The hottest Engineering Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

Software Engineering is Not Dying

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 24 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Software engineering jobs are not going away. Companies are still eager to hire engineers.
  2. There's a big gap between the skills of new grads and what employers need. Many fresh graduates lack experience with essential tools and frameworks.
  3. India is facing a shortage of experienced software engineers and may soon run out of skilled talent, especially in AI.

Inside India’s Biggest Data Engineering Summit

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 03 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. The Data Engineering Summit in Bengaluru was a huge success, with over 1,000 attendees and more than 50 speakers from the AI and analytics community.
  2. Key topics of discussion included software deployment architectures and frameworks for using data in business, highlighting the importance of these technologies.
  3. Attendees showed lots of enthusiasm for the discussions and innovative ideas that were shared at the event, demonstrating a vibrant interest in data engineering.

Is RAG Dead? ☠️

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 07 May 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. RAG is still relevant and has the potential to improve, even with long context windows in large language models (LLMs).
  2. Many developers are actively working with RAG, creating new applications and tools to enhance its use in various settings.
  3. Even as technology advances, RAG will likely remain necessary due to cost considerations; it's not going away anytime soon.

Intel ❤ India

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 13 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Intel is focusing heavily on India, seeing it as a separate region from the Asia-Pacific. This shows India has unique growth potential.
  2. The company recognizes India's strong engineering talent, which could lead to major expansion in the country.
  3. Intel's strategy indicates that India could play a significant role in the global market moving forward.

Devin’s in the Details 🤖

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Devin is the first AI software engineer created by Cognition Lab, and it has stirred up a lot of different feelings online.
  2. Many coders are worried about what this could mean for their jobs, while others are excited about the technology.
  3. The focus on user experience and the surrounding infrastructure makes Devin stand out, not just the AI itself.
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Stop Sulking, Start Building

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Software engineers today need to learn new skills beyond just building websites. They should focus on solving real problems that matter now.
  2. There is a concern about the shortage of GPUs, which are essential for running advanced AI models. This could affect both companies and developers relying on these technologies.
  3. It's essential to adapt and evolve with the tech landscape instead of getting stuck in old routines. Embracing change can lead to better opportunities and solutions.

How Much Does it Cost to Settle in Space?

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 05 Dec 22
🔬 Science Engineering
  1. We are entering a new era of space exploration, with more opportunities for civilians to visit space. This means that soon, regular people might be able to experience space travel too.
  2. Companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin are launching rockets more frequently, making space travel more accessible. This increase in launches suggests that the cost of going to space may decrease over time.
  3. The idea of settling in space is becoming more realistic, but it will still involve significant financial investment. People interested in exploring this frontier should prepare for the expenses that come with it.

AI Engineer World's Fair–Conclusion: Embracing the AI Revolution

Code and Context • 0 implied HN points • 29 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. We're in an important time where technology is changing fast, especially with AI. This change will affect how we interact with technology and each other.
  2. The AI revolution is not just about new tools; it’s about how we see ourselves and our roles in society. This shift is going to impact our daily lives.
  3. Embracing AI means being open to learning and adapting to new ways of thinking and working. It's a chance for growth and development.

Improve Kotlin Code Review Part -1

Better Engineers • 0 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Kotlin has specific types like Unit and Nothing that help clarify your code. Unit shows a function has no meaningful return, while Nothing indicates a function will never finish normally, like when it throws an error.
  2. Destructuring in Kotlin allows you to unpack data structures easily. You can assign multiple values from a list or map to variables in a single line, making your code cleaner and more organized.
  3. Type aliases in Kotlin let you create simpler names for existing types. This can make your code easier to read and understand by replacing complex types with more descriptive names.

6 𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 to turn code into beautiful Architectural Diagrams

Better Engineers • 0 implied HN points • 01 Aug 22
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. You can turn your code into diagrams using different tools. This helps visualize and understand system architectures better.
  2. Tools like Diagrams, Mermaid, and PlantUML allow you to create diagrams with simple text and code. They make it easier to track changes and modify designs.
  3. Using diagramming tools can improve communication in tech teams by providing clear visual representations of complex systems.

