Software design and development
Software design and development encompasses an array of processes and methodologies. Developers have a lot to manage and will need guidance on how to handle different tasks and projects. Brush up on everything from app-dev approaches such as low code, test- and model-driven development, code refactoring and management practices, UI and UX design, and developer tools.
Top Stories
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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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News
09 Apr 2025
Google Gemini 2.5 Pro extends on-prem GenAI support
Google Gemini is the first proprietary frontier model that can be run on-premises via Google Distributed Cloud for privacy- and cost-conscious enterprises. Continue Reading
- Definition 13 Dec 2022
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Feature
12 Dec 2022
Creative AI, FinOps among hot developer trends of 2023
Here's a look at the hottest trends for application developers in 2023. Keep an eye out for decentralization, FinOps, consolidation and AI. Continue Reading
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Definition
08 Dec 2022
native app
A native application is a software program developers build for use on a particular platform or device. Continue Reading
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Definition
06 Dec 2022
truth table
A truth table is a breakdown of all the possible truth values returned by a logical expression. Continue Reading
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Definition
06 Dec 2022
event-driven application
An event-driven application is a computer program written to respond to actions generated by a user or system. Continue Reading
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Definition
02 Dec 2022
logical OR symbol
In mathematics, the logical OR symbol is a Boolean function that is positioned between two statements to indicate an inclusive disjunction between them. Continue Reading
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News
01 Dec 2022
AWS DevOps tools expand low-code features, focus on devx
Many of the features of AWS CodeCatalyst and Application Composer were technically possible before, but the new services package them accessibly via a low-code UI. Continue Reading
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Definition
01 Dec 2022
C# (C-Sharp)
C#, pronounced "C-sharp," is an object-oriented programming language from Microsoft that enables developers to build applications that run on the .NET platform. Continue Reading
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Definition
30 Nov 2022
Node.js (Node)
Node.js (Node) is an open source, cross-platform runtime environment for executing JavaScript code. Continue Reading
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News
29 Nov 2022
Amazon boosts CodeWhisperer, AI and ML tools
AWS rolled out updates to a series of AI tools and services, highlighted by improvements to its CodeWhisperer coding system and Textract AI service for extracting document text. Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Nov 2022
use case
A use case is a methodology used in system analysis to identify, clarify and organize system requirements. Continue Reading
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News
28 Nov 2022
Small open source projects pose significant security risks
Open source security initiatives might prevent large-scale vulnerabilities such as Log4j, but smaller projects pose risks without more maintainer support, industry experts say. Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Nov 2022
debugging
Debugging, in computer programming and engineering, is a multistep process that involves identifying a problem, isolating the source of the problem and then either correcting the problem or determining a way to work around it. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Nov 2022
How to make and use maps in Golang
Maps are a popular data structure in many programming contexts thanks to their efficiency and speed. But, in Go, some unique features make maps especially useful. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Nov 2022
software toolchain
A software toolchain is a set of software development tools used simultaneously to complete complex software development tasks or to deliver a software product. Continue Reading
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News
21 Nov 2022
Software developer layoffs and hiring freezes on the rise
As tech companies tighten their belts, developers should prepare for a tighter job market by updating resumes and expanding job searches beyond big tech, say industry experts. Continue Reading
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News
21 Nov 2022
Diffblue expands AI-powered unit testing platform
Diffblue Cover is gaining traction amidst a trend toward AI-augmented testing, say industry analysts. Cover can now run a suite of unit tests without developer intervention. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 Nov 2022
static testing
Static testing is a software testing method that examines a program -- along with any associated documents -- but does not require the program to be executed. Continue Reading
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News
16 Nov 2022
Atlassian Open DevOps tools stitch together more workflows
