The hottest Software Development Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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TTW Extra #3 🔥: All Javascript conference talks from 2023 ordered by the number of views

Tech Talks Weekly • 0 implied HN points • 29 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Web Development Programming Languages Conferences Tech Talks
  1. There is a list of popular JavaScript conference talks from 2023, sorted by views. It's easy to find the most watched talks to learn from.
  2. Almost 300 talks are available, featuring various conferences like JSConf and React Summit. This variety gives a great overview of the current trends in JavaScript.
  3. The talks cover topics from building websites without JavaScript to advanced TypeScript. There's something for everyone, whether you're a beginner or experienced developer.

TTW Extra #2: All Kubernetes conference talks from 2023 ordered by the number of views

Tech Talks Weekly • 0 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Cloud Computing DevOps Open Source Containerization
  1. In 2023, over 550 Kubernetes conference talks were shared, focusing on various trends like GitOps and cluster security. These talks gave a broad view of the current Kubernetes landscape and its applications.
  2. Some of the most viewed talks include topics like Kubernetes software rollouts and scaling workloads, with thousands of views showing strong interest in practical, actionable content.
  3. Kubernetes continues to evolve rapidly, with new tools and practices emerging to improve developer experience, security, and resource management in cloud environments.

Quantum Threat Modelling

QV’s Substack • 0 implied HN points • 04 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Quantum Computing Software Development Risk management Innovation
  1. Quantum technology has many parts that are classical and can be vulnerable to traditional cyber attacks. This means threats can come from many angles that don't specifically target the quantum aspects.
  2. There are unique threats related to quantum systems that are not yet fully explored, and many existing vulnerabilities are not linked to specific vendors. This makes it hard to gauge how secure quantum technologies truly are.
  3. Understanding the context in which quantum systems operate is really important. Different setups, like using space-based technology versus fiber optics, come with very different security challenges.

Hacking a Quantum Computing Controller:

QV’s Substack • 0 implied HN points • 22 May 24
🕹 Technology Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Software Development Open Source Hardware
  1. There was a big security flaw found in a quantum computing controller, which allows access to quantum machines through a default username and password. This means anyone who knows this can control the quantum hardware connected to it.
  2. Changing the default password is crucial but can lead to new problems if not done properly. The researchers are recommending a better way to ensure passwords are secure from the start.
  3. Quantum computers are involved in highly sensitive areas like finance and medicine, so protecting their security is very important to prevent data breaches and attacks. Researchers are pushing for improved security measures to safeguard these advanced systems.

When Looking Back at Legacy Code, All You Really Want to Think Is: "This Is Reasonable"

Andrew’s Substack • 0 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Programming Technical Debt Documentation
  1. Legacy code should be clear and understandable. The goal is for developers to look back at it and think, 'This makes sense.'
  2. Good legacy code is simple, consistent, and has clear documentation. This helps new developers quickly understand it without getting lost.
  3. Investing time to write clear, well-documented code saves headaches later. It makes maintenance easier and helps new team members get up to speed faster.
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😎 21 Years of Notepad++; Modules Vs. Microservices

ppdispatch • 0 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Coding Practices Open Source Performance optimization Software Architecture
  1. Notepad++ has been a reliable text editor for 21 years, helping developers and writers with its user-friendly features and community-driven support.
  2. Linus Torvalds has made a small update to the Linux kernel that improves its performance by 2.6%, showing that even tiny changes can have a big impact.
  3. Microservices might not be as new as they seem; their benefits have roots in older technologies, and while they support independent development, they also introduce challenges in communication.

😎 Microsoft’s New OpenHCL, OOP’s Power & 3 More

ppdispatch • 0 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Artificial Intelligence Programming Languages Open Source Web Development
  1. Microsoft has introduced OpenHCL, an open-source tool that improves virtual machines. It helps keep data secure without needing frequent updates.
  2. There’s a growing problem with job titles in software engineering, where many people are given senior titles too quickly. This can create confusion and unrealistic expectations in teams.
  3. Using AI-generated code might make programmers less skilled over time. It's important to understand how to code without relying on AI to grow and earn respect from peers.

