The ZenMode

The ZenMode Substack focuses on a variety of computer science topics including AI technologies, system design interviews, web development advancements, and developer productivity strategies. It covers both theoretical concepts like transformers and blockchain, and practical applications like building URL shortening services and chat systems.

Artificial Intelligence System Design Web Development Blockchain Technology Developer Productivity Game Development Data Management Software Architecture Security Networking

The hottest Substack posts of The ZenMode

And their main takeaways

[System design] Sharding : In and Out Explained

42 implied HN points • 16 Mar 24
🕹 Technology System Design Scaling Optimization
  1. Sharding is a technique to horizontally partition a data store into smaller fragments across multiple servers, aiding in scalability and reliability.
  2. Before sharding a database, consider options like vertical partitioning, database optimization, replication, and caching to improve performance without the added complexity of sharding.
  3. Different sharding strategies like Hash Sharding, Range Sharding, and Directory-Based Sharding have unique considerations and advantages based on factors like data distribution, queries, and maintenance.

Ep#4 : Soft Skills

42 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Soft skills Programming Engineering Communication Collaboration
  1. Soft skills are equally important to technical skills in software engineering. They are often the secret weapon that distinguishes those who struggle from those who thrive.
  2. The path to coding proficiency requires a growth mindset, independence, logical thinking, and patience. Embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and persevere for long-term success.
  3. Essential soft skills for programmers include communication, collaboration, adaptability, and empathy. These skills are crucial for success in a dynamic field where teamwork, continuous learning, and user-centered solutions are key.

Ep#3 : Developer Productivity- Conquering Burnout in the Developer Dungeon

42 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Burnout Productivity Mental health Self-care Stress management
  1. Set clear work boundaries and create a dedicated workspace to improve productivity.
  2. Break tasks into manageable sprints, schedule breaks, and prioritize self-care for peak performance.
  3. Declutter and personalize your workspace, invest in ergonomic furniture, and optimize your sleep for better overall well-being.

Ep#2: Developer Productivity: A Senior Dev's Guide to Ultra-Focus

42 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Productivity Focus Coding Tips
  1. Strategic planning is key: Designate crucial coding tasks that ignite your passion the night before to fuel deep focus and better code.
  2. Create a distraction-free coding environment: Silence your phone, limit browser tabs, and resist multitasking to enhance true focus in a minimalist space.
  3. Take care of your body and experiment with coding blocks: Stay hydrated, consider supplements, move physically, and adapt your coding sessions to find your unique rhythm.
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Power of Redis: A Deep Dive into Caching Systems

15 HN points • 10 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Caching Data Structures Performance Limitations Deployment
  1. Caching like Redis stores frequently used data for faster retrieval, improving response times, reducing database load, and leading to cost-effectiveness in running high-traffic applications.
  2. Redis is fast due to in-memory storage, optimized data structures, reduced I/O operations, single-threaded architecture, and event-driven design, but has limitations like limited capacity and issues with data persistence.
  3. Choosing the right caching system, like Redis, requires considering factors like data size, access patterns, consistency requirements, and fault tolerance for high availability and durability.

Interview Session: Design a website like Pastebin

85 implied HN points • 10 Feb 23
  1. A website like Pastebin has a frontend, backend, database, caching, load balancer, and more components.
  2. To ensure system scalability, consider measures like load balancing, caching, database replication, and auto-scaling.
  3. For security, implement authentication, encryption, regular backups, network security, and access logging.

How to learn web3 in 2023 (JS)

42 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Web Development Blockchain Cryptocurrencies Web3
  1. Web3 is the decentralized version of the internet, aiming to eliminate intermediaries and give users more control over their data.
  2. To learn Web3, start by understanding blockchain, cryptocurrencies, dApps, smart contracts, and NFTs, then move on to more advanced topics and experiment with tools.
  3. Engage with the Web3 community, join online communities, attend events, follow industry leaders, and keep learning as the technology evolves.

Design a Tic-Tac-Toe Game [with Code]

42 implied HN points • 15 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Design Programming System Design Game Development Web Development
  1. Designing a Tic-Tac-Toe game involves creating a user interface with components like a game board, player information, game status, and start/restart buttons.
  2. Implementing game logic requires components like game state, move validation, win condition detection, tie condition detection, and player management.
  3. For scalability, maintainability, and extensibility, consider using components like load balancer, cloud-based infrastructure, modular architecture, clean code, and automated testing.

Interview Session: Design a limit order book for trading systems

42 implied HN points • 09 Feb 23
  1. A limit order book in trading systems maintains buy and sell orders at specific prices.
  2. Trades are executed when there's a match between buyer and seller at the same price.
  3. Types of orders in a limit order book include limit orders and market orders.

Interview Session : Design a URL Shortening service like goo.gl or bit.ly

42 implied HN points • 09 Feb 23
  1. URL shortening services convert long URLs to short ones for easy sharing.
  2. URL shortening involves generating unique short URLs and using a database to redirect to the original long URL.
  3. For highly scalable URL shortening services, a distributed system with multiple servers and databases is key.

Connection Pooling — How, what and why? [Case study]

1 HN point • 17 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Networking Databases Performance Management Security
  1. Connection pooling helps manage database connections efficiently by creating a pool of connections and reusing them instead of opening and closing for each query. This can significantly improve performance and scalability.
  2. Without connection pooling, establishing new connections for each request can lead to slow response times, resource exhaustion, and scalability issues. Connection pooling can help alleviate these problems by minimizing connection creation latency.
  3. When setting up connection pools, consider factors like application workload, expected concurrent users, and database type. Monitor metrics like response times, wait times, and error rates to optimize pool size and configuration for optimal performance.

Interview Session : Design a chat system

10 HN points • 09 Feb 23
  1. A key approach for designing a chat system is using microservice architecture for scalability and maintenance.
  2. Implementing a publish-subscribe pattern and using a distributed database like Cassandra are crucial for handling large volumes of messages.
  3. Ensuring end-to-end encryption, implementing auto-scaling mechanisms, and prioritizing user privacy are essential aspects of chat system design.

Join my chat

0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Apps Chat Subscribers Mobile
  1. Join the ZenMode subscriber chat on the Substack app.
  2. Download the Substack app to access the exclusive chat space.
  3. Engage in discussions and updates within the subscriber chat thread.

[Mock]Design a URL Shortening service like goo.gl or bit.ly

0 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Design Security Scaling Database
  1. A URL shortening service converts long URLs into short, unique ones for easy sharing and remembering.
  2. The steps in shortening a URL involve inputting the long URL, generating a unique short URL, storing the mapping, and redirecting users to the original URL.
  3. Designing a URL shortening service includes high scalability, availability, key generation methods, security measures like rate limiting, and handling data growth using tools like distributed databases.

How E2E Encryption works it magic? + Signal Protocol

0 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Encryption Algorithms Messaging Cryptography Security
  1. Encryption is like a secret code that keeps your information safe and private using algorithms and keys.
  2. End-to-end encryption ensures that only the sender and recipient can access and read messages, offering a high level of security and privacy.
  3. Signal Protocol, with features like the Double Ratchet Algorithm, is widely used in popular messaging apps to provide strong security for user communications.