The hottest Coding Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics
Weekend Developer β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 19 May 23
  1. Reading code written by experienced programmers exposes you to different techniques and approaches, enhancing your problem-solving capabilities.
  2. By studying established best practices in code, like proper organization and naming conventions, you develop good coding habits from the start, resulting in more maintainable and readable code.
  3. Understanding complex systems through reading code helps you build crucial skills for professional software development, such as the ability to work with large codebases and collaborate effectively with other developers.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 12 Oct 22
  1. The recursive function template provides a step-by-step guide to solving recursive problems, helping you avoid overwhelm and work through coding challenges smoothly.
  2. The template includes key components like checking termination cases, processing outcomes, handling recursive cases, and resetting side effects, making problem-solving structured and manageable.
  3. Isolating recursion into helper functions improves code organization, and future Technique Tuesdays may cover the power of helper functions in depth.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 10 Oct 22
  1. Focus on using a mix of channels to become an expert in Graph Theory for Software Engineering. Channels vary in their emphasis on math, coding, and computer science.
  2. Utilize the recommended channels like Wrath of Math, David Amos, Trev Tutor, and FreeCodeCamp to sharpen your understanding of Graph Theory.
  3. Engage with the content from different channels to build strong theoretical foundations and improve your performance in coding interviews.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 27 Jan 23
  1. The problem discussed is about validating a binary search tree, ensuring the left subtree contains smaller values, the right subtree contains greater values, and both are valid binary search trees.
  2. Examples are provided to illustrate the concept, showing a valid and an invalid binary search tree.
  3. Constraints include the number of nodes and the value ranges in the tree.
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Brain Bytes β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 27 Dec 23
  1. Imposter Syndrome can make you doubt your abilities as a beginner coder, but it's important to set small, achievable goals, seek feedback, and believe in yourself.
  2. Creating a structured roadmap with daily tasks and clear goals is crucial for effective self-teaching in programming. It helps in visualizing progress and staying on track.
  3. Balancing theory with implementation by working on real projects is key. Dedicate time to writing code, fixing issues, and consistent practice to become a proficient programmer.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 25 Jan 23
  1. The problem discusses validating a binary search tree by checking if the left subtree contains keys less than the node's key and the right subtree contains keys greater than the node's key.
  2. It's important to ensure that both the left and right subtrees of a node are also binary search trees, following specific rules for structure and key values.
  3. Validating a binary search tree involves evaluating constraints like the number of nodes in the tree and the range of node values it can contain.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 23 Jun 22
  1. The problem involves determining if you can reach the end of an array with elements representing maximum jump lengths at each position.
  2. It highlights the use of Greedy Algorithms for a specific optimization in this problem.
  3. The post encourages audience engagement by suggesting feedback, surveys, and subscribing for additional content.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 28 Sep 22
  1. Using sentinel nodes in Doubly Linked Lists can improve performance and make code easier to read and implement
  2. Implementing sentinel nodes removes special cases in DLL implementations, simplifies code, and makes it more provably correct
  3. Although using sentinel nodes may require some extra memory, the simplification it brings to the code is often worth the tradeoff
Technology Made Simple β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 15 Jan 23
  1. Standing out in your early career stages can speed up your personal and professional growth significantly.
  2. Making a strong impression at work can lead to better opportunities, save you time, and provide protection against layoffs.
  3. Actions that help junior devs/interns stand out include turning an internship into a return offer and moving quickly up the career ladder.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 21 Sep 22
  1. The problem involves finding the longest substring with the same repeated character after replacing some characters. It's about choosing characters and performing operations.
  2. The examples illustrate how to approach the problem by changing characters in the string according to the constraints given.
  3. Constraints include the length of the input string, the character constraints in the string, and the limit on character replacements.
Brain Bytes β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 13 Dec 23
  1. Invest time in personal coding projects, starting with small ones and progressing to more complex ones. Quantity is crucial in the beginning, followed by a focus on quality.
  2. Define clear, measurable goals and work backward to plan your learning journey. Reverse engineering your goals helps to track progress and stay motivated.
  3. Develop not just technical skills but also soft skills like communication and teamwork. Networking and surrounding yourself with other developers can lead to valuable opportunities.
Sunday Letters β€’ 119 implied HN points β€’ 15 May 22
  1. When working on code, it's common to feel frustrated with the design. It's important to remember that things often need to move quickly to stay competitive.
  2. Finding a balance between speed and maintaining good code is key. Being too perfect can be as problematic as moving too fast.
  3. Emotions about your code can help gauge your progress. Being slightly embarrassed yet moving fast usually leads to better outcomes.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 02 Sep 22
  1. The problem discussed involves multiplying two non-negative integers represented as strings without using built-in libraries or converting them directly to integers. This approach is used to prevent overflow.
  2. Understanding the process of multiplication and breaking it down into individual steps is crucial in tackling problems like this. It helps in figuring out the next steps and finding a path forward.
  3. Consider unique approaches, such as examining how computers encode characters and utilizing this knowledge to work around constraints. Building a strong foundation in software engineering fundamentals is beneficial for problem-solving.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 30 Aug 22
  1. Linear Inequalities are crucial in math for coding, although they may seem trivial at first.
  2. Linear Inequalities help codify bounds and constraints efficiently, aiding in filtering out bad solutions and narrowing search spaces.
