The hottest Programming Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

The Synchronization Framework in Swift 6

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 656 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.

All your Python project in one file with shiv

Bite code! • 733 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.

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.

The Swift Compiler

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 1968 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.

What's up Python: MOAR uv, flask-like Django, debugging live processes...

Bite code! • 1467 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Programming Software Web Development Community Debugging
  1. Astral is expanding its projects and has taken control of python-build-standalone, making it easier to install Python on different systems without complicated setups.
  2. PEP 768 is a new proposal that will allow easier and safer debugging for live Python processes, improving how we can fix issues in running applications.
  3. The Django community is updating their framework to be more user-friendly by replacing old commands with simpler ones, while keeping the framework modern and relevant.
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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.

Bugs Optional?

Software Design: Tidy First? • 1723 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Development Programming Engineering Quality Assurance Project management
  1. Bugs don't have to be a normal part of software development. Some teams manage to almost eliminate bugs by approaching their work differently.
  2. Instead of seeing bugs as inevitable, teams can work to understand and prevent them right from the start. This includes practices like continuous integration and team collaboration.
  3. Changing how we think about bugs from a normal part of life to something rare can help create a better work environment and improve software quality.

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.

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.

Solving The SwiftUI Interview

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 2186 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Programming Interviews Coding Swift
  1. Understanding SwiftUI is crucial for coding interviews, especially for positions focused on iOS development. It helps you stand out as a candidate.
  2. Practicing Swift Concurrency will give you an edge in solving problems more efficiently during interviews. It's an important skill that employers value.
  3. Interviews don't have to be stressful or frustrating. Using structured approaches can make the process smoother and more enjoyable for both candidates and interviewers.

AI #95: o1 Joins the API

Don't Worry About the Vase • 1164 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Innovation Data science Programming
  1. The release of o1 into the API is significant. It enables developers to build applications with its capabilities, making it more accessible for various uses.
  2. Anthropic released an important paper about alignment issues in AI. It highlights some worrying behaviors in large language models that need more awareness and attention.
  3. There are still questions about how effectively AI tools are being used. Many people might not fully understand what AI can do or how to use it to enhance their work.

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.

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.

Faster NTT with RISC-V Vector

Fprox’s Substack • 62 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Programming Cryptography Hardware Algorithms
  1. The Number Theoretic Transform (NTT) can speed up polynomial multiplications, which are important for modern cryptography. Optimizing how this process works leads to significant performance improvements.
  2. Using assembly language can help tailor code for specific hardware, allowing more direct control over how instructions are executed, which can greatly enhance speed.
  3. Combining multiple steps of the NTT process into fewer loops and minimizing unnecessary calculations can lead to much lower execution times, achieving targets that seemed difficult at first.

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.

Linux Context Switching Internals: Part 1 - Process State and Memory

Confessions of a Code Addict • 1106 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Operating Systems Programming Computer Science System Architecture
  1. Context switching allows a computer to run multiple tasks by efficiently switching between different processes. It's important to understand it because it affects a system's performance.
  2. The Linux kernel uses specific structures, like 'task_struct' and 'mm_struct', to manage process states and memory. These structures help keep track of what each process is doing and how it uses memory.
  3. When a process runs out of CPU time or needs to wait, the kernel uses flags to decide when to switch to another process. This ensures that all processes get a chance to run, even if some are waiting for resources.

HCF EP 005: Cursor based pagination

Hasen Judi • 35 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Development Web Development Data Storage Programming User Interface
  1. Cursor-based pagination lets you skip to the next set of results easily. It's better for large lists because it doesn't waste time reading and ignoring lots of entries.
  2. This method is more stable, as it remembers where you left off even if there are changes to the list. It's like using a bookmark to continue reading later.
  3. However, it has some downsides, like not being able to jump to a specific page directly, which might be less convenient for users wanting to skip ahead quickly.

