Software development best practices and processes
The enterprise software development landscape has changed drastically with the rise of Kotlin, Clojure, Python and JavaScript. From a focus on functional programming to new takes on object-oriented analysis and design, Java programmers and JDK architects can learn from these languages' development processes and software engineering best practices.
Top Stories
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Tip
15 Jul 2025
Acceptance criteria vs. definition of done: What's the difference?
Software teams must understand the important distinction between acceptance criteria and definition of done and how to use them together to deliver a finished product. Continue Reading
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Video
14 Jul 2025
An Amazon Bedrock tutorial for beginners
Interested in generative AI development but don't want the overhead of managing infrastructure? This Amazon Bedrock tutorial might be the answer for you. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Jul 2025
Spring, Quarkus or Jakarta EE? How to choose a Java framework
Choosing a Java framework is not about which one is best, it's about accepting their tradeoffs of stability, flexibility and complexity. Here's how to evaluate each vs. your needs. Continue Reading
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Video
10 Jul 2025
How to create an AWS free tier account
Want to learn more about DevOps and cloud computing? Maybe get AWS-certified? The first step is to sign up for an AWS free tier account. This video tutorial shows how to do it. Continue Reading
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Definition
10 Jul 2025
What are BSD Licenses?
BSD licenses are a family of permissive open source licenses originally associated with the Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD), a Unix-like operating system. Continue Reading
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News
08 Jul 2025
Knime updates framework for agentic AI development
The open source analytics vendor is keeping up with competitors by providing features aimed at enabling users to create cutting-edge applications capable of autonomous action. Continue Reading
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Video
01 Jul 2025
Send SMS texts with Amazon's SNS simple notification service
Learn how to build a Python-based AWS Lambda function that uses Amazon SNS to send SMS text messages as notifications to your application users. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Jun 2025
12 DevSecOps tools to secure each step of the SDLC
DevSecOps tools integrate security throughout development. These 12 options enhance workflows from coding to deployment without slowing teams down. Continue Reading
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Video
27 Jun 2025
Host a static website on AWS with Amazon S3 and Route 53
Want to quickly and affordably get your website hosted in the cloud? If you don't need advanced services such as EC2 or Fargate, a simple S3-hosted website might be the answer. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Jun 2025
10 refactoring best practices: When and how to refactor code
Developers only have so much time available. Here's how to prioritize code refactoring to get the most value from the amount of effort expended. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Jun 2025
The case against vibe coding
Is vibe coding a bad idea for enterprises? AI can produce results faster than manual coding, but its benefits eventually unravel due to hidden costs and complexities. Here's why. Continue Reading
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Answer
10 Jun 2025
How to choose coding standards: Development best practices
Learn how coding standards enhance quality and efficiency in software projects. Follow coding conventions and standards to achieve the five pillars of code quality. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Jun 2025
Refactor vs. rewrite: Deciding how to fix problem software
At some point, all developers must decide whether to refactor code or rewrite it. Base this choice on factors such as architectural soundness, time, money and goals. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
07 Jun 2025
How to create an account alias in AWS
Need to create, change or rename an AWS account alias? It's not too hard to do, and your users will thank you. Here are the steps to do it. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 May 2025
Why use Rust? Explore the benefits of Rust development
Rust continues a meteoric rise in popularity following a 2024 White House endorsement. But what are the benefits of Rust that make it such an alluring choice? Continue Reading
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Tip
29 May 2025
Comparing low-code vs. traditional development
The lines between low-code and traditional development aren't always clear. Compare the pros and cons of each approach to judge which makes sense for your organization. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 May 2025
6 essential refactoring techniques to know
Refactoring helps optimize the codebase and combat technical debt. Use these six code refactoring techniques to improve code structure, maintainability and overall quality. Continue Reading
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Video
21 May 2025
The Scrum framework or Agile software development?
How do you choose between Agile and Scrum? You don't. Here's why. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 May 2025
Agile vs. Scrum: What's the difference?
