Best of CareerMay 2025

  1. 1
    Article
    Avatar of sknexusSK NEXUS·50w

    How to Rebuild Yourself From Zero: A Practical System for Personal Growth

    Building confidence requires a systematic approach involving evidence, skills, discipline, accountability, and environment. Starting from zero, focus on small achievements and consistent progress. Gradually enhance skills, establish routines, seek community support, and optimize your surroundings to create a conducive environment for growth.

  2. 2
    Article
    Avatar of threedotslabsThree Dots Labs·49w

    Synchronous vs Asynchronous Architecture

    Explores the trade-offs between synchronous and asynchronous architecture patterns for backend systems. Synchronous approaches offer simplicity and predictability but can create bottlenecks and tight coupling. Asynchronous patterns using message queues and events provide better scalability and resilience but introduce complexity in debugging, testing, and error handling. The discussion covers common anti-patterns like distributed monoliths, naive background processing approaches, and improper message ordering. Emphasizes that good design matters more than technology choice, and recommends starting with synchronous architecture by default, then adopting async patterns where they provide clear benefits like handling external API failures or traffic spikes.

  3. 3
    Article
    Avatar of medium_jsMedium·1y

    21 Essential System Design Building Blocks for Software Engineers

    System design is crucial for building scalable, efficient, and reliable systems. This post outlines 21 essential components such as CDN, databases, rate limiter, and API Gateway that form the foundation for robust system architecture. It emphasizes the importance of these building blocks in interviews and real-world applications like e-commerce platforms, and recommends resources for further learning.

  4. 4
    Article
    Avatar of bytebytegoByteByteGo·1y

    EP161: A Cheatsheet on REST API Design Best Practices

    REST API design involves best practices such as using resource-oriented paths, applying HTTP verbs properly, maintaining API versioning, and utilizing standard error codes. Ensuring APIs are idempotent and supporting pagination can enhance performance and reliability. Security measures like using API Keys, JWTs, OAuth2, and HTTPS are crucial for protecting APIs in production.

  5. 5
    Article
    Avatar of frankelA Java geek·50w

    Writing for Developers

    The post reviews 'Writing for Developers' by Piotr Sarna and Cynthia Dunlop, a comprehensive guide for those involved in technical writing. It highlights the book's structured approach, including 17 chapters divided into four parts, focusing on writing fundamentals, the writing process, blog post patterns, and promotion strategies. It praises the breakdown of blogging patterns for its usefulness but notes repetitive reminders about company trade secrets.

  6. 6
    Article
    Avatar of workchroniclesWork Chronicles·50w

    (comic) Where do you see yourself in 5 years

    The post humorously explores the common interview question "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" through a comic perspective, reflecting on career predictions and aspirations in a witty manner.

  7. 7
    Article
    Avatar of workchroniclesWork Chronicles·50w

    (comic) I need you to be agile

    A humorous comic highlights the challenges and expectations in adopting agile methodologies within workplace dynamics, emphasizing the gap between management's demands and practical implementation.

  8. 8
    Article
    Avatar of sknexusSK NEXUS·51w

    You Need To Create Systems, Not Just Goals

    Achieving goals can feel overwhelming without a system, as urgent tasks often overshadow long-term aspirations. By prioritizing and organizing goals using the Eisenhower matrix, and incorporating systems like journaling and habit tracking, individuals can manage multiple aspects of life effectively. Creating a personalized life operating system helps automate progress towards goals while reducing stress. Focusing on long-term objectives turns them into manageable daily tasks, facilitating growth and success.

  9. 9
    Article
    Avatar of itnextITNEXT·52w

    What does a Technical Lead do?

    The post explores the role of a Technical Lead, highlighting their responsibilities in guiding the technical direction of projects, mentoring team members, and ensuring alignment with business goals. It discusses the importance of technical ownership, project execution, cross-team communication, and quality oversight. Additionally, it touches on the concept of an Uber Tech Lead, who oversees multiple projects or teams and contributes to strategic decision-making.

  10. 10
    Article
    Avatar of workchroniclesWork Chronicles·1y

    (comic) You're doing a great job!

    The post features a comic about work from 'Work Chronicles,' created with love and lots of coffee. It showcases a humorous take on workplace situations, highlighting the lighter side of professional life.

  11. 11
    Article
    Avatar of systemdesigncodexSystem Design Codex·1y

    Key API Design Considerations

    A well-designed API is crucial for predictability, consistency, and scalability. Key considerations include defining clear interfaces, choosing the appropriate API paradigm (REST, GraphQL, or gRPC), modeling relationships effectively, implementing versioning strategies, and using rate limiting to manage requests. Treating APIs as products enhances their usability and maintainability.

  12. 12
    Article
    Avatar of workchroniclesWork Chronicles·49w

    (comic) Ownership

    A workplace comic exploring themes of ownership and responsibility in professional environments, likely highlighting common scenarios around accountability and blame in team settings.

