The hottest Development Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics
Permit.io’s Substack 99 implied HN points 25 Apr 24
  1. RBAC is still important as it simplifies the management of user permissions by linking them to roles, making it easier for developers and users to understand.
  2. Newer models like ABAC and ReBAC are gaining popularity because they offer more flexibility and can handle complex permission requirements better than RBAC.
  3. Using RBAC as a foundation allows developers to build more advanced authorization systems by layering on additional models, adapting to the changing needs of applications.
Bite code! 1467 implied HN points 03 Mar 24
  1. Redis is a powerful companion for Python, used for caching, sharing states, and creating queues.
  2. Redis is easy to use and highly efficient, widely employed in the industry for tasks like caching and inter-process communication.
  3. With basic features like lists, hashes, and sets, Redis has vast utility in tasks such as caches, queues, and inter-process communication.
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Alex Ewerlöf Notes 196 implied HN points 04 Feb 24
  1. SREs can be grouped into 4 archetypes: Admin, Firefighter, Toolsmith, and Architect.
  2. SRE roles can vary based on industry, size, and team structure.
  3. These archetypes are not fixed and a single SRE may fit into multiple archetypes based on skills and needs.
Software Design: Tidy First? 243 implied HN points 09 Jun 25
  1. Copying and pasting code can help speed up development but may lead to issues if you're not careful. It's important to ensure that the pasted code fits well with the rest of your project.
  2. Having a clear design sense is crucial when coding. If your code lacks structure, it can become messy and hard to manage later on.
  3. Learning from mistakes in coding can lead to important lessons for future projects. Sharing these lessons can help others avoid the same pitfalls.
Software Design: Tidy First? 243 implied HN points 08 Jun 25
  1. When coding in Rust, it can be tricky to use the right idioms, especially when dealing with functions that return an Option. It's good to pay attention to how you handle these results.
  2. In Rust, the common way to check for values is with an 'if' statement, which can take some getting used to if you're new to the language.
  3. Building a high-quality map implementation in Rust can be performance competitive, but learning the language and its features is essential for success.
Permit.io’s Substack 79 implied HN points 09 May 24
  1. APIs are now seen more as tools that users consume rather than just things developers create. This shift means we have to think about how APIs are used and managed from both ends.
  2. As APIs are used more, especially with AI, monitoring costs and handling errors are super important. Developers need to be careful about how many calls they make to avoid big bills and errors.
  3. The way we set permissions and handle security for APIs is changing. It's crucial to apply consistent security rules across all parts of an application, not just in isolated areas.
Software Design: Tidy First? 463 implied HN points 30 Jan 25
  1. It's important to make hard changes easier before tackling them. This means breaking down tough tasks into simpler steps.
  2. Many people want to make the easy changes they envision, but they often overlook the complexity involved.
  3. Always pay attention to examples in learning; they can provide valuable insights that you might miss if you skim over them.
Policy Tensor 373 implied HN points 29 Apr 23
  1. Extreme poverty statistics may not be reliable due to potential biases in measurement methods.
  2. Evidence indicates inconsistencies between poverty rates and key indicators like life expectancy, raising concerns about the accuracy of poverty data.
  3. The World Bank's numbers show discrepancies that suggest a need for further scrutiny and possible revision of poverty measurement techniques.
Bram’s Thoughts 373 implied HN points 02 Sep 23
  1. On-chain gaming in Chialisp requires optimization at all levels, supporting few players and fast games.
  2. Games are played inside a 'referee' on chain, with hands over a payment channel for low latency and cost.
  3. Chialisp development differs from Solidity in reentrancy design, capability handling, and tooling maturity.
Software Design: Tidy First? 220 implied HN points 13 Jun 25
  1. Software has two main ways to create value: features and options. Features are what the software can do now, and options are what it can potentially do in the future.
  2. Features give immediate benefits, while options provide possibilities for growth and adaptation. It's important to balance both in software design.
  3. It's essential to have a clear plan and structure when developing software. This helps ensure that all important parts are included and can be effectively communicated.
The Lunduke Journal of Technology 574 implied HN points 12 Nov 24
  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.
