News Nug
026: Exploring Rails' Default Debugger with Stan Lo

Published: 2024-10-10 | Origin: /r/ruby

The content promotes "The Rails Changelog" podcast, inviting listeners to tune in through various podcasting apps or directories. It also mentions AppSignal APM, a tool that provides error tracking, performance monitoring, dashboards, host metrics, and alerts, specifically designed for Ruby, Ruby on Rails, Elixir, Node.js, and JavaScript applications.

Game Programming in Prolog

Published: 2024-10-10 | Origin: Hacker News

The author, an enthusiast of unconventional programming paradigms, enjoys learning programming languages that differ significantly from typical object-oriented languages like C# and Java. They highlight LISP and Prolog as significant languages, with LISP being known for functional programming and metalinguistic patterns, while Prolog is recognized for logic programming. Although learning these languages can be challenging, particularly compared to C-style languages like Ruby and Python, the experience is intellectually stimulating. The author began learning LISP through MIT's 198

DeskPad – A virtual monitor for screen sharing

Published: 2024-10-10 | Origin: Hacker News

The content discusses the importance of user feedback and how it is taken seriously. It introduces "DeskPad," a virtual monitor application designed for screen sharing. This tool is useful for workflows that involve switching between multiple applications, particularly when the presenter has a larger display than the audience. DeskPad creates a mirrored virtual display within its window, making it easier to share content. Users can download it directly or install it via Homebrew. The app works like an additional monitor, allowing macOS to manage window arrangements

Why You Shouldn't Forget to Optimize the Data Layout

Published: 2024-10-10 | Origin: /r/programming

To enhance program performance, it's essential to optimize not only the algorithmic complexity but also the data structure's layout. Algorithms significantly influence performance, with lower complexity options (e.g., O(log n) instead of O(n)) providing substantial improvements. However, data organization also impacts efficiency, especially considering physical factors like data latency to caches, disks, and RAM. After optimizing algorithms, programmers should focus on structuring data to align with access patterns to maximize performance. A well-optimized data layout can significantly

We replaced k8s StatefulSets, here’s why

Published: 2024-10-10 | Origin: /r/programming

Timescale offers enhanced PostgreSQL solutions that focus on high-speed ingestion and querying of time-based data, along with capabilities for AI and vector processing. Key features include: - **Timeseries and Analytics**: Optimized for rapid handling of time-series data. - **AI and Vector**: Supports building AI applications using extensions like pgvector and pgai. - **Dynamic PostgreSQL (Early Access)**: Provides serverless managed services without traditional drawbacks. - **Deployment Options**: Includes Timescale Cloud

How CDNs Work (Propshaft / Static Assets Pt. 2) | Judoscale

Published: 2024-10-10 | Origin: /r/ruby

In part two of Jon Sully's series on Propshaft and asset delivery in Rails, the focus shifts to how assets are managed in a production environment. After covering the basics in part one, such as file placement, fingerprinting, and the final location of static files, this segment explores the fetching of assets when a user navigates to a Rails application hosted on a domain. By using Propshaft helpers like `stylesheet_link_tag` and `javascript_include_tag`, the final HTML output includes fingerprinted

AAA Gaming on Asahi Linux

Published: 2024-10-10 | Origin: Hacker News

On October 10, 2024, Asahi Linux announced the release of its game playing toolkit for Linux on M1 hardware, featuring integration of Vulkan 1.3 drivers, x86 emulation, and Windows compatibility, along with OpenCL 3.0 support. This toolkit allows gaming on M1 and M2 systems, with Control being one of the titles that runs well in its alpha state. To get started, users need to install Fedora Asahi Remix, update their drivers

Disabling GIL in Python 3.13

Published: 2024-10-10 | Origin: /r/programming

Python 3.13 has been officially released, featuring a significant change: the option to make the Global Interpreter Lock (GIL) optional, allowing for faster multi-threaded programs. To disable the GIL, users should download and install Python 3.13, ensuring to select the advanced installation option to install the alternative build named python3.13t. This build, known as "Free-threaded CPython," has the GIL disabled by default, enabling improved multi-threading capabilities.

My negative views on Rust

Published: 2024-10-10 | Origin: /r/programming

The author reflects on their current thoughts about the Rust programming language, acknowledging both positive aspects and concerns. They note that the use of 'unsafe' code can be alarming but compare it to foreign function interfaces (FFI), suggesting it's not a major issue. However, they express more frustration with Rust's error handling mechanism, specifically the coexistence of explicit error handling and panics, which can lead to inconsistent behavior. The author also critiques Rust's use of "magical sugar constructs" that complicate

"Bad Apple" in Minecraft

Published: 2024-10-10 | Origin: Hacker News

The Demoscene is an art form focused on showcasing the capabilities of computers by performing tasks outside their intended design. A well-known example is the shadow-art animation "Bad Apple!!," which has been rendered on various platforms including the Commodore 64 and Super Mario Bros. The author discusses their attempt to recreate "Bad Apple!!" within Minecraft, noting the challenges posed by the game's slow simulation and rendering engines. They express gratitude to those who inspired and helped them and acknowledge that previous attempts at this

