Best of InfoWorld — January 2025

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   InfoWorld·1y

   The devops certifications tech companies want

   Devops certifications are highly valued by tech companies and can significantly impact career advancement and salary for both early-career professionals and those transitioning into devops roles. The global devops market is projected to grow substantially, increasing the demand for certified professionals. Certifications such as AWS Certified Devops Engineer, Certified Kubernetes Administrator, and Microsoft Certified Azure Devops Engineer are popular and demonstrate expertise in key tools and methodologies. While practical experience is crucial, certifications validate skills and commitment to continuous learning, making candidates more attractive to employers.

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   InfoWorld·1y

   4 tiny Docker images for lightweight containers

   This post explores how small you can make a Docker image, focusing on four tiny but powerful base images: Alpine, BusyBox, Debian Slim, and Red Hat UBI Micro/Minimal. It discusses the advantages of lightweight containers, such as reduced attack surfaces, fewer dependencies, and faster build times. Additionally, it highlights a bonus repository by Jérôme Petazzoni, which offers experimental minimal Docker images for various tasks.

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   InfoWorld·1y

   Why the C programming language still rules

   The C programming language, despite being developed in 1972, remains a cornerstone in software development due to its performance, bare-metal compatibility, and widespread use. It is often compared to newer languages like C++, Java, C#, Go, Rust, and Python, each of which offers unique advantages and use cases. While other languages provide higher-level features and ease of memory management, C continues to be favored for its minimalism, direct memory access, and efficiency in resource-constrained environments.

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   InfoWorld·1y

   Is ChatGPT making us stupid?

   Developers increasingly rely on LLMs like ChatGPT for coding assistance, potentially sacrificing deep learning and critical thinking. With platforms like Stack Overflow in decline, concerns arise about where future AI models will source their training data. The balance between short-term productivity gains and long-term skill development remains crucial.

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   InfoWorld·1y

   Are 10% of your software engineers lazy?

   Research from Stanford suggests that nearly 10% of software engineers, referred to as 'ghosts,' do virtually nothing but collect hefty salaries. The study criticizes remote workers, implying they spend more time on non-work activities. However, the study's reliance on code commits as a measure of productivity is flawed since writing code is not the only, or most important, task for senior engineers. Effective software development involves understanding and managing software and translating business needs into technical implementations. Counting code commits can be misleading and potentially harmful if used as the sole productivity metric.

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   InfoWorld·1y

   Write Python like it’s 2025

   Explore the latest advancements in Python, including new features in Python 3.13, tips for optimizing code performance, and guides on modern Python practices such as the free-threaded build, replacing deprecated standard library modules, and using the fast package installer uv. Learn how to install Python effectively and discover key strategies for writing cutting-edge Python code.

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   InfoWorld·1y

   4 keys for writing cross-platform apps

   Developing cross-platform applications involves various challenges such as handling path separators, line breaks, and case sensitivity in file systems, particularly with Windows. Using web technologies like Electron can solve front-end consistency issues, but alternatives like Tauri are gaining popularity for smaller deliverables. Cross-compiling on the target platform directly, or using services like GitHub Actions, can simplify the development process. Emerging technologies like WebAssembly offer new possibilities for cross-platform runtime environments.

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   InfoWorld·1y

   11 cutting-edge programming languages to learn now

   Discover 11 cutting-edge programming languages that offer innovative solutions to persistent problems in older languages. These languages, including Coq, Observable, Plang, Mojo, Erg, MoonBit, Wing, Rust, Zig, Jakt, and Odin, provide new syntax and semantics aimed at constructing robust, relatively bug-free code. They cater to specific needs such as complex problem solving, data visualization, leveraging machine learning, enhancing Python capabilities, optimizing edge computing, and ensuring memory safety.

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