1. How small is the smallest .NET Hello World binary?
Total comment counts : 29
Summary
The article explores the minimal amount of bytes required to store a .NET executable that prints “Hello, World!” to the standard output. The author sets arbitrary rules, such as using a managed entry point in C# or CIL, running on .NET Framework 4.x.x, and having no third-party dependencies. They then go through several optimization steps to reduce the file size, including disabling nullable reference types, removing unnecessary metadata and attributes, eliminating imports and base relocations, using ASCII strings instead of wide-character strings, and more. The final size of the binary is 834 bytes, which can be further compressed to 476 bytes when zipped. The author acknowledges that the project may be considered useless, but they enjoyed exploring the limits of the system.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the creation of a snake game using the .NET framework with a file size of under 8KB and no dependency on the .NET runtime. The author highlights the ability to build a self-contained game in C# with minimal resources. The article provides a link to the original post and additional discussions on the topic.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses an executable that requires a runtime to be installed on the system, specifically .NET Framework 4.7.2. The author suggests that a fair comparison for this solution would be .jar or .py files. They recommend using Native AOT binary for an actual executable, which can run on Windows, Linux, or macOS. They note that this type of executable will be larger and include additional code such as GC, ThreadPool, Console, and other auxiliary code.
2. Perl first commit: a “replacement” for Awk and sed
Total comment counts : 23
Summary
The article states that feedback is taken seriously and all input is carefully considered. The documentation provides information on all available qualifiers. Additionally, large differences are not displayed by default.
Top 1 Comment Summary
Perl revolutionized programming by combining the functionality of C, text manipulation, Unix utilities, and data structures into one system. It also made it easy to access anything not included in Perl through backticks. This eliminated the unmanageable mess of combining various tools like Bourne, C or Korn shell, grep, awk, sed, ls, and test. In addition to replacing awk and sed, Perl resolved the issue of maintaining the convoluted system that existed before.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the historical importance of Perl in computing. Despite the criticism it receives, Perl played a crucial role in bridging the gap between shell commands and larger programming languages. The author shares a personal experience of rewriting a complicated shell script in Perl, resulting in significantly improved performance and maintainability. Perl had a significant impact on software development in the 90s, even before the introduction of CGI scripts. The Perl source code was also known for its optimization techniques. However, Perl’s downfall was attributed to its numerous eccentricities and the failure to deliver Perl 6.
3. The Code Review Pyramid (2022)
Total comment counts : 27
Summary
The author of the article discusses the issue of code reviews, noting that there is often too much emphasis on trivial aspects like code formatting and style, while more important aspects like functionality and performance receive less attention. To address this, the author created a visual called the “Code Review Pyramid” to highlight the most crucial parts of a code review and suggest areas that can be automated. The pyramid emphasizes that the foundation of a code review should focus on important aspects, while more minor details should comprise a smaller part. The author used Excalidraw to create the visual.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author discusses their approach to code review and the role of a reviewer. They prioritize readable and maintainable code, while leaving the responsibility of ensuring correctness to the developer. They believe that spending excessive time on code reviews is a waste, as automated processes like CI/CD and deployment structures should catch issues. The main goal of a reviewer is to ensure that future developers can understand the code, especially when modifications are needed. The author also emphasizes the importance of ongoing mentorship rather than only engaging with code during code reviews.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the importance of education in code reviews. The author believes that code review should not only focus on improving software, but also on enhancing the skills of developers. They emphasize that code review is an opportunity to discuss tradeoffs, alternative approaches, and the reasoning behind changes. While the mentoring aspect may be less relevant in large projects with many contractors, small teams can greatly benefit from this educational aspect of code review.