Reflections on Strange Loop 2023

Splattern • 0 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Attending the Strange Loop conference opened up a lot of career options and sparked a sense of curiosity about the future. This experience has helped build confidence in exploring different paths beyond Amazon.
  2. Martin Kleppmann presented an interesting new algorithm for collaborative text editing. It allows for better version control and could improve the way edits are managed in various industries, like publishing.
  3. Randall Munroe, the creator of XKCD, shared his success story and emphasized the importance of sharing work with a Creative Commons license. His approach to making his comics accessible for free has helped him gain wide recognition and publicity.

Ready, Set, Test: Building Evaluation into Your LLM Workflow

LLMs for Engineers • 0 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Developers need to create clear evaluation standards for large language model apps. This helps them understand what makes an app 'good' and improves user experience.
  2. The tool **llmeval** offers a systematic way to evaluate LLM applications using different methods like metrics, tools, and models. It helps teams quickly test and monitor their apps.
  3. Testing LLMs can be tricky because they often give different answers for the same input. Using sampling and setting thresholds in testing can help manage this unpredictability.

Self-Critique LLM Chain Using LangChain & SmartLLMChain

Cobus Greyling on LLMs, NLU, NLP, chatbots & voicebots • 0 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Using SmartLLMChain helps break down complex questions into three steps: ideation, critique, and resolution. This method can lead to better and more accurate answers.
  2. Different models can be assigned for each step of the process. This allows for tailored approaches to ideation, critique, and resolving, resulting in thorough responses.
  3. The method shows the importance of understanding how many people can work together effectively. It highlights that digging efficiency may not be simply multiplied by the number of workers involved.

On Databases and Memory

Thoughts from the trenches in FAANG + Indie • 0 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Migrating from one database system to another, like from PostgreSQL to MongoDB, might not solve performance issues and could be costly and slow. It's often better to analyze if the migration will really help before proceeding.
  2. Understanding how databases work is crucial. Different databases use memory and disk in similar ways, so just switching systems might not lead to significant improvements.
  3. There are effective ways to boost database performance without major migrations. Improving cache, using faster disks, and optimizing indexing strategies can help both PostgreSQL and MongoDB perform better.

Internal Storage Design of Modern Key-value Database Engines [Part 1]

Practical Data Engineering Substack • 0 implied HN points • 05 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Key-value stores use a simple model where each piece of data has a unique key and its associated value. This makes them great for fast lookups, especially when you only need to search by key.
  2. The log-structured data design helps improve writing speed by storing data in order and delaying updates until they're batched together. This means the system can handle many writes quickly.
  3. Many modern key-value stores are inspired by early successes like Amazon's DynamoDB and Google's BigTable. These systems have shaped how newer ones are built to be efficient and scalable.

What I learned about products from making tacos

Sunday Letters • 0 implied HN points • 25 Aug 24
💼 Business Engineering
  1. People appreciate good design, even in simple products like tacos. Small changes can make a big difference in user experience.
  2. Users want products that help them complete tasks easily, without unnecessary complications. If it's difficult to use, they'll likely abandon it.
  3. It's important to test your product with real users who aren't familiar with it. Their feedback can reveal issues you might miss when you only think about what you've built.

Melody, harmony, coding with AI

Sunday Letters • 0 implied HN points • 07 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. We're entering a new era in programming that mixes old ways with new AI techniques. Just like how the internet changed things, now we have to adapt to using AI models in our coding.
  2. This new programming will be a mix of structured coding and creative AI output. Think of it like music where the code is the essential framework and the AI adds creative touches around it.
  3. As we explore this new landscape, it's important to experiment and learn from our experiences. Don’t get stuck in outdated methods, but be open to finding better solutions with AI.

New Paradigms Need New Tools

Sunday Letters • 0 implied HN points • 21 May 23
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. We have seen major shifts in programming history, from mainframes to mobile devices, and now we're moving toward AI. Each shift brought unique challenges that needed new ways of thinking and new tools.
  2. As we develop applications using AI, we need to focus on tasks like monitoring meaning, managing data securely, and optimizing performance. This includes understanding new problems, like where to run AI tasks effectively.
  3. The transition to AI will take time and may have bumps along the way. It's important to keep an open mind about new tools and approaches, learning from each attempt rather than dismissing them too quickly.

[in case you missed it] Data Science Weekly - Issue 326

Data Science Weekly Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 22 Feb 20
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. AI businesses are different from traditional software companies. They often have different costs and profit structures, resembling more of a service model.
  2. Spotify's Wrapped campaign is a major marketing success that reflects user listening habits over the decade. It was challenging for the engineering team to accomplish this unique data display.
  3. Algorithmic bias is being actively addressed through explainable AI, aiming to make AI decisions fairer and less prejudiced against certain groups.