Register Spill 334 implied HN points 04 Jun 23
  1. Making a plan before starting a project is crucial for success.
  2. A detailed plan helps in thinking through the tasks and potential challenges.
  3. Writing down tasks and delegating them can improve productivity and efficiency.
Software Design: Tidy First? 530 implied HN points 25 Nov 24
  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.
Urben Field Notes 27 implied HN points 19 Dec 25
  1. A developer used the State Density Bonus and a zoning loophole to propose a 25‑story tower on a site zoned for four stories, effectively letting builders waive height and bulk limits and defeating the point of zoning.
  2. Density bonuses should be tied to clear, objective height rules — for example a percentage above the zoned height or an absolute cap like double the allowed height — so bonuses increase homes without obliterating predictable zoning.
  3. Cities do need more housing, but growth should be guided by context: protect iconic waterfronts and steer taller buildings to transit-rich corridors so planning and public shape of the city still matter.
eieio games 119 implied HN points 13 Mar 24
  1. BreakTime is a game that turns your meetings into a fun experience, literally by breaking bricks. You can play it inside Google Calendar instead of just looking at meeting times.
  2. When you play, BreakTime has an option to decline meetings for you after the game. This adds a humorous twist to handling a busy schedule.
  3. The creator of BreakTime was inspired by friends and enjoyed making it, showing how collaboration can lead to fun and creative projects.
Better Engineers 19 implied HN points 26 Jul 24
  1. Identifying performance issues in an Android app is crucial. It helps you understand what's wrong and fix problems like slow rendering and frozen frames.
  2. Using tools like Firebase Performance Monitoring can help find specific issues. This way, you can pinpoint what's causing delays and how to address them.
  3. To improve app performance, avoid long-running tasks on the UI thread. Techniques like lazy loading and using View Stubs can make your app run smoother.
The Lunacian 368 implied HN points 13 Feb 25
  1. New game updates are here for Axie Classic, just in time for Season 8, with a lot of changes to explore before the regular season starts.
  2. There are two new quest modes: Starter Mode for beginners to earn rewards without needing Axies, and Guardian Mode for experienced players with tougher challenges and better rewards.
  3. Tower Mode has expanded with more levels, allowing players to earn stars and rewards as they progress, plus gear can now be equipped and upgraded to enhance gameplay.
Opral (lix & inlang) 19 implied HN points 23 Jul 24
  1. Making inlang directories work as independent repositories can speed up the development process significantly. This means less reliance on GitHub and fewer complications.
  2. Smaller, self-contained inlang repositories require less hosting and have lower scalability needs. This makes it easier to manage and use them without needing a lot of resources.
  3. With control over push, pull, and commit actions, developers can streamline their workflows. This helps avoid many frustrating issues related to traditional version control systems.
Software Design: Tidy First? 1325 implied HN points 01 Dec 23
  1. Kanban aims to increase value by limiting work and enhancing feedback in production.
  2. Test-driven development involves dividing features into tests to ensure correct functioning of the system.
  3. In the TDD process, tests act as kanban cards, triggering coding and refactoring steps with immediate feedback on logic and design.
Data Engineering Central 294 implied HN points 10 Apr 23
  1. Airflow has been a dominant tool for data orchestration, but new tools like Prefect and Mage are challenging its reign.
  2. Prefect focuses on using Python for defining tasks and workflows, but may not offer enough differentiation from Airflow.
  3. Mage stands out for its focus on engineering best practices and providing a smoother developer experience, making it a compelling choice over Airflow for scaling up data pipelines.
lcamtuf’s thing 1428 implied HN points 13 Oct 23
  1. Setting up a Linux toolchain for Cortex-M microcontrollers can be challenging but beneficial.
  2. When setting up the toolchain, ensure to get the Cortex-M cross-compiler, CMSIS library, and Device Family Pack.
  3. Compiling and programming the device requires additional steps like using the newlib C library and flashing the binary onto the chip.
An Africanist Perspective 376 implied HN points 22 Dec 22
  1. Africa's growing population and demographic shift will increase its geopolitical importance in the future.
  2. African countries must focus on building strong states and state capacity to ensure physical safety, order, and effective regional cooperation.
  3. African leaders should be clear on their policy priorities, understand foreign actors' motivations, keep options open for partnerships, and promote healthy competition within Africa to advance the region's interests.