  13. 13
    Article
    Avatar of architectureweeklyArchitecture Weekly·1y

    Why We Should Learn Multiple Programming Languages

    Exploring the value of learning multiple programming languages, this piece highlights how language flexibility can enhance a developer's skills and adaptability. It discusses scenarios where adding a new language can be beneficial, such as solving specific business problems or improving hiring processes. It emphasizes thoughtful consideration of language changes to avoid unnecessary complexity and maintenance challenges, advocating collaboration across frontend and backend development areas.

  14. 14
    Article
    Avatar of hnHacker News·51w

    My Engineering Craft Regressed

    The author shares their journey of investing significant time in open source projects post-university, only to find job recruiters did not value it. Despite a strong skill set, they struggled to secure lucrative roles, and eventually shifted focus to Leetcode, which resulted in a significant salary increase but caused a regression in their technical skills. Now, they receive high-paying job offers without the same fulfillment they had from their open source work.

  15. 15
    Article
    Avatar of systemdesignnewsSystem Design Newsletter·1y

    What Is a DNS Server and How Does It Work

    The post explains the Domain Name System (DNS), comparing it to a phone book that translates site names into IP addresses. It describes the process of how browsers, operating systems, and resolver servers interact to locate a site's IP address. The DNS hierarchy involves root servers, top-level domain (TLD) servers, and authoritative name servers, each playing a specific role. DNS uses caches to improve efficiency and reduce latency.

  16. 16
    Video
    Avatar of zoranhorvatZoran Horvat·51w

    5 Habits I Had To Give Up To Become a Better Programmer

    The post explores five detrimental habits the author had in their early programming career and the journey to overcome them, focusing on control flow complexities, reliance on abstractions, and ensuring proper refactoring. Insights on simplifying code and promoting organic growth of abstractions are discussed.

  17. 17
    Article
    Avatar of systemdesigncodexSystem Design Codex·51w

    From Typing URL To Showing the Webpage

    Discover the complex process involved when you type a URL into a browser and press Enter. This action initiates a journey through networking protocols, DNS resolution, TCP connections, and browser rendering, culminating in a fully loaded webpage. Understand each stage, from determining if text is a URL to caching, DNS lookups, and finally rendering the page for viewing.

  18. 18
    Article
    Avatar of systemdesignnewsSystem Design Newsletter·52w

    The System Design Newsletter

    The post explains the concept of JSON Web Tokens (JWT) and their structure, as well as their role in user authentication and authorization. It highlights the advantages of using JWT in distributed systems for scalability and ease of managing user sessions across servers. The post also addresses potential security risks associated with JWT and offers tips for mitigating these risks.

  19. 19
    Article
    Avatar of uxplanetUX Planet·50w

    Specialists were built for a world that no longer exists

    The era of specialization is diminishing as AI transforms the job landscape by automating tasks, demanding a shift towards generalists who possess a diverse skill set. Professionals with adaptability and a broad range of knowledge stand out in complex, unpredictable environments, while traditional specialists must evolve beyond mastery of single skills to remain relevant.

  20. 20
    Article
    Avatar of swizecswizec.com·49w

    You're a business

    Treating your job like a business leads to increased autonomy, responsibility, and strategic influence. This mindset shift transforms your role from executing specific tasks to achieving broader goals and eventually to identifying needs and making things happen independently. The approach offers the benefits of business ownership while avoiding many of the associated burdens since others handle administrative aspects.

  21. 21
    Video
    Avatar of primeagenThePrimeTime·49w

    Be A Great Programmer

    The post discusses the importance of recognizing one's potential impact on the world despite societal conditioning to believe otherwise. It highlights how small, incremental changes can lead to significant personal growth and stresses the difference between formal education and real-world opportunities. Challenges such as lifestyle creep and learned helplessness are examined, encouraging individuals to take proactive steps in their lives.

  22. 22
    Article
    Avatar of devtoDEV·51w

    They say my job won't survive...

    Throughout his career, the author reflects on the various technological threats claimed to end his role in software development. Despite predictions from quantum computing to AI, the anticipated extinction hasn't materialized yet. He underscores the importance of adaptability and keeping focus amidst rumors, expressing gratitude for not succumbing to constant doom calls.

  23. 23
    Video
    Avatar of primeagenThePrimeTime·49w

    Feeling Stuck?

    Many individuals hesitate to start projects due to the fear of failure and uncertainty. Success often stems from years of experience rather than overnight insights. Initiating any project can lead to new ideas and progress, emphasizing the importance of action and learning through the process.

  24. 24
    Video
    Avatar of thevimeagenTheVimeagen·1y

    I Tried Golf.Vim

    The post explores the experience of integrating a game called Vim Golf with the Vim editor to enhance coding skills through keystroke challenges. The author attempts various strategies to optimize keystrokes and reflects on the fun yet challenging aspects of the game. The concept highlights the use of games for improving technical proficiency with Vim.

  25. 25
    Video
    Avatar of youtubeYouTube·1y

    Everything I Studied to Become a Machine Learning Scientist at Amazon with ZERO Tech Background

    The author shares their journey from a non-tech background to becoming a machine learning scientist at Amazon, emphasizing the strategic learning of various tools and theories. They highlight the courses, resources, and skills that were valuable, along with those that were less effective. The importance of consistent learning, project-based application, and the ability to continuously adapt is underscored.