Effective Staff Meetings for Engineering Managers of Managers

The Healthy Engineering Leader • 0 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
💼 Business Engineering
  1. Transitioning to managing other managers is a key step in an engineering career. It's important to adapt to this new role for growth and success.
  2. Establishing a weekly staff meeting is crucial for communication. It helps keep everyone on the same page and fosters collaboration among teams.
  3. Effective meetings should have clear goals and agendas. This ensures that everyone's time is used wisely and discussions are productive.

Good Engineer, Good Writer

Tech Ramblings • 0 implied HN points • 04 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Good communication is key in software development. When you clearly explain your ideas, it makes teamwork smoother and reduces confusion.
  2. Writing concise documents helps you focus on the main problem and solution. Keeping things short and to the point makes everyone understand better.
  3. Using visuals can make complex ideas easier to explain. Sometimes a picture can communicate things more effectively than just words.

Yes, your AI startup sucks

Tech Ramblings • 0 implied HN points • 02 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Many new AI startups are just using existing technology instead of creating something original. This makes them look alike and lack unique features.
  2. There aren’t enough skilled engineers in AI, so many startups end up with mediocre products that hurt user experience instead of helping.
  3. Building a successful AI company takes time and effort. Simply adding a few AI features cannot replace the need for hard work and innovation.

Coming soon

Neurelo Engineering’s Substack • 0 implied HN points • 26 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Neurelo Engineering is launching a Substack newsletter soon. You can subscribe to get updates and insights.
  2. The newsletter seems focused on topics related to engineering and technology. It will likely share interesting articles and information.
  3. There's a strong emphasis on sharing and community engagement. People will be encouraged to share posts and connect with others.

Coming soon

polymathematics • 0 implied HN points • 16 Mar 22
🎭️ Culture Engineering
  1. Polymathematics is a newsletter that talks about creativity and design.
  2. It also shares recommendations for podcasts and reading materials.
  3. You can sign up for a free trial to explore its content before subscribing.

Building a vernacular with your engineering team

It Depends / Nimble Autonomy • 0 implied HN points • 24 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Team members often use unique words and phrases that create a special language called vernacular. This helps communicate quickly and effectively within the group.
  2. Different interpretations of the same words can cause confusion and slow down teamwork, so it's important to clarify meanings and have a shared understanding.
  3. Creating a glossary of team-specific terms can help everyone stay on the same page. Updating this as new terms come in keeps the team united and aligned.

The Comprehensive Guide to Architectural Decision Records

Curious Devs Corner • 0 implied HN points • 11 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Architectural Decision Records (ADRs) help document important decisions in software architecture, including why certain choices were made. They're like notes that anyone on the team can review later.
  2. Using ADRs boosts team trust by providing clear reasons behind technology choices, reducing confusion, and helping new members understand past decisions. They show what has been discussed and why certain technologies were selected or rejected.
  3. ADRs promote transparency by allowing anyone interested to see the decision-making process. This helps different teams learn from each other and fosters better communication.

Aerially Separated Nuclear Aircraft

Tapa’s Substack • 0 implied HN points • 06 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Nuclear aircraft need heavy shielding, which can make them less efficient. The idea is to separate the nuclear reactor from the passenger plane using a drone.
  2. The drone would beam power to the airplane using lasers, which could reduce the need for heavy shielding and keep passengers safer.
  3. This concept suggests that enough laser power can be delivered to make flying possible, but it's still just an idea and might not work out.

Measurement noise: when 1000*1000 isn't a million

filterwizard • 0 implied HN points • 03 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Measurement noise can make it seem like you need very high accuracy to get correct results, but you might actually need less than you think.
  2. For measuring small signals accurately, the required dynamic range isn't as extreme as multiplying the signal by itself; practical calculations can simplify this.
  3. For specific accuracy requirements in noisy environments, using embedded microcontroller ADCs can be a good solution to achieve realistic signal-to-noise ratios.

