Newsletters

The web's clipboard

September 08, 2024

This issue explores the evolution and limitations of web clipboard APIs, the concept of application availability, a puzzling interview question from Steve Ballmer, and the benefits of writing design documents.

Sampling with SQL

September 01, 2024

In this issue, explore the power of sampling in SQL, optimize font performance for faster web loads, learn about bug fixes in Google Chrome as a first-time contributor, and discover erasure coding for distributed systems.

A brief history of block storage at AWS

August 25, 2024

In this issue, explore the evolution of AWS block storage, the new CSS vertical centering feature, insights into Generative AI for code understanding, and Canva's implementation of real-time mouse pointers for collaborative work.

Good Retry, Bad Retry: An Incident Story

August 18, 2024

In this issue, we explore the complexities of retries in coding, the nuances of variable initialization, the pitfalls of microfrontends, collision detection algorithms, and the challenges of creating new programming languages.

How Uber Tests Payments In Production

August 11, 2024

This issue explores key insights into payment systems at Uber, effective web scraping with Playwright, the complexities of scaling serverless applications, and the inner workings of PostgreSQL. Plus, a deep dive into why CSV remains a staple in data processing.

Just disconnect the internet

August 04, 2024

This issue explores the implications of security incidents, mastering financial management, foundational learning in distributed systems, database efficiency, and best practices in Windows security integration.

Building Generative AI Platform

July 28, 2024

In this issue, explore the architecture of generative AI platforms, dive into reverse engineering tutorials, learn effective code review strategies, uncover the workings of Simultaneous Multithreading, and appreciate the elegance of the ASCII table.

Major Windows BSOD issue hits banks, airlines, and TV broadcasters

July 21, 2024

This issue highlights a major Windows BSOD crisis impacting banks and airlines, alongside insights on building financial systems, advanced CLI tips, and the evolving role of developers in the AI age.

Ten Years with Microservices

July 14, 2024

This issue explores a decade of microservices at Allegro, reflections on retirement from programming, the intricacies of SQL queries, techniques for identifying near-duplicates, and insights into TicketMaster's security measures.

A Git story

July 07, 2024

In this issue, explore the unexpected origins of Git, dive into the art of boring code for scalable systems, decode Alt+number sequences, and discover UUID versions and soft skills in software development.

The Itanic Saga

June 30, 2024

In this issue, explore the Itanium saga, Facebook's caching strategies, the risks of code certainty, the concept of percentiles in data, and the complexities of coupling. Plus, a look at a significant supply chain attack affecting over 100,000 sites.

Always Measure One Level Deeper

June 23, 2024

In this issue, explore the depths of performance measurement, the evolving landscape of software development, and insights on code readability. Discover lessons from Google’s file reformatting journey and the significance of implementation details.

The documentation tradeoff

June 16, 2024

This issue features insights on documentation trade-offs, the GJK algorithm for shape overlap, rapid MVP development, GIN indexes in Postgres, and building a basic RDBMS from scratch. Dive in for valuable knowledge.

Queueing

June 09, 2024

This issue dives into key tech topics: explore queueing strategies for HTTP requests, understand the complexities of cookies and tokens, and debate the pitfalls of natural keys in database design. Plus, learn about designing a database for Google Calendar and uncover quirks in S3 that could lead to vulnerabilities.

Engineering for Slow Internet

June 02, 2024

This issue dives into navigating tech challenges like slow internet in remote areas, understanding software complexity, and the nuances of authentication terminology. Plus, insights on building effective AI products with LLMs.

The curious case of the missing period

May 27, 2024

In this issue, we explore a curious email glitch, essential coding pitfalls for software engineers, Uber's data migration for savings, the evolution of monolithic systems, and Airbnb's strides in web accessibility.

Programming like it’s 1977

May 19, 2024

This issue features insights on retro programming with the Atari VCS, understanding CPU cache levels, speeding up Postgres queries, evaluating the microservices trend, and avoiding soft delete pitfalls.

Uncovering the Seams in Mainframes for Incremental Modernisation

May 12, 2024

This issue delves into the challenges and strategies of modernizing legacy systems, career empowerment, the impact of refactoring, optimizing Postgres connections, and timeless performance insights. Explore these insightful topics.

Good Ideas in Computer Science

May 05, 2024

In this issue, explore essential programming insights, from the pitfalls of AWS S3 costs and common DB schema mistakes to the art of Makefiles and effective API design principles. Discover ideas that every programmer should know.

Software Design Principles I Learned the Hard Way

April 28, 2024

In this issue, dive into essential software design lessons, scaling content counting services, enhancing data reliability, and the truth about logging levels. Plus, explore the debate on 10x engineers and a crucial FTC announcement.