This is a blog series on Hardware Security Keys such as Yubikey. In this series, you will learn how to use a Yubikey to enhance your digital security and privacy practices, such as using it for 2-factor authentication, using Yubikey for SSH, saving PGP Keys, signing code-commits and much more. This is the first part of the blog series, where you will learn how to set up a Yubikey for U2F-based 2-factor authentication. Please suggest in the comments or on our forum if you wish to see any other guide related to Yubikey.
Introduction
Securing your online presence in an era dominated by digital interactions has become more crucial than ever. With the rising threat of cyber attacks and privacy breaches, finding reliable ways to safeguard your accounts should be a top priority for everyone, especially developers. The YubiKey is a hardware USB security key from Yubikey, which stands out as a versatile and robust solution for privacy-focused individuals. This blog post will explore why a hardware security key like YubiKey is indispensable and provide step-by-step instructions on implementing two-factor authentication (2FA) for your Github account.
Need for Hardware Security Keys
1. Physical Security:
Hardware security keys offer an extra layer of protection by introducing a physical element to the authentication process. Unlike traditional methods that rely solely on passwords, YubiKey provides a tangible key resistant to phishing attacks. The cryptographic hashes used to authenticate you to an online service are saved on your key, and since only you have possession of the device, you can log in. This also protects you from becoming a victim of a malicious or phishing website since they don’t have saved your Security keys to authenticate with.
2. Versatility:
YubiKey supports various authentication standards, including FIDO2 and U2F, which are industry standards for multi-factor authentication, making it compatible with a wide range of services and platforms. Its versatility makes it a one-stop solution for strengthening security across different online accounts.
3. Privacy Concerns:
As concerns about online privacy continue to grow, a YubiKey can help you to mitigate risks associated with password breaches. By eliminating the need for passwords altogether in some cases and providing an additional layer of security in others, YubiKey enhances overall digital privacy. Newer Yubikeys also supports Passkeys, currently the most secure ways of passwordless authentication. We will probably cover how to use a Yubikey for passkeys generation in a later blog, but you can read all about Passkeys in our previous blog here.
Setting Up YubiKey 5C for Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
1. Choosing Services:
Begin by selecting online services that support YubiKey for 2FA. Popular platforms like Google, GitHub, and others offer seamless integration. You can check the complete list of all the online services that support U2F / Yubikey here.
2. Registering YubiKey:
Follow these steps to register YubiKey for 2FA on the chosen services we will use it for Github:
Example: Setting up YubiKey 2FA on Google
Head to your Github account settings into Password and Authentication tab
Under Two-factor authentication, select Security Keys as your preferred method
Click Add New Security key
A pop-up will appear asking you to insert your Yubikey on the USB port of your workstation.
Insert the security key and touch the pad or press the button depending on your security key model
6. This should register the security key, and you can add more keys, such as a backup key, using the same steps
7. If your Yubikey supports NFC, you can also add it using a NFC Compatible mobile device
Complete steps, along with the walkthrough video can also be found here.
3. Testing the Setup:
Verify the effectiveness of your 2FA setup by logging in with your YubiKey. Experience the seamless and secure authentication process.
Tips for Developers
1. Integrating YubiKey into Development Workflow:
Developers can enhance their security practices by integrating YubiKey into their workflow. Platforms like GitHub and tools like Git also support YubiKey for secure authentication and signing your commits (more in upcoming blogs).
2. Best Practices for YubiKey Usage:
To ensure the longevity and effectiveness of your YubiKey:
Safely store and manage your YubiKey.
Consider having a backup YubiKey in case of loss or damage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a YubiKey is not just a USB security key; it’s a powerful tool for fortifying your digital defences. By implementing two-factor authentication, you can significantly enhance your online security. Whether you’re a developer or passionate about privacy, the YubiKey is a necessary addition to your digital toolkit. Prioritise your digital security, adopt YubiKey, and enjoy a safer online experience.
Remember, in the evolving landscape of digital threats, taking proactive measures is the key to a secure and resilient online presence. Stay safe, stay secure!