🐞 Bugs in Zendesk & FlyCASS: Security Gaps from Fortune 500 to Flight 101

ppdispatch • 0 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Software Development Data Management Networking Innovation
  1. Some developers see coding as an art form, which makes the rise of AI tools feel like a loss of creativity.
  2. Vulnerabilities in systems like Zendesk can expose major security risks for large companies, affecting a wide range of organizations.
  3. There are serious security flaws in airport access systems that could let unauthorized people bypass safeguards, raising concerns about aviation security.

Weekly Notes

Rethinking Software • 0 implied HN points • 16 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Productivity Engineering Culture Project management Workplace dynamics
  1. Software engineering often feels like assembly-line work, where programmers are given tiny tasks with no time for deeper thinking or creativity. This can be frustrating for those who want to tackle bigger projects.
  2. There is a growing idea that people should focus on fewer tasks and prioritize quality over just being busy. This philosophy encourages a more balanced and thoughtful approach to work.
  3. Many people dislike strict management practices like Scrum, feeling they limit creativity and autonomy. They prefer a work environment where they can work freely on projects without constant oversight.

GCP Setup for Organizations

Vasu’s Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Cloud Computing Identity Management DevOps Software Development IT Infrastructure
  1. To set up Google Cloud Platform (GCP) for a company, you first need to create an organization. You can do this by signing up with either Google Workspace or Cloud Identity.
  2. After creating the organization, the next step is to create users and groups. This is done through the admin console using your admin account.
  3. Once users are set up, you can create projects and manage permissions. This allows different users to have specific access, like creating storage buckets, based on their roles.

Moral progress

sémaphore • 0 implied HN points • 19 May 24
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Software Development Moral Philosophy
  1. AI progress is complex and doesn't have a clear endpoint. We need to keep adjusting our understanding and actions as technology evolves.
  2. Debates about AI safety versus capabilities can be misleading. The goal should be to integrate both safety and innovation together.
  3. Moral progress is a continuous journey, not a perfect finish line. It's important to develop AI responsibly while recognizing the challenges of our imperfect world.

Use the Sort API to track issues in your Snowflake or Postgres data

Database Engineering by Sort • 0 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🕹 Technology APIs Data Management Database Software Development Automation
  1. The Sort API helps you track and fix data issues in your Snowflake or PostgreSQL databases. It's like having a tool to keep your data clean and organized.
  2. You can log issues, submit change requests, and categorize them with custom labels. This makes it easier to manage and understand data problems.
  3. The API also allows automation of workflows, so you can streamline how you handle data issues and improve efficiency in your operations.

How will trydeepwork evolve?

trydeepwork • 0 implied HN points • 05 May 24
🕹 Technology Productivity Tools Software Development User Experience Feature Prioritization Pricing Models
  1. trydeepwork started as a personal project and has grown to help thousands of users daily. It's surprising how something initially just for one person became so useful for many.
  2. The focus is on keeping the tool simple and improving existing features rather than adding unnecessary complexity. It's important to refine what already works well.
  3. The new pricing model offers lifetime access for a one-time payment, making it affordable. Paying for it now means supporting ongoing improvements to the tool.

🐿️ Shattered Software - The Insanely Profitable Tech Newsletter

Squirrel Squadron Substack • 0 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Product Management User Experience Data Management
  1. Balkanization refers to splitting a region into smaller, competing parts, which can cause issues. In tech, dividing teams can create confusion and inconsistency.
  2. When tech teams work independently with different assumptions, it can lead to problems like bugs and compatibility issues. Teams should ideally work together to maintain a unified product.
  3. Maintaining a single product vision is crucial, so it's important to ensure that all teams align on the same goals and methods. This helps prevent issues down the line.

Deliverable authentication as a useful pattern

ciamweekly • 0 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Authentication Web Design User Experience Software Development Online Security
  1. Some accounts don't need strong security, so using email or phone for login is enough. It's easy for users who only want to use something once or rarely.
  2. Many people prefer quick login methods, like magic links or one-time codes, instead of complicated passwords. This reduces hassle and makes using apps simpler.
  3. Removing barriers to access can benefit both users and companies. When login is easier, users are more likely to engage with the app.

On Managing Risk in Software Projects

Anant’s Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 19 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Project management User Experience Quality Assurance Risk management
  1. Understand user needs clearly to avoid creating features that don't solve problems; involve users early in testing to catch issues.
  2. Ensure all teams understand their roles and dependencies to prevent surprises; clarify API contracts and dependencies early on.
  3. Plan integration and testing carefully; start integrating early and create detailed testing plans to ensure everything works before launch.

