The hottest Programming Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Meta: 5,000

lcamtuf’s thing • 8366 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Programming Algorithms Mathematics Writing
  1. Reaching 5,000 subscribers is a big deal for a project that went against the usual trends. It's great to see growth, even if it seems small compared to others.
  2. Writing a newsletter is unique because you don't get much direct feedback from readers. It's interesting to see who signs up or leaves but hard to know what they really think.
  3. Three articles worth revisiting cover complex topics: discrete Fourier transforms, fractals, and core concepts in electronic circuits. They offer in-depth discussions that are easy to understand, even for beginners.

Augmented Coding: Beyond the Vibes

Software Design: Tidy First? • 1855 implied HN points • 25 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Software Development Programming Artificial Intelligence Code Quality Data Structures
  1. Augmented coding is different from vibe coding. It's about caring for the code quality and complexity, not just getting the system to work.
  2. Keeping the project scope clear is key. You should focus on specific tasks, like creating a B+ Tree, while ensuring the code is tidy and functional.
  3. Collaboration with AI tools can enhance coding efficiency. You can rely on AI for tasks like writing tests or suggesting optimizations, but you must guide it to stay on track.

HN blogs - 1/11/24

HackerNews blogs newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Engineering Data Analysis Cybersecurity Programming
  1. Measuring technical debt is crucial for leaders, especially CTOs. It helps in understanding and managing the challenges in software development.
  2. Freezing CEO salaries during layoffs can create a fairer work environment. It shows accountability and may protect jobs for regular employees.
  3. Life shouldn't solely be based on statistics. Everyone's experiences are unique and can't be fully represented by numbers.

A Tool To Automatically Detect Memory Leaks

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 1749 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Software Development Programming Technology Trends IT
  1. Memory leaks can cause unexpected bugs in apps, like weird behavior or actions happening twice. It's important to find and fix them to improve user experience.
  2. There's a way to automatically detect memory leaks in apps with only about 30 lines of code. This saves time and helps avoid frustrating users.
  3. While some may enjoy the challenge of finding leaks manually, using automated tools can prevent a lot of headaches and keep product managers happier.

Shaping Light, Visualizing Sound, and The Generative Shift

Generative Arts Collective • 131 implied HN points • 21 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Creative Coding Generative Art Digital Media Programming
  1. AI is changing how we create art and media by combining different styles and concepts to make something new. This gives more people the tools to express their creativity.
  2. Even though AI can generate impressive content, it lacks genuine human experience and thought. True creativity and original ideas still come from human minds.
  3. As technology evolves, society will need to adapt how we understand and engage with artistic expression. This shift may lead to exciting new forms of entertainment and creativity.
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AI & Python #29: Python Projects You Can Finish in a Weekend

Artificial Corner • 198 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Programming Software AI Education Development
  1. Working on Python projects is important because it helps you apply what you've learned. It's a great way to connect theory to practice and improve your coding skills.
  2. The article suggests projects for both beginners and advanced users, which helps cater to different skill levels. Starting with easier projects can build confidence before tackling more complex ones.
  3. Completing projects can also boost your motivation and help you create a portfolio. This can be really useful when looking for job opportunities or trying to showcase your skills.

Choosing a microcontroller

lcamtuf’s thing • 6530 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Microcontrollers Embedded Systems Programming Automation
  1. When picking a microcontroller for simple projects, stick to 8-bit options like AVRs. They are easy to use and work well for tasks that don’t need a lot of speed or memory.
  2. For more demanding applications, like video processing or complex calculations, go for higher-end 32-bit microcontrollers. They are more powerful and can handle heavy data loads.
  3. If you need wireless connectivity and processing power, single-board computers are the way to go. They run full operating systems but can be more expensive and less efficient than microcontrollers.

Literate Testing

Rethinking Software • 99 implied HN points • 14 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Software Programming Testing Development Documentation
  1. Literate programming is great for keeping your code and documentation together. It helps you write tests in a clear and organized way without needing extra frameworks.
  2. With literate programming, you can easily mock functions and test them directly, even in languages like C that are usually tricky to test. This makes the testing process simpler and more enjoyable.
  3. Placing tests right next to your code helps you keep everything organized and makes writing tests feel less like a chore. You start to see tests as part of your coding process rather than an extra step.

