The hottest Development Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Documenting Your API Around Its Capabilities

The API Changelog • 1 implied HN point • 08 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Development
  1. APIs should focus on what they can do for users rather than just technical details. Users care more about benefits that help them solve problems than about how the API works on a technical level.
  2. Non-technical decision-makers often choose APIs, so documentation needs to be clear for them. This means writing in a way that explains the API’s value rather than just listing technical operations.
  3. To document API capabilities effectively, start with understanding what users want to achieve. By translating user needs into clear benefits and then into specific API capabilities, you make it easier for users to understand and use your API.

The Thoughtworks Technology Radar

Engineering Enablement • 9 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Development
  1. The Thoughtworks Technology Radar categorizes technologies into four rings: Hold, Assess, Trial, and Adopt based on their readiness and suitability for adoption.
  2. The Radar provides a snapshot of technologies seen in the previous six months and aims to showcase what's happening globally in the tech industry.
  3. The Radar is produced through a process of collecting technology proposals from Thoughtworks employees, voting on their inclusion, and finalizing around 100 blips for publication.

In Defense of Shell Scripts

Certo Modo • 1 HN point • 26 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Development
  1. Consider using shell scripts when CLI tools are available and APIs aren't, for more efficiency.
  2. For quick prototypes, opt for a shell script solution to validate ideas swiftly before committing to a more complex programming language.
  3. When developing CLI tools, prioritize speed and consider using compiled languages like Golang or Rust for efficiency.

You made this? I made this.

readfromdisk • 1 HN point • 26 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Development
  1. Sometimes in organizations, teams might prefer to own something symbolically rather than dealing with its responsibilities and maintenance.
  2. It can be more appealing to showcase a shiny solution without actually fixing deep-rooted problems in the organization.
  3. Working on real solutions and solving actual problems might be less glamorous but more impactful than just claiming ownership for the surface.
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Orphan, Shadow, and Zombie APIs

The API Changelog • 4 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Development
  1. APIs can be categorized based on their usage and management status. Knowing if an API is 'orphan', 'shadow', or 'zombie' helps understand if it's being used or managed properly.
  2. An 'orphan' API is one that is documented but not used, wasting resources without serving a purpose.
  3. A 'shadow' API is used but not documented or managed, while a 'zombie' API is outdated but still running, consuming resources without support.

The API Integration Nightmare

The API Changelog • 4 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Development
  1. APIs are meant to connect different applications, but integrating them can be really frustrating. Many developers face issues with poor documentation and unclear instructions.
  2. Experimenting with APIs often reveals surprises, like missing parameters or unexpected responses. This can make it feel like you’re constantly troubleshooting without getting anywhere.
  3. Managing multiple APIs adds even more stress because they often don’t follow the same standards. This can lead to lots of headaches when trying to make everything work smoothly together.

Producer-Oriented API Documentation

The API Changelog • 3 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Development
  1. Good API documentation is very important for user experience. It helps consumers understand how to use the API effectively.
  2. Producers should use the documentation to see metrics about their API's performance. This helps them make better decisions about improvements.
  3. Sharing some API usage data with consumers could enhance transparency and build trust. It allows users to see popular features and error rates.

The New API

The API Changelog • 3 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Development
  1. The new API is all about flexibility. It will change itself to fit what users need instead of sticking to old rules.
  2. Users can communicate with the new API using any format or style they like, whether it's REST or GraphQL. It adapts automatically to what makes sense for each user.
  3. Developers won't have to worry about the technical details as much. They can focus on creating useful features because the API will manage itself behind the scenes.

Friday Harbor Open APIs, Yasmina $2M, APIDynamics M2M Security

The API Changelog • 1 implied HN point • 22 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Development
  1. Google has launched new features for its APIs, including a video generator API and a metadata field to improve data accuracy. These updates are vital for developers looking to enhance their applications.
  2. Yasmina, a Saudi insurtech startup, has raised $2 million to expand its API-driven insurance services into new markets. This funding will help them grow their offerings in the UAE and Egypt.
  3. APIDynamics is focusing on improving API security with new methods like adaptive multi-factor authentication and Zero Trust. This is crucial as more systems rely on machine-to-machine communication.

