If you‘ve ever downloaded a new operating system, game, or large software program, chances are it came as an ISO file. But what exactly are ISO files, and how do you use them? In this in-depth guide, we‘ll explore everything you need to know about ISO files from the perspective of a full-stack developer and…
My first project as a professional software engineer was both daunting and exhilarating. Fresh out of a coding bootcamp, I suddenly found myself working on a massive enterprise application with over a million lines of code. The learning curve was steep, but immensely rewarding. Looking back, these are the key lessons I took away from…
Software development is a highly in-demand and lucrative career path, but what exactly does the job entail? As a full-stack developer with over a decade of industry experience, I‘m here to give you an inside look at the day-to-day responsibilities, necessary skills, challenges, and rewards of being a professional coder. Whether you‘re an aspiring developer…
As a full-stack developer, I know firsthand the importance of thoroughly testing an application‘s user interface (UI). The UI is the primary way that users interact with your software, so it‘s critical that it functions correctly and provides a smooth, intuitive experience. Manual testing can only get you so far – to truly ensure your…
As software developers, we‘ve all heard the adage: "The truth is in the code." This timeless quote from Robert C. Martin in his book Clean Code[^1] carries a lot of wisdom. But what does it really mean in practice? Put simply, it means that code never lies. While specifications, diagrams, comments and other documentation can…
As a seasoned full-stack developer with over 15 years of experience, I‘ve seen my fair share of bugs. But some bugs are more pernicious than others – the kind that just won‘t stay dead no matter how many times you think you‘ve squashed them. I call these "immortal bugs." Like the mythical Hydra that grows…
As a full-stack developer and music enthusiast, I have always been fascinated by the power of technology to enhance the live music experience. With the rise of music streaming platforms and the increasing popularity of concerts and festivals, I saw an opportunity to create something truly innovative: an algorithm that generates personalized playlists based on…
As full-stack developers, we often find ourselves wearing many hats and making architectural decisions that span the entire stack, from the database all the way up to the user interface. One key decision is determining the balance between complexity in the database (SQL) and complexity in the application code. In many cases, developers treat SQL…
The software engineering industry has a dirty secret – we don‘t value maintenance nearly as much as we should. Culturally, developers are drawn to the allure of starting fresh with a blank text editor rather than diving into an existing, battle-tested codebase. We dream up ambitious rewrites, convinced that the only way to pay down…
In the rapidly evolving world of software development, architectural patterns play a crucial role in building scalable, maintainable, and adaptable systems. Two prominent architectural styles that have gained significant traction in recent years are service-oriented architecture (SOA) and microservice architecture. As a full-stack developer and professional coder, it is essential to understand the principles, benefits,…
As a full-stack developer, you know that securing sensitive application data is paramount in today‘s threat landscape. API keys, database passwords, service account credentials, and other secrets are the crown jewels that attackers are after. According to the 2020 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, over 80% of hacking-related breaches involved the use of lost or…
In the ever-evolving landscape of software development, the debate between microservices and monoliths has been a topic of constant discussion among full-stack developers and professional coders. As someone who has worked on numerous projects employing both architectures, I have witnessed firsthand the advantages and challenges that come with each approach. In this article, we will…