The hottest Software Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

DORA: AI boosting productivity, hindering delivery

Bit Byte Bit • 65 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Productivity Development Innovation
  1. AI is making developers more productive, but it's also slowing down software delivery. This means while developers can code faster, it doesn't always translate to quicker releases.
  2. Larger changes in software deployment can be riskier and slower. It's often better to make smaller changes that are easier to manage.
  3. The speed of AI adoption might be leading to short-term delivery issues, but organizations might eventually find better ways to balance productivity and delivery as they adapt.

LLMs are becoming commodities

The AI Frontier • 99 implied HN points • 30 May 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Innovation Data Industry
  1. LLMs are growing similar and it's hard to tell them apart. Companies must now find new ways to stand out as features become alike.
  2. The race to create better models is very fast, and some newer models are catching up to the established ones. This means that model quality is no longer the main thing that makes a provider unique.
  3. For businesses and users, having more options is good for getting better deals. But, many people will likely stick with known brands rather than trying new, less familiar choices.

Five Levels Of AI Agents

Cobus Greyling on LLMs, NLU, NLP, chatbots & voicebots • 119 implied HN points • 16 May 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Machine Learning Automation Data science
  1. AI agents can make decisions and take actions based on their environment. They operate at different levels of complexity, with level one being simple rule-based systems.
  2. Currently, AI agents are improving rapidly, sitting at levels two and three, where they can automate tasks and manage sequences of actions effectively.
  3. The future of AI agents is bright, as they will be more integrated into various industries, but we need to consider issues like accountability and ethics when designing and implementing them.

Borrow Checking from Scratch

Burning the Midnight Coffee • 64 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Programming Software Memory management Compilers Systems
  1. The concept of 'borrow checking' helps programmers ensure their code is memory safe. This means the code won't allow unsafe practices like using memory that has already been freed.
  2. Implementing a simple, C-like language called Cnile can introduce memory safety by adding rules that check for issues during compilation rather than at runtime. This involves stopping problems like double-free and use-after-free situations.
  3. Using single-use types ensures resources can only be used once, which helps prevent memory leaks and makes it safer to manage dynamic data structures in programming.

Lumiterra’s Closed Beta Test starts NEXT WEEK!

Ronin’s Newsletter • 73 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Development User Experience Community
  1. Lumiterra's Closed Beta Test starts on November 11th and will last around three weeks. Players can check their access eligibility based on previous participation and certain criteria.
  2. New features include equipment enhancement options, six dungeon difficulty levels, and a team-based PvP event called Escort Slime. These updates aim to offer more ways to earn rewards and enjoy the game.
  3. The onboarding process for new players has improved, with NPCs guiding them through game basics and advanced tasks. This makes it easier for beginners to dive into the world of Lumiterra.
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Video Notes, improved search, Spotify integration, and more

Substack • 451 implied HN points • 18 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Software Platforms Media Podcasting Community
  1. Substack has added new features like posting videos directly in Notes, making it easier for creators to share content.
  2. They've improved the search function on the platform, allowing users to find posts faster and more easily.
  3. Podcasters can now distribute their episodes to Spotify, helping them reach a wider audience and potentially make more money.

Scaling Zerodha's Reporting System through 7 million PostgreSQL tables

Engineering At Scale • 15 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Databases Architecture Innovation User Experience
  1. Zerodha created an innovative system with 7 million PostgreSQL tables to handle user reporting requests efficiently. This solution tackled issues with slow queries and poor user experiences during busy periods.
  2. They switched from a synchronous to an asynchronous model, allowing users to submit requests and check back later for results. This change improved the overall user experience significantly.
  3. The new architecture involved using a temporary database to handle queries and storing results in many tables. While it works well for now, they might need to consider other solutions if user growth continues rapidly.

452: Constellation Software's Big Win, Big Tech Deep Value, Excel Era, TikTok & Bytedance, Herb Kelleher, LEGO, DALL-E 3, and Melatonin

Liberty’s Highlights • 589 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Software AI Generative AI Financials Entertainment
  1. Consider replacing habits rather than trying to stop them cold turkey.
  2. Big Tech companies like Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta collectively generated impressive operating cash flow over the past decade.
  3. Be cautious with melatonin supplements as their actual content may vary significantly from what is labeled.

The Sequence Engineering #483: Block's goose is a Brand New Framework for Building Agentic Applications

TheSequence • 91 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Frameworks Applications Development
  1. Block has introduced a new framework called goose, which helps connect large language models to actions. This means it can make LLMs do things more effectively.
  2. The release of goose shows that big companies are really getting into building applications that can act on their own. It's changing how we look at AI and its capabilities.
  3. The ongoing development of agentic workflows is significant, and it hints that AI will continue to grow and improve in how it helps us solve problems.

