like AI and Engineering.
  2. Many people struggle with Math because they try to learn topics without understanding the context around them, similar to trying to learn a language without knowing any words or sentence structures.
  3. Learning Math effectively involves treating it like learning a language, starting with simple 'sentences' for specific situations, practicing, and gradually branching out to more complex ideas.

[Solution]Problem 65:Find the Fixed Point in a sorted array[Apple]

59 implied HN points • 18 Nov 22
🕹 Technology Coding Algorithms Software Development Tech Solutions
  1. A fixed point in a sorted array is an element whose value matches its index. Binary search can be used to efficiently find a fixed point if the array is sorted.
  2. When optimizing algorithms, focus on improving the major components like loop traversal to enhance the overall performance.
  3. In sorted arrays, utilizing comparators and the inherent comparison order can simplify the coding process and boost efficiency.

Proof By Contradiction [Math Mondays]

39 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🚌 Education Math Computer Science Problem Solving Learning Techniques
  1. Proof by contradiction is a powerful proof technique where you assume the opposite to be true and derive a contradiction, leading to the original statement being true.
  2. Skills needed for Proof by Contradiction, like defining the problem statement clearly and building logical inferences, align well with problem-solving in Leetcode and software engineering.
  3. To learn Proof by Contradiction effectively, focus on topics like Sets, Probability, Theoretical Computer Science, and Graph Theory for practical application.

Problem 65:Find the Fixed Point in a sorted array[Apple]

59 implied HN points • 17 Nov 22
🕹 Technology Coding Tech news Programming
  1. A fixed point in an array is an element whose value is equal to its index in a sorted array of distinct elements.
  2. To solve the problem of finding a fixed point in a sorted array, return the fixed point if it exists, otherwise return False.
  3. Understanding your audience's needs and feedback is crucial for improving content quality and user experience.

[Solution]Problem 52:Search 2D Matrix[Microsoft]

79 implied HN points • 18 Aug 22
🕹 Technology Coding Algorithms Software Development
  1. Understanding the problem clearly is crucial in finding efficient solutions. This particular problem doesn't require special knowledge, just logic and basic algebra.
  2. Recognizing patterns and properties of the data can significantly enhance the algorithm. In this case, the unique rules about the sorted matrix rows were key to optimizing the search process.
  3. Optimizing code by leveraging insights about the data structures can simplify solutions and reduce unnecessary complexity. It's important to make the most of the given information to write efficient algorithms.

Problem 76: Combination Sum [Google]

39 implied HN points • 23 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Coding Backtracking Graphs Recursion
  1. The problem discussed is about finding unique combinations of integers from a given array that sum up to a target number.
  2. Backtracking and recursion techniques are crucial for solving such problems efficiently.
  3. The newsletter provides weekly coding problems to help readers improve their problem-solving skills.

The media is lying about Stock Market Volatility [Finance Fridays]

79 implied HN points • 12 Aug 22
💰 Finance Stock Market Volatility Investors Financial Analysis
  1. Stock market volatility is not solely caused by 'Robinhood investors'; experts' claims are not well-supported by research and basic math
  2. While individual firms have seen increased volatility, overall market volatility has remained relatively consistent, highlighting the importance of looking beyond surface-level narratives
  3. Opportunity cost plays a significant role in firm-level volatility, with investors impacting individual stocks based on trends, emotions, and investment decisions, even if market-wide volatility does not reflect this

Understanding Google's GPT-Killer- The Revolutionary Pathways Architecture [Storytime Saturdays]

39 implied HN points • 19 Feb 23
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Models Training
  1. Google's Bard is designed to be more versatile than ChatGPT, with a unique model architecture called Pathways.
  2. Google's approach includes training a single model for multiple tasks, working with different modalities like images and text, and using sparse activation to specialize network parts.
  3. The Pathways architecture sets Google apart by enabling their AI models to handle a wide range of tasks, making them cost-effective and versatile.

[Solution]Problem 75: Reorder List [Meta/Facebook]

39 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Coding Problem Solving
  1. The post discusses a solution for rearranging a linked list in a specific pattern, providing examples and constraints.
  2. It encourages problem-solving skills by reinforcing fundamental concepts through problem-solving and preparing for technical interviews.
  3. Consider subscribing to access more articles and support the creator's work, appealing to a broader audience.

Problem 75: Reorder List [Meta/Facebook]

39 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Coding Problem Solving Tech industry
  1. The newsletter discusses a coding problem about reordering a linked list, which requires understanding of linked lists, pointer manipulation, and problem-solving skills.
  2. There is emphasis on focusing on important problems rather than mindlessly solving a large number of problems, suggesting that quality over quantity is key in interview preparation.
  3. The post also offers a premium subscription service to enhance tech skills, providing expert insights, tips, and resources, with a discount for new subscribers.

How Netflix survived the AWS outage in 2011 [System Design Sundays]

39 implied HN points • 13 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Systems Design Resilience Cloud Computing Chaos Engineering Data architecture
  1. Netflix utilized Open Connect Appliances to provide better streaming by localizing content on devices of certain ISPs.
  2. The use of Stateless-service architecture allows any server to step in if one fails, ensuring uninterrupted service.
  3. Netflix's redundancy strategy includes storing data in multiple zones, using 'n+1' redundancy, and employing graceful degradation techniques to maintain limited functionality in case of failure.

How TikTok breaks economics [Finance Fridays]

59 implied HN points • 29 Oct 22
💰 Finance Economics Social media Government Influence Data Analysis Investment Analysis
  1. TikTok struggles with profitability due to competition, lack of valuable data, and the expensive analysis of user behavior.
  2. The CCP's involvement in ByteDance enables them to fund TikTok despite losses for geopolitical influence, impacting the content promoted and the platform's sustainability.
  3. Banning TikTok may not address the root issues; education on health, mental wellness, skepticism, and maintaining real social connections are vital for healthier social media engagement.

Zomato fails to deliver [Finance Fridays]

79 implied HN points • 29 Jul 22
💰 Finance Stock Market Investing Business Strategies Risk management Entrepreneurship
  1. Food delivery business is unprofitable globally despite high fees; Zomato suffered major losses without solid plans.
  2. Zomato's acquisition of Blinkit with a massive cash burn was not beneficial due to lack of established cash flows.
  3. Investors should be cautious of hype; Zomato's crash led to retail investors facing significant losses.