Engaging deeply with academic literature is essential for enhancing one’s comprehension of computer science, as it offers a more profound experience compared to merely watching tutorial videos. While tutorials focus on practical skills and specific tasks, academic papers explore the theoretical underpinnings that inform the discipline’s advancement. The “Papers We Love” initiative, led by Zeeshan Lakhani, Darren Newton, and David Ashby, demonstrates that individuals lacking formal training in computer science can greatly enrich their understanding by studying seminal research papers. This initiative highlights the transformative impact of immersing oneself in academic texts, which often clarify the progression of programming paradigms and foster innovative approaches to problem-solving.

The blog post titled “Papers We Love” presents an overview of four pivotal computer science papers that are strongly recommended for individuals seeking to enhance their comprehension of the field. The selected papers are “Communicating Sequential Processes” authored by Tony Hoare, “Dynamo: Amazon’s Highly Available Key-value Store,” “A Unified Theory of Garbage Collection,” and “Out of the Tar Pit.” Each of these seminal works delves into core principles that have significantly contributed to the evolution of computer science, providing readers with an opportunity to investigate the foundational ideas and progress of essential technologies and methodologies. For example, Hoare’s work on Communicating Sequential Processes (CSP) introduces a formal framework for articulating interaction patterns in concurrent systems, a notion that remains influential in contemporary distributed computing.

I selected this blog for emphasis because I am convinced that the field of computer science encompasses much more than merely consuming tutorial videos. Numerous aspiring programmers become ensnared in what is commonly referred to as “tutorial hell,” where they find themselves perpetually watching instructional videos without attaining a profound understanding of the underlying concepts. This blog promotes the idea of breaking free from that cycle by engaging with scholarly literature, which not only expands one’s intellectual perspective but also offers a solid theoretical framework that is frequently neglected in tutorials. By exploring research papers, programmers can discover invaluable insights that enhance their capacity to develop more efficient, innovative, and elegant solutions to intricate challenges.

Academic publications in the field of computer science often form the foundation for technological advancements. They present innovative algorithms, introduce new frameworks, and analyze complex systems, many of which ultimately become integral to industry standards. While the terminology in these publications may initially appear intimidating, the time spent understanding them is highly beneficial. Developers and researchers who engage with academic literature acquire a competitive advantage, remaining abreast of new developments and enhancing their analytical capabilities to address contemporary challenges. Additionally, this engagement promotes critical thinking and cultivates the intellectual curiosity essential for driving technological progress.

Engaging with academic literature is essential for individuals committed to enhancing their knowledge in the field of computer science. This practice serves to connect theoretical frameworks with practical implementation, thereby promoting a comprehensive grasp of the subject. Regular interaction with seminal works enables programmers and developers to sharpen their technical competencies while establishing themselves as influential figures who can make meaningful contributions to the wider technological community. In a discipline characterized by constant change and innovation, the skill to locate and analyze academic research becomes a vital resource, profoundly influencing both personal career paths and the evolution of the industry at large.

Blog: https://stackoverflow.blog/2022/12/30/you-

From the blog CS@Worcester – Matchaman10 by tam nguyen and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Almost any young programmer’s first programs look the same. 1. 2. This is all well and good in the beginning, however, non-descriptive variable names pose an issue as time goes on. When your programs get more complex and you work in teams, naming conventions become incredibly important. A lack of naming conventions decreases code clarity […]

From the blog CS@Worcester – CurrentlyCompiling by currentlycompiling and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

GitHub has become an extremely important platform for developers, designers, and entire companies or teams to collaborate on projects of all sizes. At its core, GitHub leverages Git, a version control system, to help manage and track changes in code. Whether you are building a personal project, contributing to an open source project, or collaborating on an enterprise level application, GitHub offers amazing tools to make the development process as seamless as possible.  GitHub simplifies the complex workflows of modern development, making it an essential tool for anyone in tech. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned developer, understanding repositories is the first step to mastering GitHub.

What is a Repository?

A repository (or repo) is a centralized location where all the files, code, and documentation for a project are stored. It acts as a project’s home. A repository on GitHub can be public (accessible to anyone) or private (restricted to select users) based on the liking of the owner. Public repositories are particularly popular in open-source communities, because of how they are enabling developers worldwide to contribute, report issues, and suggest improvements to better the source.

Repositories also keep a detailed history of every change made, making sure the owner can track and revert changes if needed.