  3. Practicing breaking down real-life situations into equations and inequalities is key to mastering Linear Inequalities.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 04 Aug 22
  1. The problem of rotting oranges involves graph theory and BFS algorithms, and it can be challenging due to multiple oranges rotting simultaneously.
  2. The goal is to find the minimum number of minutes required for all fresh oranges to rot. If impossible, return -1.
  3. Understanding the problem thoroughly and having a structured approach to solving it is essential in coding interviews.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 27 Jul 22
  1. Problem 49 involves designing a stack to support various operations like push, pop, and finding the minimum element in constant time
  2. The newsletter celebrates almost reaching 50 problems by offering a special promo of 50% off the subscription for a limited time
  3. To enhance problem-solving skills, the newsletter encourages tackling challenging questions like the Boolean Satisfiability problem and provides solutions and guidance
Technology Made Simple β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 06 Apr 22
  1. Experts often give bad advice for studying Data Structures and Algorithms, like relying solely on Leetcode.
  2. To effectively learn DSA, take time to understand the history and purpose of each data structure beyond just learning the mechanics.
  3. Don't rush through learning Data Structures and Algorithms; taking it slow and grasping the fundamentals thoroughly will lead to better mastery and understanding.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 30 Mar 22
  1. BFS and DFS algorithms are foundational and crucial for various graph traversal problems, forming the basis for more complicated algorithms.
  2. Topological Sort, Djikstra's Algorithm, and A* are important graph traversal algorithms to master, especially for weighted graphs and AI applications like self-driving cars.
  3. For determining the correct graph traversal algorithm, identify if you need to find the shortest path (use BFS or A* for unweighted/weighted graphs), or if you need to visit the complete graph (use DFS for problems involving the entire graph).
Technology Made Simple β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 09 Nov 22
  1. Brain teasers in interviews may seem simple but can be tricky to solve because of their deceptive simplicity.
  2. When stuck on a problem, look for something familiar to latch onto and analyze it in depth to gain clarity on possible solutions.
  3. Talking out loud about the problem can help make connections, leading to better problem-solving and understanding.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 07 Nov 22
  1. One of the classic patterns in software design is the Layers Pattern, promoting low coupling and high cohesion among different layers.
  2. 3 Layer Architecture has been widely used in software development for decades, segregating applications into three logical and physical computing tiers.
  3. Despite modern advancements, the simplicity, flexibility, and practicality of the 3-layer architecture make it a foundational choice in software development.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 27 Oct 22
  1. The post discusses a puzzle about arranging robots by model, focusing on logic and problem-solving skills without coding.
  2. The author encourages readers to fill out surveys, engage with the content, and consider a premium subscription for more benefits.
  3. There is a special request for readers to support the newsletter's visibility by recommending it on Substack, showcasing community engagement.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 09 Oct 22
  1. Fixing the billion-dollar mistakes made by managers and engineers can lead to significant financial benefits that will continue to grow.
  2. By addressing this mistake, individuals can achieve great rewards while actually reducing the amount of work they do.
  3. Learning to avoid this mistake could result in monetary gains without the need for extra long hours or hard work.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 20 Jan 22
  1. When trying to solve a problem involving rotating a list by k elements, consider the pattern finding technique to optimize the solution.
  2. Understanding the periodic nature of the problem can help reduce the number of operations needed, especially with large values of n and k.
  3. A key insight for rotating a list by k elements is to split the list into sublists based on the pivot (k) and manipulate these sublists to achieve the desired rotation without creating new copies.
Technology Made Simple β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 06 Oct 22
  1. Inverting a binary tree is a classic problem that demonstrates important concepts like recursion and trees.
  2. This problem can help build a strong foundation for tackling more complex coding challenges involving recursion, trees, graphs, and dynamic programming.
  3. The process of inverting a binary tree involves swapping left and right children recursively starting from the root.
Weekend Developer β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 26 Aug 23
  1. Reproduce the issue: To effectively debug, you must replicate the problem on your own laptop to utilize your IDE for quick debugging.
  2. Isolate the problem: It's crucial to narrow down the issue's location by understanding when the code stops working correctly.
  3. Use breakpoints: Employ breakpoints to stop code execution at specific points, making debugging more efficient.
Weekend Developer β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 22 Sep 23
  1. Your code is read many times; writing clean code saves effort in the long run.
  2. Spaghetti code leads to hidden bugs and is hard to change, making development expensive.
  3. Writing clean code takes effort but helps you learn new skills, makes your code readable, and boosts your marketability.
Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 18 Aug 23
  1. Meta is launching a new tool called Code Llama, which is an auto-code generator similar to OpenAI's Codex.
  2. Code Llama will be based on an open-source platform, allowing businesses to create their own AI coding assistants.
  3. Companies can upload their private code to Code Llama, enabling it to generate specialized code from their existing projects.
Weekend Developer β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 30 Sep 23
  1. Double-takes in code reviews signal something unexpected or unintuitive, prompting a closer look.
  2. Avoid passing booleans as function arguments to maintain code clarity and avoid ambiguities.
  3. In Java, be cautious of autoboxing Booleans, as it introduces a potential null state, requiring careful handling to prevent bugs.