The key concepts in web scraping

serious web3 analysis • 0 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Data science Software Development Web Development Machine Learning AI Tools
  1. Every web scraping job starts with one or more URLs, called parent URLs, where the scraper begins to look for data.
  2. Crawling helps the scraper find additional pages with the actual information needed, going beyond just the starting page.
  3. After crawling, the data is extracted into a structured format, and filtering can be applied to narrow down the results based on specific criteria.

Splitwise - System Design [HLD]

The ZenMode • 0 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
🕹 Technology System Design Software Development Mobile Applications User Experience
  1. Splitwise helps users track shared expenses easily. It lets people split costs for outings, so everyone knows what they owe.
  2. Users can create accounts, join groups, and add expenses that can be assigned to different members. The app automatically calculates what each person owes.
  3. The system is designed to handle many users securely while providing quick access to important information like balances and recent transactions.

A Walk-Through of String Search Algorithms

Photon-Lines Substack • 0 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Algorithms Computing Data Structures Software Development Programming
  1. String search algorithms are important for everyday tasks like searching in browsers and filtering emails. They help make these tasks fast and easy, saving us time and effort.
  2. The Boyer-Moore algorithm is popular because it skips unnecessary comparisons by starting the search from the end of the pattern. This makes it much faster than simpler methods.
  3. The Robin-Karp algorithm uses hashing to represent patterns and text, which speeds up the search process. It's especially useful when you need to find multiple patterns quickly.

Once a Maintainer: Santiago Pastorino

Once a Maintainer • 0 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Programming Open Source Software Development Computer Science Web Development
  1. Santiago got into programming through formal study in computer science and started his career as a consultant in Java. He eventually founded his own agency to explore new ways of working, which led him to contribute to open source.
  2. He transitioned to Rust programming after finding web development unsustainable due to changing technologies. He appreciates Rust's focus on safety and performance, aiming for a stable programming environment.
  3. The Rust compiler team operates on a bottoms-up approach, allowing contributors to lead based on their interests. Currently, Santiago is focused on improving async programming capabilities and user-friendly reference counting in Rust.

The Future of AI, Product, and Agentic Software

domsteil • 0 implied HN points • 23 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Product Management Software Development Data science Business Models
  1. AI evaluations need to go beyond just accuracy. They should focus on how helpful the AI is to users and if it meets their needs effectively.
  2. High-performance teams thrive on collaboration and quick feedback. Effective product managers should remove barriers and encourage teamwork to create innovative solutions.
  3. Agentic software is changing how businesses operate by using smart pricing models that reflect the value AI delivers. Companies must start with smaller clients to build a strong foundation for growth.

From Vector Search to Entity Processing: Evolving Zettelgarden's Connection Engine

Nick Savage • 0 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Software Development Data Storage Knowledge Management Human-computer interaction
  1. Zettelgarden aims to help users discover connections between their notes, not just the recent ones. It wants to make sure older notes are just as visible and important as new ones.
  2. The project started with vector search, which had some challenges when dealing with longer notes. To overcome this, smaller chunks of text were used for better connections.
  3. Now, Zettelgarden is focusing on 'entity processing' to identify important people, places, and events within notes. This helps link related ideas more effectively.

Open LLMs: Transparency or 'Openwashing'?

philsiarri • 0 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Research Software Development Data Access Open Source Machine Learning
  1. Just sharing the source code for large language models (LLMs) doesn't make them truly open. Access to the training data is still needed for real transparency.
  2. Many LLMs limit users by only allowing access to APIs instead of the full model. This practice is being called 'openwashing', where companies give a false impression of openness.
  3. Users often struggle to re-use or adapt the shared code due to how it's written and lack of resources. True openness includes access to hardware, datasets, and original training data.

Winding down some projects

Expand Mapping with Mike Morrow • 0 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Web Apps APIs Project management Innovation Software Development
  1. Winding down projects can help clear your mind and spark new creativity. It feels refreshing to have a clean slate.
  2. The author decided to shut down some web applications that were not heavily used. It felt like a waste to keep them running without much purpose.
  3. Getting rid of unneeded projects can open the door for new ideas. It's good to let go of things that no longer inspire you.