Key Components of a Repository

1. Commits: A commit is a snapshot of changes in a repository. Developers use commits to save their progress and include important messages describing the changes made.
2. Branches: Branches are alternate versions of the repository. The main branch (often called main or master) is the central working version, while developers create separate branches to work on features or fixes without disturbing the main codebase.
3. Pull Requests: When work in a branch is ready to be merged back into the main branch, developers create a pull request. It’s an easy way to propose changes, invite feedback, and review the code before it gets integrated.
4. Issues: Issues act as a task tracker within a repository. Developers and contributors can log bugs, suggest features, or discuss implementation details.
5. README Files: A README file is usually the first thing a visitor sees. It provides an overview of the project, instructions for usage, and contribution guidelines.

How GitHub Works

To use GitHub effectively, you typically:

1. Create a Repository: Start a new project or upload an existing one.
2. Clone the Repo: Download the repository to your local machine using Git commands or GitHub Desktop.
3. Make Changes Locally: Modify files, add new features, or fix bugs.
4. Commit and Push: Save your changes locally and push them to GitHub.
5. Collaborate: Use pull requests, issues, and discussions to collaborate with others.

“What is GitHub?” is an official video from the GitHub YouTube channel.  The video is informative, as well as very well put together with amazing graphical effects and editing.  It is a great way to learn about GitHub quickly, while also being mesmerized by great video editing skills.  Check out the video to get a quick grasp and introduction on GitHub

Link to Resource:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBy1zgt0XPc

From the blog CS@Worcester – Elliot Benoit's Blog by Elliot Benoit and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

In CS-348, I covered many developmental practices and strategies, from the use of  development environments to software design practices. In exploring increment.com I came across an article about the repetitive nature of agile development and how it can lead to burnout and fatigue. The article resonated with me because I will soon be entering the workforce and experiencing agile for the first time. The article’s focus on pausing drew me in to read on. The article’s title is Planning For Pause by Romello Goodman.

The article begins by defining how the agile approach emphasizes speed, flexibility, and continuous iteration by building software incrementally with each sprint. This approach works well for early-stage products but the author points out that the method doesn’t always account for late-stage software. The author identifies that teams can fall into the trap of endlessly adding small, insignificant features rather than working on more meaningful or impactful projects. This leads to a sense of busywork, where the development process feels like it’s stuck in an endless loop of minor updates, creating burnout and dissatisfaction. The author then introduces the concept of milestones, which is defined as an idea borrowed from the waterfall method. These milestones bring structure and pauses into the development process. Unlike agile’s continuous sprint cycle, milestones give teams a moment to stop and reflect on their progress. These breaks allow for a more complete and comprehensive review of the work completed and help realign goals for the next phase of development. The author compares milestones with retrospectives, which can be often overlooked or rescheduled in agile processes. One practical example the author shares is from their team at The New York Times, where they use a two-week cooldown period every six weeks to step back, address technical debt (identified in another blog of mine), and plan future work. By incorporating these breaks into the agile cycle, the author advocates for teams to prevent burnout, improve long-term productivity, and build better software with a pause style. 

I found this article very interesting and pertinent to a big change coming in my life. As I prepare to leave university, I will be experiencing an entirely new mode of software development and teamwork in general. By preparing for the positives and negatives I will have a more complete understanding of how agile works and its potential alternatives. I will continue to read more into the actual development practices I will be actively experiencing.

https://increment.com/planning/milestones-and-agile-development/

From the blog CS@Worcester – WSU CS Blog: Ben Gelineau by Ben Gelineau and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

The blog examines the contradiction in which developers emphasize the importance of writing clean code while frequently overlooking the necessity of documentation, even though documentation plays a vital role in software maintenance and in mitigating technical debt. Research demonstrates that high-quality documentation significantly boosts productivity by reducing the time required for tasks and enhancing the quality of code. A comprehensive meta-analysis of more than 60 scholarly articles revealed that effective documentation has a beneficial effect on multiple facets of software development.

Despite these advantages, developers often prioritize other tasks over documentation, particularly when faced with stringent deadlines and an emphasis on delivering functional code, a common scenario in Agile methodologies. This tendency results in informal and outdated documentation, which can contribute to an increase in technical debt.

I selected this blog due to its relevance to my current studies, as it facilitates the application of concepts to my own coding practices. As a student, I find this article on clean code and documentation particularly valuable because it underscores the frequently neglected but crucial importance of documentation in the realm of software development. Although many educational programs prioritize clean code, this article effectively addresses the connection between quality documentation and its benefits, such as fostering collaboration, minimizing technical debt, and enhancing overall productivity. Furthermore, it provides perspectives on real-world challenges, including stringent deadlines and Agile methodologies, thereby equipping students to navigate the intricacies of professional settings.