As all-in-one DevOps tools vendors grow, Atlassian argues users want choice; customers say third-party tools integration is a timesaver, but the company faces headwinds. Continue Reading
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News
16 Nov 2022
SAP low-code platform looks to fill developer gaps
SAP Build, a new low-code platform that debuted at SAP TechEd, is designed to enable business users to create apps, but it's entering a noisy market and may struggle to find users. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Nov 2022
widget
In computing, a widget is an element of a graphical user interface that displays information or provides a specific way for a user to interact with the operating system (OS) or an application. Continue Reading
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News
10 Nov 2022
Low-code API management tool fights complexity, with caveats
A new low-code API management tool could bring benefits such as increased speed, fewer coding errors and wider accessibility. But it must prove itself in the market. Continue Reading
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News
09 Nov 2022
GitHub security updates and Copilot expansion make waves
New features unveiled at GitHub Universe include private channels for security issues and Copilot for business, which may fall under a cloud of ongoing litigation. Continue Reading
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News
04 Nov 2022
Go updates to tackle pain points, but Golang 2 is dead
Go Day 2022 highlights include possible Go updates to tackle compatibility, security and developer pain points such as for-loop scoping. But Golang 2 will never happen. Continue Reading
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Definition
04 Nov 2022
NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)
NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) is a nonregulatory government agency located in Gaithersburg, Md. Continue Reading
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News
03 Nov 2022
Pega CTO: Ethical AI for developers demands transparency
Pegasystems CTO Don Schuerman believes the cure for AI's ethical issues lies in broad data inputs, being sensitive to biases and algorithms that make explainable decisions. Continue Reading
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Definition
03 Nov 2022
operand
In computing and mathematics, an operand is an object that is operated on by some type of operator. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Nov 2022
Sustainable software needs more tools, corporate buy-in
Several tools can help developers build sustainable software, but it won't make a dent in carbon emissions without organizational support and better monitoring tools. Continue Reading
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News
27 Oct 2022
API documentation can make or break developer experience
At this week's API World, experts highlight issues with poor API documentation and suggest ways to fix it, such as ditching jargon and adopting the OpenAPI Specification. Continue Reading
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Definition
26 Oct 2022
user experience
User experience (UX) design is the process and practice used to design and implement a product that will provide positive and relevant interactions with users. Continue Reading
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News
24 Oct 2022
Developers want improved performance, efficiency in Java 20
Java 20 will likely include useful features such as improvements to concurrency and profiling, but the incremental updates are unlikely to please everyone. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Oct 2022
What Golang generics support means for code structure
Generics are a relatively recent addition to the strongly and statically typed Go language. Learn the benefits of using generics in Golang and how to get started. Continue Reading
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News
20 Oct 2022
Developers warned: GitHub Copilot code may be licensed
Questions surround GitHub Copilot's use of open source code, but it's a Supreme Court decision on Warhol's art that developers should keep an eye on, according to one legal expert. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Oct 2022
freeware
Freeware (not to be confused with free software) is a type of proprietary software that is released without charge to the public. Continue Reading
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News
18 Oct 2022
Oracle CloudWorld rollout includes new serverless options
New Oracle Cloud Infrastructure serverless offerings hide more of the gory infrastructure details from application developers to hasten software delivery workflows. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Oct 2022
software development kit (SDK)
A software development toolkit (SDK) is a set of software tools and programs provided by hardware and software vendors that developers can use to build applications for specific platforms. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 Oct 2022
pipe
In computer programming, especially in Unix operating systems (OSes), a pipe is a technique for passing information from one program process or command to another. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Oct 2022
What IT pros need to know about low-code limitations
