The practice of a technical journal: logging your decisions and experiments

The practice of a technical journal: logging your decisions and experiments

The importance of keeping a technical journal In the fast-paced world of software development, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and lose sight of the bigger picture. That’s where a technical journal comes in. Keeping a detailed log of your decisions, experiments, and findings can be a game-changer for your productivity and skill development. Why keep a technical journal? Accountability: When you write down your thoughts and decisions, you’re more likely to follow through on them....

May 1, 2026 · 4 min · 658 words · Maxim Zhirnov
Cryptic Comments as Cultural Artifacts: Are We Supposed to Understand Them?

Cryptic Comments as Cultural Artifacts: Are We Supposed to Understand Them?

In the vast and intricate world of software development, comments in code often serve as the only bridge between the programmer’s intent and the puzzled future maintainer. But what happens when these comments are more puzzling than elucidating? Welcome to the curious case of cryptic comments—the enigmatic messages that developers leave behind, sometimes more baffling than the code itself. The Mystery of Cryptic Comments Cryptic comments are those snippets of text that accompany code, meant to explain its functionality, but often end up creating more questions than answers....

April 20, 2026 · 3 min · 637 words · Maxim Zhirnov
Minimalist Deployment Strategies for Side Projects: Docker Compose, systemd, cron

Minimalist Deployment Strategies for Side Projects: Docker Compose, systemd, cron

Introduction Deploying side projects can often feel like a Herculean task, especially when you’re juggling multiple responsibilities. The good news is that you don’t need a complex setup to get your project up and running. In this article, we’ll explore minimalist deployment strategies using Docker Compose, systemd, and cron. These tools are like the Swiss Army knife of deployment—versatile, reliable, and efficient. Docker Compose: Your Side Project’s Best Friend Docker Compose is a fantastic tool for managing multi-container Docker applications....

April 17, 2026 · 3 min · 547 words · Maxim Zhirnov
Shipping Features Without Tests: Controlled Recklessness or Pure Negligence?

Shipping Features Without Tests: Controlled Recklessness or Pure Negligence?

Introduction In the fast-paced world of software development, the pressure to deliver features quickly can sometimes lead to compromises. One such compromise is shipping code without adequate testing. Is this a form of controlled recklessness, a necessary evil in the name of agility, or simply pure negligence that can lead to disaster? Let’s dive into the nuances of this debate, explore the arguments on both sides, and consider the implications for software quality and project success....

April 13, 2026 · 5 min · 863 words · Maxim Zhirnov
Why Obsession with Code Elegance Harms Products and How to Find Balance

Why Obsession with Code Elegance Harms Products and How to Find Balance

The Pursuit of Code Elegance: A Double-Edged Sword In the realm of software development, the quest for elegant code is akin to a noble knight’s journey in search of the holy grail. We strive for clean, efficient, and beautiful code, believing it to be the ultimate measure of our craftsmanship. However, like any intense pursuit, this obsession with code elegance can sometimes lead us astray, harming the very products we aim to create....

April 10, 2026 · 3 min · 617 words · Maxim Zhirnov