Pytest is All You Need

LLMs for Engineers • 79 implied HN points • 12 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Software Programming AI Testing Development
  1. Pytest is a great tool for evaluating LLM applications, making it easier to set up tests and check their performance. It allows you to program your own evaluation metrics directly in Python without needing complicated configurations.
  2. You can easily collect and analyze data from multiple test runs using Pytest. This helps to understand how consistent the outputs are across different evaluations.
  3. The examples show how to compare different prompts and LLM models, enhancing the flexibility and variety in testing. This allows you to see which setups work best in various scenarios.

Elixir-like pipes in Ruby (oh no not again)

zverok on lucid code • 57 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Programming Software Development Languages Frameworks
  1. Elixir has a special way to chain functions called the pipeline operator, which makes code easier to read. This idea has caught the attention of many programming languages, including Ruby.
  2. Ruby already has a method-chaining style that makes some proposals for a pipeline operator unnecessary. Ruby methods work differently than in Elixir, which poses challenges for introducing this feature.
  3. The author experimented with a new approach to mimic the pipeline operator in Ruby using a method that transforms code at a low level, but it's not intended to be a permanent addition to Ruby. It's more of an exploration of potential features.

Getcha boots on!

Meaningness • 279 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Meta-rationality Software IT Management
  1. The story highlights the journey of someone who transitioned from an exciting tech scene in San Francisco to tackling real-world software problems in Akron, Ohio.
  2. Facing an intricate software challenge, the protagonist decides to take a different, meta-rational approach by engaging with non-stakeholders and embarking on a 'gemba walk' to better understand the situation.
  3. The narrative emphasizes the importance of hands-on experience and direct observation in resolving complex issues, showcasing the value of practical problem-solving over bureaucratic processes.

RunLLM: The custom assistant for developer tools

The AI Frontier • 179 implied HN points • 28 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Development Software Tools Innovation
  1. RunLLM is a special AI assistant designed for developers, helping them with coding, answering questions, and fixing bugs. It uses specific training to understand a developer's tools and needs better than general assistants.
  2. The way RunLLM works allows it to provide accurate and relevant information quickly. It does this by fine-tuning its learning based on user feedback and the specific data it needs to use.
  3. Setting up RunLLM is easy and can be done through various platforms like Slack and Discord. Developers can quickly start using it to improve their workflow.

How to design effective AI Agents

A Bit Gamey • 6 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Tools Development Software Automation
  1. AI apps can be categorized into two main types: workflows and agents. Workflows follow strict rules, while agents make their own decisions in changing environments.
  2. Simplicity is key when designing AI agents. It's better to start with simple solutions and add complexity only when necessary.
  3. There are established design patterns and tools to create effective AI agents. Using the right patterns can help make agents more reliable and easier to maintain.

Dall·E 3 Is Out! Create Stunning Images in Seconds (No Matter What Topic You're Writing About)

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 539 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
🕹 Technology AI Image Generation Software
  1. DALL·E 3 is an advanced and free AI tool that helps creators make unique images quickly. It's perfect for writers who want to enhance their stories without spending hours searching for pictures.
  2. The tutorial shows you how to use DALL·E 3 effectively. You can create images related to various topics, making it versatile for different writing needs.
  3. With DALL·E 3, you own the rights to the images you create. This means you can use them for personal projects or even sell them if you choose.

Death Knell of the NVD?

Resilient Cyber • 199 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Software Data Management Vulnerability Management Open Source
  1. The NIST National Vulnerability Database (NVD) is an important source for understanding software vulnerabilities, but it is facing significant issues. Many vulnerabilities lack timely analysis and critical information.
  2. There is a need for better tagging and categorization of vulnerabilities, such as associating Common Vulnerability Enumeration (CVE) identifiers with specific products. Without this, organizations struggle to know what vulnerabilities affect their systems.
  3. Alternatives to the NVD like the Sonatype OSS Index and the Open-Source Vulnerabilities (OSV) Database are emerging, but they focus primarily on open-source software. The effectiveness and reliability of the NVD remain crucial for broader security practices.

We need better LLM evaluations

The AI Frontier • 159 implied HN points • 04 Apr 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Machine Learning Data science Internet
  1. Current methods for evaluating language models (LLMs) are not effective because they try to give one-size-fits-all answers. Each LLM is better suited for different tasks, so we need evaluations that reflect that.
  2. It’s important to look at specific skills of LLMs, like how well they follow instructions or retrieve information. This will help users understand which model works best for their needs.
  3. We need more detailed benchmarks that assess individual capabilities rather than general performance scores. This way, developers can make smarter choices when selecting LLMs for their projects.

