The hottest Development Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

UV tricks

Bite code! • 1957 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Programming Development Tools Python
  1. Using 'uv run' lets you run commands in a temporary environment without cluttering your main setup. This makes it easy to use big tools like Jupyter without installing them every time.
  2. The 'uvx' command works like 'npx', letting you test and run Python utilities quickly. It handles dependencies nicely, so you can focus on your tasks without worrying about setup.
  3. Creating scripts with 'uv init' helps you get started fast. It sets up everything you need, including project files and dependencies, making it easier to organize your Python projects.

Three Elements of a Good API README

The API Changelog • 4 implied HN points • 22 Feb 25
🕹 Technology APIs Documentation Software Development Tools
  1. A good API README should give a clear overview of what the API does. This helps users quickly understand its purpose and features.
  2. The 'Getting Started' section is important for guiding users on how to authenticate and make their first request. This ensures they can use the API without confusion.
  3. Lastly, include practical information about key operations in the API. Users should see examples and know where to find more detailed documentation for further help.

The Sequence Engineering #556: Inside Anthropic's New Open Source AI Interpretability Tools

TheSequence • 49 implied HN points • 04 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Interpretability Open Source Research Development
  1. Anthropic is becoming a leader in AI interpretability, which helps explain how AI systems make decisions. This is important for understanding and trusting AI outputs.
  2. They have developed new tools for tracing the thought processes of language models, helping researchers see how these models work internally. This makes it easier to improve and debug AI systems.
  3. Anthropic's recent open source release of circuit tracing tools is a significant advancement in AI interpretability, providing valuable resources for researchers in the field.

All your Python project in one file with shiv

Bite code! • 978 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Programming Development Tools
  1. Shiv allows you to bundle your Python project into a single executable zip file, which includes all your code and its dependencies. This makes it easy to run your program on any compatible server without needing to install anything else.
  2. Creating a zipapp with shiv involves a few steps, including setting up a virtual environment and running specific commands to package your project. It’s important to understand the process to avoid common pitfalls.
  3. Using shiv can simplify deployment, especially for web services or applications with many dependencies. However, it does require Python to be installed on the target machine and might not work well with certain compiled extensions.

Advanced Swift Concurrency

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 2624 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Programming Software Development Concurrency Coding
  1. Swift Concurrency is a modern way to handle tasks in Swift, making it easier and more powerful compared to earlier methods like GCD. It's designed for simplicity and efficiency.
  2. Important concepts in Swift Concurrency include Task properties like priority, cancellation, and timeout settings. Understanding these helps developers manage their applications better.
  3. Using Task effectively allows developers to create more responsive and dynamic apps. It’s great to explore real-life examples to grasp how to implement these advanced features.
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The Swift Runtime: Your Silent Partner

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 1312 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Programming Software Development Open Source Tech Trends
  1. The Swift Runtime, known as libswiftCore, is a C++ library that helps run Swift programs by managing essential features like memory and error handling.
  2. This library works alongside your Swift code, linking dynamically when you launch your app, which is why it's mentioned as running 'alongside'.
  3. By exploring the code within libswiftCore, you can learn how core Swift features are implemented at a deeper level, which can help you understand the language better.

Fruits & Roots

Software Design: Tidy First? • 2187 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Design Development Team Dynamics Project management Engineering Practices
  1. The Forest represents a way of working where teams can deliver value quickly and effectively, highlighting benefits like fewer bugs and delivering good news often.
  2. Achieving the success of The Forest requires commitment to its roots, which involve working together, learning actively, and not over-planning.
  3. Communicating a shared purpose and fostering a strong community are crucial for maintaining the balance between roots and fruits in a productive team environment.

