The hottest APIs Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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How I Cracked Homestuck's Alchemy with Stable Diffusion and GPT-4

Record Crash • 3 HN points • 16 Jun 23
🕹 Technology AI Image Generation Data processing Machine Learning APIs
  1. Homestuck's Alchemy involves combining items using different operations and can create various outcomes, like weapons, outfits, and more.
  2. Using Generative AI models like GPT-3 and GPT-4, along with stable diffusion, can help in automating the process of generating new Homestuck alchemy results.
  3. Building a pipeline with ChatGPT, image generation, and compositing tools can streamline the process of generating text descriptions and corresponding images for Homestuck alchemy creations.

Nylas API v3, MuleSoft PDK,Escape Found 18K+ Leaked Secrets

The API Changelog • 3 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🕹 Technology APIs AI Fintech Security
  1. API trends in 2024 include a dynamic ecosystem of tooling, AI integration, and the rise of API product managers for enterprise success with a focus on governance and visibility
  2. Companies like Nylas, MuleSoft, and BlueBox Systems are introducing new API solutions to enhance performance, security, real-time tracking, & urban infrastructure development
  3. Security remains a critical concern with news of over 18,000 exposed API secrets discovered by the team at Escape, emphasizing the importance of token management and regular rotations

How to hunt down TikTok's top videos

12challenges • 3 HN points • 13 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Social media Data Analysis Web scraping APIs Regulations
  1. Hunting down TikTok's top videos is challenging because the data is not easily accessible through conventional methods like Google search.
  2. Using TikTok's Research API is limited and not helpful in obtaining the top TikTok videos by view count.
  3. Scraping TikTok's platform or using social monitoring tools are options to consider, but these methods come with challenges like legal implications and high costs.

Unlocking the Power of DALL·E 3 in C#: A Comprehensive Guide for .NET Enthusiasts

The AI Observer • 3 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Programming Software Development Machine Learning APIs
  1. DALL-E 3 in C# allows for high-quality image generation from textual descriptions with unique features like text incorporation, landscape/portrait compatibility, and intricate prompt interpretation
  2. Implementing DALL-E 3 in C# requires understanding API parameters and making adjustments like model selection, image dimensions, and quality for tailored image generation
  3. To avoid rate limit issues, consider upgrading plans for higher limits and be mindful of pricing details for different image quality options with DALL-E 3 in C#
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OpenAI vs Self Hosted LLMs: A Cost Analysis

ScaleDown • 5 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
🕹 Technology AI Cost Analysis APIs Comparison
  1. OpenAI pricing is token-based, with different costs for input and output tokens, encouraging more detailed prompts for accuracy.
  2. Self-hosted LLMs costs are based on computational resources rather than tokens, with potential for higher costs but no API limits.
  3. Comparing OpenAI and self-hosted LLM costs requires considering utilization rates, where high utilization makes self-hosted more cost-effective.

Retrospective on a Kenyan Payments Workflow

Vivid Leaves • 2 HN points • 14 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Payments Infrastructure Ecommerce APIs
  1. Ecommerce players in emerging markets often face challenges with cash management due to low card adoption and customer trust issues, leading to a need for innovative solutions like payment upon delivery.
  2. M-Pesa in Kenya revolutionized cashless payments with its mobile money network, which played a crucial role in enabling online commerce and providing a solution for payment workflows in the region.
  3. Creating unique solutions, like using M-Pesa for cash remittance and optimizing delivery routes, can help businesses navigate operational challenges and improve efficiency in regions with specific infrastructural characteristics.

The Impact of a Large Number of API Features

The API Changelog • 1 HN point • 08 Mar 24
🕹 Technology APIs Integration Developer Experience Documentation
  1. API features play a crucial role in how customers interact with a product when building integrations, and having a large number of features can be a significant business decision.
  2. The number of API features impacts the structure of teams within a company, as each feature may require a dedicated team, potentially increasing operational complexity.
  3. A low number of API features can lead to easier support, clearer documentation, and a simpler Developer Experience, ultimately contributing to better business outcomes.

Gorilla LLM: Bridging APIs with User-Specified Tasks

Sudo Apps • 2 HN points • 15 Jun 23
🕹 Technology AI APIs Machine Learning Software Development Artificial Intelligence
  1. Gorilla LLM is designed to connect large language models with various services and applications through APIs.
  2. LLaMA was chosen as the base model for Gorilla, which has since been fine-tuned with GPT-4, GPT-3.5, and other models.
  3. Gorilla LLM introduces novel concepts like retriever-aware training and AST sub-tree matching for more accurate inferences.

Structure Response from LLMs

mayt writes • 1 HN point • 02 Aug 23
🕹 Technology AI & Machine Learning Sentiment Analysis APIs Natural Language Processing
  1. Large Language Models (LLMs) can process unstructured text data to find information, summarize, and answer basic questions.
  2. Developers face challenges in handling unstructured data generated by LLMs and desire structured outputs for easier processing.
  3. By using novel features like function calling in LLMs, structured data can be generated for specific tasks like sentiment analysis, making data handling more efficient.

Is front-end dead?