We all remember back in March when prominent leaders, researchers, and figures in tech, most notably Elon Musk and Steve Wozniak, signed a letter advocating for a six-month pause of giant artificial intelligence (AI) experiments. Despite the letter prompting a wide discussion and raising both ethical and practical concerns that were acknowledged by many in the field, few were surprised that the letter had a negligible impact on slowing the pace of research.
Now, approximately six months following the letter’s initial publication, we check in with those who are among the closest to the subject in question: developers. In our latest Developer Nation survey, we collected insights, perspectives, and real-world experiences from over 17,000 developers worldwide, delving into the impact of generative AI on their careers and work now and in the future.
In this article, we present our analysis from a snapshot of the data collected to offer insight into how developers perceive the future of generative AI; specifically how it relates to their role as a developer.
Various studies that measured AI’s impact on worker productivity in different roles have been published this year. In this chapter, we do not delve into productivity metrics, but rather, we present developers’ views and perceptions about how generative AI will affect their productivity, work, and the world.
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80% of developers believe that generative AI will increase their potential and productivity at work
💡Checkout our recent meet-up where developers from our community discussed about Impact of Generative AI in more details: https://youtu.be/OMHlve6d1bI?feature=shared
Regarding AI’s impact on their work, developers are overwhelmingly optimistic. The vast majority (80%) agree or strongly agree that AI will increase their potential and productivity, while 70% agree or strongly agree that it will give them access to new programming tools. Throughout our many years of tracking and researching developers’ preferences and behaviours, we have found that the community is incredibly heterogeneous. There is substantial variation in developers’ educational backgrounds, technology choices, and professional preferences. Hence, this remarkable consensus regarding the impact of AI on their workflow is striking. It sends a clear message about generative AI’s positive potential: only 7% of developers disagree or strongly disagree that AI’s net impact on the world will be positive!
While generative AI’s potential is great, developers clearly still harbour some reservations as well. 61% of developers agree or strongly agree that generative AI raises many ethical concerns. While we did not ask our survey respondents to specifically identify which ethical concerns they are most preoccupied with, one of the primary ethical concerns regarding AI that has received considerable attention this past year is its potential to displace workers.
Developers are somewhat split about generative AI’s potential to displace them in their current roles. 32% of developers strongly agree that AI will surpass their skills and render their jobs obsolete, while 40% either disagree or strongly disagree that this is actually a feasible outcome. How developers feel about AI’s potential to replace their jobs depends on a number of factors, but one critical factor is their current role. The following section examines the differences in perceptions across various roles.
Will AI replace developers?
Segmenting developers by ten of the most popular roles, we examine which roles have the highest concerns about potential replacement. CIOs, CTOs, and IT managers are the most likely (40%) to strongly agree that generative AI could surpass their skills and render their role obsolete. Initially, this result is somewhat counter-intuitive as managerial skills are unlikely to be replaced in the foreseeable future by generative AI due to the variety and complexity of tasks that managers often face. However, these specific roles are frequently responsible for monitoring a company’s technology, infrastructure, and data for – among other metrics – accuracy, efficiency, security, and efficacy; all of which are quantifiable.
While AI surpasses a human’s ability in terms of speed and accuracy of monitoring various quantitative metrics, we do not foresee a future where these roles are no longer present, rather, the technical aspect of the roles are altered; a notion supported by 41% of developers in these roles. These roles are more than likely going to evolve or be reimagined to compensate for the additional capacity granted by AI.
Developers working or studying as data analysts, scientists, and/or researchers make up the next three roles that are most likely (37%-40%) to strongly agree their skills will be surpassed and their jobs could be rendered obsolete. However, roughly an equal or greater number of developers in these data-driven roles strongly disagree.
Generative AI has made great strides in several areas, including data analysis and code generation. While the progress is impressive, what is equally striking is how difficult it can be to differentiate correct from false/hallucinated answers and incorrect analytical applications or interpretations unless the developer has domain-specific knowledge. Hence, while these researcher and data-handling roles have already been substantially impacted by AI and will surely continue to be, developers are split on the future of these types of roles.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, architects and programmers are the most likely to strongly disagree that their roles and skills can be replaced by generative AI. Most of these developers, 61% and 55%, respectively, feel their role and skills are safe from the threat of generative AI. These developers are some of the most likely to be technical experts and recognise that while AI can excel at quantifiable solutions, complex or multi-faceted problems are likely to continue to require substantial human input for the foreseeable future.