AI #92: Behind the Curve

Don't Worry About the Vase • 2777 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Tech Policy Programming Innovation
  1. AI language models are improving in utility, specifically for tasks like coding, but they still have some limitations such as being slow or clunky.
  2. Public perception of AI-generated poetry shows that people often prefer it over human-created poetry, indicating a shift in how we view creativity and value in writing.
  3. Conferences and role-playing exercises around AI emphasize the complexities and potential outcomes of AI alignment, highlighting that future AI developments bring both hopeful and concerning possibilities.

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.

Last week at The Lunduke Journal (Dec 1 - Dec 7, 2024)

The Lunduke Journal of Technology • 1723 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Web Development Programming Tech news Digital Culture
  1. Mozilla has decided to brand itself as a 'Global Crew of Activists' which many people find confusing and unnecessary.
  2. KDE's new approach of nagging users for support seems to be working well, greatly increasing their income.
  3. There are ongoing discussions about the impact of codes of conduct in tech communities and how they may need changes or even elimination.

Intentions & Actions

Software Design: Tidy First? • 1082 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Design User Interface Machine Learning Programming User Experience
  1. People often come to computers with intentions, like wanting to watch a show or add a stop to a trip. But the actions needed to achieve those intentions can be confusing and hard to remember.
  2. When the computer does what we want easily, we feel amazed and grateful. But this happens less often because of complicated menus and actions we have to figure out.
  3. Kids find it easier to use technology because they learn quickly from their friends and practice a lot. They navigate digital worlds more smoothly, while others often struggle with the basics.

What is a Crash?

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 3498 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Programming Mobile App Development Operating Systems
  1. A crash happens when an app unexpectedly stops, but it can actually be a safety measure to prevent bigger problems. Think of it like a controlled explosion that protects your device.
  2. There are two main types of crashes: those caused by the Swift Runtime and those from the XNU Kernel. Each has its own reasons for triggering a crash to protect the system.
  3. Crashes don't just cause inconvenience; they are there to protect users from worse issues, like losing data or compromising security. They help keep everything safe even when things go wrong.

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.

Podcast guest appearance

Minimal Modeling • 202 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Database Design Data Management Programming
  1. The podcast discussed database design and Minimal Modeling for almost two hours. It shared valuable insights on how to create better database structures.
  2. The speaker is open to appearing on other podcasts and is willing to talk about topics like data documentation and software development processes.
  3. There's a recent podcast episode available, but it is in Russian, limiting its audience. If you need help with databases, the speaker is approachable.

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.

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.

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.

What's In A List—Yes, But What's *Really* In A List

The Python Coding Stack • by Stephen Gruppetta • 259 implied HN points • 13 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Programming Data Structures Python Education Computing
  1. In Python, lists don't actually hold the items themselves but instead hold references to those items. This means you can change what is in a list without changing the list itself.
  2. If you create a list by multiplying an existing list, all the elements will reference the same object instead of creating separate objects. This can lead to unexpected results, like altering one element affecting all the others.
  3. When dealing with immutable items, such as strings, it doesn't matter if references point to the same object. Since immutable objects cannot be changed, there are no issues with such references.

My Wronggest Content

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 656 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Social media Software Development Marketing Content creation Programming
  1. Posting wrong code online can lead to getting helpful feedback from others. Sometimes people are quick to point out mistakes, but that can help you learn.
  2. Using social media regularly can grow your audience. Posting interesting and engaging content helps attract more subscribers.
  3. Accepting criticism is important. It can be tough to hear people say your work is bad, but it's a chance to improve and grow.

The Black Spatula Project

Am I Stronger Yet? • 564 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Science Research Programming Community
  1. A mistake in a scientific paper about black plastic utensils showed that math errors can change health implications. This finding led to a community initiative to check past papers for errors.
  2. The project aims to use AI to find mistakes in scientific papers, helping researchers ensure their work is accurate. This could lead to better practices in publishing and scientific research.
  3. Many ideas have emerged for improving how we check scientific work, such as creating tools to validate papers and verify information. The community is in the early stages of exploring these possibilities.