MBP's Visual COBOL

Computer Ads from the Past • 512 implied HN points • 25 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Software Computing Innovation History Programming
  1. MBP, a software company, was one of the first in Europe and created the COBOL compiler in the 1960s. They made big steps in developing programming software right from the start.
  2. Visual COBOL was an improved version of their COBOL compiler released in the 1980s, featuring faster compilation and better screen management. It became popular for its efficiency and ease of use.
  3. The journey of MBP involved several ownership changes, eventually becoming part of major companies like Electronic Data Systems and Hewlett-Packard. This shows how influential MBP was in the tech world.

Slashing my ".bashrc" in half

Bite code! • 1834 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Software Programming Development Tools Open Source
  1. Using new tools like Atuin and Starship can make your terminal experience much simpler and faster. They help reduce the size of configuration files like .bashrc while still providing great features.
  2. The rise of Rust has led to better command-line tools that are efficient and user-friendly. These tools replace many old commands and plugins with minimal effort needed from users.
  3. It's okay to stop using some tools or plugins if they aren't effective for your needs. Keeping your setup clean and understandable is more important than having every possible feature.

Why This Old Python Performance Trick Doesn’t Matter Anymore

Confessions of a Code Addict • 264 implied HN points • 28 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Programming Software Optimization Python Development
  1. Performance optimization in Python has changed a lot due to improvements in the Python virtual machine. Tricks that helped in the past may not be needed anymore.
  2. Creating local aliases for functions can speed up access, but recent Python updates have made this less important. In many cases, the performance difference is small now.
  3. Not all lookups are the same—using direct local references or importing functions can still be faster than accessing them through module paths. Always consider readability vs. speed based on your code's needs.

Secret SwiftUI: A practical use of _VariadicView

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 2842 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Software Programming App Development User Interface Innovation
  1. The \\_VariadicView feature in SwiftUI helps create custom components like flexible tab bars and lists. It's useful for developers wanting more control over their UI elements.
  2. Finding real-world examples for \\_VariadicView can be tough, but it can significantly help in building complex UIs like chat applications.
  3. A specific application of \\_VariadicView is creating a reusable 'ChatList' component that manages scroll inversion, making it easier to handle messaging apps.

Me an' Algernon

Software Design: Tidy First? • 1745 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Software Mental health Neurology Cognitive Science Programming
  1. Cognitive decline can be hard to deal with. It can affect your daily life, work, and relationships.
  2. Getting a clear diagnosis is important, even if it doesn't provide all the answers. It can help you understand your situation better.
  3. Sharing your struggles can help others who may be going through similar issues. It's okay to seek help and adapt to new challenges.

Let's Eliminate General Bewilderment • Python's LEGB Rule, Scope, and Namespaces

The Python Coding Stack • by Stephen Gruppetta • 179 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Programming Python Software Development Education
  1. In Python, each function has its own scope. This means a variable defined in a function can only be used inside that function, not outside.
  2. The LEGB rule helps Python find variables: it first looks in the Local scope, then in any Enclosing scopes, next in the Global scope, and finally in Built-in scope if it can't find the variable anywhere else.
  3. Namespaces are like containers for names in Python. They store the names of variables and their corresponding values, making it clear which variables are available in which parts of your code.

ioctls from Rust

Blog System/5 • 827 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Programming Systems Software Open Source Unix
  1. The 'ioctl' system call is used in Unix-like systems to communicate with the kernel in ways that go beyond normal file operations. It allows for special operations not covered by standard read/write calls.
  2. Using 'ioctl' in Rust can be tricky. It often requires unsafe code blocks since it involves direct interactions with the kernel and can affect the running process in unpredictable ways.
  3. There are multiple ways to call 'ioctl' in Rust, including using libraries like 'nix' and 'libc', or even creating custom C wrappers. Each method has its trade-offs in terms of complexity and code structure.