4. The Development of the C Language (1993)
Total comment counts : 15
Summary
The article discusses the history and development of the programming language C. It explains that C was created in parallel with the early development of the Unix operating system, with the most creative period occurring in 1972. The language was officially standardized in the 1980s and was initially associated with Unix but later spread widely throughout the computer industry. The article also describes the development of its predecessor languages, BCPL and B, and the transition from B to C.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the development of the C programming language, emphasizing its quirkiness and flaws along with its immense success. The author highlights Dennis Ritchie as a key figure in the creation of C.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author of the article works in full-stack web development but has been programming in C for their master’s degree and as a hobby. They daydream about transitioning to a career in C due to the frustrations they face with CSS when working on web apps. The article questions whether a career in C would be better.
5. The Concise TypeScript Book
Total comment counts : 14
Summary
The article is about “The Concise TypeScript Book” which provides an overview of TypeScript’s capabilities. It covers topics such as the language’s type system, advanced features, and its benefits. The book is written by Simone Poggiali, an experienced Senior Front-end Developer, and is available as a free and open-source resource. The article also briefly explains TypeScript as a strongly typed programming language that builds on JavaScript and is developed and maintained by Microsoft. It mentions some of the benefits of using TypeScript and provides information on how to install and configure it. The article also discusses TypeScript’s type system, its comparison to JavaScript, and its compatibility with other programming constructs. It mentions the role of the TypeScript compiler and provides examples of TypeScript code. Additionally, the article covers topics like migration from JavaScript to TypeScript, type assertions, and ambient declarations.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article emphasizes that the true advantage of using TypeScript lies in its improved tooling capabilities like code completion, refactoring abilities, and self-documenting code. The ability to catch runtime errors at compile time is valuable but not the main benefit of TypeScript.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author suggests that any part of the JavaScript ecosystem that is not part of a formal standard is likely to be replaced or become obsolete. They use the example of jQuery, which was once widely used but has now been replaced by other technologies. They also mention that front-end development without reactive component-based single-page applications (such as React and Angular) was once unthinkable, but this may change in the future. The author speculates that compile-to-JS type systems may also eventually become outdated, and proposes the idea of including optional run-time validation capabilities in ECMAScript as a potential alternative.
6. Open sourcing the Nginx playground
Total comment counts : 3
Summary
The article announces that the author has made their nginx playground, which was previously not open source, now open source. They provide a link to the GitHub repository and explain that while the project is unmaintained, the build instructions still work. The author admits to not being good at open source and discusses their past belief of improving code later. However, they have decided to embrace open sourcing and may release more projects in the future. The article also mentions a new zine and recommends the Recurse Center as a programming community.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the importance of project maintainers being upfront about their intentions to continue working on a project. The author points out that it can be difficult to determine whether a project is simply stable or if it has stagnated and has unresolved issues. The author suggests that when maintainers actively decide not to work on a project anymore, it would be helpful to have a statement indicating this. The article emphasizes that even taking care of a small “just” list of tasks is better than many active projects receive.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the importance of understanding and articulating the reasons for open-sourcing a project. It suggests that clear explanations such as releasing the code because it may be useful or actively seeking contributors can help prevent wasted effort. It also mentions the value of being transparent about open-sourcing for marketing purposes. Additionally, the article advises selecting a license that aligns with your goals, as open source allows others to sell the product for their own benefit.
7. Can a Rubik’s Cube be brute-forced?
Total comment counts : 24
Summary
The author of the article discusses his interest in using computers to solve Rubik’s Cubes, and the challenges associated with solving them using brute-force algorithms. He introduces the concept of permutation puzzles and explains how the Rubik’s Cube can be represented as a permutation puzzle. The author then introduces a method, inspired by a result from Adi Shamir, that allows for a more efficient way of solving the Rubik’s Cube through splitting the problem into sub-problems. The article concludes with a discussion on the complexity of the Rubik’s Cube problem and the potential for further optimization.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author received a Rubik’s Cube alarm clock as a gift from their mother. The clock had a permanent jumbled design and was frustrating to use. The author was unable to solve it and had to stare at the unsolvable cube every day. Eventually, the author destroyed the clock and no longer has to deal with its frustration.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the title, which implies the author used to solve Rubik’s Cubes by taking them apart and reassembling them.
