The Tyranny of DRY: When Code Duplication is Actually Better

The Tyranny of DRY: When Code Duplication is Actually Better

The DRY Principle: A Double-Edged Sword In the realm of software development, the Don’t Repeat Yourself (DRY) principle is often hailed as a golden rule. It advises developers to avoid duplicating code, ensuring that every piece of knowledge must have a single, unambiguous representation within a system. However, like any principle, it is not without its caveats. There are times when the zeal to adhere to DRY can lead to more harm than good....

December 26, 2024 · 5 min · 1010 words · Maxim Zhirnov
Developing WordPress Plugins with PHP: A Step-by-Step Guide

Developing WordPress Plugins with PHP: A Step-by-Step Guide

Getting Started with WordPress Plugin Development Welcome to the world of WordPress plugin development, where you can turn your creative ideas into functional plugins that enhance the capabilities of your WordPress site. In this article, we’ll dive into the nitty-gritty of creating a WordPress plugin from scratch, using PHP as our primary language. Step 1: Setting Up Your Environment Before you begin, make sure you have a testing environment or a staging site set up....

December 25, 2024 · 4 min · 664 words · Maxim Zhirnov
Avoiding Refactoring Legacy Systems When They Work Well

Avoiding Refactoring Legacy Systems When They Work Well

The Dilemma of Legacy Systems: To Refactor or Not to Refactor? In the world of software development, legacy systems are like the old, reliable cars that still get you from point A to point B, even if they don’t have all the fancy features of the latest models. While they may not be the most efficient or secure, they often continue to function well enough to keep the business running. But when is it wise to leave well enough alone, and when should you embark on the often-daunting task of refactoring?...

December 25, 2024 · 4 min · 847 words · Maxim Zhirnov
Developing Extensions for Microsoft Power BI Using R

Developing Extensions for Microsoft Power BI Using R

Introduction to Power BI and R In the world of data analysis and visualization, two powerful tools stand out: Microsoft Power BI and the R programming language. Power BI is a user-friendly, drag-and-drop application ideal for quick and beautiful visualizations, while R is a robust environment for statistical computing and complex data analysis. When combined, these tools can create a formidable arsenal for any data analyst or scientist. Installing R for Power BI Before you can start using R with Power BI, you need to ensure that R is installed on your local machine....

December 24, 2024 · 5 min · 947 words · Maxim Zhirnov
The Case for Using Deprecated Technologies: When They Still Work

The Case for Using Deprecated Technologies: When They Still Work

The Eternal Dilemma: To Deprecate or Not to Deprecate In the ever-evolving landscape of software development, the term “deprecated” often carries a negative connotation. It’s like the software equivalent of a warning label on a product: “Caution: This might still work, but use at your own risk.” However, there are scenarios where using deprecated technologies is not only justified but also prudent. Let’s delve into the complexities and nuances of this decision....

December 24, 2024 · 5 min · 1020 words · Maxim Zhirnov