The Nuanced (and Slightly Chaotic) Reality of 'Vibe Coding'

Kathy PM • 2 implied HN points • 31 Mar 25
🕹 Technology Development
  1. Vibe coding uses AI to help people create software faster and easier, but it's important to understand the basics of coding too. Just like using a camera, you need to know how it works to get the best results.
  2. While vibe coding is fun and allows for quick project development, it can lead to unfinished projects and potential security issues. Learning more about how software functions can prevent these risks.
  3. This new way of coding encourages more people to build and create, which is exciting. However, it's still essential to have some structure and understanding of coding to ensure the software is reliable and effective.

Episode 16: Burkhard on Qt Embedded Systems

burkhardstubert • 19 implied HN points • 31 Mar 21
🕹 Technology Development
  1. Keyboard shortcuts can make using QtCreator much faster. For example, pressing 'Alt+Enter' can help you quickly add include files or definitions.
  2. Cross-compiling with CMake using QtCreator is possible in just five minutes. This can save time when developing applications for different platforms.
  3. Project management is crucial for meeting deadlines. It's important to prioritize features so that the team can deliver the best possible version of the product on time.

Agent Sources

Perspective Agents • 9 implied HN points • 30 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Development
  1. Agents in AI are rapidly evolving and have the potential to change how we access and interact with information.
  2. The emergence of personalized AI agents like GPTs can provide customized, insightful perspectives in contrast to traditional media sources.
  3. Creating trust markets with GPTs as virtual experts offers a new way to monetize expertise and deliver high-quality information.

Doing Data The Hard Way

Pedram's Data Based • 14 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Development
  1. The tech industry is experiencing pushback against the complexity of recent years.
  2. The gap between the cost of data solutions and their value is increasing, leading to a re-examination of needs.
  3. Exploring old ways of solving data problems before the abundance of vendors can provide valuable insights for building more robust systems.

Some practical tasks with k8s Pods

DevCube • 2 HN points • 26 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Development
  1. When working with microservices and Kubernetes, it's important to remember basic tasks like troubleshooting Pod startup and accessing logs.
  2. Don't solely rely on different tools for Kubernetes tasks, remember the fundamental basics.
  3. Appreciate foundational explanations like Liz Rice's video on containers, even if they are older, for understanding container technology.

Issue #47

Infra Weekly Newsletter • 13 implied HN points • 23 May 23
🕹 Technology Development
  1. Nomad Cluster Setup is a good Terraform project for deploying Nomad on AWS.
  2. Trunk-based development in GIT is great for project collaboration.
  3. Immutable Infrastructure with Terraform offers reliability and consistency in infrastructure management.

Issue #72

Infra Weekly Newsletter • 9 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Development
  1. A Go library called `cpuid` provides CPU core information.
  2. Rust programming language is integrating deeper into the Linux kernel.
  3. Ubuntu Core Linux Developer Preview offers an immutable Linux distribution.

Issue #44

Infra Weekly Newsletter • 13 implied HN points • 02 May 23
🕹 Technology Development
  1. Datomic by NuBank is now free for all versions.
  2. HashiCorp presents a webinar on dynamic credentials for Terraform Cloud.
  3. Developers can now access the first serverless Postgres database for the frontend cloud through Vercel and Neon's collaboration.

#45

The Nibble • 7 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Development
  1. The end of the ZIRP Era means changes in job market and R&D funding in tech.
  2. Google is changing reCAPTCHA with reduced free evaluations and new pricing plans.
  3. Apple introduces OpticID biometric authentication and Pixel 8 has 'circle to search' feature.

#27

The Nibble • 9 implied HN points • 01 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Development
  1. Spotify introduced a new personalized collaborative listening feature called Spotify Jam.
  2. Deno, NodeJS, and Bun are in a race to optimize JS ecosystem performance.
  3. Google is discontinuing Google Podcasts and Google Jamboard.

Visual Studio Setup For Unreal Engine 5

Load-bearing Tomato • 2 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Development
  1. To compile Unreal Engine 5 from source, you need the right version of Visual Studio. The recommended version is 17.6.
  2. Make sure to select specific options in the Visual Studio installer for proper setup. This will help you avoid issues during the compilation.
  3. If you run into problems, it’s likely because the official documentation isn't detailed enough about setups like yours. Following these steps can simplify the process.