It is inevitable, however, that these roles will still feel its impact and influence in their work. Hence, in the next section, we take a look into who the developers are who feel that they can benefit from AI and gain access to additional tools through its use.
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61% and 55% of architects and programmers respectively, disagree or strongly disagree that Generative AI will surpass their skills and render their jobs obsolete
Will AI allow developers to access new tools and technologies?
One of the factors that significantly impact developers’ perceptions on whether generative AI will allow them to use programming tools that they previously could not is their level of experience. Overwhelmingly, 80% of developers with less than a year of software development experience agree or strongly agree that AI will give them access to new tools that would otherwise not be available. The proportion of developers who agree steadily declines to 60% as developers gain more experience, where, in turn, more experienced developers are more likely to strongly disagree with this sentiment.
More experienced developers also have greater programming skills and are, therefore, less likely to expect that generative AI will create new opportunities for them to access additional tools. It is not a new phenomenon that younger, less experienced individuals enter a field or company and are more open to learning novel techniques or new methods, some of which can be in contrast to the established, institutionalised way of doing things. This distribution of developers’ AI perspective below conforms to this trend and demonstrates that less experienced developers perceive AI in a different light compared to the more seasoned ones.
Insight
80% of developers in their first year of developing software strongly agree that AI will be/ is a gateway granting them access to new programming tools
However, a finding worth highlighting here is that the experts in the field – those with more than 16 years of experience – are the most likely (28%) to report being unsure, neither agreeing or disagreeing, about AI’s potential to provide them access to new tools. This degree of uncertainty from the most practised group of developers is a good indicator that the future of generative AI is still very much evolving and points to an exciting but somewhat uncertain future of how AI advancements will continue to shape the role of developers.
The process of creative destruction in the tech sector allows for great leaps of innovation as startups out-manoeuvre incumbents and are, in turn, acquired in billion-dollar deals. However, this dynamism and flexibility can also come at a cost. When organisations are flush with cash and the trade winds are blowing in the right direction, developers’ high value is evident in their commensurately high salaries and attractive benefits packages as organisations build crack teams to solve hard problems.
But when times are hard, these crack teams can begin to look like luxuries, and suddenly, a prestigiously large team may appear bloated. In hard times, organisations need to maintain profitability and ‘right-size’ their organisation. After the hiring glut during the COVID-19 pandemic, it appears that software vendors have begun to tighten their belts in the face of global financial uncertainty. Meta’s ‘year of efficiency’ has reportedly resulted in a loss of 20k jobs, a fraction of the reported 225k lost in 2023 (at the time of writing).
In this blog post, we examine how developers were affected by layoffs in the tech industry in the last 18 months, presenting findings from SlashData’s Q3 2023 Developer Nation survey.
A very substantial proportion (45%) of developers were directly or indirectly affected by these layoffs. In particular, nearly a quarter of those – and 11% of all professional developers – were themselves laid off. We’ll look more closely at just who was affected further down the post.
It seems that employers were more willing to reduce headcount than to reduce benefits – 30% of developers were either laid off or know someone who was, whilst 22% either lost salary/benefits or didn’t get a raise. This shows the depth of the cuts needed for organisations to remain profitable – redundancies save on bonuses, benefits, and overheads, in addition to salaries.
Interestingly, as a result of this situation, we find that 12% of developers are considering changing career paths. According to our survey data, Industrial IoT (21%) and VR (18%) are the hardest-hit sectors. Given that many VR developers get into the profession due to their passion and evangelism for the technology, this must be particularly distressing for them.
Furthermore, even despite the recent AI/ML gold rush associated with recent developments in large language models (LLMs), 16% of developers involved in ML/AI projects are considering switching. Those who report translating business problems into ML/AI problems are the most likely to consider switching (24%). This might be because the answer to this question is now becoming increasingly ‘use the ChatGPT API’. To find out more about what developers think of generative AI, check out the 25th edition of our State of the Developer Nation report and our recent webinar.