LLMs Fight With Both Hands Tied Behind Their Back

Am I Stronger Yet? • 313 implied HN points • 27 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Programming Data science Software Development
  1. Large Language Models (LLMs) like o3 are becoming better at solving complex math and coding problems, showing impressive performance compared to human competitors. They can tackle hard tasks with many attempts, which is different from how humans might solve them.
  2. Despite their advances, LLMs struggle with tasks that require visual reasoning or creativity. They often fail to understand spatial relationships in images because they process information in a linear way, making it hard to work with visual puzzles.
  3. LLMs rely heavily on knowledge in their 'heads' and do not have access to real-world knowledge. When they gain access to more external tools, their performance could improve significantly, potentially changing how they solve various problems.

Under the microscope: MDK (PlayStation)

Rings of Saturn • 29 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Video Games Cheat Codes Game Development Programming
  1. MDK has hidden cheat codes that many players might not know about, adding more fun to the gameplay.
  2. Some codes need to be unlocked with other specific codes to work, which can change game mechanics and visuals significantly.
  3. Finding these codes involves programming and testing various button combinations, which can be a fun challenge for enthusiasts.

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.

Last week at The Lunduke Journal (Nov 24 - Nov 30, 2024)

The Lunduke Journal of Technology • 574 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Programming Open Source Tech Policy Hardware
  1. The C++ Standards Group made headlines by banning a contributor just for using the word 'Question' in their work. It shows how strict and odd some technical communities can be.
  2. The Linux Code of Conduct Board also banned a developer for not apologizing enough, highlighting tensions in developer communities around behavior expectations.
  3. Microsoft has faced accusations from Google about using 'dark patterns' in their Edge browser, pointing to ongoing issues with user experience and ethical design in tech.

Fine-tuning LLMs with 32-bit, 8-bit, and Paged AdamW Optimizers

The Kaitchup – AI on a Budget • 259 implied HN points • 07 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Optimization Data processing Programming
  1. Using 8-bit and paged AdamW optimizers can save a lot of memory when training large models. This means you can run more complex models on cheaper, lower-memory GPUs.
  2. The 8-bit optimizer is almost as effective as the 32-bit version, showing similar results in training. You can get great performance with less memory required.
  3. Paged optimizers help manage memory efficiently by moving data only when needed. This way, you can keep training even if you don't have enough GPU memory for everything.

Mach 1 with Python!

Bite code! • 733 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Programming IOT Hardware Software Engineering
  1. You can measure distance using sonar technology, which was once considered advanced but is now easily available and affordable for projects like Raspberry Pi.
  2. Creating fun experiences, like detecting when people pass through a giant Mario pipe and playing a sound, requires careful planning and some troubleshooting.
  3. Working with hardware can be tricky, as it often involves dealing with unexpected issues and requires patience, but it can lead to creative and playful outcomes.

Background Work

Software Design: Tidy First? • 1568 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Software Design Programming Engineering Data Analysis Artificial Intelligence
  1. Background work is doing extra research or tasks beyond what's necessary. It's a way to learn and grow your skills.
  2. Successful programmers often engage in background work, which helps them become more knowledgeable and credible.
  3. While background work can sometimes feel like extra effort, it usually pays off quickly and can save time in the long run.

Last week at The Lunduke Journal (Oct 20 - Nov 2, 2024)

The Lunduke Journal of Technology • 1148 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Open Source Internet Security Programming
  1. There has been a lot of news recently about Linux and its relationship with Russia, especially regarding programming bans. This issue seems to be getting more complicated in the coming weeks.
  2. The Internet Archive is in the spotlight with some strange developments that are capturing attention. It's raising questions about how information is preserved online.
  3. RISC OS has made progress by adding modern features like WiFi and a web browser. It's nice to see tech advancements, even amid all the chaos in the software world.

Disillusioning the Magic of the fork System Call

Confessions of a Code Addict • 649 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Programming Software Operating Systems Computer Science
  1. The fork system call creates a new process that is a copy of the parent process, but each can follow a different path after the call. This is why a program can behave differently depending on which process it is in.
  2. When the fork call is made, the operating system needs to return distinct values to both the parent and child processes. The kernel sets the return value for the child process to 0, while the parent gets the child’s process ID.
  3. System calls are handled in the kernel, which means understanding their low-level operations helps us see how programming languages like C manage processes, revealing the complexity hidden behind simple function calls.