A significant insight gained was the impact of documentation on fostering collaboration and minimizing technical debt elements that are closely tied to my group projects and individual coding endeavors. The discussion surrounding AI-enhanced documentation highlighted the transformative potential of automation in optimizing development processes. This revelation has motivated me to investigate tools that can facilitate documentation in both my ongoing and upcoming projects. As I progress, I intend to adopt improved documentation practices within my coding routine, acknowledging that such efforts not only enhance my comprehension but also render my work more approachable for others.

Blog: https://stackoverflow.blog/2024/12/19/developers-hate-documentation-ai-generated-toil-work/

From the blog CS@Worcester – Matchaman10 by tam nguyen and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

This semester, we spent plenty of time learning about and discussing Agile and Scrum. We learned about the framework and how it can be implemented in teams, as well as the performance advantages of teams that use it. However, just as not every tool is right for every job, it is just as important to […]

From the blog CS@Worcester – CurrentlyCompiling by currentlycompiling and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Git is a strong version control system that allows collaboration, monitors changes, and ensures project integrity. The Atlassian Git course explains key techniques like branching, merging, and maintaining a clean commit history, which are critical for effective development workflows. It describes how teams can work independently on feature development using branches without interfering with the main codebase, and how merging techniques guarantee that changes are seamlessly integrated. In order to show how Git can manage intricate projects with several contributors, advanced techniques like rebasing and resolving merge conflicts are also discussed. These ideas are supported by the official Git documentation, which offers comprehensive instructions on topics including marking releases, stashing changes, and fixing errors. I selected these resources because they offer a comprehensive grasp of Git’s features, which are essential for contemporary software development. They provide useful insights into how Git might improve team operations and avoid common development problems, building on the version control system lessons we covered in class. The focus on crafting relevant commit messages, for instance, relates to our lessons on preserving traceability and clarity in software projects. Their emphasis on bridging the gap between complex workflows like conflict resolution and cherry-picking modifications and beginner-friendly techniques like basic commits and branching is another factor in the selection of these resources. These guidelines have demonstrated to me that Git is about more than just code storage; it’s also about fostering teamwork, accountability, and transparency. 

One idea that struck a deep chord was that of “atomic commits.” Atomic commits highlight how crucial it is to organize changes into logical chunks so that each commit embodies a single, coherent concept. Debugging, tracking project history, and undoing particular changes without causing unexpected consequences are all made simpler by this procedure. Changing my perspective has had a big impact on how I handle version control. For instance, I now make extra effort to commit often and make sure that the context and goal of the modifications are explained in detail in my commit messages. In order to eliminate extraneous noise in the project history, I have also begun utilizing Git’s interactive staging functionality to include only pertinent changes in each commit. I want to apply these Git best practices into every project I work on going forward. For example, I’ll employ branching more methodically, making sure that experiments, bug fixes, and features are separated for simpler testing and evaluation. In order to find areas for improvement and keep the repository clear and understandable, I also plan to make it a practice to routinely review the commit history. In order to maintain uniformity and cooperation, I will also urge team members to adhere to the same procedures. By doing this, I hope to enhance both individual productivity and productive teamwork by producing high-quality code and establishing a clear, stable, and future-proof project history.

From the blog CS@Worcester – A Bostonians Blogs by Abdulhafeedh Sotunbo and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Agile methods emphasize flexibility, collaboration, and iterative development to deliver high-quality software efficiently. The Scrum Guide explores core practices like sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospective meetings, which help teams adapt to changing requirements and ensure continuous improvement. It highlights the importance of clear roles, such as the Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Development Team, to maintain focus and accountability. Similarly, the Agile Manifesto underscores values like prioritizing individuals and interactions, working software, and customer collaboration over rigid processes. Together, these resources demonstrate how Agile methodologies foster an environment of transparency and adaptability while driving innovation and customer satisfaction. 

I selected these resources because they offer a thorough comprehension of Agile principles, which are critical to contemporary software development. They enhance our classroom instruction on iterative processes and team dynamics, which has made it easier for me to understand how Agile promotes productivity in practical settings. These tools were chosen in part because they emphasize useful strategies like prioritizing client input and dividing work into digestible chunks. These guidelines are particularly helpful for keeping projects moving forward and avoiding the problems associated with strict, long-term planning. For instance, I had trouble with scope creep and late deliverables in earlier projects. Following my study of these materials, I came to understand how Agile frameworks, such as Scrum and Kanban, might lessen these problems by encouraging gradual development and frequent review cycles.

One concept that resonated deeply was the principle of “embracing change.” Rather than viewing changing requirements as a hindrance, Agile promotes adapting to them as a competitive advantage. This mindset has changed how I approach project management. I now see flexibility as an integral part of the development process rather than a disruption. Moving forward, I plan to integrate Agile practices like iterative development and regular retrospectives into my work. By doing so, I aim to create workflows that are not only efficient and adaptive but also aligned with customer needs and evolving goals.

