Tech Opinions
My opinions on Java, AI and technology.
Commentary, tutorials, opinions and practical development insights from TheServerSide.
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Choosing Better Alternatives to Master-Slave Terminology
Explore inclusive vocabulary for distributed systems and software tools, including alternatives adopted by Jenkins, Drupal, Redis, and SaltStack.
Other
Design Better REST URLs with Path and Query Parameters
See why embedding filters and properties in URL paths creates rigid APIs, and how query parameters support clearer, more extensible searches.
Spring
Five Joe Rogan Episodes Programmers Should Hear
Discover conversations about software development, game creation, entrepreneurship, social media, and technology, plus one bonus podcast recommendation.
Other
WebSphere Portal's Future Under HCL Digital Experience
The article examines HCL's roadmap for the former IBM Digital Experience platform, including containerization, microservices, and the removal of WebSphere.
Spring
The Case for a Desktop-Based Developer Workstation
Explore why a powerful desktop paired with an affordable laptop can improve developer performance, comfort, flexibility, and data protection.
Spring
Keep Non-LTS Java Releases Out of Production
The six-month JDK release cycle makes supported Java LTS versions the safer choice for production systems and long-term maintenance.
Spring
Understanding Java Performance Against C++
Learn how bytecode, JIT compilation, memory management, and processor-specific JVM optimizations affect Java's speed compared with C++.
Spring
What Fluentd Teaches Us About SEO-Friendly Project Names
Learn how clear, distinctive project names improve search visibility, discoverability, and technology adoption.
Other
A Practical Approach to Staying Relevant in Technology
Rapid technology changes make self-directed learning essential for DevOps professionals who want to keep their skills current and valuable.
Skills
The Case for Reading XML and Writing JSON
Why one developer prefers structured XML from external REST services but keeps delivering flexible JSON to web clients.
Spring
Why Java Should Improve Its Default toString() Output
Java's basic object representation offers little help during troubleshooting, logging, or debugging when developers need meaningful state information.
Spring
Communicate Clearly and Effectively at Work
Learn practical strategies for sharing relevant information clearly, respecting your audience, and avoiding wasted time in workplace conversations.
Skills
Why Jenkins and Maven Work Better Together
Jenkins and Maven serve different roles in the Java and DevOps toolchain, making their integration more valuable than comparing them as alternatives.
DevOps
Why Software Teams Still Debate Waterfall and Agile
Project constraints, regulatory needs, team culture, and long-term maintenance all shape the choice between Waterfall, Agile, or a hybrid approach.
Agile
Why Gradle Could Be Your Best Java Build Tool
Compare Gradle with Ant and Maven across configuration, extensibility, plugin support, and multi-project build performance.
Spring
Beyond the Typo: Lessons from the Amazon S3 Failure
An analysis of how tightly coupled subsystems, inadequate isolation, and limited redundancy made a command error capable of causing a major cloud outage.
DevOps
Should Uber Experience Stay Off Your Resume?
A critical look at workplace accountability, privacy practices, and the ethical questions surrounding Uber development work.
Skills
Making Smarter Choices About Technical Debt
Technical debt reflects the tradeoffs behind languages, libraries, databases, and platforms, so evaluate each dependency as a long-term investment.
Spring
JavaOne 2017 Moves Closer to Oracle OpenWorld
Oracle's conference layout brings JavaOne sessions into Moscone Center, though some hands-on labs still require a trip to Union Square.
Spring
COBOL’s Limits and Java’s Continued Relevance
Explore how changing business systems, real-time workloads, and programming abstractions have diminished COBOL while keeping Java useful.
Spring
Why Developers Need More Power and Accountability
As automation reshapes software delivery, developers gain broader access and influence, while managers must focus on governance, resources, and oversight.
DevOps
Why quantum computers threaten today’s encryption
Quantum computing may make current encryption easier to break. Learn about the risks and defenses organizations can consider, from access controls to new cryptography.
Other
Does Your Operating System Matter as a Developer?
Traditional PC and web development is increasingly cross-platform, but Android, iOS, and IoT work still demand specialized tools and expertise.
Spring
How to Improve the Odds of IT Project Success
Learn how experienced project managers, smaller teams, strong resources, and open collaboration can help prevent costly IT project failures.
Other
The Case for Cloud Storage as a Standardized Commodity
Standard APIs, lower prices, and portable data could reshape cloud storage into a utility-like infrastructure service.
DevOps
How Microsoft Is Gaining Ground in Enterprise Java
The Java community's shifting loyalties became clear at Oracle Code One 2019, where Microsoft's developer investments contrasted with IBM's retreat from WebSphere.
Spring
Should Java Be the First Language Students Learn?
An opinionated look at Java's strengths and drawbacks for beginners, with Python and other languages considered as more accessible alternatives.
Spring
What the Amazon S3 Failure Revealed About Cloud Risk
A critical look at how the outage challenged cloud reliability promises and renewed interest in local infrastructure, redundancy, and cloud bursting.
DevOps
Questioning the Push for Microservices and Containers
Why organizations should evaluate microservices, containers, and cloud-native tools based on their needs rather than fear-driven industry hype.
DevOps
Keep Web UI Frameworks Outside the Java EE Specification
The case for treating JSF and JSR-371 as optional frameworks instead of bundling them with application servers and Java EE standards.
Spring
Build Mobile Web and Native Apps in the Cloud
Explore how Tiggr uses drag-and-drop UI design, JavaScript actions, REST services, device testing, and PhoneGap exports for mobile development.
Spring
Why Cloud-Native Platforms Will Consolidate
As containers and microservices increase technology choices, vendor consolidation may simplify deployment, management, and governance for enterprises.
DevOps
Why Bitcoin and Blockchain Face Fundamental Limits
An analysis of blockchain's growing data demands, slow validation, energy consumption, mining centralization, and unstable currency value.
Other
Preventing Java Public Method Design Problems
See how internal public method calls can bypass Spring transaction proxies, plus two ways to refactor the code and their tradeoffs.
Spring
Why Java Remains a Strong Choice for Developers in 2022
Java's utility, Android adoption, cloud-native frameworks, regular releases, and backward compatibility point to a lasting role in software development.
Spring
Choosing Your First Programming Language
The fundamentals of programming are shared across languages, so beginners should focus on mastering concepts and expressing ideas.
Skills