Don't fret about the differences between Agile and Scrum? It's actually their similarities that make them interesting. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 May 2025
How to fix flaky tests: A practical approach for QA teams
Flaky tests can be frustrating and tempting to ignore. In many cases, you shouldn't. Use this guide to learn which flaky tests to prioritize and how to fix them. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 May 2025
3 software testing sample test cases, with templates
A good test case is easy to trace, reusable and relevant to user needs. Learn how to write an effective test case with these examples and free templates. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 May 2025
What is YAGNI principle (you aren't gonna need it)?
YAGNI principle ('you aren't gonna need it') is a practice in software development that states that features should only be added when required.. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
15 May 2025
Learn how to use concurrency in Go with this tutorial
The Go language is designed for simplicity, including its approach to concurrency. In this tutorial, learn to perform multiple tasks using goroutines, channels and synchronization. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 May 2025
Verification vs. validation in software testing
Verification and validation are at the heart of all software testing efforts. Together, they check that software fulfills both user expectations and technical requirements. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 May 2025
Iterative vs. incremental development: What's the difference?
Iterative and incremental development refine software differently: one focuses on early feedback, one on complete components. Together, they balance flexibility and stability. Continue Reading
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Feature
07 May 2025
18 ways to improve developer productivity
One of the most important factors of dev productivity is a good developer experience. Give developers a productivity boost with these concrete strategies. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 May 2025
The rubber duck method of debugging explained
Ever feel like a quack when trying to debug software? When you're stuck, sometimes it just helps to hear yourself talk -- even if you're just talking to a rubber duck. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 May 2025
How to measure developer productivity
Measuring only the hard numbers of dev activity can have deleterious effects on developer experience, productivity and even retention. Try measuring dev productivity holistically. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Apr 2025
What is blue/green deployment?
Blue/green deployment is a change management strategy for releasing software code. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Apr 2025
Agile vs. Waterfall: What's the difference?
Is change good or bad? The manner in which you embrace change might influence whether you prefer Waterfall or Agile methodologies. Here we compare the two approaches. Continue Reading
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Video
16 Apr 2025
Agile software development or the Waterfall framework?
Ever wonder if you've chosen the right software development strategy? Here we explain when Waterfall is right, and when an Agile approach makes more sense. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Apr 2025
4 pseudocode examples: Python, Java, JavaScript and C++
Successful pseudocode conversion goes beyond simply making the code work. It's about creating implementations that respect each language's conventions. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
14 Apr 2025
Asynchronous programming in Python tutorial
Asynchronous programming in Python improves efficiency for I/O-bound applications, but it's not a performance cure-all. Here's how async in Python works and when to use it. Continue Reading
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Video
10 Apr 2025
How to use GitHub Copilot tutorial
Want to quickly learn how to develop advanced applications without writing a line of code? This GitHub Copilot tutorial shows how to start with the popular AI coding assistant. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
07 Apr 2025
What is Scrum? The Scrum process explained in 5 minutes
The Scrum framework is the software development industry's most popular Agile methodology. Here are the key steps that define how the Scrum process flows. Continue Reading
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Video
02 Apr 2025
SonarQube code coverage tutorial for beginners
Most software bugs follow common patterns that continuous inspection tools identify before production deployment. If you're not already using SonarQube, here's how to get started. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Mar 2025
How to write pseudocode: A guided tutorial
Writing pseudocode might feel like an extra step, but its value becomes clear in complex projects. Focus on the logic without getting tangled in language-specific syntax. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Mar 2025
The benefits and limitations of headless browser testing
Headless browsers offer efficient web UI testing but lack the visual debugging capabilities of traditional browsers, making assessing the app's state upon test failure challenging. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Mar 2025
GitHub Copilot vs. ChatGPT: How do they compare?