Nearly half of developers have been affected by layoffs, and three in ten have been laid off or know someone who was * % of professional developers working in organisations of 2 or more employees Sample Size: Q3 2023 (n=4,878)
Looking at the effect of company size, we can see that developers at the largest organisations – those with a thousand or more employees – were the least affected by layoffs. More specifically, 62% of them weren’t affected in any way. This demonstrates that, despite the widely-publicised layoffs from companies like Microsoft, Meta, and Google, the financial difficulties have been felt more keenly at smaller organisations. Understandably, though, 5-digit layoffs at a single company make for attention-grabbing headlines and collecting data on the wider number of smaller organisations is difficult. So here, we present this often under-reported view of how layoffs have affected developers at smaller organisations.
Developers at large enterprises suffered the least from layoffs, but the effects were felt at organisations of all sizes * % of developers working for organisations of each size Sample Size: Q3 2023 (n=4,876)
Much of the reporting of these layoffs has focused on large organisations’ attempts to gain efficiencies by flattening their hierarchies. We can see this reflected in our data – the negative impact of the layoffs rises with developers’ level of influence on tool purchasing decisions.
Developers in senior roles have been hit the hardest by the negative impacts of the layoffs, proportionately, at least. Under half of the decision-makers* remain unaffected as of Q3 2023 – compared to 64% of those not involved in tool selection decisions. Furthermore, more than a third (37%) of decision-makers were either laid off themselves or knew someone else who was. Just 24% of non-decision-makers say the same.
Decision-makers – with their commensurately higher salaries – were also nearly twice as likely as those not involved in tool selection decisions to feel the financial squeeze from the situation, with 27% experiencing reduced salaries, bonuses, and/or benefits, vs. 14% of those not involved in tool purchasing decisions.
In fact, the impact is such that decision-makers are nearly three times as likely to consider switching career paths as those who are not involved in making decisions in the tool selection process. Decision-makers at small companies (2-50 employees) are the least likely to want to switch, though – 11% say they are considering changing career paths, compared to 20% of those at larger organisations. Smaller companies likely have less red tape and flatter hierarchies anyway.
Decision-makers bore the brunt of the negative impacts – they are twice as likely to have been laid off as those not involved in tool selection decisions * % of professional developers working in organisations of 2 or more employees that have each level of influence on tool purchasing decisions Sample Size: Q3 2023 (n=3,998)
*Decision-makers are developers who say that they make the final selection decision for team/company tools, approve expenses on tools & components, or approve the overall team budget for developer tools. Influencers are those who say they are involved in tool selection decisions by making recommendations or influencing decision-makers or are responsible for specifications.
Developers’ influence and the size of the organisation they work at are not the only factors at play in whether or not they have been affected by layoffs. We also must consider developers’ skill levels. Here, we present two views that capture different aspects of developers’ level of expertise:
Years of experience in software development
Where developers learnt to code
The most experienced developers suffered the fewest ill-effects from the layoffs. No matter how you measure it, they are the least likely to have been laid off, know someone who was laid off, or to have experienced reduced salaries, bonuses and/or benefits. Subsequently, just 6% say that they are considering changing career paths. Clearly, these developers have a greater sunk cost to consider than the least experienced – those with two or fewer years under their belts – but this data demonstrates just how essential highly experienced developers are to the smooth running of an organisation.
In fact, being highly experienced appears to mitigate some of the negative effects experienced by decision-makers. For example, 68% of decision-makers with 11+ years of experience saw no negative effects from the layoffs, compared to 39% of those with 3-10 years under their belts. Although decision-makers are the most likely to have experienced negative impacts from layoffs, organisations still recognise the value of having experienced developers in key positions.
The most experienced developers are the least affected by the layoffs * % of professional developers in organisations of 2 or more employees who have each level of experience in software development Sample Size: Q3 2023 (n=4,878)
Looking at expertise from another angle – developers’ level of education, we can see that bootcamp-educated developers are at a significant disadvantage, even over those who don’t know how to code. Just 38% of bootcamp-educated developers suffered no ill effects from recent layoffs, and 43% were either laid off or know someone who was. This data indicates that:
Some bootcamps don’t equip developers with sufficient skills to weather storms – these developers are often the first to go, and;
Bootcamp-educated developers have a large network of similarly skilled friends and colleagues who also suffered from these layoffs.
