.NET
“Turn All Your Enums Into Bytes Now!” | Code Cop 14 (via Nick Chapsas)
- The antipattern is to turn enums into bytes (e.g., public enum NameHere : byte { … }). The theory is that instead of a 32-bit integer, it can be an 8-bit integer.
- The efficiency isn’t worth the effort; you save 3 bytes per instance. For any codebase, there are likely much easier ways (i.e., lower hanging fruit) to be more efficient with memory usage.
- Nick pointed out for this specific post, one of the comments was very likely generated by ChatGPT for the purpose of increasing engagement.
- Also, Microsoft doesn’t even use bytes for enums.
“Stop Using Good Names in Your Code” | Code Cop #015 (via Nick Chapsas)
- The example in question had a class that looked like a collection rather than what it really was: a repository.
- Nick then takes the code and points out other things that could be made more explicit to aid the reader in quickly understanding what the method does.
- Another example is that there is a difference between “save” and “create.”
Management
Stop Overcomplicating It: The Simple Guidebook to Upping Your Management Game (via SWLW)
Although the post is a bit lengthy, I liked the premise of there being nothing wrong with being a manager. As long as you are delivering an aligned result and enabling the success of people on your teams, that’s often enough. There are also some good questions about getting feedback via engagement surveys.
4 Experiments to Encourage Employees’ Career Progress (via HBR)
- Talent over titles — apply for roles that prioritize transferrable talents and a willingness to learn
- Squiggly stories — move away from the “career ladder” model and toward surfacing and celebrating different directions
- Career safaris — move away from there being a “right” next step and toward letting people try out different areas
- Move mentoring — managers don’t need to define next steps, as ideas can come from others
Remote Work
Fighting Loneliness on Remote Teams (via HBR)
- Community (a feeling and a set of relationships among people where common needs can be met) is an antidote to loneliness.
- Reflect on where your team stands now, make recognition meaningful, provide support for career advancement, and model communicating as a whole person (give better responses to “how are you”, infuse opportunities for friendship into meetings, talk about mental health).