Django by example(Antonio Mele) - book review

Disclaimer: At the time of starting to write this article, the next version of the book under review, has not been published yet. If you want to read the newest version, you can find it here Many people don’t have enough time to research for a book. I think such articles could help people, accelerate their (correct)decision. That’s why I decided to write this article. This is a quick and dense review of Django by example by Antonio Mele Continue reading

Doctests, the shy giant of testing modules

Do you use python, even to wash your clothes? Do you find unit testing boring, but still have to do it, because you find value in automated testing? Then this article is for you. The idea I believe you have used the python console, from time to time. Lets assume you are writing a few inline functions like below, to experiment with stuff: $ python Python 3.6.4 |Anaconda custom (64-bit)| (default, Jan 16 2018, 18:10:19) [GCC 7. Continue reading

The art of leveraging time

Oh dear, if I had a dime, every time(oh just made a rhime, twice :D) someone complained to me about the lack of time. Even if that guy is…myself. Life is a bi..h, according to folk wisdom, but if it is “fair and square” with one thing it is time. We all have 24h per day to achieve our goals, complete our personal and professional tasks, spend quality time with our family and friends, take care of our bodies and so much more. Continue reading

How being lazy, led me to publicize my first python package

How being lazy, led me to publicize my first python package There is a common saying, in the software industry, which goes like: I want to hire a lazy developer because he will find the way to deal with difficult problems in the shortest and easiest manner. I wasn’t there the first time this was told, but rumors say that these words belong to Bill Gates. I don’t know if Mr Gates would ever hire me(wink wink) but I have to admit that having that kind of laziness, has led me, from time to time, to create interesting and time saving libraries/scripts/workarounds. Continue reading

Must-read books for software engineers - the alternative list

There are tons of great books out there and a gazillion articles recommending them. The purpose of this article is not to recommend them again; I am pretty certain, that all such lists are very easy to be found with a few Google searches and no one needs me to tell him, that Code Complete is a must-read. Thus, I’m going to list some books that are not very…popular, but they are totally worth reading. Continue reading

How to get familiar with a new codebase

Most of us, quite often, are in need to familiarize with a new code base. You might be an avid open source guy/girl who wants to contribute to another project, or you just started a new job, and you want to familiarize with the platform that will be a big part of your life, during the next months/years…or just for fun, because who’s watching comedies nowadays? Familiarizing with a new code base is a keystone skill, every software engineer should acquire on this beautiful planet. Continue reading

Fantastic youtube channels, with top-quality learning for software engineers

Video training is undeniably one of the most popular methods, for self-taught programmers and according to Forbes, the most popular, amongst millennials. Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young. (Henry Ford) As far as I know, many people are relying on one or more of the most popular video training platforms like Pluralsight, Udemy or Coursera but they use accounts funded by the company they are working for. Continue reading