As for those who don’t know how to code – whose outcomes appear better than even developers educated at a postgraduate level – we see that some roles are over-represented:
13% are product managers / marketers / salespeople,
12% are tech/engineering team leads,
12% are system administrators (using visual development tools to manage infrastructure),
11% are business analysts.
All of these roles, though vital to the software development process, don’t necessarily involve writing code, and it appears that these roles are robust to change. Tech/engineering team leads were one of the least affected roles, with 60% of them indicating that they weren’t affected by the recent layoffs. So, whilst middle managers and decision-makers were the most likely to face the axe, many organisations continued to recognise the value of individual contributors and those who manage them directly, regardless of their coding skills. Indeed, AI-assisted programming and visual development tools have reduced the reliance on traditional coding skills, and this area continues to experience rapid change and development.
Developers who learnt to code at a developer boot camps were the most at risk from layoffs * % of professional developers at organisations of 2 or more employees Sample Size: Q3 2023 (n=4,802)
It’s never easy to work in uncertain times, especially with the threat of redundancies. The tech sector is in a constant state of flux. Reassuringly, though, the recent explosion of generative AI has made developers feel better equipped to do their jobs, rather than threatened. We’re likely to see further iterations of the boom-bust cycle, and for those who want to feel more secure, it’s more vital than ever to continue building skills. SlashData’s Developer Nation community aims to empower developers to grow and learn in the ever-changing tech landscape. We’ll bring you insights, content, and access to field experts to help you get started or level up your game. Keep an eye on our socials to learn more about the next virtual meetup.
As we bid farewell to 2023, it’s that time of the year again where we reflect on this incredible journey we’ve had together as a developer community this year. With over 80,000+ members, our community has not just grown in numbers but has become a vibrant hub of collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and mutual support. Let’s begin with:
Community Milestones
1. Strength in Numbers
Our community is now a powerhouse with over 80,000+ members worldwide. Your enthusiasm and commitment to help other developers have been the driving force behind this phenomenal growth.
2. Global Insights
The year 2023 saw our survey reaching new heights, connecting with more than 30,000 developers across 165+ countries. The diverse perspectives shared have enriched our community with a wealth of knowledge.
By the way, the 26th Developer Nation survey is live! Unlock valuable insights – start here!
To foster collaboration and mutual support, we launched a dedicated Developer Forum. This platform has become a space where community members can connect, seek advice, and help each other grow, and we’re so excited to see the interesting conversations happening there.
Our podcast journey in 2023 was spectacular in many ways. Season 1 concluded with impactful discussions featuring experienced guests. To make your podcast experience even better, we’ve launched a new landing page at https://developernation.net/podcast/ for easy access to all episodes.
5. Content Galore
Throughout the year, we published more than 85 new informative blogs and sent out 25 resource-packed newsletters, delivering valuable insights directly to your inbox. To ensure you never miss out, we also created an archive landing page for our old newsletters, open-sourced for everyone on GitHub.
6. Giving back: Surveys, Prizes, and SoGenX
In 2023, we conducted 14 surveys, giving away prizes worth over $58,000 USD to 89 winners. As a testament to our commitment to open collaboration, we also created and hosted the social link-sharing utility app, SoGenX, available at: https://linkgen.developernation.net/ which is used by our team during the survey period.
7. Bringing Enterprise Developers on the spotlight
We delved into Docker, Linux, and initiated a series on Hardware Security Keys usage. Our commitment to providing valuable content for your professional growth remains unwavering.
9. Developer Nation Writers Club
Recognizing the stars among us, we launched the exclusive Developer Nation Writers Club. This club acknowledges and supports our outstanding blog contributors. If you want to write for Developer Nation, do reach out to me or checkout: https://forum.developernation.net/t/write-for-developer-nation-blog/352
10. Pulse Report Discussions and Video Episodes
Engaging with you in real-time discussions was among our priorities for 2023. A great example was a discussion around the findings of the Pulse Report which was made available on YouTube Checkout the recording here.
Additionally, we ventured into the visual realm by launching video versions of four podcast episodes. The entire video podcast playlist can be accessed here.