The Sequence Research #490: A Practical Deep Dive Inside DeepSeek-R1

TheSequence • 70 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Software Computing Innovation
  1. DeepSeek-R1 is a new AI model that performs well without needing to be very big. It uses smart training methods to achieve great results at a lower cost.
  2. The model successfully matches the performance of a larger, more expensive model called GPT-o1. This shows that size isn't the only thing that matters for good performance.
  3. DeepSeek-R1 challenges the idea that you always need large models for reasoning, suggesting that clever techniques can also lead to impressive results.

Log invalid values

CodeFaster • 36 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Programming Software Development Coding Data
  1. Logging invalid values helps in debugging and understanding errors better. By including the actual value in the log, you can see what went wrong.
  2. Using clear and structured logging formats, like JSON, makes it easier to extract useful information later. This can save time and make troubleshooting smoother.
  3. Fast programming techniques and commands can enhance your workflow, letting you focus on coding efficiently rather than getting stuck on minor issues.

AI Roundup 098: Flash Thinking

Artificial Ignorance • 29 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Data Software Policy
  1. Google has introduced a new AI model called Gemini Flash Thinking, which aims to improve AI reasoning. This model is part of a trend where companies want AI to think more like humans.
  2. OpenAI is facing legal challenges while trying to shift to a for-profit model, which could affect its future. They are also experimenting with new features and tools despite these issues.
  3. The UK government is pushing for more transparency from AI companies about their training data, while many in the creative industry are resisting this change as it might threaten their copyright protections.

Links: February 2024 edition

Blog System/5 • 496 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Software Programming Operating Systems Web Browsers Tools
  1. The post summarizes interesting articles, videos, and projects from February 2024 with added commentary to urge readers to explore the content.
  2. There are discussions on topics like old hardware databases, software development reflections, and the challenges of modern software bloat.
  3. The author explores topics like breaking memory limitations in DOS, DJGPP running GNU programs on DOS, and the creation of a library in Rust for implementing memory vulnerabilities.

LLM Links

In My Tribe • 212 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Education Software Innovation Digital Tools
  1. Using AI to do students' writing can take away the benefits of creativity and expression that come from writing practice. It's important for students to engage with the writing process themselves.
  2. AI tools like NotebookLM are changing how we create content, such as podcasts. These tools can generate engaging discussions, but they need to be customizable to suit individual styles.
  3. AI is seen as a powerful tool that can enhance research and intelligence. Instead of just analyzing data, it can help in conducting experiments and discovering new methods in various fields.

pip install sqlmesh-cube

davidj.substack • 23 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Programming Data Development Systems
  1. A new package called 'sqlmesh-cube' is available for anyone to use. You can easily install it with pip.
  2. This package helps create a CLI command that outputs JSON, showing how sqlmesh models relate to each other. It's important for building a semantic layer.
  3. This was the author's first package, and they learned a lot about the publishing process along the way. They are open to feedback and requests for updates.

Event-Driven Agent Mesh

SUP! Hubert’s Substack • 40 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Architecture Software Data processing Automation
  1. An agent mesh is a modern system where multiple AI agents work together to handle tasks more efficiently. This helps break down complex work into smaller parts that specialized agents can manage.
  2. The event-driven architecture allows agents to join or leave the mesh easily, making the system scalable and adaptable to changing needs. This means agents can respond quickly to new information or demands.
  3. Using technologies like Kafka with an agent mesh enables fast communication between agents and helps ensure that no data is lost. This makes the entire system more reliable and capable of handling a lot of information at once.

Edge 460: Anthropic's New Protocol to Link AI Assistants to Data Sources

TheSequence • 119 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Open Source Data Frameworks
  1. Anthropic has created the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to help AI assistants connect with different data sources. This means AI can access more information to assist users better.
  2. MCP is open-source, which allows developers to use and improve the protocol freely. This encourages collaboration and innovation in AI tools.
  3. Anthropic is expanding its focus beyond AI models to include workflows and developer tools, showing that they're growing in new areas within AI technology.

Season 4 Finale: A Fond Farewell, What’s Next, & Would You Rather?

Dev Interrupted • 23 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🎙 Podcasts Technology Engineering Leadership Software AI
  1. The show is ending its fourth season but is excited to change things up next year. They will introduce new ideas, formats, and even have live events.
  2. Programmers need focus time to be productive, and it's important to set aside non-negotiable blocks in the calendar to minimize distractions.
  3. In 2025, leaders want to see real results from AI investments instead of just hype. It's all about proving that AI can make a positive impact on their work.

