Microservice tutorials, C VS Rust, forgotten programming languages
5 stories around tech and code that you must not miss
This week we’re trying something new! We’ve put together 5 most interesting stories on all things code and tech into bite sized paragraphs for you.
These include everything from microservice tutorials to a story about a forgotten programming language ALGOL.
Read it up and let us know if you like these new series!
Understanding and avoiding visually ambiguous characters in IDs (🔗 Read the story)
In the realm of digital design and development, clarity and usability are paramount. One often overlooked aspect that significantly enhances both is the careful selection of characters used in identifiers (IDs). Visually ambiguous characters in IDs can lead to confusion, errors in data handling, and security vulnerabilities. Here we explore the importance of avoiding such characters and provide practical strategies for maintaining clarity and security in digital identifiers.
Key Points:
Definition of Ambiguous Characters: Discuss what visually ambiguous characters are (e.g., '0' (zero) and 'O' (uppercase 'o'), 'l' (lowercase 'L'), 'I' (uppercase 'i'), and '1' (one)) and why they cause problems in digital contexts.
Impact on Usability: Highlight how these characters can lead to user errors in reading and entering IDs, which is critical in user interface design.
Security Concerns: Explain the potential security risks, such as increased likelihood of typosquatting and impersonation, due to character confusion.
Best Practices in ID Design: Offer guidelines on how to select characters for IDs to avoid ambiguity, such as using a restricted character set or visually distinct character choices.
Real-World Applications: Provide examples where this approach is particularly beneficial, such as in coding environments, database keys, and URL shorteners.
Tools and Methods: Mention tools or software libraries that can help enforce these practices automatically in development workflows.
The Performance Impact of C++'s `final` Keyword (🔗 Read the Story)
Exploring the nuances of programming languages and their features often leads to surprising discoveries about performance impacts. One such feature in C++ is the final
keyword. Originally designed to optimize virtual function calls by preventing further subclassing, its actual effect on performance can vary significantly depending on the compiler and hardware used. Let's delve into the practical implications of using final
in C++ and how it can affect software development.
Key Points:
Performance Variability: The
final
keyword's impact on performance is not uniform across different systems and compilers. While it may lead to optimizations in some cases, such as with certain GCC configurations, it can also result in performance degradation, especially with compilers like Clang.Compiler Differences: Testing has shown that the keyword does not consistently benefit all compilers. For instance, Clang shows a notable slowdown when
final
is used, suggesting that its optimization strategies may differ significantly from those of GCC.Platform-Specific Effects: The impact of
final
also varies by platform. For example, its use does not significantly affect performance on Apple's chips, highlighting the importance of platform-specific testing.Testing and Measurement: Due to the inconsistent effects, developers are advised to thoroughly test and measure the performance implications of using
final
in their specific configurations to determine if it is beneficial.Practical Recommendations: Given the variability, the practical advice leans towards cautious use of the
final
keyword. It may be more advantageous to avoid it unless specific performance gains are verified through rigorous testing.
C isn’t a Hangover; Rust isn’t a Hangover Cure (🔗 Read the Story)
In the programming world, discussions often revolve around the best tools for the job, with languages like C++ and Rust frequently taking center stage. While some view C++ as a legacy language with cumbersome syntax and unsafe memory practices, others hail it for its power and flexibility. Rust, on the other hand, is often touted as the modern solution to these issues, promising safety and modernity. This article explores why neither C++ is the problem, nor Rust the cure-all solution, framing both as valuable tools depending on context and requirements.
Key Points:
C++ Overview: Despite being decades old, C++ continues to be widely used in various high-performance applications like gaming engines, system programming, and real-time systems.
Rust Introduction: Rust offers memory safety guarantees through its ownership model, making it a popular choice for those looking to avoid the pitfalls commonly associated with C++'s manual memory management.
Comparative Analysis: While Rust provides built-in safety features and modern syntax, it might not always be suitable for every project where C++'s maturity and vast ecosystem could be more beneficial.
Performance Considerations: Both languages have their strengths in terms of performance, but the choice often depends on the specific needs of the project, existing infrastructure, and developer expertise.
Future Outlook: The ongoing development of both languages suggests that rather than one replacing the other, they will continue to evolve and serve different segments of the programming community.
Microservices Authentication and Authorization Using API Gateway (🔗 Read the Paper)
In the rapidly evolving world of microservices, managing authentication and authorization effectively is paramount. Utilizing an API Gateway can streamline these processes, centralizing access control and enhancing security across services. This tutorial dives into setting up microservices and creating an API Gateway using Golang, a practical approach to handling these crucial aspects in a microservices architecture.
Key Points:
Role of API Gateway: The API Gateway acts as the central point for managing authentication and authorization. It authenticates incoming requests by validating credentials and tokens, specifically using JSON Web Tokens (JWTs), and authorizes them based on defined permissions and roles.
Microservices Setup in Golang: Two example microservices,
UserService
andProductService
, demonstrate basic setup in Golang. Each service runs on a different port and handles specific domain functionalities, such as user information and product details.Implementing the API Gateway: The API Gateway is implemented in Golang and configured to handle user authentication and route requests to the appropriate microservices. It uses the Gorilla Mux router for enhanced routing capabilities.
Authentication Flow: The process involves a login system where users authenticate via a form, and upon successful authentication, a cookie is set for session management. The gateway uses this session cookie to allow or deny access to the microservices.
Proxy Handling: The API Gateway also acts as a proxy, forwarding requests to the correct microservice based on the path and method of the incoming requests while maintaining the integrity of headers and other request data.
Why ALGOL was an important programming language? (🔗 Read the Story)
ALGOL, which stands for Algorithmic Language, has played a pivotal role in the evolution of modern programming. Developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s, ALGOL significantly influenced many contemporary languages by introducing concepts fundamental to software development today. This article explores why ALGOL was a cornerstone in programming language design and how its legacy continues to impact the development community.
Key Points:
Introduction of New Concepts: ALGOL introduced key programming concepts such as structured programming and block structure, which have become staples in later programming languages.
Influence on Subsequent Languages: ALGOL's syntax and structure served as a blueprint for many subsequent languages, notably influencing C, Pascal, and numerous other languages that form the backbone of modern software development.
Standardization Efforts: ALGOL was one of the first programming languages to be developed through an international collaborative effort, setting a precedent for future language development and standardization.
Scientific Computing: Due to its clarity and expressiveness, ALGOL became a preferred language for scientific computing, encouraging precise and maintainable coding practices.
Publications and Education: ALGOL's specifications were widely published in academic and professional journals, contributing significantly to computer science education and providing a formal basis for discussing computational processes.