Copilot and ChatGPT are generative AI tools that can help coders be more productive. Learn about their strengths and weaknesses, as well as alternative coding assistants. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Mar 2025
Understanding code smells and how refactoring can help
It works, but does it pass the sniff test? Code smells can be the canary in the coal mine for poor coding, which calls for refactoring. Explore how to identify and deodorize code smells. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Mar 2025
12 prompt engineering best practices and tips
Asking the right questions is crucial for effective generative AI use. Learn 12 tips for writing clear, useful prompts, including mistakes to avoid and advice for image generation. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Mar 2025
What is security by design?
Security by design is an approach to software and hardware development that seeks to make systems as free of vulnerabilities and impervious to attack as possible through such measures as continuous testing, authentication safeguards and adherence to best programming practices. Continue Reading
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News
18 Mar 2025
Prompt engineering takes shape for devs as agentic AI dawns
Real-world best practices are emerging at companies such as LinkedIn, Oracle and AWS, and agentic AI is poised to fundamentally alter the day-to-day work of software engineers. Continue Reading
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Video
17 Mar 2025
Story points and hours of effort in Scrum
Story points and hours help Agile teams calculate the amount of work and time estimated to complete tasks. Here's how these systems are different. Continue Reading
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Video
14 Mar 2025
Camel case vs. pascal case vs. snake case vs. kebab case
Want to know the differences between common code naming conventions like camel case, pascal case, snake case and kebab case? This quick tutorial has all the answers. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Mar 2025
Implementing webhooks: Benefits and best practices
Webhooks are a simple technology, so make the implementation strategy simple, too. Start by designing an intuitive workflow that plans for the unexpected and prioritizes security. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Mar 2025
Top 5 Agile estimation techniques
Stakeholders want development teams to stick to rigid timelines, which doesn't align with Agile development. These five Agile estimation techniques can help bridge the divide. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Mar 2025
Best practices for writing clean code comments
Well-written code comments are a great tool to explain code intent. Use these tips to ensure your comments are adding value to source code, not cluttering it up. Continue Reading
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Video
03 Mar 2025
Build Java SOAP web services in Eclipse with Jakarta EE
REST-based web services are popular, but there's a home in modern enterprise architectures for SOAP-based web services. Here's how to build them using Jakarta EE in Eclipse. Continue Reading
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Definition
27 Feb 2025
What is the Agile test automation pyramid?
The Agile test automation pyramid is a graphical strategy guide for implementing automated software testing. Continue Reading
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Video
26 Feb 2025
Host your own Bluesky Personal Data Server (PDS) tutorial
Want to really understand how the decentralized Bluesky network works? Connect your own Bluesky PDS to the network. Here's how to do it. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Feb 2025
How to fix software bugs: Guide and best practices
'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.' -- Benjamin Franklin, 1736. The original quote pertained to fire safety, but it still applies to software bug prevention today. Continue Reading
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Video
25 Feb 2025
How to get started on Twitter alternative Bluesky Social
Are you on Bluesky yet? If you're looking for an alternative to Twitter, it just might be what you're looking for. Here's how to get started on Bluesky Social. Continue Reading
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Video
20 Feb 2025
Get started with Bluesky API and Python API
Discouraged by Twitter's $42,000 monthly price tag for access to their enterprise APIs? Why not try Bluesky Social's SDK? It's free and it's easy to use. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Feb 2025
How do you plan an iteration in Agile software development?
Iterative planning in Agile helps teams to plan and adapt, collaborate, gather feedback and deliver to customers. Follow these tips to keep product development efforts on track. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Feb 2025
Optimize code using binary notation
Code optimization can be more creative than compilers and instruction-level parallelism. Here are specific ways to optimize code using hardware resources with high-level languages. Continue Reading
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Video
10 Feb 2025
Set your Bluesky handle to a custom domain name
One of the coolest features of Bluesky is the ability to set your domain name as your handle. Here's how you do it. Continue Reading
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Definition
03 Feb 2025
What is HTTP and how does it work? Hypertext Transfer Protocol
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is the set of rules for transferring files -- such as text, images, sound, video and other multimedia files -- over the web. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jan 2025
What are story points? Agile estimation explained
Complex variables and unknown factors can obscure time-based work estimates for development projects. Story points help teams account for change through relative estimation. Continue Reading
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Definition
27 Jan 2025
What is the spiral model and how is it used?
