Code

You Might Not Need Websockets

Websockets provide two-way communication for real-time apps, but can lead to pitfalls like non-transactional messages, complex lifecycle management, and increased server code complexity. Alternatives like HTTP can effectively serve many use cases, particularly for one-way data streams. HTTP streaming allows real-time updates without the overhead of Websockets. Using libraries like Eventkit simplifies asynchronous data handling while avoiding the complications of Websockets.

https://hntrl.io/posts/you-dont-need-websockets/

AI Code Suggestions Sabotage Software Supply Chain

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AI coding tools often invent non-existent software package names, posing risks to the software supply chain. This “hallucination” allows malicious actors to create fake packages, capitalizing on typos or inaccuracies from developers. Many developers rush installations without verifying these packages, leading to potential malware exposure. Experts advise double-checking package names before installation, and organizations should adopt better practices to mitigate this risk.

https://www.theregister.com/2025/04/12/ai_code_suggestions_sabotage_supply_chain/

Datastar

Datastar is a lightweight hypermedia framework (14.5 KiB) for building reactive web apps, combining server-side rendering simplicity with full-stack SPA capabilities. It supports multiple backend languages and enables frontend reactivity via declarative attributes. Users can get started easily with a script tag. Datastar is smaller than Alpine.js and htmx but offers similar functionality. Join the community for discussions and contributions.

https://data-star.dev/

Firebase Studio

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Firebase Studio: AI workspace for full-stack app development. Supports quick builds via Git integration, app prototyping, and customizable environments. Features AI assistance for coding, testing, and optimization. Deploy and monitor apps easily on Firebase Hosting. Available free during preview; enhancements leverage generative AI for app development.

https://firebase.studio/

MCP Protocol: a New AI Dev Tools Building Block

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MCP Protocol, introduced by Anthropic in November 2024, boosts IDEs' AI capabilities, allowing seamless integration between developer tools and AI models. It serves as a universal interface, akin to a “USB-C port,” enhancing productivity by enabling natural language interactions with databases, source control, and more directly from IDEs. While early adopters include popular tools like VS Code and Cursor, security concerns remain. Developed by David Soria Parra and Justin Spahr-Summers, MCP is gaining rapid traction among developers, signifying a shift in how developers engage with various tools and enhancing AI's functional scope.

https://newsletter.pragmaticengineer.com/p/mcp

Why Google Code Assist May Finally Be the Programming Power Tool You Need

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Google Code Assist now features Gemini 2.5 in its free tier, improving its capability significantly compared to last year's version. The individual, standard, and enterprise variants cater to different user needs. New agent capabilities include generating software from specifications, migrating code, implementing features from GitHub, code reviews, generating tests, testing AI models, and creating documentation. Despite the advancements, challenges remain regarding the practical implementation and the reliability of features across different tiers. Overall, Gemini Code Assist has potential as a powerful programming tool.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/why-google-code-assist-may-finally-be-the-programming-power-tool-you-need/

Ask Hackaday: Vibe Coding

Vibe coding, trending in software development, involves describing a problem to an AI language model, which generates code. While supporters praise its efficiency and interactivity, critics warn that it may lead to a disconnect between developers and understanding their code, potentially fostering poorer coding practices. This discussion at Hackaday raises questions about AI's role in programming and its implications for both learning and software quality.

https://hackaday.com/2025/04/09/ask-hackaday-vibe-coding/

Encourage the AI Coding Skeptics, Curb the Enthusiasts, says Software Exec at Dev Talk • DEVCLASS

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Software exec Birgitta Böckeler highlights the need to balance AI coding skeptics and enthusiasts at QCon conference. She asserts AI coding, while evolving to improve productivity, presents challenges and risks, emphasizing responsible usage. Caution is urged against over-reliance on AI as it may exacerbate code quality issues. Teams should foster both experimentation and skepticism, valuing contributions from all members regardless of their stance on AI.

https://devclass.com/2025/04/09/encourage-the-ai-coding-skeptics-curb-the-enthusiasts-says-software-exec-at-dev-talk/

Apache ECharts

Apache ECharts is an open-source JavaScript visualization library offering over 20 chart types, powerful rendering capabilities (Canvas/SVG), and professional data analysis features. Its responsive design allows for extensive customization. The active community promotes healthy development and third-party extensions, while accessibility features enhance usability for individuals with disabilities. For more information, visit the Apache ECharts website.

https://echarts.apache.org/en/index.html

Fifty Years of Open Source Software Supply Chain Security

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50 Years of Open Source Software Security: Explores the historical challenges in software supply chain security, illustrating via incidents like the 1974 Multics report and the recent xz attack on Debian. It defines open source software supply chain attacks and vulnerabilities, emphasizing the necessity for improved defenses. Key solutions include understanding supply chains, authenticating software with cryptographic signatures, making builds reproducible, quickly identifying and fixing vulnerabilities, and funding open-source projects. The essay stresses the ongoing evolution in software reuse practices and highlights that without proper investments and security measures, risks persist in the open-source ecosystem.

https://queue.acm.org/detail.cfm?id=3722542

PostgreSQL BM25 Full-Text Search: Speed Up Performance With These Tips

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PostgreSQL Full-Text Search (FTS) can outperform dedicated search engines when optimized correctly. A benchmark showed significant speeds, with optimizations yielding a ~50x performance increase by pre-calculating and storing the tsvector, and configuring GIN indexes properly. Common pitfalls include calculating tsvector on-the-fly and using the default GIN index setting (fastupdate=on), which hinders performance. For advanced ranking tasks, the VectorChord-BM25 extension may be required, offering better relevance scoring than standard methods. Optimal configurations reveal that standard FTS is faster than often perceived.

https://blog.vectorchord.ai/postgresql-full-text-search-fast-when-done-right-debunking-the-slow-myth

Git Turns 20: a Q&A With Linus Torvalds

Git, created by Linus Torvalds 20 years ago, transformed software development with its decentralized design, conceived out of necessity after losing access to proprietary tools. Initially, Torvalds aimed to solve his own frustrations with existing systems like CVS and BitKeeper, leading to efficient patch application and a focus on stability and performance. Git allowed for easy local work and sharing, which simplified its adoption for both professional and personal projects. Despite early challenges, Git gained traction, ultimately becoming integral to software collaboration worldwide, supported by its effective maintenance and community involvement.

https://github.blog/open-source/git/git-turns-20-a-qa-with-linus-torvalds/

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