Anthropic's Claude Code has a High Ceiling

Machine Economy Press • 9 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Startups Software Coding Development
  1. Claude Code is a powerful new tool that helps developers code faster by understanding their code and assisting with tasks like fixing bugs and managing version control.
  2. The latest updates to Claude, especially version 3.7, enhance its ability to handle complex coding tasks efficiently, making it a valuable asset for startups looking to scale quickly.
  3. With strong backing and advanced features, Anthropic's Claude Code is likely to lead in the AI coding space, offering a reliable alternative to other existing tools.

Meeting Prevents Exceeding

Software Design: Tidy First? • 353 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Design Engineering Development Innovation
  1. You can't meet and exceed expectations at the same time. Focusing only on meeting others' expectations can limit your personal growth.
  2. Setting your own goals helps you think independently and be more creative. When you manage your own expectations, you can achieve unexpected results.
  3. Learning to take risks and act on your own ideas is important for growth as an engineer. The more you practice this, the better you'll become at finding your own path.

The Time Profiler

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 656 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Development Tools Performance iOS
  1. The Time Profiler is an essential tool for improving iOS app performance. It helps find and fix slow parts of your code.
  2. It can identify specific issues like animation delays or overheating in your app. This makes it easier to solve performance problems.
  3. Learning how to use the Time Profiler effectively can lead to faster, smoother apps that users will enjoy more.

Different Bests in Different Contexts

Software Design: Tidy First? • 861 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Design Development Process Strategy
  1. Different tasks require different strategies. What works for one situation might not work for another, so it's good to be flexible.
  2. In a project, you might focus on playing around with ideas, then expanding and finally getting results. Each stage has its own challenges and goals.
  3. Understanding the different phases of a project can help guide how you work. It helps avoid mistakes and ensures the right approach for each part.

Pitch Deck GPT 🤖📑

The VC Corner • 699 implied HN points • 07 Aug 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Startups Development Innovation
  1. You can easily build your own AI tools using the GPT Builder from OpenAI. It's all about giving the right instructions and making it work for your needs.
  2. For more advanced users, the Assistant API allows you to create more complex applications. You can integrate AI into your own website or product, making it a virtual assistant.
  3. Creating a pitch deck can be simplified by using these AI tools. They help you organize your ideas and make your presentation more effective.

Last week at The Lunduke Journal (Nov 10 - Nov 23, 2024)

The Lunduke Journal of Technology • 1148 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Hardware Development AI Internet
  1. Mozilla's Firefox is running out of money, with just nine months of funds left. This raises concerns about its future as a popular web browser.
  2. The Linux community is facing chaos as its Code of Conduct Board blocks essential file system changes. This conflict highlights issues within the community's governance.
  3. Red Hat is shifting focus from Linux to artificial intelligence, suggesting a major change in their business strategy and the future of open-source operating systems.

That's a wrap!

atomic14 • 692 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Electronics Products Innovation Development Community
  1. The speaker has had a busy year filled with exciting projects, including working on small tech boards and experimenting with new materials.
  2. They recently launched the ESP32 Rainbow project, which is fully funded and aimed to be a product soon, with interesting development challenges along the way.
  3. The speaker thanks their supporters, including Patreons, and looks forward to sharing more content and projects in the new year.

Defending the status quo is not environmentalism

Noahpinion • 12941 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmentalism Development Climate change
  1. American environmentalism began as conservationism, aiming to protect natural habitats from industrial encroachment.
  2. Modern environmental challenges require building new things like solar panels and dense cities with high-quality infrastructure.
  3. There is a fundamental disagreement within the U.S. environmental movement between those who envision reshaping human development for nature's harmony and those who want to maintain the status quo.

GDC 2025 is here! Get amped for the ultimate Game Development Conference!🔥

$5.vc • 1 implied HN point • 20 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Gaming Conferences Development Innovation Networking
  1. GDC 2025 is from March 17 to 21 in San Francisco. It's a great event for game developers to connect and learn.
  2. There will be over 700 sessions and 400 exhibitors, making it an awesome opportunity to discover new ideas and technologies.
  3. The alt.ctrl.GDC exhibition will showcase games using unique controllers, allowing visitors to interact with innovative projects.