The spiral model is a systems development lifecycle (SDLC) method used for risk management that combines the iterative development process model with elements of the Waterfall model. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
23 Jan 2025
JavaScript, React and object-oriented programming
This tutorial ties together JavaScript, React and object-oriented programming to show developers how to use the React framework's powerful and flexible features and functions. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Jan 2025
Top 9 smart contract platforms to consider in 2025
Platform speed, scalability, security and smart contract development support vary widely. Here's how to match features to your needs plus the lowdown on the major players. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Jan 2025
11 key Agile metrics to ensure effective measurement
Agile metrics are crucial to help software development teams track speed, efficiency and quality. Here are some important ones, and how to combine them for best results. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Jan 2025
What is lazy loading?
Lazy loading is a design pattern in web development that only loads necessary code components immediately, deferring nonessential components. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
26 Dec 2024
Stubs vs. mocks in software testing
Running a software test and need to simulate a function or object? Here's how to choose between two common options, stubs vs. mocks, and ensure reliable and maintainable tests. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Dec 2024
What is a test case?
A test case is a set of actions performed on a system to determine if it satisfies software requirements and functions correctly. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Dec 2024
13 must-know Markdown tips and tricks
Use these tips to improve your Markdown-based documentation, streamline your approach and structure your documents. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
12 Dec 2024
The 5-second rule to create effective technical illustrations
Like any picture, a well-crafted technical illustration is worth a thousand words. Make the most of your diagrams and flowcharts and follow the 5-second rule for reader usability. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Dec 2024
Webhook security: Risks and best practices for mitigation
Webhook security is an ongoing process, with responsibility shared between providers and consumers to protect against threats and ensure a secure webhook ecosystem. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Dec 2024
Why Agile estimation and planning never works
Modern application development can defy traditional project planning and delivery. Here's how to incorporate more flexibility into your Agile estimation and planning. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Nov 2024
The 5 Scrum events explained
Scrum consists of four formal events for inspection and adaptation within one containing event -- the sprint. Learn how to execute each event in this framework. Continue Reading
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Definition
27 Nov 2024
What is a software requirements specification (SRS)?
A software requirements specification (SRS) is a comprehensive description of the intended purpose and environment for software under development. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Nov 2024
Agile estimation: Predicting the unpredictable
Agile teams' overreliance on estimates detracts from the overall goal to deliver value to the customer. Avoid these agile estimation pitfalls in your software development efforts. Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Nov 2024
What is an application architecture?
An application architecture is a structural map of how a software application is assembled and how applications interact with each other to meet business or user requirements. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Nov 2024
Know these top 5 Scrum antipatterns
Embrace sprints, set clear goals, engage with customers -- these behaviors and others will help your teams avoid common Scrum antipatterns. Continue Reading
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Video
19 Nov 2024
Java, JDBC and SQL Server tutorial
This tutorial shows how to create a JDBC connection to Microsoft's SQL Server, and get started creating Java-based applications that are scalable and secure. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Nov 2024
Scrum master responsibilities: What does a Scrum master do?
While the title may sound authoritative, Scrum masters have little control over their team. So, what exactly does a Scrum master do? The answer might surprise you. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Nov 2024
What is a Waterfall model? Definition and guide
The Waterfall model is a linear, sequential approach to the software development lifecycle (SDLC) that is popular in software engineering and product development. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Nov 2024
MySQL vs. PostgreSQL: Compare popular open source databases
This deep dive compares two popular open source database options, MySQL vs. PostgreSQL, across key categories including performance, compliance, security, scalability and more. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
07 Nov 2024
How to build a Python port scanner
Python offers beginning coders a lot of flexibility and is a novel way to build tools designed to probe port performance across your network. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Oct 2024
8 microservices best practices to remember
From integrating domain-driven design to securing APIs, explore a range of microservices best practices for building a resilient and scalable application. Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Oct 2024
What is alpha testing?