8. Machine Unlearning Challenge
Total comment counts : 13
Summary
The article addresses the emerging field of machine unlearning, which aims to remove the influence of certain training examples from a trained model. The challenge lies in efficiently adjusting the model to forget specific data without impacting its overall utility and performance. The article announces the first Machine Unlearning Challenge, organized by Google DeepMind in collaboration with academic and industrial researchers. The competition aims to unify the evaluation metrics for unlearning algorithms and promote the development of efficient, effective, and ethical unlearning methods. The article also highlights the potential applications of machine unlearning, such as protecting user privacy, erasing inaccurate information, and addressing fairness issues. The competition will be hosted on Kaggle, and participants will be evaluated based on the strength of their unlearning algorithms and model utility. The authors express their enthusiasm about advancing the field, sparking interest, and sharing insights and findings with the community.
Top 1 Comment Summary
This quote from the movie “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” suggests that the operation being discussed is technically brain damage, but the level of damage is compared to a night of heavy drinking and is said to be insignificant.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article argues that claims of privacy might actually be a means to make censorship more convenient. The author suggests that this could be a method for censoring and removing certain ideas from training data, especially in relation to complying with jurisdictions that enforce thought policing. The article specifically criticizes Google’s approach in outsourcing compliance to such requirements.
9. Don’t Take VC Funding – It Will Destroy Your Company
Total comment counts : 82
Summary
The article discusses the misconceptions and potential pitfalls of seeking venture capital (VC) funding for startups. It highlights that receiving VC funding often means selling a part of the company and does not guarantee profitability. The article argues that VC funding changes the objective of the company from building it on one’s own terms to building it for eventual sale. It also emphasizes that profitability becomes less important as arbitrary metrics and priorities take precedence in order to attract more investors. The author advises considering alternative methods, such as bootstrapping or starting as a consultancy, to build a company with more control and focus on profitability.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article highlights the potential outcomes of raising money from venture capitalists (VCs), which include failure, selling to an acquirer, or going public. The author suggests that if none of these end states align with your goals, it is not advisable to seek funding from VCs. However, the author also shares their positive experience of raising money from VCs, taking their company public, and generating significant returns for investors. While there are negative stories about VC funding, there are also success stories.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the reasons why startups seek funding, but it fails to mention one important reason - to grow faster than or keep up with their competition. The author believes that unless a startup is operating in a market with no competition, they need to closely watch their competitors. If competitors can expand, add features, and acquire more customers at a faster pace, it hinders the startup’s chances of success in that market segment. Taking venture capital funding could potentially provide the necessary velocity to compete effectively. However, the author acknowledges that if the goal is to run a profitable business over the long term, taking VC money may not be a good idea. Ultimately, the decision depends on the founders’ goals.
10. Pocket gets worse the more you use it (2019)
Total comment counts : 39
Summary
The article is about the author’s frustrations with the Pocket app and their desire for a better tool for organizing and managing their archived articles and documents. They discuss the limitations of Pocket, such as the lack of search functionality, difficulty in managing tags, and the inability to make comments or annotations on articles. The author expresses disappointment in the lack of progress and responsiveness from Pocket, and mentions potential alternatives like Evernote and Wallabag. They also discuss their desire for an “expert system” that combines the best features of different tools to create a more comprehensive solution.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the limitations of most “read it later” services and the author’s decision to develop their own software for saving and organizing web pages. The author explains that they have a habit of saving web pages they like in various formats, but they were unable to easily search through them on their computer. To address this, they developed a Node.js service that parses web pages locally and stores them in an SQLite FTS for full-text search. They also added an annotation feature to make notes and annotations directly on the offline HTML. As the app gained users, the author developed a standalone desktop version and an open-source browser extension for easier annotation.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the difference between Pocket and Raindrop as tools for saving and organizing content. The author explains that Pocket is primarily designed for saving articles to read later, while Raindrop is used for organizing and managing content with search, filtering, and categorization features. The author believes that these apps serve different functions and should have different user interfaces. The author argues that it is unfair to criticize Pocket for not excelling at organizing, as it is not meant to be an organization tool.