Context Switching and Performance: What Every Developer Should Know

Confessions of a Code Addict • 721 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Computing Software Performance Operating Systems Development
  1. Context switching happens when a computer's operating system manages multiple tasks. It's necessary for keeping the system responsive, but it can slow things down a lot.
  2. Understanding what happens during context switching helps developers find ways to reduce its impact on performance. This includes knowing about CPU registers and how processes interact with the system.
  3. There are specific vulnerabilities and costs associated with context switching that can affect a system's efficiency. Being aware of these can help in optimizing performance.

What if AI eventually makes programmers smarter, not dumber?

Bite code! • 1467 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Programming Software Development Automation
  1. AI can help programmers by reducing the amount of typing they do. This means they can focus more on solving problems instead of just writing code.
  2. As programmers use AI tools more, they might become better at understanding and defining problems instead of just following strict coding rules.
  3. In the long run, AI could make the whole community of developers smarter. It will lower the barrier for entry to coding and help people learn more about the real issues we need to solve.

Python 3.13, what didn't make the headlines

Bite code! • 1957 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Programming Software Development Tools System
  1. Python 3.13 introduces improvements in debugging tools like PDB, making it easier to work with errors and set breakpoints. This is a big win for developers who rely on debugging in their workflow.
  2. The shutil module has seen many bug fixes and enhancements, which means working with files and directories will be more reliable. Developers can finally use it without constant worries about it failing.
  3. There are small but useful updates for concurrency in Python, such as changes to asyncio and task management. These little updates add up to make handling multiple tasks easier and more efficient.

Why small developers are getting squeezed out of the housing market

Noahpinion • 11588 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
💼 Business Real Estate Finance Development Affordable Housing Banking
  1. Traditional banks aren't willing to take on the risks associated with financing small real estate development projects due to the complex and risky nature of construction work.
  2. Small developers struggle to access financing from traditional lenders because they lack the track record and financial resources required to secure loans, creating a barrier to entry in the industry.
  3. Institutionalization of real estate development by large firms can lead to a loss of community identity, charm, and personalized building designs, highlighting the importance of supporting small developers in creating unique and vibrant neighborhoods.

Mocking OpenAI - Unit testing in the age of LLMs (Part One)

Laszlo’s Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Programming Development Testing
  1. Unit tests are still important even with LLMs. They help ensure your code behaves as expected, even when using unpredictable AI tools.
  2. Mocking is needed to effectively test code that relies on LLMs. Instead of calling the actual AI, you create a 'fake' version that simulates its behavior.
  3. Using libraries like 'respx' can simplify mocking in your tests, and it's essential to handle things like retry logic carefully to keep tests fast.

#102 AI Concepts Building Tomorrow's Billion-Dollar Companies

The Product Channel By Sid Saladi • 20 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Product Management Innovation Ethics Development
  1. AI agents are becoming co-creators in product development, changing how teams work together and make decisions.
  2. Specialized AI models tailored to specific tasks are more valuable than general-purpose ones, as seen in successful companies focusing on niche markets.
  3. Product managers need to adapt to AI's rapid pace by embracing new ethical considerations, efficient designs, and continuous learning to drive innovation.

The New Age of Invention

davidj.substack • 47 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Software AI Engineering Development Innovation Tools
  1. Building software is now much easier and cheaper because of AI tools. This means more people can try out their ideas even if they aren't experts.
  2. People who can read and write code can now create custom software for their specific needs. This opens up possibilities for personal projects that were once too complex or costly.
  3. The trend of making software easier to build may lead to a huge increase in the number of new inventions and tools. More ease means more experimentation and creativity happening at a faster pace.

Do poor countries need a new development strategy?

