Computer Science

21 articles · all categories

November 2022

Reader question: useReducer or XState?

Following up from my article about XState and Stately.ai, fellow reader S. asked if `useReducer` could ever be relevant when using state machines in React code. Yes! Here's how

When your brain is breaking, try Stately.ai

Two years ago I wrote about using XState after building a UI interaction so twisted my brain leaked out my ears. It helped. Now the creators have made something even better – Stately.ai 😍

September 2022

Notes on A Relational Model of Data for Large Shared Data Banks

In 1970 a paper came out that changed the world of business computing. It laid the ground work for modern databases.

February 2022

A new VSCode extension makes state machines shine on a team

When you grok state machines, a new world of computational beauty and software design opens in front of your eyes. Things that used to be hard become easy. The impossible becomes possible. And you turn into that annoying team member.

January 2021

Tech interview best practice that fails in life

Tech interviews have a magic answer: The hashmap. And it's not always best on the job.

What computer science can teach us about vaccine distribution

How would you rollout the covid vaccine for max fairness and speed?

August 2020

You though computer science has no place in webdev? Here's a fun coding challenge

How to debug unified, rehype, or remark and fix bugs in markdown processing

How to debug unified, rehype, or remark and fix bugs in markdown processing

When your brain is breaking, try XState

April 2020

How tests uncover hidden complexity in simple code

June 2019

TypeScript's biggest flaw and how you can use ducks to fix it

May 2019

LOLCODE-to-JavaScript compiler babel macro

A fully functioning LOLCODE-to-JavaScript compiler implemented as a Babel macro. You never thought you wanted this and now here it is. You're welcome. 🐱

comp sci ain't useless

February 2019

Async, await, catch – error handling that won't drive you crazy

January 2019

When you code, write down everything

August 2018

How virtual memory saves lives, workshops, and your sanity

May 2017

Do you really need immutable data?

October 2013

Week 1: Turing's On computable numbers

March 2011

Checking for primes? Dumber algorithm is faster algorithm

Project euler is a fun way to become a better geek