Top 3: typescript features to avoid, 12 questions to ask on interview, how to measure your code base complexity and Elon Musk

Hello my friends.

Here's what I picked this week, enjoy!

1. Measuring Software Complexity: What Metrics to Use?​

TL;DR: Metrics for measuring the complexity of the code base.

My notes:

• The number of elements and their coupling determine the complexity of the system.
• Сoupling and сohesion are the main things affecting the complexity of the code base (system). When the сoupling is high and the cohesion is low, complexity is low.
• To measure complexity the author uses four metrics:
  1. Line of codes
  2. Code shape
  3. Structural coupling (common and content coupling)
  4. Logical coupling

From my experience and knowledge of systems, complexity is the best measure of the "health" of the code base.

Also, it can help you to understand whether it is worth refactoring something, how much the team enjoys writing code, and you can also measure how successful you are in getting rid of technical debt.

2. TypeScript Features to Avoid​

TL;DR: Four TypeScript features to avoid.

1. Avoid enums. Use union type.
2. Avoid namespaces. Use modules.
3. Favor #somePrivateField over private somePrivateField.
4. Hold off on using decorators until they’re standardized. If you really need a library that requires them, consider their standardization status when making that decision.

3. The Pragmatic Engineer Test: 12 Questions on Engineering Culture​

TL;DR: 12 questions to get a sense of what a tech company is like to work at, based on things most job postings do not mention.

Tweet of the Week

Thread from Sahil Bloom on what first principles thinking is and how it can help deconstruct complex problems and drive non-linear outcomes. He uses SpaceX and Elon Musk to explain first principles thinking in practice. Enjoy!

Sahil Bloom @SahilBloom First principles thinking is a powerful framework for deconstructing complex problems and driving non-linear outcomes. Here's a breakdown of what it is and how it works: January 8th 2022 1,545 Retweets 6,941 Likes

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That's all for this week, take care and have a great one!

– Nick