Noahpinion • 10647 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Development Industrialization Economic Growth Globalization International relations
  1. The debate over development strategies for poor countries is evolving, with a shift towards focusing on green energy and non-traded services rather than traditional manufacturing and exports.
  2. Authors like Dani Rodrik and Joseph Stiglitz argue that poorer countries may face challenges in industrialization due to factors like reduced global demand for manufactured goods and increased automation.
  3. Successful growth stories of countries like Bangladesh challenge the notion that industrialization is no longer a viable development strategy for poor nations, emphasizing the importance of traditional methods for economic progress.

Native Speakers

Artificial Ignorance • 92 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Automation Interfaces Development
  1. There are two main ways AI is changing our digital world. One way focuses on creating new tools and software that work best for AI, while the other makes AI adapt to the existing tools we already use.
  2. Using structured methods for AI can make software development easier and more efficient. However, there's also a benefit in letting AI learn from messy, human-centered systems which can lead to faster improvements and wider usage.
  3. The future of AI in our daily tasks may not be about choosing one approach over another. Instead, it will likely blend structured and unstructured methods, finding a balance that works for both humans and AIs.

Expansion hack: Power Stone, Power Stone 2 (Dreamcast)

Rings of Saturn • 58 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Hardware Development Debugging
  1. Power Stone for Dreamcast has a hidden debug menu for testing different features like sound and animations.
  2. Power Stone 2 also includes a debug menu that offers similar testing capabilities and extra features to explore character moves.
  3. Patches are available to access these hidden menus, enhancing the gaming experience for players who want to dive deeper into the games.

Real-time AI Voice Agents and Determinism Through Tool-Calling

Impertinent • 79 implied HN points • 06 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Research Development Innovation
  1. Generative AI often faces uncertainty, but there may be ways to achieve reliable reasoning. It's exciting to learn that we can improve the predictability of AI outcomes.
  2. A big project in AI development can lead to many challenges and uncharted areas. Even if some efforts end in failure, it's important to find and build on the valuable lessons learned.
  3. Real-time AI voice agents have the potential to change how we interact with technology. This could make using AI smarter and more effective in our daily lives.

Chartbook 330: Africa & absolute poverty in an era of polycrisis.

Chartbook • 1072 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Poverty Development Economics Global Issues Inequality
  1. Absolute poverty remains a huge issue, especially in Africa, where many people live on very little daily. Despite some progress in reducing poverty in the past, the fight has stalled recently due to several overlapping crises.
  2. Sub-Saharan Africa faces significant challenges, with extreme poverty still on the rise, while other regions like Asia have seen a decline. Many poorer countries have not improved economically, which is concerning.
  3. Stability is crucial for reducing poverty. Countries free from conflict and instability tend to see better economic growth, while those suffering from political issues struggle to escape poverty.

The Sequence Radar #549: Google, Microsoft and Anthropic Monster AI Week

TheSequence • 49 implied HN points • 25 May 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Research Development Conferences
  1. Google is making big strides towards creating Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) with new models like Gemini 2.5 and features such as a universal AI assistant called Project Astra.
  2. Microsoft is focusing on 'agentic AI', which means they're developing AI that can work independently to complete complex tasks, supported by their new Azure AI Foundry.
  3. Anthropic introduced the Claude 4 series, which improves reasoning abilities in AI models and emphasizes safety and ethical behavior, helping developers build smarter AI systems.

The Essential Intangibles

DruGroup • 139 implied HN points • 03 Sep 24
💼 Business Leadership Management Skills Development Training
  1. Being a skilled leader isn't enough; you also need certain qualities called intangibles. These qualities may not be easy to measure, but they are essential for effective leadership.
  2. Leadership intangibles include selflessness, risk-taking, and transparency. Focusing on these traits can help leaders build better relationships with their teams.
  3. You can learn and improve these intangibles through your everyday experiences, rather than needing special training. Recognizing and addressing your blind spots can make a big difference.

