June 14, 2021
Updating my blog after 6 months took a lot more than I initially thought it would. Oy...
Tags: jekyll, bugsUpdating my blog after 6 months took a lot more than I initially thought it would. Oy...
Tags: jekyll, bugsI read this book and it just invaded my brain, and also you should read it too.
Tags: booksIntroducing a new project. I'm building a robot table/tape measure!
Tags: robotics, python, mechanical, woodworkingLearn to harness the more powerful multi-field data structures in C.
Tags: c, structs, beginnerUniversity video element doesn't have playback speed controls? No problem! Pop open a console and do your wizard stuff.
Tags: javascript, html, tricksA write-up of an answer to a question somebody emailed me. Automated published posts with no manual intervention required. Write it, schedule it, and relax.
Tags: jekyll, cron, netlify, automationMy resume wasn't great, and now it is. Devs were very helpful.
Tags: resume, careerPython can return tuples from functions. Learn how to do the same in a nice, clean, and idiomatic way in Bash.
Tags: bash, scriptingI needed to work through a tornado of thoughts, ideas, bad ideas, problems, and potential solutions after todays research session.
Tags: rails, javascript, devjournalDay 2 of the bar project. We've had ups and downs so far.
Tags: ruby, rails, models, architectureI started a new project to make a dynamic, Rails-powered menu/assistant for our bar at home. And I got the domain name palo.bar for $2!
Tags: rails, rubyDestructuring, in-place object types, implicit void returns? Let's work through this one together.
Tags: typescript, beginnerI found a command that works even better than hexdump for some tasks!
Tags: bash, cli, steganographyUsing your own side-project as a user has some incredible benefits.
Tags: projects, brainstormingIn the midst of trying to figure out how projects work in Java and how to run my darn code, I run into an error that makes me doubt everything I'd learned.
Tags: java, bashCrontab, awk, grep, and getent
Tags: linux, awk, cron, dotfilesNaming your complex types that stand for distinct concepts is a great way to simplify your Rust code.
Tags: rust, readability, typesWhen you have limited time, you have to do the things you can, even they're small and not the things you wish you could do.
Tags: encouragement, productivityPython functions are first-class objects, which means we can stick whatever data we want on them!
Tags: python, tricksBinary is not scary. It's math with light switches. And it can be used to solve a wider range of problems than you might think!
Tags: python, binaryIf you're feeling stuck or like you're not progressing, take a closer look.
Tags: encouragement, learningI breakdown a quick script I wrote to fix markdown output from the Ulysses writing app.
Tags: python, scripting, cli, bashSome cool Rust code and how I learn code the same way my dog learns things.
Tags: rust, python, learning, iteratorsSome neat tricks to help understand where in the file your match is showing up.
Tags: bash, linux, tricksGetting warmed up to work on Advent of Code challenges using Julia's powerful multi-dimensional array syntax.
Tags: julia, beginner, practicalSharpen up your bash scripts with one-line conditionals!
Tags: bash, beginner, basicsA little bit of negotiation advice about spouting off numbers.
Tags: interview, soft-skills, negotiatingI read some cool code that used random.choices and wanted to share it.
Tags: python, tricks, standard-libraryBitwise operations open up new, cool, and sometimes way more efficient ways to manipulate numbers!
Tags: computer-science, basics, beginnerA quick little taste of the Enum module to show how cool it is.
Tags: python, standard-libraryTechniques for processing more options and arguments for a more polished user experience.
Tags: bash, scripting, advancedSome basic tricks using built-in variables to add some extra power to your Bash scripts.
Tags: bash, scripting, beginnerA tutorial on generating art using the Recaman Sequence, a surprisingly complex integer sequence built with some simple rules.
Tags: math, python, art, generativeLearn how to supercharge your Bash branching!
Tags: bash, scriptingAn overview of how to use the defaultdict class that is provided by the Python standard library.
Tags: python, standard-library, defaultdictHow stand-up paddleboarding is an allegory for the programmer’s journey.
Tags: learning, storyI scripted the renaming of a bunch of files at work and it make me feel like a wizard.
