In Tech Stack Modernization, Volume 1, I discussed why I'm evaluating new clientside frameworks, and I listed my goals and requirements. You'll note that I prefer small focused libraries over kitchen sink frameworks, which is part of the reason I like Knockout.JS so much. Because of that preference, Angular was a bit of a tough sell for me, but after struggling with framework selection I decided to hold my nose and dive in! Disclaimer: … [Read more...]
Tech Stack Modernization, Volume 1
How do you know when you need to take the considerable effort of choosing a new tech stack? There can be a number of signs: Finding new developers willing to work on your stack is getting harder. Newer stacks promise (and hopefully deliver) better performance, faster development or better user experience. Your current stack is preventing you from implementing the features or performance your users expect. You need to freshen your … [Read more...]
4 Areas That Attract and Retain Great Software Development Talent (from a Developer’s Perspective)
Go to any technical user group meeting and you are likely to find many announcements of jobs—but few developers who are looking for work. Something has definitely shifted in the supply and demand equation, and it's developers who are in the driver's seat now. They are able to change jobs more easily than at any time since before the last recession, and they frequently field multiple offers while doing so. So what can you as an employer … [Read more...]
Coding Exercises for Technical Candidates
Here at Stout we screen a lot of technical candidates. Our first step is to filter the resumes. (We have little need for glass window installers despite the fact that they match the keywords "windows" and "installation!") Then we conduct a technical interview to assess a candidate's skill level. For candidates who will be contracting with us directly we like the extra step of doing a coding exercise. Why not just request a code sample? We … [Read more...]
Revision Control Systems
There's nothing sexy about source control, but it—and the skills to use it—are essential to software development. Long gone are the days where it's appropriate to simply use a network share that probably gets backed up—or worse, nothing at all—to manage source code. Source control provides these benefits: Knowledge.Find out when something broke or when it changed. Accountability.See who was … [Read more...]
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