Demystifying GPU Compute Software

The Chip Letter • 6989 implied HN points • 10 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Computing Programming Hardware Frameworks Development
  1. GPU software ecosystems are crucial and as important as the GPU hardware itself.
  2. Programming GPUs requires specific tools like CUDA, ROCm, OpenCL, SYCL, and oneAPI, as they are different from CPUs and need special support from hardware vendors.
  3. The effectiveness of GPU programming tools is highly dependent on support from hardware vendors due to the complexity and rapid changes in GPU architectures.

Deconstructing the Transformers ReAct JSON System Prompt

Encyclopedia Autonomica • 39 implied HN points • 13 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Machine Learning Data Analysis Development
  1. Transformers use a specific structure for commands called JSON. This makes it easier to describe actions clearly and effectively.
  2. The system prompt includes rules that the agent must follow, like focusing on one action at a time and using the correct values for inputs.
  3. The design also emphasizes iterative reasoning, where the agent can build on previous observations to make better decisions in tasks.

Refactoring: Narrow ↔ Widen Parameter

Software Design: Tidy First? • 530 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Design Refactoring Development Programming
  1. Narrowing and widening parameters are important techniques in refactoring code. They help make the code more flexible and easier to understand.
  2. Refactoring can initially seem tricky, but it can also be enjoyable and rewarding. It's a good practice to keep improving your code.
  3. Getting feedback on your refactoring efforts is valuable. It helps you see what works and what can be improved.

We do Math because it's hard

Kids Who Love Math • 335 implied HN points • 21 Dec 24
🚌 Education Math Learning Parenting Skills Development
  1. Math can be really hard to learn for everyone, at any age. It's normal for students to find math difficult as they progress in their education.
  2. Choosing challenges like math for kids can help them build perseverance. It's often easier to support their learning in a comfortable environment like home.
  3. It's important for kids to enjoy the challenge they're taking on. If they like math, they're more likely to stick with it and succeed.

Last week at The Lunduke Journal (Nov 3 - Nov 9, 2024)

The Lunduke Journal of Technology • 574 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software AI Computing Industry News Development
  1. GIMP 3.0 has been released, which is exciting for graphic design enthusiasts. It's always good to have updates that improve software!
  2. Notepad.exe is now using Artificial Intelligence, which sounds surprising. It's interesting to see simple tools getting smarter.
  3. Mozilla recently underwent mass layoffs, which is a significant shift for the company. It shows how the tech industry is always changing and sometimes facing tough decisions.

Introducing Ronin Ecosystem Grants!

Ronin’s Newsletter • 110 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Grants Innovation Funding Development
  1. Ronin is launching Ecosystem Grants to support builders and innovative projects in the crypto space, offering $10 million in funding.
  2. There are different grant programs available, including one that provides up to $300K for development costs and another for $20K to help cover user onboarding expenses.
  3. To apply for a grant, teams can fill out an online application and will receive support in building their projects, with no deadlines for applications.

All The DNA Sequencing Companies

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
🔬 Science Biotechnology Genomics Research Development Healthcare
  1. There are many active DNA sequencing companies, and the list is always changing. Some companies that were once popular are now gone.
  2. Significantly, more DNA sequencing companies are now based in China than before. The landscape has shifted with around 15 out of 40 companies being Chinese.
  3. It's essential to stay updated about these companies as new ones emerge and old ones disappear. Sharing information can help keep track of these changes.

What's up Python? 3.13 is out, t-strings look awesome, dep groups come in handy...

Bite code! • 856 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Software Programming Development Updates Tools
  1. Python 3.13 has been released, bringing many new features like better error messages and a new JIT compiler. It's exciting, but users are advised to hold off on upgrading until next year.
  2. Template strings (or t-strings) are introduced, offering a cleaner way to create formatted strings that can be used in various situations. This could help prevent mistakes when handling string formatting for tasks like translation or logging.
  3. New proposals like external wheel hosting and dependency groups in pyproject.toml make it easier to manage packages and their dependencies, especially for larger libraries.