TLDR Index
TLDR Web Dev

TLDR WEB DEV 2025-01-16

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01ARTICLES & TUTORIALS

REFACTORING WITH CODEMODS TO AUTOMATE API CHANGES

Codemods are automated scripts that use Abstract Syntax Trees (ASTs) to manage large-scale code changes, particularly when dealing with breaking API changes or refactoring legacy code. They automate tasks like removing feature toggles or refactoring complex components. This article provides practical examples in JavaScript and shows how to write codemods, test them effectively, and compose multiple smaller codemods into larger transformations.

martinfowler.com22 min read

WHY DOES CLOUDFLARE PAGES HAVE SUCH A GENEROUS FREE TIER?

Cloudflare Pages offers an unlimited bandwidth free tier, unlike competitors with stricter limits. Practically, serving static websites consumes minimal resources on Cloudflare's network, and the free tier acts as effective marketing.

mattsayar.com4 min read

REBUILDING A 10 YEAR OLD IOS APP WITH EXPO

A 10-year-old native iOS app was rebuilt using Expo. The goal was to maintain all original functionality while minimizing custom native code and adding Android and tvOS support. Expo SDK components and EAS Build/Submit streamlined the process, with the majority of features being implemented using existing React Native packages.

expo.dev9 min read

02OPINIONS & ADVICE

NOBODY CARES

This author talks about the widespread apathy they perceive in society, as shown through examples of poor design, negligent behavior, and lack of care in various aspects. This apathy extends across professions, from software programmers to city bureaucrats, who prioritize job security over quality of work. The place where the author did not find apathy was a small startup where everyone is dedicated and proactive.

grantslatton.com8 min read

LET THE USER HELP SOLVE THEIR OWN PROBLEM

Current transit apps have a limited ability to allow users to customize route selection beyond algorithmic suggestions. These apps should allow users to specify preferred routes, similar to how email spam filters use user input to improve their accuracy.

boredzo.org4 min read

03LAUNCHES & TOOLS

Sponsored

HOW TO BUILD A TESTING CULTURE… WITHOUT MICROMANAGING DEVELOPERS

Developers want rigorous testing and 100% coverage, but life gets in the way - deadlines, production fires, backlogs. Find out how to build a testing culture in this special one-off workshop with Sentry and Growth Tribe [10]. You'll learn how to get buy-in, avoid micromanagement, and help your team succeed. Join live on January 28th

sentry.ioSponsor

sentry.io

EAS HOSTING (PREVIEW): HOST EXPO SERVER CODE IN THE CLOUD WITH EAS

Expo's EAS Hosting is a new cloud service for deploying Expo server code, including API routes and React websites. It addresses the challenges developers face deploying server-driven apps, offering an end-to-end solution integrated with EAS Workflows for deployment across multiple platforms. It has features like monitoring, logging, and error aggregation through a dashboard.

expo.dev10 min read

POSTAL MIME

Postal Mime is a JavaScript library for parsing RFC822 formatted emails in various environments (browser, Node.js, and serverless functions). It can take a raw email and output a structured object containing headers, recipients, attachments, and more.

github.comGitHub repository

04MISCELLANEOUS

100X DEFECT TOLERANCE: HOW CEREBRAS SOLVED THE YIELD PROBLEM

Cerebras built a wafer-scale processor 50 times larger than the largest existing computer chips, achieving comparable yields by prioritizing defect tolerance. This was accomplished through exceptionally small, fault-tolerant cores (100x smaller than those in an Nvidia H100 GPU) and a sophisticated routing architecture that bypasses faulty components. Unlike traditional approaches, Cerebras' design minimizes redundancy while maximizing usable silicon.

cerebras.ai7 min read

H-1B VISAS POWER THE TECH INDUSTRY. BUT EXPERTS SAY THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY BECAUSE OF A TALENT GAP

Elon Musk controversially claimed that there was a shortage of top engineers in the US, saying that increased immigration is needed to fill the perceived gap. This sparked a debate, dividing supporters of stricter immigration policies from tech entrepreneurs who rely on H-1B visas for foreign workers. The data suggests there is a surplus of American tech workers, and critics argue the H-1B program displaces Americans and depresses wages. The situation is further complicated by reports of tech companies laying off US workers while simultaneously sponsoring H-1B visas.

msn.com5 min read

CODE REVIEWS: A SUCCESS STORY

A junior engineer implemented two features, A and B, using different code review processes. Feature A, reviewed by colleagues with less time and attention, shipped quickly but contained bugs requiring multiple fixes. Feature B was rigorously reviewed by the engineer via a detailed, well-justified process that emphasized smaller commits and thorough testing. It took longer to develop but launched bug-free.

blogsystem5.substack.com5 min read