HCR EP 003: Data persistence API

Hasen Judi • 0 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Database Management APIs
  1. In this framework, data is stored using a different method than typical SQL databases. It uses a built-in library for data persistence rather than connecting to an external database.
  2. The framework uses buckets, indexes, and collections to manage data, which allows for easy storage and retrieval without needing to write complicated SQL queries.
  3. A key part of the framework is the serialization function, which helps convert data into a format that can be easily saved and loaded from the storage.

HCF EP 002: RPC Wiring & UI State Management

Hasen Judi • 0 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Development User Interface Data Management Frameworks Web applications
  1. A forum can start simply with posts and discussions, without needing categories, user authentication, or search features. The focus should be on enabling conversations right away.
  2. The basic user registration system involves adding users with just a username, email, and password. It's important to store user data properly, even if it's temporary.
  3. State management in the UI can be handled using caching and hooks, allowing for dynamic updates without reloading the page, making the user experience smoother.

🐿️ Platitudinous - The Insanely Profitable Tech Newsletter

Squirrel Squadron Substack • 0 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Tech Trends Innovation Data science Machine Learning Software Development
  1. When looking at CVs, it's important to see what candidates did and why it mattered. Focus on real impact instead of fancy buzzwords.
  2. Many candidates use vague phrases that sound good but don't tell you anything meaningful. Look for specific results they achieved and how they benefited customers.
  3. A strong CV should show clear business results, like increasing sales or cutting costs. If it doesn’t do that, it might not be worth considering.

o3 AI model surpasses ARC-AGI benchmark

philsiarri • 0 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Data science Software Development Innovation
  1. OpenAI's new o3 AI model scored 85% on the ARC-AGI benchmark, which shows it can solve problems like a human. This score is higher than the last best AI score of 55%.
  2. The ARC-AGI test checks how well an AI can handle new challenges using little information, which is important for general intelligence. This breakthrough raises questions about how close AI is to being as smart as humans.
  3. Although the o3 model shows great promise, there are still doubts. Not enough details have been shared, and scientists want to test it more to see how well it can adapt in different situations.

sqlmesh cube_generate build part 1

davidj.substack • 0 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Data Analysis Programming Machine Learning Database Management
  1. There's a new command called `sqlmesh cube_generate` that helps build models for data analysis. It's designed to make working with data easier for users.
  2. The tool outputs useful information in a structured format, which includes joins and fields for data analysis. This makes it simple to understand how the data connects.
  3. Even if there are challenges with complex data types, the output is still effective and can be enhanced using AI, showing there's room for creativity in data modeling.

Extra DRY with Literate Programming

Rethinking Software • 0 implied HN points • 22 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Programming Code Optimization Open Source
  1. Literate programming helps reduce code repetition by allowing you to define things in one place and use them throughout your project. This makes it easier to manage updates, like changing a copyright notice in multiple files with just one change.
  2. You can create variables in your project to store common values, like project names or copyright years, and include them wherever needed. This keeps your code clean and makes it easy to change values in the future.
  3. Using features like include guards in literate programming can help prevent issues when including files in your code. By generating names programmatically, you avoid conflicts and keep everything organized.

HFC EP 006: Collapsing code paths

Hasen Judi • 0 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Development Programming Web Development IT Infrastructure System Design
  1. There are two similar code paths for fetching posts by hashtag and user ID, causing duplication that can complicate the codebase. Simplifying these could make the code easier to manage.
  2. Using a single index for both types of queries can reduce complexity and allow for easier future features, like querying by other criteria, without increasing code duplication.
  3. Collapsing code paths not only streamlines current processes but also makes it easier to implement new features or queries in the future, reducing overall development effort.

Thoughts on Oddly Specific Versioning in Observability

A Small, Good Thing • 0 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Data Analysis System Architecture Cloud Computing Information Technology
  1. Many people just want basic monitoring tools that are easy to use and affordable. They care more about practical solutions than getting into complex observability concepts.
  2. There's a balance between reliability, shipping speed, and team well-being that needs to be carefully managed. It's important not to sacrifice too much reliability just to be fast.
  3. The focus should be on delivering a cost-effective way to monitor systems, rather than just aiming for the latest version of observability. It's essential to figure out who will handle the work involved.