Moving forward, I plan to integrate Agile practices like iterative development, regular retrospectives, and active stakeholder involvement into my work. To guarantee that all stakeholders are included and that input is consistently implemented, for example, I try to include user stories and sprint reviews. In order to increase focus and productivity, I also plan to implement the timeboxing concept. By doing this, I hope to develop processes that are not only effective and flexible but also in line with changing objectives and client needs. In addition, I want to create a cooperative atmosphere where candid communication and mutual responsibility propel the project ahead. By using these techniques, I will be able to provide not only functional software but also long-lasting solutions that genuinely satisfy user needs.

From the blog CS@Worcester – A Bostonians Blogs by Abdulhafeedh Sotunbo and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

A brand new partnership was just created between GitLab and Amazon Q. It has revolutionized the traditional flow of software development with its new AI capabilities. Now with the help of Amazon Q’s ai driven assistant developers now can get help in complex tasks including feature development, code reviews, and even codebase upgrades. Developers can use Amazon Q with simple commands in GitLab, which can streamline their workflow and boost productivity. The partnership offers capabilities like automated code generation, assisted code reviews, and legacy code upgrades, all inside of GitLab. This helps developers be able to focus their time on other tasks required for development rather than coding in order to enhance their productivity. 

The reason I chose this specific resource was because throughout the entire semester we mainly used GitLab and I believed that it had a lot to do with the majority of what we learned in class. Not only this, but because ai is one of the biggest topics and technologies in the world right now and I believed that this new partnership with GitLab was going to make every aspect of it much easier and make it much more efficient and efficiency in coding is another topic we went over in class a lot as well, with Scrum and Agile principles. I also believed that this would be not only important for me to learn, but others as well since this new program helps with many of the slowest parts of coding. I believed that it was a tool that would serve not only me, but everyone else who is majoring in computer science very well. This new information has also changed the way I think about software development as it shows that ai is not just some popular, interesting and controversial media topic, but now it is a useful tool that is being included into the daily process of developers. It is clear that anyone who wants to one day be a software developer must be able to not only code well, but also know how to use ai in the most efficient way possible. 

I plan on using this in the future by using AI more to be able to assist me in generating code, but also to stay mindful on a good balance between ai and my own ideas in order to make sure my coding is the most efficient it can possibly be and to keep the quality of my code as high as I can.

Link: https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/aws/introducing-gitlab-duo-with-amazon-q/

From the blog CS@Worcester – Thanas' CS Blog by tlara1f9a6bfb54 and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

In this class we have talked about the process of building software many times, but we never really looked into how much this software might cost to create and some different factors that would make a difference in it. I personally found this part of coding the one I kept wondering about so I found a blog post by Kacper Rafalski to learn more about it since if we are spending so much time on the creation of software it would be useful to know all the different aspects of its pricing including project size, complexity, team composition, and technology choices. 

First he explains the cost depending on the software type. The cost of software development depends a lot on the type of software being built. If the project is based on web development it can range from affordable prices to more expensive ones, while if you are creating a mobile app it becomes way more complicated and costs a lot more due to problems that arise where you need to support multiple operating systems for multiple types of phones. Meanwhile custom software development, which involves creating different solutions depending on the case, also varies in price based on the features required to create it and specialized fields like cloud computing and embedded systems are often very flexible and seen as better, but often makes the program cost much more expensive since it is a lot more complex than the other systems. He then explains that a project’s size including its features makes a big impact on its size, but also it has a lot to do with the diversity of its functions. A small company that wants a basic software might have to pay $100,000 meanwhile a bigger company that wants a more complex software will get a starting range of around $600,000. Pricing also depends on the developers. Developers that have much more experience will require much higher rates due to them being much quicker at working as well as being able to handle much more complex projects. There are also some hidden costs like maintenance that will be charged and system integration. The post talks about common pricing models in software development, like the Fixed Price, Time-and-Materials, and Dedicated Team models. Each model has its advantages and is suited for different project types and client needs. Overall the post recommends carefully planning your projects to budget well using different strategies to remain cost effective. 

Overall I believe that I learned a lot from this post and from now on I plan on approaching different projects with a more realistic and cost effective approach. I also learned that creating projects isn’t just about how well you can code, but also about planning strategically and managing my resources and budget as well as I can in order to be a better team player.

Link: https://www.netguru.com/blog/software-development-cost

From the blog CS@Worcester – Thanas' CS Blog by tlara1f9a6bfb54 and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.