LangChain Chatbot Framework With Retrievers

Cobus Greyling on LLMs, NLU, NLP, chatbots & voicebots • 99 implied HN points • 07 May 24
🕹 Technology AI Chatbots Development Software Programming
  1. LangChain helps build chatbots that can have smart conversations by using retrievers for specific information. This makes chatbots more useful in different fields.
  2. Retrievers are tools that find documents based on user questions, providing relevant information without needing to store everything. They help the chatbot give accurate answers.
  3. A step-by-step example shows how to use LangChain with Python, making it easier to create a chatbot that answers user inquiries based on real-time data.

Extending the demo: SoulCalibur (Dreamcast)

Rings of Saturn • 43 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Hardware Development Communication
  1. The _SoulCalibur_ demo limits you to two characters and one mode, but a patch can unlock more characters and modes.
  2. This demo is an earlier version of the game, allowing players to explore new features not available in the final release.
  3. Some aspects of the game, like certain modes and features, may crash or behave differently compared to the full game.

The Sequence Engineering #488: Txtai, Maybe the Simplest Way to do Embeddings

TheSequence • 63 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Open Source Databases Development
  1. Embeddings are important for generative AI applications because they help with understanding and processing data. A good embedding framework should be simple and easy for developers to use.
  2. Txtai is an open-source database that combines different tools to make working with embeddings easier. It allows for semantic search and supports creating various AI applications.
  3. This framework can help build advanced systems like autonomous agents and search tools, making it a versatile choice for developers creating LLM apps.

Microsoft's New Framework for Multi-Agent Systems

TheSequence • 175 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Research Innovation Systems
  1. Magentic-One is a new tool from Microsoft that helps manage multiple AI agents to tackle complex tasks. It acts like a conductor guiding different musicians, making it easier to complete different jobs together.
  2. This system allows for flexibility by using different AI models for different tasks, which means it can be customized based on what you need. It's designed to improve efficiency in our daily tasks, like ordering food or doing research.
  3. While Magentic-One is powerful, it's still being improved to reduce errors and ensure it acts safely. The goal is to make sure these AI agents help us reliably without causing problems.

Please take our programming assessment with an LLM

Creating Value from Nothing • 185 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Engineering AI Product Remote work
  1. Clipboard Health is using real-case programming problems in their hiring process. This helps them see how candidates actually work and fit into their async work culture.
  2. They believe that using LLMs, like chatbots or AI tools, is okay during assessments. They see these tools as standard parts of a modern engineer's toolkit, not as cheats.
  3. By allowing LLM use, they hope to create better assessments that truly evaluate a candidate's skill, helping to find the best engineers for their team.

Service as a Software: The New SaaS

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 27 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Software SaaS Automation Consulting
  1. AI is changing how we work by making professional skills available almost instantly and at a low cost. This shift will allow tasks that used to require human expertise to be done by software.
  2. The new idea of 'Service as a Software' (SaaS) could disrupt many professional jobs by automating services like consulting, legal work, and design. This could lead to a significant boost in the economy.
  3. As AI becomes smarter and cheaper, it's expected to make high-quality expertise available to more people, changing how businesses operate and creating new opportunities in various fields.

Harmony, melody, and coding with AI

Sunday Letters • 39 implied HN points • 07 Jul 24
🕹 Technology AI Programming Software Innovation Engineering
  1. We are experiencing a shift in programming that changes how we interact with code and AI. Just like moving from desktop to cloud, this new way will come with challenges and need new thinking.
  2. Combining traditional coding with AI models is important. It's like writing music where the code provides a solid structure, while AI adds creativity and flexibility.
  3. To succeed in this new environment, programmers should keep learning and adapting, using both past knowledge and new technologies carefully together.

We went to DevWorld!

Permit.io’s Substack • 179 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Conferences Software Development Networking Innovation
  1. DevWorld conference is a great chance for developers to learn and share ideas. It's also a fun place to meet other tech enthusiasts and see new tools.
  2. Focusing on listening rather than selling at events helps better understand the challenges developers face. Connecting over shared experiences can be more valuable than just making business deals.
  3. There are exciting new tools and products in the developer space like Sentry for monitoring, and Ditto for offline connectivity solutions. These innovations aim to improve developer experiences and make their work easier.

Big Tech x Generative AI Q3 '24 Update (Part 2)

Tanay’s Newsletter • 44 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Consumer Tech Cloud Computing Open Source
  1. Meta is focusing on open-source AI with the Llama models, claiming they are the most cost-effective and customizable option for developers. They are set to release even better versions soon.
  2. Microsoft’s AI business is booming, especially through their Azure Cloud, with expected revenue surpassing $10 billion. They are integrating AI across many of their products, driving impressive growth.
  3. Both companies are seeing success in using AI to enhance user engagement and advertising effectiveness. Meta has increased user time on their platforms, while Microsoft's AI tools are helping businesses save time and improve efficiency.