Tags: python, scriptingI've had a little bit of experience with each one. Here are some pros and cons to consider when trying to decide.
Tags: learningWhen you let the Ruby language work for you, it can speed up your code and save you a lot of headache.
Tags: ruby, exercism, challengeA conversation about learning CSS converted into a blog post so more people could chime in!
Tags: css, learningThis week at work sucked. But future me will thank present me for how I handled it.
Tags: soft-skills, reflectionA quick tip about making custom settings that are language-specific in Vim.
Tags: vim, toolsThe second part of the binary/hexadecimal articles. Learn to convert between decimal, hex, and binary!
Tags: computer-science, basics, beginnerLet's learn to count like a computer!
Tags: computer-science, basics, beginnerI haven't written a post in a while and I need to write something to give myself a kick start.
Tags: updateSome common patterns that could use a little refactoring that I've seen with new Python learners.
Tags: python, beginnerPython handles unix shebangs (lines that tell your computer how to run a program) in a way that is really nice and portable.
Tags: pythonOf course I knew that Python has a startup customization file this whole time. I didn't just learn about it. Shut up.
Tags: python, tricksI had a very productive day. I made Wall-E in my terminal!
Tags: showdev, fish, artBash has lots of brackets and this is a cheat sheet to help you remember which ones to use.
Tags: bash, shell, cheatsheetPart 2 of 3. A couple of ways to beef up your Python scripts with the Standard Library.
Tags: python, scripting, tutorialA neat little shell customization feature I found while reading through a Bash book.
Tags: bash, shell, quicktipThis week I saw a slick way of iterating through each pair of items in a list in Python and wanted to share it.
Tags: python, tricks, itertoolsPart 1 of 3. A couple of ways to beef up your Python scripts with the Standard Library.
Tags: python, scripting, tutorialA walkthrough of the ins and outs of good security practices and some neat tricks to make your new server feel like home sweet home.
Tags: linux, sysadmin, securityComing from Bash, starting out with PowerShell, a modern Windows shell language, can be a bit of a shock. This guide should address the primary pain points and provide some additional context to help make sense of the differences.
Tags: powershell, tutorial, bash, terminalI like quick, light text editors and terminals, not big IDE's. This is how I keep VS Code how I like it.
Tags: editors, vscodeAn indepth user's guide to Ruby Singleton Classes for newbies.
Tags: ruby, singleton, basicsA quick tip on how to change a dictionary in Python into a defaultdict in a slick way.
Tags: python, tricksSome guided practice doing some various data science things.
Tags: python, data-science, scientific, tutorialAn introduction to bullet journaling and why it's awesome!
Tags: productivity, bullet-journalI can't believe I didn't know about this command at all, but it helps me publish a javascript project's dist folder to GitHub Pages.
Tags: git, tricksA neat little pattern I found for DRY-ing up your callbacks.
Tags: javascript, functional, front-endThree principles to help developers free their brains of clutter and use them for getting important things done.
Tags: productivity, gtdI tried to solve a coding challenge and ended up doing science.
Tags: ruby, puzzle, performanceWhy closures are useful, even if you don't notice that you're using them.
Tags: python, functionalIt's been a while since I've published a blog post, so I'm checking in to share some stuff that's coming up.
Tags: update, previewAs part of the Code Newbie Challenge 2018 (Code More Track), our first pre-mission is to reflect on what we've done in the past — what worked, what didn't, and why.
Tags: codenewbie, reflectionPart 4 in the learn-to-code using JavaScript and P5.js series. Learn how vectors and physics can create realistic effects and object methods can help us keep our code clean.
Tags: p5, javascript, beginner, tutorialWrite code using methods you wish existed, and go back and write them later.
Tags: tricks, focus, productivityA quick guide for how to add Chrome Omnibar search functionality to your websites.
Tags: browser, html, javascript, tutorialRuby Structs are the objects you didn't know you needed.
Tags: ruby, tricks, design-intent, structThe crazy solution to an interview problem
Tags: algorithms, ruby, big-o, linked-listsIn 30 minutes or less! With no build tools!