31 Seconds • 1 implied HN point • 28 Mar 23
🕹 Technology AI APIs User Interface
  1. Front-end development may be replaced by AI models in the future.
  2. LLMs could potentially take over front-end interfaces and simplify interaction.
  3. Companies might need to adapt by presenting APIs to users' AI agents.

Any Cables Monthly #3

AnyCable Broadcasts • 0 implied HN points • 04 Oct 22
🕹 Technology Development Open Source Websockets APIs
  1. Expect exciting content from upcoming Ruby conferences like RubyKaigi and RailsSaaS. Keep an eye out for updates!
  2. Don't miss out on Hacktoberfest 2022 as a chance to contribute to open source projects. AnyCable projects have the '#hacktoberfest' tag.
  3. Reduce server-side costs by exploring ways to handle browser tabs, like using a Shared Worker or localStorage as a message bus. Stay updated for future technologies like the Web Locks API.

Progressive Web Apps

Code Solo • 0 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Web Development Mobile APIs Browsers
  1. Progressive Web Apps are optimized websites that can run on mobile devices like native apps.
  2. PWAs can be installed without using the App Store, making it easier for developers to publish and update apps.
  3. Web APIs offer a wide range of functionalities for PWAs, but browser support, especially from Apple, can be limited.

The Reliability Revolution: Idempotent APIs and the Future of Distributed Computing

Engineering At Scale • 0 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
🕹 Technology APIs Distributed Computing Fault Tolerance System reliability
  1. Building reliable systems in an unreliable world is crucial for the success of products and services.
  2. Failures in distributed systems can lead to challenges like duplicate transactions, but idempotent APIs can help ensure consistency.
  3. Idempotent APIs are key in guaranteeing data integrity, simplifying error handling, and enhancing fault tolerance in distributed systems.

🔮 Weekly Dose of AI #2 - Reading minds / Breaking banks /ChatGPT API

Definite Optimism • 0 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
🕹 Technology AI Research APIs Jobs Funding
  1. Researchers can reconstruct brain images from MRI scans, potentially leading to mind-reading technology.
  2. AI-generated voices can be used to impersonate individuals, posing security risks in areas like banking.
  3. OpenAI released ChatGPT and Whisper APIs, leading the way in generative AI but facing criticism for becoming closed-source and profit-driven.

Recapping the first OpenAI DevDay

Deus In Machina • 0 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
🕹 Technology AI Developers APIs Models Pricing
  1. Inaugural OpenAI DevDay featured new product announcements and successful integrations with companies like Amgen and Lowe's
  2. Over 92% of Fortune 500 companies are utilizing OpenAI products for building, showcasing corporate interest in innovative technologies
  3. Introduction of GPT-4 Turbo model highlighted improvements in context length, control, knowledge, customizations, and competitive pricing

PlacesGPT

Expand Mapping with Mike Morrow • 0 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🕹 Technology APIs GPT Data
  1. PlacesGPT brings point of interest data into ChatGPT.
  2. Using Google's Places Text Search API helps with ambiguous address queries.
  3. The Google Places API usage for PlacesGPT will be limited due to cost until the GPT marketplace launches.

API First? No, thank you! Schema-first, please!

Reflective Software Engineering • 0 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
🕹 Technology APIs Documentation Code generation Open Source
  1. Start with defining the API schema instead of API-first approach as it allows for early feedback, unblocks consumer development, and enables incremental progress.
  2. An API schema specifies all endpoints, interactions, and responses, and can be visualized in tools like Swagger, aiding in documentation and code generation.
  3. Working schema-first has benefits like enabling real-time collaboration, source-controlled contract, and code generation capabilities based on the formal specification.

My Backend Template for Node.js

Implementing • 0 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Node.js APIs Database Framework
  1. The project structure for a Node.js backend, inspired by the Model View Controller (MVC) approach, includes folders for controllers, models, and utilities to maintain context information for HTTP requests effectively.
  2. The use of a custom logger within the application without relying on external libraries provides flexibility and control over log formatting and content, allowing easy debugging and monitoring.
  3. Switching from MySQL to Postgres for personal projects offers advantages in terms of transaction handling, materialized view creation, cost-effectiveness in hosting, and better performance for certain tasks.

Google Marketing API, Tavus $18M, Microsoft Patches 60+ Issues

The API Changelog • 0 implied HN points • 19 Mar 24
🕹 Technology APIs Fintech AI Security Software
  1. Google introduced a new API enhancing administrative control over analytics properties, merging organization details for easier management.
  2. Tavus, a generative AI video firm, raised $18 million and unveiled its Developer Platform with Replica API for text-to-video and digital replica creation.
  3. Microsoft patched over 60 security issues including critical vulnerabilities in HyperV and Open Management Infrastructure to ensure user safety.

🎓 Making (reasonably) good decisions quickly; Using a third Entity instead of a Join Table

Become a Senior Engineer • 0 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Decision-making Database Management APIs Programming
  1. Making decisions quickly is crucial for unblocking progress and enabling action, learning, and iteration.
  2. When dealing with complex decisions, prioritize understanding the problem, collaborating with your team, and utilizing prototyping for informed choices.
  3. Using a third entity instead of a join table in relational databases can better reflect domain logic and avoid compatibility issues with frameworks.