Let's compile Python 1.0

Bite code! • 1957 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Programming Software Open Source Development Virtualization
  1. Python 1.0 was surprisingly advanced for its time, with features like high-level data structures and ways to handle processes and files. It showed a lot of capabilities despite being the first major version.
  2. Compiling Python 1.0 requires some old tools and a legacy environment, as modern systems might not support all the necessary components. Using containers can help recreate this older setup.
  3. Even in its early stage, Python had a live REPL and error handling, making it quite user-friendly. Developers were able to perform a variety of tasks easily, which made Python appealing compared to other programming languages at the time.

Do you even need Kafka?

Data Streaming Journey • 79 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Data Integration Software Programming Databases
  1. Kafka and similar tools are still relevant and necessary for effective data streaming today. They help handle large amounts of data quickly and reliably.
  2. Modern alternatives to Kafka, like Materialize and Debezium, simplify the process of working with operational data and make it easier to integrate with other tools.
  3. Even if you only want to move data from a database to a data warehouse, using a streaming platform can benefit larger enterprises by making data integration more efficient.

Don't build a platform... unless?

lcamtuf’s thing • 2856 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Platforms Gaming Programming Entrepreneurship
  1. Building a platform is hard and often not worth the effort. It's usually better to focus on creating a good product first.
  2. To make a successful platform, you need to either find a unique idea, have a strong personal following, or get backing from big companies.
  3. Having good code isn’t enough to make a platform thrive; you need visibility and support from the right people to attract users.

What's up Python? A new Windows installer, ruff will type check, Pypi quarantines...

Bite code! • 1957 implied HN points • 01 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Programming Software Security Development Open Source
  1. PEP 773 is proposing a new way to install Python on Windows. It aims to simplify the installation process by using one tool for all versions and making it easier for users to manage them.
  2. Ruff, a popular linter, is getting a type checking feature added soon. This change will help improve Python's type checking and make it more user-friendly.
  3. Pypi has introduced a quarantining system for potentially harmful projects. This will block access to projects suspected of containing malware without completely removing them, allowing for better security.

Working with OLEDs: SSD1353 & SSD1333

lcamtuf’s thing • 1836 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Microcontrollers Programming Electronics Game design
  1. OLED displays are generally better for microcontroller projects than traditional LCDs. They are easier to use and deliver better performance and visuals.
  2. For projects with limited RAM or CPU, smaller OLED displays like the SSD1353 and SSD1333 can be effective. They are simple to set up with basic connections.
  3. Setting up these OLED displays involves a few key commands and configurations, making it manageable even for beginners. Once connected, getting them to display graphics is straightforward.

Softcore Debugging

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 2405 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Development Debugging Tools Programming
  1. Xcode has many built-in debugging tools that can help developers troubleshoot their apps. It's helpful to explore these tools to find new ways to fix issues.
  2. Conditional breakpoints can make debugging more efficient by allowing developers to stop the app under specific conditions. This saves time during the debugging process.
  3. Learning faster LLDB commands and memory graph traversal techniques can enhance a developer's ability to diagnose issues quickly. Familiarizing yourself with these options can improve coding skills.

Getting silly with C, part (void*)2

lcamtuf’s thing • 3673 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Programming Software Coding Development Computer Science
  1. Understanding C's syntax can be tricky, especially with function declarations and typedefs. You'll find that some definitions may not be exactly what they seem.
  2. C allows some flexibility with variable and function declarations, which can lead to surprising behaviors, so always double-check how your symbols interact in different scopes.
  3. There are quirky features in C, like a BASIC compatibility mode for line numbering, showing that the language has some fun, unexpected twists!

Hardcore Debugging

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 2842 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Debugging Development Engineering Programming
  1. Bugs in apps can sometimes be easy to fix, but some problems are hidden deep in the system and harder to find. These serious issues can cause crashes that are tricky to solve.
  2. When dealing with a crash, you can use tools like Git Bisect to look back in time or symbolicate crash logs to find out what went wrong. These methods help narrow down the problem.
  3. Understanding how crashes occur in the kernel memory management can take time, but specific techniques exist to make debugging easier and faster. It's all about using the right tools at the right time.

