Writing

Notes on building software

Honest takes on shipping products, indie hacking, and the realities of the tech industry. No fluff.

Lynx vs React Native vs Flutter: TikTok’s New Framework in Perspective

Cross-platform mobile development in 2025 has a new contender. ByteDance (TikTok’s parent company) recently open-sourced Lynx, joining Meta’s React Native and Google’s Flutter as frameworks for building iOS and Android apps from one codebase (Cross-P...

javascriptreactframeworks

How to Build a Referral Program with Node.js

A referral program is a great way to acquire new users and retain existing ones by encouraging them to share your service. In this article, we will walk through building a simple referral system using Node.js, Express, and MongoDB. Prerequisites Befo...

nodejsjavascriptdatabases

How to Create a Discord Bot

Discord bots are a great way to automate tasks, moderate servers, and enhance user engagement. Whether you want a bot for moderation, games, music, or other utilities, creating a bot is simpler than it may seem. This guide will walk you through the s...

nodejsjavascript

A Comprehensive Introduction to Vue.js

What is Vue.js? Vue.js is a progressive JavaScript framework used for building user interfaces and single-page applications (SPAs). It was created by Evan You and first released in 2014. Vue is known for its simplicity, flexibility, and ease of integ...

javascriptframeworksweb-development

What’s New in Next.js 15: A Comprehensive Overview

As web development evolves, frameworks like Next.js continuously innovate to meet the growing needs of developers and businesses alike. The release of Next.js 15 brings exciting new features, performance optimizations, and developer-friendly updates ...

nextjsreactweb-development

Understanding Scala: A Modern and Powerful Language for the JVM

Scala is a multi-paradigm programming language that combines the best features of both object-oriented and functional programming. It is a powerful language that runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and is interoperable with Java. In this article, ...

web-developmentframeworks

Zig Programming Language

In the vast landscape of programming languages, where each claims to solve unique problems, Zig has emerged as a rising star in the systems programming domain. Created by Andrew Kelley in 2016, Zig is a general-purpose programming language that empha...

web-developmentframeworks

A Deep Dive into React 19: New Features, Improvements, and Best Practices

React 19, released in December 2024, marks a significant step forward in modern web development. Packed with innovative features, React 19 is designed to make web applications faster, easier to maintain, and more powerful. This article explores the m...

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Getting Started with Prisma and Neon DB: A Modern Approach to Database Management

In the world of modern application development, managing your database effectively is as critical as writing clean code. Developers today are looking for solutions that are powerful, flexible, and easy to integrate into their workflows. Prisma and Ne...

databasesnodejstypescript

Dotfiles: The Secret Weapon for Effortless Configuration Management

As a developer, there’s nothing more satisfying than setting up a new machine and having all your favorite tools and settings ready to go in minutes. That’s where dotfiles come in -- a developer’s best-kept secret for managing and syncing configurations...

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Why Every Developer Should Learn Algorithms and Data Structures

In the world of software development, algorithms and data structures are the backbone of efficient programming. While many developers focus on learning the latest frameworks or languages, mastering algorithms and data structures can give you a deeper...

algorithmscareerweb-development

5 Common Mistakes Freelancers Make With Invoicing (And How to Fix Them)

Invoicing is a critical part of freelancing, yet it’s often overlooked or mismanaged. Mistakes in this area can delay payments, strain client relationships, and disrupt your cash flow. Below are five common invoicing mistakes freelancers make -- and act...

freelancingproductivity

Letting Go: Lessons Learned from My Startup Journey with Taskpad.io

Hi, internet friends! Today, I want to share my journey of starting and eventually letting go of my first startup. About six months ago, I launched Taskpad.io, a product designed to help freelancers manage their clients, projects, timesheets, invoice...

startupsnextjsfreelancing

NextJS for Web Apps: A Technical Perspective

Why NextJS? NextJS has gained significant popularity for its hybrid approach to web development, blending SSR (server-side rendering) and SSG (static site generation) with client-side rendering. This flexibility makes it an attractive choice for deve...

nextjsreactweb-development

Blue light glasses. My experience

Hello everyone! My name is Alex Cloudstar Today I want to tell you about one of the lessons I learned during my career as a software engineer. Health is above all else, which is why I try to maintain it as much as possible, while also maintaining my ...

careerproductivity

A day in the life of a programmer. New challenges or a routine?

Hello everyone! My name is Alex Cloudstar Today I want to tell you about a day in my life as a senior programmer with 5 years of experience. I’m sure that many of you are curious if programmers really only work 3 hours a day, if we sit non-stop at th...

careerproductivity

Typing Towards Health: The Benefits of Split Keyboards

Hello everyone! My name is Alex Cloudstar and for the past months I’ve been using a split keyboard. Even though I was highly uncertain if it would be a good investment, it was. Therefore, I want to convince you too. This article is meant for people w...

productivitydevtools

A Software Developer’s Struggles in the 8-Hour Office Marathon

Hello Everyone! My Name is Alex Cloudstar I want to share with you today one of the problems that aren’t really specified in any JDs. In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, software developers find themselves at the forefront of innovation, ti...

careerproductivity

From Novice to Ninja: The Art of Skillful Software Development in a Dynamic World

Staying Ahead in the Fast-Paced World of Software Development In the fast-paced world of software development, staying ahead of the curve is not just a competitive advantage but a necessity for professional growth. As technology evolves at an unp...

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Senior Developer’s Crystal Ball: Tech Predictions for 2024

Hey there, fellow tech enthusiasts! My name is Alex Cloudstar and today I want to share with you some insides of mine. As a seasoned developer who’s seen the ebb and flow of the digital tide, let’s dive into the swirling vortex of what the future mig...

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