Mind & Mythos 339 implied HN points 23 Jun 23
  1. Personality can change depending on the situation. For example, a person might act differently at work compared to how they are around family.
  2. People’s personalities can evolve throughout their lives, especially between ages 20 and 40. People often become more conscientious and agreeable during this time.
  3. Intentional changes to one’s personality are possible. Life experiences and therapy can help people adapt and change their traits over time.
Software Design: Tidy First? 463 implied HN points 15 Nov 24
  1. Time is precious, and we should focus on spending it in meaningful ways. It's important to prioritize what truly matters in our lives.
  2. Stepping down from a role can be a way to reclaim your time and energy. Sometimes, less responsibility can lead to a more fulfilling life.
  3. Believing in a mission or team is important, but personal time and happiness should come first. Balancing passion with personal needs is key.
Elevate 218 implied HN points 21 Nov 23
  1. Our mindset plays a big role in shaping our lives, influencing how we tackle challenges, learn, and grow.
  2. A fixed mindset hinders growth by viewing abilities as static traits, leading to fear of failure, avoidance of challenges, and jealousy of others' success.
  3. Conversely, a growth mindset empowers individuals, as they believe in their ability to develop skills over time through effort, learning, and perseverance.
Software Design: Tidy First? 353 implied HN points 17 Jan 25
  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.
Afridigest 27 implied HN points 09 Dec 25
  1. By 2026, eleven of the world’s fifteen fastest-growing economies are expected to be in Africa.
  2. That growth isn’t the same everywhere — some countries are booming from resources, others from policy changes or demographic trends.
  3. Saying many African economies are fast-growing makes a catchy headline, but it hides big differences in how sustainable and widely shared that growth really is.
Christopher’s Newsletter 255 implied HN points 16 Feb 23
  1. In Saudi Arabia, there is a mentality to build from the bottom up by locals with a great stake in outcomes.
  2. The focus is on talent being unleashed across cities and villages, with a commitment to change and progress.
  3. The shift towards a mentality to build is evident not just in big cities but also in small communities, emphasizing long-term commitment and involvement of locals.
Development Hell 256 implied HN points 04 Jun 23
  1. The post discusses the importance of writers in the creative process and encourages them to advocate for themselves in collaborations with producers.
  2. The author highlights the value that writers bring to the development process and emphasizes the need for them to understand their crucial role.
  3. There is a mention of a free trial for readers to access full post archives and continue reading content on the topic of collaboration between writers and development executives.
Vietnam Weekly 255 implied HN points 07 Sep 23
  1. The post discusses the ongoing sand crisis and its impact on development and the environment.
  2. The author, Michael Tatarski, writes for the Vietnam Weekly and provides exclusive content for paying subscribers.
  3. Readers can upgrade to a paid subscription for more in-depth features and content.
Mule’s Musings 122 implied HN points 15 Jul 25
  1. It's important to keep refining your ideas and arguments over time. Doing this helps you stay accurate and relevant.
  2. Many people might hope for a certain outcome, but reality can often be different. It's good to have an open mind about what might happen.
  3. Paid subscriptions can give you access to more in-depth content and discussions that aren't available to everyone. This can enhance your understanding of the topic.
CodeGen News 3 HN points 09 Sep 24
  1. There are new articles and tools to help developers work better with AI-generated code. It's important to stay updated on these resources to improve your skills.
  2. The newsletter features a variety of reading, watching, and listening materials that can enhance your understanding of AI in coding. Exploring different formats can make learning more engaging.
  3. Recent updates to coding projects, like GitHub Copilot and Replit, show how AI is changing software development. Keeping track of these changes can help you utilize these tools effectively.
Wisdom over Waves 219 implied HN points 31 Oct 23
  1. Companies can get stuck in bad coding loops due to shortcuts taken to meet deadlines and lack of focus on code fitness, leading to slow progress and accumulation of bad-quality code
  2. Two loops of bad coding involve creating technical debt with more code and lowering hiring bar due to pressure, resulting in slower progress and accumulation of bad code practices
  3. To break out of these loops, companies can freeze code hotspots, raise hiring bar, upskill developers, and reduce technical debt through mission-critical task forces