The Chronicles of GND, Part 3

filterwizard • 0 implied HN points • 25 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Opamps have three important terminals: positive supply, negative supply, and output, and the total current flowing into them should always equal zero.
  2. The output stage of an opamp affects how it behaves, especially whether it's in class A, B, or AB, which changes the current it draws from the power supply.
  3. Designing a circuit properly means understanding how to connect power supplies without causing distortion in the output, especially if you're working on high-quality audio projects.

Fainting in Coils

filterwizard • 0 implied HN points • 11 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Sometimes, a passive filter design can outperform active ones, especially when power constraints are tight. Using simpler components might lead to better results without requiring advanced technology.
  2. It's important to match expectations with available resources when designing systems. If you need high performance but have a low budget, you'll have to find creative solutions.
  3. Inductors, often overlooked in modern designs, can be valuable in filter circuits. They might be larger and more expensive initially, but they can save power and meet specific design needs.

Yet More On Decoupling, Part 6 – steering in the right direction

filterwizard • 0 implied HN points • 08 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. The choices you make on power supply and decoupling components can significantly affect how accurately an op-amp performs. It's important to choose components wisely.
  2. Using larger decoupling capacitors generally leads to better performance by reducing fluctuations in the power supply that can affect the output of the amplifier.
  3. Don't assume low ESR capacitors are always best; sometimes, adding a bit of resistance can actually improve performance by helping to manage fluctuations in power.

Yet More On Decoupling, Part 5 – When Harry Regulator Met Sally Op-Amp

filterwizard • 0 implied HN points • 08 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Choosing the right decoupling and regulator output capacitors is important. These choices can affect how well your op-amp circuits work.
  2. Temporary signals on an op-amp's supply pins can impact its output. This can be critical if your system needs to be very accurate.
  3. Using too much of a certain type of capacitor can lead to unexpected issues. It's better to choose components that match the recommendations from manufacturers.

Yet More On Decoupling, Part 3 – Some gain, some pain

filterwizard • 0 implied HN points • 08 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Op-amps can't perfectly reject power supply noise because their output always depends on the voltage at their power pins. If the supply voltage changes, the output will too.
  2. Unlike some other components, op-amps don't have a ground connection, meaning their performance can be affected by how the power supply is treated in circuit designs.
  3. It's important to understand that variations in supply voltage will be reflected at the op-amp's output, contrary to what some datasheets might imply.

Yet More On Decoupling, Part 2: ring the changes, change the rings

filterwizard • 0 implied HN points • 07 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Using high-ESR capacitors helps control unwanted signals in power supplies, making circuits work better at high frequencies.
  2. Smaller decoupling capacitors can cause bigger voltage spikes when the load changes, which can affect circuit performance.
  3. In audio circuits, having a bump in regulator impedance can affect sound quality, and simply adding larger capacitors may not fix the issue.

Yet More On Decoupling, Part 1: The Regulator’s Interaction with capacitors

filterwizard • 0 implied HN points • 07 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Using Y5V capacitors can be tricky. Always check how the DC voltage affects their capacitance because it can drop much lower than expected.
  2. Linear dropout regulators (LDOs) can have increasing output inductance when the load current decreases. This can cause unexpected peaks in impedance, so adding a bypass capacitor can help smooth things out.
  3. Simulating circuits before building them is really helpful. It helps catch problems early and saves time in the long run.

Crossovers - an old paper, a new article

filterwizard • 0 implied HN points • 23 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. AudioXpress magazine has a lot of useful information about audio design, including preamps and crossover networks. It's worth checking out if you're into audio topics.
  2. There's ongoing research into improving crossover filters for speakers, especially using techniques like transmission zeroes. It's exciting to see how this could affect speaker design.
  3. Old research from over 40 years ago focused on creating analog filters with good phase response and power control. The goal was to make audio sound better overall.

HN blogs - 25/10/24

HackerNews blogs newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Before buying a domain, make sure it's not haunted. This might sound weird, but checking the history of a domain can save you from future headaches.
  2. There are many tools today for developers, like Copilot and Cursor. It's good to compare them to find which one works best for your needs.
  3. Improving the experience for new Django developers is important. Making things easier for beginners can encourage more people to learn and use Django.

HN blogs - 8/10/24

HackerNews blogs newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Engineers have enjoyed a lot of benefits in their work environments lately, but they need to adapt to changing times.
  2. Passwords are still an important part of online security and aren't going away anytime soon.
  3. When using technology, it's essential to find a balance between complexity and effective solutions.