The hottest Programming Languages Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

No more shell scripts!

Wednesday Wisdom • 94 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. Shell scripts used to be great for automating tasks, but they have many limitations now. New programming languages do a better job and are more reliable.
  2. The Unix system made software development easier with tools and commands that could be combined. This modular approach set a solid foundation for coding.
  3. While shell scripts were revolutionary, modern programming languages and libraries have improved our ability to write better and more efficient programs.

Console #173 - Interview With Martin of Zammad - open source helpdesk & customer support system

Console • 354 implied HN points • 03 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. Zammad is an open source user support/ticketing solution managed via various communication channels.
  2. Martin founded Zammad with a focus on open source philosophy and sustainable business models.
  3. The Zammad team aims to enhance the platform, make it widely used globally, and uphold its commitment to open source values.

Racket: The Lisp for the modern day

Deus In Machina • 326 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. Racket is an advanced modern Lisp with a wide range of features and tools for developers in 2023.
  2. Racket is especially great for beginners, young programmers, and academics due to its simplicity, built-in IDE, and gradual learning curve.
  3. Racket's unique language building capabilities allow for creating domain-specific languages, documentation languages, and more, making it a versatile and powerful tool for programmers.

Compiling History: A brief tour of C compilers

Deus In Machina • 217 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. The history of C compilers dates back to the early 1970s with the creation of the first C compiler for Unix.
  2. Early C compilers like the PDP C Compiler and the Portable C Compiler laid the foundation for modern C programming.
  3. The development of standards like C89 brought uniformity and clarity to the C language, leading to the evolution of modern compilers like GCC and LLVM.

Tech Talks Weekly #4

Tech Talks Weekly • 19 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. The newsletter summarizes recent tech talks from various conferences, making it easier for readers to find valuable content. It's a great resource for anyone interested in technology.
  2. Each issue features a selection of must-watch talks, along with a list of new uploads categorized by conference. This helps viewers easily discover trending topics in tech.
  3. Readers are encouraged to provide feedback on the newsletter format and share it with friends or colleagues to grow the community. It's all about connecting more people to interesting tech discussions.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

LangSmith by LangChain

Cobus Greyling on LLMs, NLU, NLP, chatbots & voicebots • 19 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. LangSmith helps organize and manage projects and data for applications built with LangChain. It allows you to see your tasks in a neat layout and check performance easily.
  2. The platform offers tools for testing and improving agents, especially when handling multiple tasks at the same time. This helps ensure that applications run smoothly.
  3. LangSmith allows users to create datasets that can improve agent performance. It also has features to evaluate how well agents are doing by comparing their outputs to expected results.

Language isn't the cure

Sunday Letters • 119 implied HN points • 01 May 22
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. New programming languages or techniques won't solve old problems. Teams need to focus on fixing their systems before expecting a new language to make things better.
  2. People often believe learning a new language will improve their skills, but it doesn't address deeper issues like organization or trust. Just like learning a different language won’t make someone a great writer.
  3. Fixing systemic team issues takes hard work and discipline. Sometimes, sticking with familiar tools can be more effective than constantly chasing new options.

The evolution of meta game for developers

Sibelius’s Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. Meta game in software development involves strategic decision-making beyond coding.
  2. The evolution of meta game for developers includes key milestones like Git, JavaScript, and AI technologies.
  3. AI is transforming software development, offering benefits such as faster development cycles, improved quality, enhanced user experience, better decision-making, and cost savings.

Llama-2 and the open source LLM 🌊

LLMs for Engineers • 19 implied HN points • 03 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. Llama-2 makes it easier for anyone to run and own their LLM applications. This means people can create their own models at home while keeping their data private.
  2. Self-hosting Llama-2 helps improve performance and reduces delays. This makes the model more efficient for specific tasks and can even reach higher accuracy levels.
  3. There are guides and tools available to help users set up Llama-2 quickly. Users can try it out or integrate it with other platforms, making it more accessible for everyone.

How Vibe Coding Is Sabotaging Junior Devs’ Careers

HackerPulse Dispatch • 8 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. Junior developers might be relying too much on AI for coding, which can hurt their actual coding skills. This can lead to problems like security risks and poor software quality.
  2. Experienced developers using AI tools may actually work slower than expected. This shows that AI doesn't always make coding faster, especially when they know the project well.
  3. Engineering leaders need to be careful when adopting AI. They often make mistakes by listening to the wrong advice or focusing too much on tools instead of improving their processes.

Programming With 5 Bits of RAM

72 Degrees North • 19 implied HN points • 16 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. Programming in constrained environments like 5 bits of RAM can be challenging but feasible.
  2. Turing machines provide a simple, yet powerful model of computation that can perform any computation.
  3. Efficiency and complexity in programming languages can be evaluated based on state count and read-only memory needed for interpretation.

