tl;dr in tech - Issue #99
Hashing
By: Sam Rose
tl;dr: A 101 on hash functions. The article explains how to test hash functions and real-world use-cases like hash maps. Knowing how hashing works is fundamental for database management, data retrieval, and security.
An Explosion In Software Engineers Using AI Coding Tools?
By: Gergely Orosz
tl;dr: AI coding tools can be your Yoda—they help you learn languages (57%), increase productivity (53%), and reduce repetitive tasks (51%). Engineers are increasingly using these tools to leverage productivity and skill-building.
Failure
By: Mike Fisher
tl;dr: “Embracing failure, dissecting it, and learning from it not only builds stronger systems but also fosters an environment of psychological safety, creativity, and continuous improvement.” A culture shift to understanding failures as systemic rather than personal can be transformative.
How Google Measures And Manages Tech Debt
By: Abi Noda
tl;dr: Technical debt isn't just messy code—it's a multi-headed beast. Google measures and categorizes tech debt to manage it effectively. Understanding the types of tech debt your team struggles with can guide debt reduction strategies.
The Surprising Power Of Documentation
By: Vadim Kravcenko
tl;dr: “Start small, but start today. Don't wait for a grand strategy or a perfect tool." Documentation isn't just an afterthought—it's an ongoing part of your engineering workflow. Makes handovers easier and troubleshooting quicker.
Some Blogging Myths
By: Julia Evans
tl;dr: Busting myths around blogging. You don't need to be a guru, you don't need the perfect post, and you certainly don't need everyone to read it. Just start writing!
Get It Done
By: Andrew Bosworth
tl;dr: “I relate strongly to the instinct many of us have to do things ourselves rather than involve others.” Not involving others can be counterproductive. Leadership trusts those who openly discuss challenges rather than suffering in silence.
How Canva Saves Millions Annually In Amazon S3 Costs
By: Josh Smith
tl;dr: Canva saved ~$3.6M p.a. by migrating user-generated data to S3 Glacier Instant Retrieval storage. Understanding data usage patterns and applying appropriate storage classes can result in substantial savings.
Self-Healing Code Is The Future Of Software Development
By: Ben Popper
tl;dr: The future is now, almost. Self-healing code with generative AI is in development. This technology has the potential to revolutionize software maintenance and create more robust systems.
Helicopter Management And Other Mistakes
By: Charity Majors
tl;dr: “The message is simply that it took me years and years to learn that there is more to being a great manager than caring about my team.” Avoid rookie manager mistakes like over-identifying with your team and not considering organizational context.
Accountability For Effective Teams
By: Jessica Kerr
tl;dr: Accountability should focus on behavior rather than just metrics. Courageous conversations and collective goal alignment are crucial for long-term team effectiveness.
How Platform Engineering Works
By: Chad McElligott
tl;dr: “I feel confident you will have a solid foundation upon which to build an effective Platform Engineering team if you follow these four principles.” Platform engineering is not just about tools; it's about understanding and solving for your customer.
What Drives Adoption Of Internal Developer Tools?
By: Abi Noda
tl;dr: Adoption of internal tools is driven by various factors like configurability, tech compatibility, visibility, and workflow alignment. Knowing these can guide your tool development strategy.
How To Make Difficult Technical Decisions You And Your Team Won't Regret
By: Jordan Cutler
tl;dr: Decision paralysis? Use Jordan's methods to evaluate technical decisions. Considering reversibility, consulting team members, and viewing from end-user perspective can provide valuable insights.
The Modern Way Of Serving Images
By: Jacob Groß
tl;dr: "The following article will guide you through responsive image techniques." A comprehensive guide on new techniques to make your image tags more effective and resource-efficient.
Linking Modular Architecture To Development Teams
By: Matthew Foster
tl;dr: “This article charts the journey of an enterprise who set out to shift their architecture to a more modular one.” Modularity extends beyond code—it affects team structure, communication lines, and overall delivery performance.