11. Year-End Fun: Meme Competition and Virtual Meetup
To cap off the year, we added a touch of humour with the End-of-Year Meme Competition. Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to all who participated! We also organised our very first virtual community meetup, providing an enjoyable space for everyone to connect. You can get a taste of what happened in the meetup here.
Looking Ahead to 2024
1. Exciting Podcast Developments
Get ready for more captivating content as we gear up for Season 2 of our podcast. The journey continues with more insightful discussions, industry trends, and expert guests.
2. Expanding Video Content
Our commitment to visual content grows stronger as we plan to publish more video episodes of our podcast. Expect an immersive and engaging experience to enhance your learning.
3. Ambassador Program Launch
In 2024, we’re thrilled to plan and introduce our new Ambassador Program, designed to recognize and empower our active community members. Your contributions will now have an even more significant impact.
4. More Community Meetups
We’ve seen your feedback and it’s incredible that you loved our meet-up and want us to do it more often. Building on that success, we’re excited to announce that more community meetups are on the horizon. These events provide a space for learning, networking, and fostering connections. Newsletter is the best source to stay updated on the next one.
Closing Thoughts
As we step into 2024, our commitment remains steadfast—to bring you more valuable content, foster collaboration, and help each member of our community level up their programming game and make smarter career decisions. Thank you for being an integral part of our incredible journey. Here’s to another year of growth, learning, and success!
Stay tuned, stay connected, and let’s make 2024 an even more remarkable year together!
DevOps methodology is an ever-evolving field that supports successful digital transformation. Advances in tech, industry trends, and greater demand to meet customer expectations have led to a growing need for this kind of solution. There’s thus been huge market growth over the last few years, and this trend is predicted to continue into 2024 and beyond.
In fact, a recent study predicted the DevOps market will grow to $51.18 billion dollars by 2030—that’s up from $7.01 billion in 2021.
While the DevOps market can be unpredictable and is ever-evolving, there are some trends you need to know about to stay ahead as we move into the new year. In this article, we’ll touch on automation and AI, serverless architecture, and the importance of diversity and inclusion.
Keep reading to ensure you’re ahead of the DevOps game as we enter 2024.
1. Automation and AI
When it comes to trends and technological advances across industries, there’s one thing that can’t be denied – automation and AI tech are here to stay. As the DevOps market evolves, the two will continue to play a key role in helping teams run more efficiently and analyze data more effectively.
For example, automation tools can assist DevOps teams with handling data and delta streams. What are delta streams, you ask? Essentially, these simplify the act of streaming data into a lakehouse.
As well as automation tools, the effective use of AI can lead to better decision-making and increased performance.
Let’s first look at automation in more detail, before exploring the use of AI in DevOps further.
Automation
There are many benefits to automation, including:
Increased efficiency. Automated AI tools can often complete tasks quicker and more effectively than humans. For DevOps teams, this means increased efficiency and meeting goals and targets faster.
A reduction in man-made errors. Automation tools don’t tire in the same way employees do, and they aren’t affected by personal problems, lack of sleep, or the common cold. Automation reduces the risk of man-made errors by removing the human element of repetitive or monotonous tasks.
Programming repetitive tasks. Automated tools can help DevOps teams program repetitive activities and therefore achieve their objectives faster. Doing so means staff can focus their energy on those tasks that aren’t yet able to be completed by digital technologies.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can also be used in DevOps in a multitude of ways. For a start, predictive analytics can forecast future outcomes. By analyzing past deployments and performance metrics, AI tools can help teams improve their output.
Another trend in DevOps is the use of AI for operations and incident management. Using this effectively, teams can analyze data to detect and remediate issues faster. This can help predict problems before they occur and can be particularly useful for teams working on game development pipelines, for example.
Ultimately, automation and AI in DevOps is a trend you need to stay ahead of. Delivering improved performance, increased efficiency, and the ability to predict and prevent problems ahead of time, neither one is going anywhere fast.
2. Cloud-native technologies and serverless architecture
Cloud-native technologies allow organizations to run their operations efficiently by enabling them to build and utilize applications more effectively. For this reason, cloud-based technologies will continue to be widely adopted in DevOps as we head into 2024.