Low-code environments promise to simplify and speed up software development, but their limitations can create challenges for enterprise IT. Compare models for low-code adoption. Continue Reading
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News
03 Oct 2022
EvolveWare feature adds agility to application modernization
EvolveWare's Intellisys gives enterprises a business rules extraction option that won't lock up legacy or modernized applications when code changes are required. Continue Reading
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Definition
30 Sep 2022
logical implication
Logical implication is a type of relationship between two statements or sentences. The relation translates verbally into 'logically implies' or the logical connective 'if/then' and is symbolized by a double-lined arrow pointing toward the right (=>). Continue Reading
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Definition
29 Sep 2022
synchronous/asynchronous API
Synchronous/asynchronous APIs are application programming interfaces that return data for requests either immediately or at a later time, respectively. Continue Reading
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News
28 Sep 2022
Intel SDKs give developers tools for AI, quantum software
Intel launched new SDKs for AI and quantum computing and added tools underpinned by the Intel Developer Cloud in an effort to attract developers to build on its hardware. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Sep 2022
Explore the pros and cons of Go for DevOps
Author and Docker engineer Teiva Harsanyi explains the benefits of Golang -- including why he sees it as the future of back-end development -- and how to avoid common pitfalls. Continue Reading
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News
22 Sep 2022
IT pros pan government software supply chain security advice
As the prospect of federally mandated SBOM drives up usage of the software supply chain security tech, the government's documentation so far adds to risky confusion, experts say. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Sep 2022
attribute
In general, an attribute is a property, quality, or characteristic that something or someone has. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Sep 2022
Experts: 3 trends in software development worth following
Trends come and go, but AIOps and MLOps, spatial computing, and a low-code and high-code toolkit are the future of software development, industry experts say. Continue Reading
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News
14 Sep 2022
AutoRabit tool seeks to simplify Salesforce security for DevOps
OrgScan extends CodeScan's security scanning ability in Salesforce. CodeScan Shield aims to simplify security for devs as the trend to shift left continues, industry analysts say. Continue Reading
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News
13 Sep 2022
COBOL application modernization tools and techniques
COBOL code modernization options range from a simple, yet expensive, application re-write to automated tools that can convert code and extract business rules. Continue Reading
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News
29 Aug 2022
Heroku to end free tiers, creating platform void for devs
Heroku will cease offering its free tiers this November, leaving developers to choose from an array of alternatives that don't quite match up, according to industry experts. Continue Reading
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News
26 Aug 2022
Intel's Wei Li on low-code/no-code AI and sentience
Wei Li, Intel's vice president and general manager of AI and analytics, outlines how low-code/no-code AI can help developers and chimes in on the sentient AI debate. Continue Reading
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Definition
26 Aug 2022
Java string
A Java string is a sequence of characters that exists as an object of the class java.lang. Continue Reading
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Definition
25 Aug 2022
lexical scoping (static scoping)
Lexical scoping, also known as static scoping, is a convention used with many modern programming languages. Continue Reading
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News
24 Aug 2022
PyPI phishing renews call for mandatory 2FA, package signing
Some developers view compulsory 2FA and package signing as a threat to productivity, but industry experts say such requirements are inevitable amid ongoing cyberattacks. Continue Reading
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News
24 Aug 2022
Low-code platforms create call for business-savvy developers
The rising popularity of low-code platforms may mark a decline for coding as a job priority, but demand is up for developers with a strong grasp of business knowledge, say experts. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Aug 2022
logical negation symbol
The logical negation symbol is used in Boolean algebra to indicate that the truth value of the statement that follows is reversed. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Aug 2022
vertical bar
The vertical bar ( | ) is a symbol used in mathematics, computing and other areas to represent a specific type of logic or operation, depending on its context. Continue Reading
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Definition
12 Aug 2022
operation (computing)
An operation, in computing, is an action that is carried out to accomplish a given task. Continue Reading
