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My name is Max. I’m a software engineer and a writer. I love building things and sharing my knowledge with others.
C# Plugin Wizardry: Brewing Magic in Unity's Underbelly

C# Plugin Wizardry: Brewing Magic in Unity's Underbelly

When Unity’s built-in features feel like trying to fight a dragon with a butter knife, plugins become your enchanted broadsword. In this guide, we’ll transmute C# code into native power-ups while dodging memory leaks like they’re poorly coded Minotaurs in a labyrinth. Forging the Native Crucible Every great plugin starts by angering the right gods - in this case, your OS’s compiler. Let’s create a C++ spell that makes numbers go boom:...

May 19, 2025 · 3 min · 580 words · Maxim Zhirnov
Coding with a Conscience: The Moral Crossfire of Defense Contracts and Why Your Next Line Might Matter More Than You Think

Coding with a Conscience: The Moral Crossfire of Defense Contracts and Why Your Next Line Might Matter More Than You Think

As programmers, we’re constantly reminded that “code is law” – but what happens when the code we write becomes part of the legal arsenal of a war machine? In this article, we’ll dissect the uncomfortable truths behind defense contracting, why this decision should haunt your nightmares, and explore practical steps to navigate this ethical minefield. The Devil’s in the Documentation Defense contracts aren’t just about building APIs – they involve navigating a labyrinth of regulations like DFARS that could make even the most seasoned developer weep....

May 19, 2025 · 4 min · 685 words · Maxim Zhirnov
Event-Driven Architecture: When Your Code Needs a Social Life

Event-Driven Architecture: When Your Code Needs a Social Life

Picture this: your monolithic application is that awkward friend who shows up to a party and starts reciting SQL queries. Event-driven architecture (EDA) is the life of the software soiree - it knows how to mingle, react to stimuli, and keeps conversations flowing without awkward silences. Let’s explore how to make your codebase the charismatic extrovert everyone wants to hang with. The Nuts and Bolts of Event-Driven Flirting At its core, EDA is about components whispering sweet nothings to each other through events....

May 18, 2025 · 3 min · 634 words · Maxim Zhirnov
Why Bugs Are Your Code’s Funniest Teachers (And How to Laugh While Fixing Them)

Why Bugs Are Your Code’s Funniest Teachers (And How to Laugh While Fixing Them)

Picture this: you’ve just deployed your masterpiece code. You lean back, sip your coffee, and BAM - a user reports that your “Add to Cart” button turns into a spinning llama when clicked. Congratulations! You’ve just met your new coding sensei: Señor Bug. Let’s explore why these uninvited guests are actually the best teachers you’ll ever have. 1. Bugs Are Nature’s Code Review Every bug is like a quirky puzzle box left by your past self....

May 18, 2025 · 4 min · 644 words · Maxim Zhirnov
The Architecture Illusion: Why Your Perfect Blueprint is a Unicorn

The Architecture Illusion: Why Your Perfect Blueprint is a Unicorn

Let me tell you a secret: every time someone says “bulletproof architecture,” a developer somewhere loses the will to live. We’ve all been there - staring at a whiteboard, arguing about hexagonal vs. clean architecture, while the product manager taps their foot impatiently. This isn’t an architecture workshop - it’s a hostage situation with UML diagrams. Let’s start with a universal truth: Software architecture is like sex. Everyone thinks they’re good at it, few are willing to admit their mistakes, and bad decisions lead to messy outcomes that someone else has to clean up....

May 17, 2025 · 3 min · 633 words · Maxim Zhirnov