Practices of Reliable Software Design

Published: 2024-10-10 | Origin: /r/programming

The author shares insights gained from designing an in-memory cache after a friend's challenge. They emphasize eight key practices for software development influenced by their experience. First, they advocate for using off-the-shelf solutions, like Redis, when available, as building complex systems can be costly and unnecessary. If custom solutions are necessary, simplicity and reliability should be prioritized over feature-rich designs. The author notes that enhancing reliable software with new features is easier than adding reliability to software that is already feature-heavy. They also suggest

How to piss off the open-source community (The AI startup drama that's damaging Y Combinator's reputation)

Published: 2024-10-10 | Origin: /r/programming

This past weekend, PearAI, a Y Combinator startup and open-source AI code editor, faced significant backlash shortly after its launch due to accusations that it cloned an existing project called Continue.dev. The controversy intensified not just because of the alleged copying, but also due to the co-founders' defensive responses and lack of clarity about their project's origins. A tweet by co-founder Duke Pan announcing PearAI’s launch went viral, leading to claims on social media that the startup misled users by

WASM Is the New CGI

Published: 2024-10-10 | Origin: Hacker News

The author draws a parallel between WebAssembly (Wasm) and the Common Gateway Interface (CGI), suggesting that Wasm represents the next evolution in web application models. CGI facilitated the transition of the web from static documents to interactive applications, enabling developers to write code that enhances website interactivity. Wasm, in this context, is positioned to introduce a new model aimed at achieving high-performance applications that are easier to build and maintain. The essay will explore the history of web application models, illustrating

How to make Product give a shit about your architecture proposal

Published: 2024-10-10 | Origin: Hacker News

The author shares an experience with a plumber who inspected their home for a potential water service line leak, prompted by a wet yard and low sink water pressure. After examining various components, the plumber presented multiple service packages with escalating costs and features, starting from a comprehensive "platinum package" down to a basic "band-aid" option. The author found it difficult to gauge whether all the proposed services were necessary but ultimately negotiated a tailored package that met their needs. They draw an analogy between this experience

You Don’t Know Jack about Bandwidth

Published: 2024-10-09 | Origin: Hacker News

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Why Gov.uk's Exit this Page component doesn't use the Escape key

Published: 2024-10-09 | Origin: Hacker News

The blog post discusses the Exit this Page (EtP) component launched by the GOV.UK Design System, designed as a safety tool for individuals in potentially violent domestic situations. This feature includes a prominent red button that redirects users to BBC Weather. Notably, it can be activated by pressing the ⇧ Shift key three times, ensuring that users can quickly leave a page without hesitation. A common question is why the feature does not use the Escape key, which seems intuitive for an "escape" function

Announcing TypeScript 5.7 Beta

Published: 2024-10-09 | Origin: /r/programming

TypeScript 5.7 Beta has been announced, and it can be accessed via npm. This version introduces improved error reporting for uninitialized variables, particularly in cases where variables are accessed in separate functions. While TypeScript will still support variables that may have been initialized, it can now correctly identify those that have never been initialized at all, thanks to a contribution from GitHub user Zzzen. Additionally, TypeScript can now be run "in-place" using various tools like ts-node, ts

Internet Archive: Security breach alert

Published: 2024-10-09 | Origin: Hacker News

The Internet Archive experienced a security breach recently, confirmed by founder Brewster Kahle. A pop-up notification on the site indicated it had been hacked, citing that 31 million user accounts were compromised. This information was linked to a file received by Troy Hunt, the operator of the data breach notification service Have I Been Pwned? (HIBP). The file included various user details, and Hunt noted that 54% of the affected accounts were already on HIBP's records from previous breaches

Python 3.13 Boosts Performance and Developer Experience

Published: 2024-10-09 | Origin: /r/programming

The Python Software Foundation has released Python 3.13 on October 7, 2024, featuring significant enhancements aimed at improving performance and the developer experience. Key updates include an experimental Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler for speed improvements, a new interactive interpreter with multiline editing and color support for a more user-friendly coding environment, and updates to platform support for mobile and web development. Additionally, Python 3.13 modernizes the language by removing deprecated modules and implementing API changes, reflecting its

Washington's 'forgotten giant' volcano stirs

Published: 2024-10-09 | Origin: Hacker News

Mount Adams, Washington's largest volcano, has shown increased seismic activity with six minor earthquakes detected in September, the highest count in a single month since 1982. Despite this unusual increase, geologists from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) assure that it is not yet cause for alarm, as the earthquakes were all below a magnitude of 2.0 and not felt at the surface. The USGS has increased monitoring efforts in the area, maintaining that Mount Adams remains at the normal alert