Alpha testing is the initial phase of validating whether a new product will perform as expected. Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Oct 2024
What is a product owner?
A product owner is a role on a Scrum team that is responsible for the project's outcome. Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Oct 2024
What is acceptance testing?
Acceptance testing is a quality assurance (QA) process that determines to what degree an application meets end users' approval. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Oct 2024
What is Agile software development?
Agile is a type of software development methodology that anticipates the need for flexibility and applies a level of pragmatism to the delivery of the finished product. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 Oct 2024
What is happy path testing?
Happy path testing is a type of software testing that uses known input and produces an expected output. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 Oct 2024
What is a functional specification document?
A functional specification is a formal document used to describe a product's intended capabilities, appearance and interactions with users in detail for software developers. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Oct 2024
What is monolithic architecture in software?
Monolithic architecture is the traditional unified model for the design of a software program. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Oct 2024
OKRs vs. KPIs: Driving bold outcomes and measuring steady performance
KPIs track outputs, and OKRs focus on outcomes or changes in user behavior. Here's how business can use them together to measure outcome-driven progress and success. Continue Reading
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Video
11 Oct 2024
Git commit message conventions and best practices
Never underestimate the power of a good git commit message. Need help writing one? Here are the commonly accepted git commit message guidelines and best practices. Continue Reading
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Definition
11 Oct 2024
What is black box testing?
Black box testing assesses a system solely from the outside, without the operator or tester knowing what's happening within the system to generate responses to test actions. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Oct 2024
How to use security as code to achieve DevSecOps
Security as code helps organizations achieve DevSecOps and shift-left security. Learn about SaC's benefits, challenges and implementation best practices. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Oct 2024
Simplifying native interoperability in Java with JEP 454
Finalized in Java 22, JEP 454 helps developers safely and efficiently call native functions and manage memory outside of Java. Here's a rundown of how it works. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Oct 2024
What's wrong with Java? Nothing, but evaluate alternatives
Java's benefits don't always fit a given task, and a different language might be a better choice. Use these comparisons to choose the best code for your needs. Continue Reading
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Definition
01 Oct 2024
What are ModelOps (model operations) analytics models?
ModelOps (model operations) is a holistic approach to building analytics models that can quickly progress from the lab to production. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Sep 2024
What is a PERT chart? And how to use it, with examples
A PERT chart, sometimes called a PERT diagram, is a project management tool used to schedule, organize and coordinate tasks in a project. Continue Reading
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Answer
19 Sep 2024
What are the types of requirements in software engineering?
Requirements fall into three categories: business, user and software. See examples of each one, as well as what constitutes functional and nonfunctional software requirements. Continue Reading
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Video
16 Sep 2024
Dependency injection and inversion of control in Spring
At the heart of every Spring project, be it Spring AI, Spring MVC or Spring Data, lies a powerful dependency injection and inversion of control container. Here's how it works. Continue Reading
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Definition
12 Sep 2024
What is BASIC (Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code)?
BASIC, short for Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code", is an early programming language that was designed to help non-technical users and students solve easy problems with a computer. Continue Reading
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Definition
11 Sep 2024
What is a software stack?
A software stack is a collection of independent components that work together to support the execution of an application. Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Sep 2024
What is machine code (machine language)?
Machine code, also known as ‘machine language’ or ‘native code,’ is the elemental language of computers. It is read by the computer’s central processing unit (CPU), is composed of digital binary numbers and looks like a very long sequence of zeros and ones. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Sep 2024
10 dying or 'dead' programming languages
In a rapidly evolving landscape, these 10 programming languages are becoming increasingly obscure. Learn how programming languages die despite their former prominence. Continue Reading