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News
12 Aug 2022
Kubernetes training, tech can tackle orchestration pain
DevOps can force developers to work outside their comfort zone and create frustration, but the right Kubernetes training and tools can ease the burden. Continue Reading
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Definition
12 Aug 2022
software testing
Software testing is the process of assessing the functionality of a software program. Continue Reading
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News
11 Aug 2022
How CI/CD pipelines are putting enterprise networks at risk
At Black Hat USA 2022, NCC Group researchers demonstrated how threat actors can compromise CI/CD pipelines and break out into enterprise networks and cloud environments. Continue Reading
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News
10 Aug 2022
COBOL programming skills gap thwarts modernization to Java
The challenge of migrating COBOL applications to run in the cloud is made nearly impossible with tricky line-to-line conversions and a lack of developers with the right skills. Continue Reading
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Definition
08 Aug 2022
menu
A menu is a set of options presented to the user of a computer application to help them find information or execute a function. Continue Reading
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Definition
08 Aug 2022
fuzzy search
A fuzzy search is a technique that uses search algorithms to find strings that match patterns approximately. Continue Reading
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Definition
04 Aug 2022
WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get)
WYSIWYG (pronounced wiz-ee-wig) is a type of editing software that allows users to see and edit content in a form that appears as it would when displayed on an interface, webpage, slide presentation or printed document. Continue Reading
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Definition
03 Aug 2022
Bootstrap
Bootstrap is a free, open source front-end development framework for the creation of websites and web apps. Continue Reading
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Definition
01 Aug 2022
green software
Green software, also known as sustainable software, is software that is designed, developed and implemented to limit energy consumption and have minimal environmental impact. Continue Reading
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News
29 Jul 2022
Developer search engine for code snippets comes with caveats
The YouCode search engine gives developers a fast way to find code snippets. But, like any code completion tool, results should be taken with a grain of salt. Continue Reading
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News
28 Jul 2022
CircleCI and GitLab integration expands DevOps tool choices
CircleCI expands code repository choices, benefitting mutual customers of the highly optimized platform, say industry analysts. Continue Reading
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News
26 Jul 2022
Shadow cast over future of Google's C++ replacement
A C++ replacement is long overdue, but Google's experimental language, Carbon, is far from a perfect solution, some industry experts say. Continue Reading
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News
22 Jul 2022
Developers beware: AI pair programming comes with pitfalls
Despite the promise of faster coding, AI pair programming has a host of pitfalls, including inapplicable code suggestions, security flaws and copyright issues. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Jul 2022
A quick glance at the history of C programming languages
Since C hit the scene in 1972, the language has continuously evolved to stay relevant in modern development. We examine C's history and why it's still relevant. Continue Reading
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News
15 Jul 2022
Consultancy benefits from green coding certification mandate
In this Q&A, GFT CTO Dean Clark details how his company's green coding certification program is bringing benefits beyond higher-quality, more efficient code. Continue Reading
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News
14 Jul 2022
Developer shortage fuels rise in low-code/no-code platforms
Halfway through 2022, interest in low-code/no-code platforms is not slowing down. Experts say the developer shortage is one of the biggest factors as companies continue to invest. Continue Reading
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News
12 Jul 2022
New JavaScript runtime Bun challenges Deno, Node.js
Beta release of JavaScript runtime Bun promises to speed up development with an array of out-of-the box features. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Jul 2022
No-code API tools for Excel wrangle data
Tampa-based Vault Insurance struggled with analyzing spreadsheets at scale until it purchased spreadsheet-to-API software Coherent Spark. Continue Reading
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Definition
07 Jul 2022
parser
In computer technology, a parser is a program that's usually part of a compiler. It receives input in the form of sequential source program instructions, interactive online commands, markup tags or some other defined interface. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Jun 2022
How viable is it to create microservices in Python?
