The hottest Backend Substack posts right now

GraphQL allows clients to make a single request for multiple pieces of data, improving user experience.
GraphQL reduces complexity by stitching data together on the backend, rather than requiring separate requests.
Exploring GraphQL, despite initial differences, can reveal its ease of use and benefits for APIs.

Decide which product feature should be behind a test, read the results of an A/B test, prioritize features based on data
Understand that frontend tests focus on user experience and user groups in the browser, while backend tests require business logic and user assignment in the database
Choose frontend user group assignment for speed and simplicity via firing analytics events; go for backend assignment for more complete data by storing user assignment in a database model

To ace System Design Interviews, read/watch more system design mock interviews on YouTube, engineering blogs, and learn about important technologies/concepts.
When designing a system like the backend for Google Photos, start with domain analysis, note requirements (functional and non-functional), expected load/performance, and user profiles for valuable solutions.
Engage with the content you find helpful by liking, sharing, and offering feedback to creators. It helps them reach more people and improve their work.

Simplify communication between frontend and backend with a Go <-> Typescript interface
Forget about the complexities of REST in asynchronous data requests
Auto-generate code to ease bindings between different languages on the server side

Set data structure can significantly speed up app operations
Utilizing Set operations like symmetricDifference can improve user experience
Sets are powerful for efficient data processing and can reduce complex operations to O(n)

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AnyCable v1.2 introduces JWT identification and 'hot streams' for powering up efficient Hotwire frontends by moving functions from Ruby to Go.
JWT identification standardizes authentication for WebSockets, protects from cross-site WebSocket hijacking, and boosts performance by removing the need for RPC calls.
Combining JWT identification with signed streams in AnyCable allows the creation of subscriptions without touching RPC, offering improved efficiency for Hotwire and CableReady functionality.

Developing a prototype ML product for niche languages and cultures has unique challenges that are not present in more common languages.
Focusing on core objectives is crucial for efficient development and achieving sprint goals.
Prioritizing functionality over speed in ML inference pipelines can lead to tangible progress and real product advancements.

GraphQL provides an intuitive and flexible way to describe data requirements and interactions for client applications, simplifying development by having a defined schema and aiding with debugging.
While REST is a standard widely taught in software engineering, GraphQL offers a more elegant approach by simplifying data contracts, debugging, and allowing for a more complex backend and simpler frontend development.
Using GraphQL can help divide tasks among team members more effectively, with senior engineers focusing on backend problem-solving and junior engineers concentrating on frontend tasks like data mapping, ultimately making APIs more discoverable and user-friendly.

QCon talks cover a wide range of software engineering topics, including backend, frontend, AI, and DevOps. These talks are great for anyone looking to learn more about tech trends.
A curated list of 35 must-watch talks from QCon London and San Francisco includes interesting topics like how Netflix uses Java and scaling with Amazon DynamoDB. These videos can help you understand real-world applications of technology.
If you subscribe, you'll get a weekly email with new talks from over 100 conferences. This is an easy way to stay updated on tech without the clutter of YouTube.