🐿️ Procrustes - The Insanely profitable Tech Newsletter

Squirrel Squadron Substack • 0 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Development Project management Client Relations Business strategy Product Design
  1. When faced with too many demands, focus on solving the customer's most important problems first. It’s better to tackle what's truly necessary rather than trying to please everyone.
  2. Communication is key. A skilled account manager can help manage expectations and guide clients toward what they actually need instead of what they want.
  3. It’s important to distinguish between essential requirements and nice-to-have features. This clarity can help teams deliver projects successfully and on time.

An Interview With Emre Baran

ciamweekly • 0 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Software Development Cloud Computing Data Management Identity Management
  1. Cerbos helps businesses manage user permissions easily by integrating with identity providers. This way, developers can focus more on building features instead of getting stuck on access management.
  2. A lot of companies still build their own authorization systems, which can be messy and hard to update. When they need to completely rebuild, it can be a huge challenge.
  3. The future of customer identity and access management looks bright as more businesses will start using external authorization solutions like Cerbos. This separation will make their systems more flexible and easier to manage.

The Scenic Route to Software: Code Generation for Non-Traditional Developers

Nick Savage • 0 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Coding AI Tools Software Development Automation
  1. AI coding tools like Cursor can help non-traditional developers build software faster and more easily. They allow users to focus on the interesting parts of a project instead of getting stuck on complicated coding tasks.
  2. Having some coding knowledge is important when using these AI tools. They work best when you understand what you're trying to do and can guide the AI, rather than starting completely from scratch.
  3. The use of AI in development helps bridge the gap between idea and execution. This means that even those who took a different route into tech can now create projects that once felt out of reach.

Sort Achieves SOC 2 Type 2 Certification! 🎉

Database Engineering by Sort • 0 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Data security Data Management Compliance Software Development
  1. Sort has earned SOC 2 Type 2 certification, showing they take data security seriously. This means your data is protected and trustworthy.
  2. The certification ensures that Sort meets high standards for security and privacy. This helps businesses feel secure knowing their data is safe from breaches.
  3. With this certification, Sort simplifies compliance for businesses in regulated industries. It makes it easier to manage important data without extra worries.

The times, they are A-changin

Boring AppSec • 0 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Software Development Entrepreneurship Innovation Product Management
  1. The newsletter is shifting focus from AppSec operations to building a new AppSec company. This change comes from a personal career transition from being a practitioner to a founder.
  2. Authenticity in writing has become harder because daily problem-solving in AppSec is no longer a part of the new role. The writer has a list of topics but feels less connected to the daily challenges.
  3. Future posts will explore industry insights, engineering challenges, and frameworks for solution thinking in AppSec. The style will stay casual, and there’s an aim to post more regularly.

🐿️ Bypassing Technical Debt - The Insanely Profitable Tech Newsletter

Squirrel Squadron Substack • 0 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Development Technical Debt System Design Engineering Culture
  1. Avoid doing a total rewrite of your software, as it often leads to mistakes. Instead, make small, incremental changes to improve what you have.
  2. Technical debt is a common issue in tech. Learning to manage and refactor it can lead to better software over time.
  3. Just as our bodies have remnants of evolution, software can have old parts that still serve a purpose. It's important to understand their history before trying to remove them.

An Interview With Hannah Sutor

ciamweekly • 0 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Digital Identity Product Management Software Development User Experience
  1. Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM) is crucial for protecting valuable information while also providing a smooth user experience. Businesses need both security and ease of access for their users.
  2. Many challenges exist with CIAM, especially around the variety of credentials like tokens and keys. It's important to find ways to manage these different types safely and effectively.
  3. The future of CIAM looks promising with innovations that balance security and usability. There's hope for better management of roles and permissions across different systems.

How to understand deadlines (as a developer)

Bad Software Advice • 0 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Development Project management Product Design Agile Methodology Technical Debt
  1. Deadlines can make developers feel rushed and stressed. It's common to make quick fixes that won't last, leading to more work later.
  2. Developers often don't see the bigger picture of a project. They might not understand why a 'bad' version of a product is needed to learn what works best.
  3. Not every project needs to be perfect from the start. Sometimes you need a rough version to figure things out before building something better.