The concepts of encoding, encryption, hashing, and obfuscation are at the core of many critical software technologies. For example, encryption and hashing are the backbones of the blockchain technology that fuels cryptocurrencies, whereas encoding and obfuscation unify and secure the web, respectively. Unfortunately, these concepts are often mistakenly confused or...

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The SIGBOVIK’s flagship conference is a satiric and incredibly interesting Computer Science venue sponsored by the self-called “Association for Computational Heresy (ACH).” The event has been celebrated annually since 2007 in honor of Harry Quantifiability Bovik, an unconventional professor from Carnegie Mellon University. SIGBOVIK is the cradle of the funniest...

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If you are a Java developer interested in cryptocurrencies and blockchain-related technologies, you should probably have heard about Hyperledger Besu. Besu is the official Java client of the Ethereum blockchain. As an enterprise-grade client for public and private networks, Besu is able to connect to the blockchain and verify all...

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Every time I start writing a new research paper, the same freezing feeling seems to emerge when I look at the blank page. This problem is known as writer’s block, and most academics suffer from it in one way or the other. I’ve dealt with this invisible monster on many...

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Pursuing a Ph.D. is a unique and personal experience. Admittedly, it is a journey mostly driven by personal ambitions and pride. The decision to begin this journey (i.e., becoming a Ph.D. student) is a very serious because a Ph.D. can literally change your life. It is not something to be...

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The software supply chain comprises all the technology involved in shipping a piece of code from development to its deployment in a production environment. Several actors and different technologies participate in this complex process, e.g., developers, IDEs, compilers, package managers, a so on. The success or failure of a software...

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The microservice architecture style consists of small and independently deployable services that run all together around a business domain. These small services act like living cells in an organism, each providing unique functionalities to protect the health of the whole system. Microservices have transitioned from a mere buzzword ten years...

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Programmers and software engineers are in high demand today. In particular, those programmers who adapt to the new technological challenges and evolve their skills are more likely to grow professionally. A natural career path for experienced engineers to push forward their lifework is transitioning towards a software architect role. In...

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It’s 2021, and the job market has crashed due to a ghastly global pandemic. At the same time, one particular job has taken over an idealized professional place: the computer programmer. They are perceived to be experts who know how to build, fix, and deploy software artifacts. Most of them...

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I started using Disqus in 2018. At that time, it was arguably the leading commenting management system for both small and large websites. Its popularity was well deserved: ubiquitous integration, easy to set up, friendly admin panel, clean comment widget design, excellent spam filters, great content engaging features, etc. Three...

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