How Plugin Creep is Killing Your Editor's Performance

Wetware Snippets • 5 implied HN points • 14 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Development
  1. Plugin Creep happens when you add too many plugins to your editor, slowing it down and making it harder to use. It's important to keep your editor lean for a better experience.
  2. Every plugin takes up resources, and too many can lead to crashes and conflicts. Before adding new ones, ask yourself if you really need them.
  3. To avoid problems, try using built-in features of your editor instead of installing new plugins. If you find yourself getting frustrated, consider if your editor is the right fit for your workflow.

Some thoughts on the C Standard

John Breaks Stuff • 1 implied HN point • 06 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Development
  1. The C programming language has some odd rules, especially about how it handles errors. For example, signed overflow is undefined behavior, meaning anything can happen if there's an error, while unsigned wraparound is defined and predictable.
  2. Different ways to represent numbers exist in C, but now most compilers only use two's complement. This can cause problems, like when dividing by negative numbers, but these issues will go away if we return to using one's complement.
  3. The C standards committee is responsible for maintaining the C language, and they're trying to modernize it. This includes creating official websites and using platforms like GitHub, which could change how the community interacts with the standard.

OpenAPI Is Not Enough

The API Changelog • 1 implied HN point • 06 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Development
  1. OpenAPI is a useful tool for defining REST APIs but has limitations that can affect complex API development. It may not always help in generating high-quality code for sophisticated APIs.
  2. Alternatives to OpenAPI, like TypeSpec from Microsoft and Smithy from Amazon, are gaining attention for their ability to better define APIs and improve developer experience. They offer features like better syntax support and the ability to generate various API assets.
  3. There is a need for OpenAPI to address its limitations as more companies explore different API definition languages. This could enhance interoperability and standardization in API development.

🎅🏻 Konfig’s Open-Sources Gift, GitHub Copilot Free Plan, Fake Stars on GitHub, & More

HackerPulse Dispatch • 2 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Development
  1. Konfig has shared its entire codebase for developers to learn from, even though the startup didn't succeed. It's a chance for others to see what works and what doesn't.
  2. GitHub Copilot now offers a free plan, making coding easier for everyone. You can get up to 2000 code completions a month, which can really help you with your projects.
  3. Fake stars on GitHub are becoming a problem, as they can mislead developers about the popularity of projects. This issue can even lead to security risks, so always check the authenticity of repositories.

💥 The Slow Software Paradox, Reimagining SQLite, Dev’s Viral 2K-Star Plugin, & More

ppdispatch • 2 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Development
  1. Modern software is performing worse than ever, not because computers are slow, but because developers prioritize new features over efficiency and understanding. This leads to apps taking longer to do simple tasks.
  2. A new project called Limbo is completely rewriting SQLite in Rust to be faster and more reliable. It's designed for today's tech needs and can run faster than old SQLite versions.
  3. A developer has gained huge success with a Neovim plugin made on a basic device, showing that consistent work and community engagement can lead to great results, even with low-cost tools.

#86

The Nibble • 2 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Development
  1. New AI tools are being released, like Codeium's WindSurf Editor, which helps developers interact with their code and automate tasks.
  2. Ethereum is planning a major upgrade called Beam Chain to improve its system and reduce older technical issues.
  3. Deno now supports importing WebAssembly, which is a big deal for developers looking to enhance their applications with new technologies.

Is API Documentation Marketing?

The API Changelog • 4 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Development
  1. API documentation can borrow elements from marketing when done right, focusing on presenting the API to potential users.
  2. API documentation parallels some aspects of the traditional marketing framework, such as product presentation, pricing visibility, architectural choices, and technology support.
  3. Good API documentation aims to quickly and easily engage a technical audience, aligning consumer needs with business objectives to serve as a marketing tool.

The Ruler of API Governance

The API Changelog • 4 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Development
  1. API governance is crucial for aligning API goals with business objectives and ensuring consistency in the API lifecycle.
  2. The role of the ruler of API governance involves overseeing all aspects of the API lifecycle, such as design, versioning, security, and compliance.
  3. Being a great ruler of API governance requires deep thinking, wisdom to navigate business complexities, and a desire to improve processes.

AWS Lambda: Pitfalls

Unlearning • 6 implied HN points • 08 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Development
  1. Avoid creating Lambda monoliths to improve performance and cost efficiency.
  2. Be cautious of Lambdas calling other Lambdas to prevent increased costs and potential bottlenecks.
  3. Design Lambdas to be idempotent to avoid data duplication and ensure system reliability.