Beyond AI Hype: Why Coding Fundamentals Still Matter

ppdispatch • 8 implied HN points • 28 May 25
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. Understanding coding basics is still really important, even with AI tools. Just using AI doesn't mean you can skip learning the fundamentals.
  2. Rust's growth shows how a small problem, like a broken elevator, can lead to a big change in programming. It's now a major language for creating safe and efficient software.
  3. Pair programming may feel difficult at first, but it can make you a much better developer. Working with someone else helps you learn and improve your skills faster.

Lets compile Linux DOOM

Deus In Machina • 36 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. Compiling the Linux DOOM source code requires setting up the source code from the id-software repository and navigating through different build methods like Make and CMake.
  2. Encountering and solving errors in the compilation process involves making adjustments to data types, structure pointers, and handling variables like errno to ensure successful building of the DOOM executable.
  3. To address color depth issues and display errors while running the DOOM game on modern systems, utilizing tools like Xephyr, setting specific environmental variables, and modifying code sections related to color maps and display resolutions becomes critical.

Pascal: The language that almost took over the world part 1

Deus In Machina • 36 implied HN points • 26 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. Pascal language was designed with a focus on clean and readable code, making it ideal for teaching programming.
  2. Turbo Pascal revolutionized programming by combining editing, compiling, and linking steps in one integrated environment.
  3. The decline of Pascal was due to factors like its focus on teaching, rapid advancements in computing technology, and the popularity of Unix and C programming language.

What Really Killed Stack Overflow? (Spoiler: Not AI)

ppdispatch • 5 implied HN points • 03 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. The decline of Stack Overflow wasn't caused by AI but rather by a loss of community spirit and strict moderation rules. Many users felt unwelcome due to the site's increased focus on quality control.
  2. A new algorithm has greatly improved how we find the shortest paths on graphs, making it more efficient at solving these problems without needing to sort all the data.
  3. Java, despite being seen as old-fashioned and less exciting, remains crucial in software development, proving its reliability and versatility over the past 30 years.

Getting Started With Unreal Engine 5 For Developers, Part 1: Building Blocks

Load-bearing Tomato • 16 implied HN points • 21 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. In Unreal Engine 5, Actors and Components are the main building blocks. Actors are objects in the game world, while Components add specific features to those Actors.
  2. Inheritance is a key concept in creating different types of objects. You can create child classes for specific behaviors while still sharing common features from a parent class.
  3. Functions and Events help organize code. Use Functions for reusable code and Events for actions triggered by certain events in your game.

GenAI Isn’t Replacing Devs (And It Shouldn’t)

HackerPulse Dispatch • 8 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. Firing programmers to replace them with AI can backfire. Companies might end up facing big problems like untrained workers and high costs to hire good developers back.
  2. Experience and human intuition are important in software development. AI can't solve every problem, and skilled developers are still needed for complex tasks.
  3. The new Python 3.14 interpreter will make code run faster without needing any changes. This is great for developers because it saves time and effort.

Summer 2024

Optimism (for the web) • 10 implied HN points • 19 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. The author became a dad and is really grateful for having a happy family. It's a big change in life that brings a lot of joy.
  2. They created several new apps, including a SaaS template and a music player, using updated tech like React and Next.js. These tools make it easier to build and use applications.
  3. The author learned to use Vim and switched from VS Code to Neovim, finding it faster and more customizable. They even created a free course to help others learn Vim too.

Episode 17: Burkhard on Qt Embedded Systems

burkhardstubert • 39 implied HN points • 03 May 21
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. Qt LGPLv3 is good for many projects, and less than 25% of modules are under commercial licenses. This makes Qt accessible for many developers and companies.
  2. Effective decision making is important in projects. It involves knowing when to step back and let the expert handle specific decisions to keep the project on track.
  3. The Qt Company is acquiring other companies, like froglogic, to enhance their tools which will benefit developers. This shows a commitment to improving the software development process.

Lessons to a junior software developer

QED • 1 HN point • 26 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. Writing code takes practice: The more you code, the faster you'll make decisions and write code.
  2. Continuous learning is essential: Understand problem domains, master tools, and know how to acquire new information as a junior developer.
  3. Learn deeply and take on challenging projects: Focus on mastering key concepts and push yourself with difficult projects to grow as a developer.

Good Comment, Bad Comment

David Reis on Software • 13 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. Many new programmers think that not commenting code is a sign of good practice because of the idea that 'clean code has no comments.' This leads to less readable code.
  2. Good code should be easily understood, but comments can help clarify complex parts when necessary. It's okay to use comments to explain why something is done a certain way.
  3. Writers should be careful with popular ideas that seem easy and convenient, as they can sometimes oversimplify important concepts and lead people to misunderstand or misuse them.

IaC Proliferation

Sheep Code • 26 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. Consider using a full programming language and framework for IaC if you are a software engineer.
  2. For less skilled programmers, it's better to use IaC tools that utilize DSL/JSON/YAML.
  3. Take advantage of support plans from cloud providers when choosing IaC tools.