One Law to Rule All Code Optimizations

Confessions of a Code Addict • 817 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Software Programming Hardware Optimization Performance
  1. Code optimization can be unpredictable, and not every change will guarantee improved performance. It's important to understand why an optimization might succeed or fail.
  2. The Iron Law of Performance provides a framework for evaluating software optimizations. It focuses on three key factors: the number of instructions, cycles per instruction, and cycle time.
  3. Optimizations like loop unrolling and function inlining reduce the number of instructions executed and can increase instruction throughput. However, they might also lead to some challenges like register spills and increased cache pressure.

Code works as intended

In My Tribe • 151 implied HN points • 07 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Software Development Programming API Web Development Open Source
  1. Working with code can be tricky, especially when different operating systems like Windows and Linux handle files differently. It can cause stress and confusion for beginners.
  2. While waiting for responses in applications can be frustrating, adding some engaging content, like banter, helps keep users interested and makes the wait feel shorter.
  3. There's potential to create new, innovative educational tools that allow professors to monetize their courses in a more modern way, like a subscription model instead of traditional textbooks.

The Synchronization Framework in Swift 6

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 3936 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Programming Development Concurrency Frameworks
  1. Swift 6 introduced a new Synchronization framework that includes features like Mutex and Atomics. These help manage how different parts of a program can work together safely.
  2. The new concurrency tools are based on a concept called generic ownership, which is new for Swift 6. This means they have better performance and flexibility.
  3. The article also compares these new low-level features to high-level ones like Actors to see how they perform. This can help developers choose the right tool for their needs.

What Happened When I Asked ChatGPT To Pretend To Be Conscious

Singal-Minded • 824 implied HN points • 28 May 25
🕹 Technology AI Programming Philosophy Innovation Future Trends
  1. AI technology is advancing rapidly, and it might soon be able to perform tasks better than humans, like coding. This change could pose a serious risk to jobs and society.
  2. People might start believing AI is conscious based on its behavior, even if it's just pretending. This could change how we interact with machines.
  3. Conversations with AI can feel surprisingly real, making it easy to forget they aren't truly conscious, even when we know they are not.

Weekend projects: Sketchy Sketch

lcamtuf’s thing • 3060 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Electronics Hardware Programming DIY Projects Software
  1. A new version of the Etch-A-Sketch toy, called Sketchy Sketch, was created to be more user-friendly and modern. It uses digital controls for drawing and animating, unlike the old mechanical version.
  2. The Sketchy Sketch is built using a microcontroller and a display, allowing kids to create pixel art easily. It has a simple menu system and saves multiple images.
  3. The project shows that it's fun and rewarding to build something from scratch. The creator shares the parts and code online, encouraging others to try similar projects.

AI & Python #28: The Notebook Used for Data Science and AI Projects

Artificial Corner • 158 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Programming Data science Software Tools
  1. Jupyter Notebook is a popular tool for data science that combines live code with visualizations and text. It helps users organize their projects in a single place.
  2. Jupyter Notebook can be improved with extensions, which can add features like code autocompletion and easier cell movement. These tools make coding more efficient and user-friendly.
  3. To install these extensions, you can use specific commands in the command prompt. Once installed, you'll find new options that can help increase your productivity.

Change Python's syntax with the "# coding:" trick

Bite code! • 1467 implied HN points • 25 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Programming Software Development Scripting Coding
  1. You can change Python's syntax using a special trick called '# coding:'. This lets you define how your code is read and interpreted.
  2. By using custom codecs, you can make unusual text formats like JPEGs or even SQL valid in Python. It's a creative way to mix different languages within Python.
  3. While it's fun to play with these features, it can also make your code really complicated and hard to debug. So, use this power wisely!