Tags: vue, jekyll, static-site, tutorialMath is neat and e pops up in weird places.
Tags: math, fun, pythonA quick tip to help pick up Vim faster by freeing yourself of crutches
Tags: vim, editors, encouragementMy solution to a coding challenge and the plot twists that ensued. "Optimize for efficiency," they said. "It'll be fun," they said.
Tags: ruby, puzzle, interview, performancePart 3 in the learn-to-code using JavaScript and P5.js series. Learn how collections like arrays and objects can amplify our coding power.
Tags: p5, javascript, beginner, tutorialDon't have time to look up that awk/sed syntax? Too rushed to write a full script? Let these Ruby one-liners do the heavy lifting for you.
Tags: ruby, bash, sysadminI created my first (and second) screencast and it's scary and great and I'm making more.
Tags: screencast, encouragement, showdevDefinitely compare yourself to others -- but do it right.
Tags: soft-skills, encouragement, not-magicSecond part in our series. We review functions and learn about loops!
Tags: p5, javascript, beginner, tutorialGoing from no code experience to creating a JavaScript animation in one lesson.
Tags: p5, javascript, beginner, tutorialA beginner's starting point for adding animations to your website.
Tags: html, css, front-end, animationsImplementing Ruby's 'method_missing' method in Python
Tags: python, ruby, metaprogrammingLearn how to make sharing your site look awesome!
Tags: html, seo, socialPython's standard library makes it easy for you to use custom REPL's
Tags: python, funA beginner's overview of git hooks to automate your process
Tags: gitSetting up a python script to run for a long time on a server
Tags: python, sysadmin, linuxA quick tip that might help if you find it hard to exercise
Tags: exercise, tricks, fitnessVue tutorial, part 4, where we wrap it all up
Tags: vue, django, es6, tutorialVue tutorial, part 3, where we set up the Django REST API
Tags: vue, django, es6, tutorialVue tutorial, part 2, where we set up Vuex, the client data store
Tags: vue, django, es6, tutorialVue tutorial, part 1, where we set up the Vue front end
Tags: vue, django, es6, tutorialMe, gushing about one of my favorite tools
Tags: python, teaching, toolsA more in-depth look at the more advanced capabilities of decorators
Tags: python, pythonic, functionalAn introduction to decorators, a functional Python topic
Tags: python, pythonic, functionalSometimes it's the small decisions that make all the difference
Tags: soft-skillsA discussion and physical model of a whale in space
Tags: python, physics, fun, scientificOne trick that might help you commit more consistently
Tags: tricks, gitAn overview of my new project and why I chose the layout I did
Tags: python, soft-skillsHow I implemented tags without copy-pasting gobbledygook
Tags: ruby, jekyllFinding an intuitive way to describe why indexing starts at 0 in Python
Tags: teaching, pythonGenerating Pi with random numbers via math trickery
Tags: math, python, tricksChecking out a basic coding problem a few different ways
Tags: python, puzzleUsing Python with shell pipes for extra awesomeness
Tags: python, tricks, bashLearning about generators in our journey to Python enlightenment
Tags: python, tricksWherin I cry like a little baby because the bad man was mean to me
Tags: soft-skillsComing up with a more efficient prime factors algorithm
Tags: algorithms, python, puzzleVS Code is the beeeessssttt!
Tags: editors, vscode, vim, emacs, sublimeSolving tricky problems using tricky argument tricks
Tags: python, algorithms, tricksProgramming isn't magic. It's logical, learnable, and you can do it too.
Tags: not-magic, soft-skillsAn overview of the awesome Click CLI framework
Tags: python, toolsTrying to get AI algorithms straight in my head.
Tags: algorithms, python, aiMy first impressions of Emacs and Dwarf Fortress
Tags: editors, emacsSome algorithms from the algorithms class I'm taking.
Tags: algorithms, pythonLike my stuff? Have questions or feedback for me? Want to mentor me or get my help with something? Get in touch! To stay updated, subscribe via RSS