🧊 The Container Iceberg, New Era of Global Databases, the 70% Dilemma in AI Coding, & More

HackerPulse Dispatch • 5 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. Companies are moving away from VMware because of high cost increases. Many are finding open-source options like OpenNebula to save money and improve efficiency.
  2. A new coding language called PyGyat has playful syntax, making Python coding more fun. It allows developers to switch between traditional Python and PyGyat easily.
  3. AI tools can help speed up coding, but they have limitations. While they help create initial code quickly, the last touches needed for quality often still require human expertise.

Episode 22: Burkhard on Qt Embedded Systems

burkhardstubert • 19 implied HN points • 04 Oct 21
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. Qt 6.2 has many new features that make developing applications easier, especially with QML modules and CMake support.
  2. Parking meters can be improved with mobile apps for payments, but they need to better serve user needs for a great experience.
  3. A good solution should be user-friendly, allowing payments without internet access, and making it easy to park without confusion.

Episode 14: Burkhard on Qt Embedded Systems

burkhardstubert • 19 implied HN points • 31 Jan 21
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. Choosing the right communication technology depends on balancing bandwidth and range. For example, LoRaWAN is great for long distances but has limited bandwidth.
  2. Bare-metal programming is becoming more common for developers using Qt embedded systems, especially with newer microcontrollers that can handle safety-critical applications.
  3. Bluetooth Long Range is a promising option for applications that require good distance and reliability, especially in environments with obstacles, compared to other wireless technologies.

Issue #36

Infra Weekly Newsletter • 13 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. Nomad 1.5 introduces single sign-on and dynamic node metadata to improve security and accessibility
  2. Guidance provided on creating a secure AWS Organizations management role by reducing attack surface
  3. Explore a break-glass solution with HashiCorp Boundary + Vault for emergency access to critical resources

Memory Unsafety is a Culture Issue

Burning the Midnight Coffee • 6 HN points • 03 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. Memory unsafety is not just a technical problem, but a cultural issue, requiring a shift in mindset within the software development community.
  2. The convenience factor plays a crucial role in memory safety; even safe languages have pathways to create memory vulnerabilities that may be more convenient to use than safe alternatives.
  3. Prioritizing measures like preventing buffer overflows in languages like C and C++ can have a significant impact on reducing vulnerabilities before focusing on more complex memory management concerns.

Inside Meta’s Chaos, StackOverflow on Its Last Legs, & the Makefile Effect

HackerPulse Dispatch • 2 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. StackOverflow is facing a big decline, with questions down over 70% since 2023. Many users are frustrated with the moderation and are turning to AI tools for support instead.
  2. Electron has been popular for building desktop apps, but it has some issues like heavy memory use. New frameworks like Tauri are coming up as better alternatives.
  3. The 'Makefile effect' shows that engineers often copy and adapt existing setups instead of creating new ones due to tools being too complex. This highlights the need for better tool design to make things easier.

😎 Delegacifying Code, C++ in Turmoil, & Resolving OOM Errors

HackerPulse Dispatch • 2 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. Legacy code issues often come from misunderstandings between developers rather than the code itself. Improving communication and ownership can help solve these problems.
  2. C++ is currently facing a divide between old and new users, which threatens its future. There's a struggle between keeping older features and moving towards modern innovations.
  3. Java's compilation speed has improved a lot, but using build tools can slow it down. Working directly with the compiler can make a big difference in speed.

Burkhard on Qt Embedded Systems: No. 2

burkhardstubert • 19 implied HN points • 31 Jan 20
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. Using address sanitizers can help find bugs in your code more easily. They show where problems are happening, making debugging faster.
  2. The SAE J1939 standard helps different devices communicate by defining the meaning of messages in vehicle systems. This is important for consistent data across various manufacturers.
  3. Creating portable code separates it from hardware specifics, making it easier to test and run on different systems. This is a key focus for using Qt effectively.

Data Science Weekly - Issue 316

Data Science Weekly Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 12 Dec 19
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. NeurIPS 2019 saw a huge increase in submissions, with over 6,700 entries and a 21.6% acceptance rate. This shows how popular and competitive the field of data science has become.
  2. Data Science teams often use both R and Python together, but merging them can be challenging. Finding ways to integrate these languages can help teams be more effective in their projects.
  3. A new method has been discovered for understanding quadratic equations, making it easier for students who struggled with the traditional formula. This could change how math concepts are taught.

Malloy Data

Why Now • 5 implied HN points • 26 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. Malloy is a new query language for describing data relationships and transformations in SQL databases.
  2. Malloy compiles to SQL optimized for your database, has a semantic data model and query language, excels at reading and writing nested data sets, and handles complex queries seamlessly.
  3. Malloy also introduces a semantic layer similar to Looker, allowing for saving calculations like measures and defining dimensions to describe and transform data.

How to use an Object Relational Mapper and never learn SQL

Bad Software Advice • 1 HN point • 04 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Programming Languages
  1. SQL can be intimidating, but using Object Relational Mappers (ORM) allows you to work with objects in memory instead of worrying about SQL intricacies.
  2. Abstraction in software, like using ORM, lets you hide the complexity of data management and focus more on coding comfortably.
  3. There are many ORM options available for various programming languages, each with cool names, making it easier to work with databases without diving deep into SQL.