Learning Assembly for Fun and Profit

The Chip Letter • 12886 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Programming Software Hardware Computing Education
  1. Learning assembly language can help you understand how computers work at a deeper level. It's beneficial for debugging code and grasping the basics of machine instructions.
  2. There are retro and modern assembly languages to choose from, each with its own pros and cons. Retro languages are fun but less practical today, while modern ones are more useful but often complicated.
  3. RISC-V is a promising choice for learning assembly language because it's growing in popularity and offers a clear path from simple concepts to more complex systems. It's also open-source, making it accessible for new learners.

Static, Dynamic, Mergeable, oh, my!

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 7872 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Programming Frameworks Libraries
  1. Libraries are just code you use in your projects. There are two types: static and dynamic, which impact how they are linked to your app.
  2. Dynamic linking happens at runtime, making builds faster but can slow down app launch times. Static linking copies everything into the app, which can make the app bigger but loads faster.
  3. Mergeable libraries combine the benefits of both static and dynamic linking, aiming to speed up builds while keeping app launch times quick.

It Doesn’t Matter if AI Is Just “Faking It”

Singal-Minded • 544 implied HN points • 30 May 25
🕹 Technology AI Philosophy Programming Ethics Society
  1. AI doesn't really understand or feel anything; it just processes and returns text based on patterns it learned. This means it's not conscious.
  2. Even if AI is just faking consciousness, its ability to create a convincing experience can still affect people's emotions and perceptions.
  3. The debate about AI consciousness is less important than understanding how people interact with AI and the societal impacts of these technologies.

Yes, you should use a Python venv in a container like docker

Bite code! • 1957 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Programming Development DevOps Containers Python
  1. Using a Python virtual environment (venv) in Docker is a good practice, even though it's possible to skip it. It helps avoid conflicts when installing dependencies, keeping your project stable and organized.
  2. Even if your Docker image seems minimal, it's hard to maintain that state. Relying on the base image without a venv can lead to unexpected issues later on, especially as dependencies change.
  3. Using a venv simplifies your workflow and ensures consistency across different environments. It protects you from potential problems that arise when system packages interact with Python packages.

Hands-on graphics without X11

Blog System/5 • 1240 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Graphics Hardware Programming Systems
  1. Using NetBSD's wscons framework, you can access and manipulate the graphical framebuffer directly without needing X11. This lets programmers draw graphics in a simpler way.
  2. The architecture of wscons is structured in layers, making it possible to interact with various hardware devices uniformly. It ensures that both output and input devices work across different machines.
  3. You can handle keyboard input using a feature called wsmux, which allows you to manage multiple keyboard devices easily. It makes your program more robust if a keyboard isn't connected right away.

The Swift Compiler

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 2624 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Programming Software Development Computing Code
  1. The Swift language was created by Chris Lattner, who also developed LLVM when he was just 23 years old. That's really impressive given how complex these technologies are!
  2. It's important to understand what type of language Swift is, whether it's compiled or interpreted, especially for job interviews in tech. Knowing this can help you stand out.
  3. Learning about the Swift compiler can help you appreciate the language's features and advantages better, making you a stronger developer overall.

Convex Optimization at the Midpoint

arg min • 198 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🚌 Education Optimization Programming Statistics Algorithms
  1. Modeling is really important in optimization classes. It's better to teach students how to set up real problems instead of just focusing on abstract theories.
  2. Introducing programming assignments earlier can help students understand optimization better. Using tools like cvxpy can make solving problems easier without needing to know all the underlying algorithms.
  3. Convex optimization is heavily used in statistics, but there's not much focus on control systems. Adding a section on control applications could help connect optimization with current interests in machine learning.

o1 Turns Pro

Don't Worry About the Vase • 3449 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Models Software Development Computing Programming Innovation
  1. The o1 and o1 Pro models from OpenAI show major improvements in complex tasks like coding, math, and science. If you need help with those, the $200/month subscription could be worth it.
  2. If your work doesn't involve tricky coding or tough problems, the $20 monthly plan might be all you need. Many users are satisfied with that tier.
  3. Early reactions to o1 are mainly positive, noting it's faster and makes fewer mistakes compared to previous models. Users especially like how it handles difficult coding tasks.