Remaining Relevant Over Four Decades

Four decades is a long time to be a programmer. I started in 1981 and retired in 2021. During that time, almost everything changed, and I had to change with it. While my situation may be different than starting today, much of what I learned over time can still be helpful to programmers today.

You Want Modules, Not Microservices

Dissecting why everybody keeps talking about microservices.

How Lyft uses load testing

Lyft uses simulated rides as a load testing platform to ensure reliable service during peak events.

Postgres: The Graph Database You Didn't Know You Had

PostgreSQL (Postgres), is a powerful relational database that can store a wide range of data types and data structures. When it comes to storing graph data structures we might reach for a database marketed for that use case like Neo4J or Dgraph. Hold your horses!

Twitter's Recommendation Algorithm

Twitter aims to deliver you the best of what’s happening in the world right now. This blog is an introduction to how the algorithm selects Tweets for your timeline.

Writing Tips for Improving Your Pull Requests

Learn how to write concise and effective pull request descriptions for your code changes. Make it scannable with bulleted lists, speak plainly and avoid jargon, drop unnecessary adverbs, simplify your sentences, and avoid passive voice.

In Praise of Top Down Programming

These days, top-down modular programming is pushed aside by object-oriented programming when it comes to teaching how to program. But there is a place for both methodologies to co-exist and top-down programming solves the ever-present problem of how to begin.