Python offers microservices developers access to advanced scripting, embedded testing and plugin tooling. But is it a good fit for you? And what are the alternatives if it isn't? Continue Reading
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News
23 Jun 2022
Amazon CodeWhisperer joins packed AI code completion market
AI code completion tool Amazon CodeWhisperer is now available for developers who are willing to wait. Continue Reading
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News
23 Jun 2022
Code completion AI bot trend continues with GitHub Copilot
GitHub Copilot joins a ballooning field of AI-powered code completion tools. Industry experts debate the tool's utility and long-term staying power. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Jun 2022
binary file
A binary file is a file whose content is in a binary format that consists of a series of sequential bytes, each of which is eight bits in length. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Jun 2022
data abstraction
Data abstraction is the reduction of a particular body of data to a simplified representation of the whole. Continue Reading
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News
21 Jun 2022
Green software certification, legislation in the works
Green software could be moving from the technology fringes to the mainstream with upcoming legislation and a push for sustainable software certification. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Jun 2022
Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM)
Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) is an extension to Component Object Model (COM) that enables software components to communicate with each other across different computers on a local area network (LAN), on a wide area network (WAN) or across the internet. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 Jun 2022
strongly typed programming language
A strongly typed programming language is one in which each type of data, such as integers, characters, hexadecimals and packed decimals, is predefined as part of the programming language, and all constants or variables defined for a given program must be described with one of the data types. Continue Reading
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News
16 Jun 2022
Green software summit outlines developer best practices
The Green Software Foundation Global Summit highlights tech sustainability and the important role developers can play in tackling climate change. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Jun 2022
instantiation
In programming, instantiation is the creation of a real instance or particular realization of an abstraction or template, such as a class of objects or a computer process. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Jun 2022
4 low-code best practices to streamline adoption
To be successful with low-code adoption, organizations must clearly define project goals, ensure the right mix of staffing and tools, and regularly asses business value. Continue Reading
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News
15 Jun 2022
Tabnine code completion platform adds more powerful AI
Tabnine's code completion assistant adds support for 11 languages with a major AI overhaul. Continue Reading
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News
14 Jun 2022
In-demand programming languages devs should get to know
Experts weigh in on which in-demand programming languages offer the best job prospects. Continue Reading
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News
09 Jun 2022
Supply chain security takes center stage at OpenJS World 2022
At OpenJS World 2022, the Open Source Security Foundation outlined two ambitious initiatives to fix supply chain security issues in open source software. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Jun 2022
Can you really use a shared database for microservices?
Since its emergence as a mainstream development style, experts have debated the wisdom of using a shared database for microservices versus providing a database per service. Continue Reading
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Definition
06 Jun 2022
exception handling
Exception handling is the process of responding to unwanted or unexpected events when a computer program runs. Continue Reading
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News
02 Jun 2022
Mirantis Lens extension debuts on Docker Desktop
Docker Desktop adds a Mirantis Lens extension as another option for developers who want an easier way to work with Kubernetes. Continue Reading
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News
02 Jun 2022
Project Volterra could encourage switch to Arm-based PCs
Project Volterra, due out later this year, is an Arm-based PC geared up for AI development. The energy-efficient, faster device might enable Microsoft to catch up with Apple. Continue Reading
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News
26 May 2022
Microsoft Dev Box speeds up development, but will devs buy in?
Microsoft Dev Box offers developers a range of tools to increase productivity, but old habits tend to die hard. Continue Reading
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Definition
26 May 2022
data binding
Data binding is the process that couples two data sources together and synchronizes them. Continue Reading
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News
25 May 2022
Microsoft invites access to Azure OpenAI Service, GPT-3
Microsoft has invited corporate developers to apply for access to its cloud-based AI model for natural language processing. The service was invitation only. Continue Reading
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Definition
25 May 2022
binary
Binary describes a numbering scheme in which there are only two possible values for each digit -- 0 or 1 -- and is the basis for all binary code used in computing systems. Continue Reading
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News
24 May 2022
GitHub math support in Markdown useful but tardy
GitHub math support in Markdown took eight years to arrive. Had the feature been released in 2014, a wider audience might have benefited from its use. Continue Reading
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News
18 May 2022
Google Firebase speeds developer process with new features
The new Firebase additions may not excite developers, but they do add some much-needed functionality to the platform. Continue Reading