There are many ways in which DevOps teams can use these, including cloud data management and migration. The benefits of cloud-native technologies, such as microservices and serverless architecture, are vast and include:
Faster deployment. DevOps teams can move quicker with cloud-based technologies. They can deploy and iterate on applications more rapidly, which is highly desirable in fast-paced organizations and industries.
Improved scalability. Often, cloud-native technologies are easier for DevOps teams to scale and this therefore makes them highly advantageous.
More flexibility. Cloud-native technologies offer DevOps teams more flexibility, allowing them to create and deploy applications using a wide range of tools.
Cost-effective. The reduced need for physical infrastructure is often more cost-effective, enabling DevOps teams to save money and focus on other priorities.
As organizations seek to streamline DevOps operations, improve efficiency, and undergo digital transformation, cloud-native technologies and serverless architecture will thus continue to lead the way.
3. Infrastructure as code
Infrastructure as code (IaC) is another trend in DevOps that’s here to stay. It involves managing infrastructure using the same tools that are used for managing code. This means it’s easier for teams to automate the former and maintain consistency in their infrastructure configurations. When combined with a multi-cloud approach, the result is standardization across multiple resources or applications, streamlined infrastructure, and greater consistency across platforms, which in turn enhances the user experience.
4. Low code/no code applications
Low code/no code (LCNC) applications use minimal coding and allow developers to create and manage apps quickly and easily. LCNC solutions continue to change the DevOps landscape because they:
Enable developers to quickly build applications.
Streamline DevOps by including monitoring and resource management tools.
Speed up innovation.
Reduce the workload for professional developers.
Enable developers to act quickly on customer feedback.
With all these benefits, it’s no wonder that LCNC is a DevOps trend you need to know about to stay ahead in the new year.
5. The use of data analytics
Another key trend that’s only getting bigger in 2024 is the use of data analytics. Using effective analytics tools can continually improve performance and help give stakeholders a better understanding of their investments. Not only that, but DevOps teams, investors, and stakeholders can use data-driven insights to make better strategic decisions.
Better DevOps decisions lead to cost-effectiveness, better-quality applications, and increased uptake. For example, teams might use analytics to optimize software development processes by providing real-time data and feedback about these.
Or perhaps performance analytics are required to identify and analyze issues, allowing DevOps teams to continually improve their output and, therefore, the user experience.
There is an ongoing need for DevOps teams to understand and analyze the development and performance of their applications. As a first step, they may seek out data lake examples when considering their handling and analytics practices. The benefits of effective analytics are huge and, in today’s rapidly developing world of digital technologies, this need will only continue to grow.
6. An increased focus on security
With rapid advances in digital and cloud-native technologies, it’s no wonder that there continues to be an increased focus on security. As well as a need for enhanced data protection as we move into 2024 and beyond, DevOps teams need to consider:
Application security. Teams will see an increased need to build security processes into application development. As technologies advance, so do security risks. Implementing these practices as part of the development process will become commonplace. This is referred to as DevSecOps.
Cloud security. As we discussed earlier, there’s currently a surge in cloud-native technologies and infrastructure. It goes without saying that DevOps teams will have an increased focus on cloud security as these technologies develop and become more widely used. This may include data encryption, app configuration, or access controls.
Compliance. With a growing focus on security in DevOps comes a growing focus on compliance practices. An IP phone service, for example, will need to meet GDPR protocols. DevOps teams will find a continuing and growing need to ensure they’re compliant with ever-developing industry regulations and standards.
To enhance security and streamline compliance processes, consider using a tool that allows you to create electronic signature solutions for important documents.
As organizations seek to protect their applications, data, and systems against cyber security threats, the need for a greater focus on DevOps security and compliance will grow. This is likely to lead to an increased need for DevSecOps specialists.
Final thoughts
As we head into 2024, it’s essential to stay ahead of these six trends. Of course, with a rapidly evolving field such as DevOps, it is impossible to predict exactly how the landscape will develop.
However, the trends outlined above certainly provide an insight into what the future of DevOps is likely to hold. As cloud-native and AI technology continues to evolve, so will it. The technological shifts mean that more organizations will embrace DevOps to meet their business needs and help them undergo a successful digital transformation.
If there’s one thing that’s for sure, it’s that DevOps itself is going nowhere.
Enhancing developers’ productivity goes beyond giving them the latest gadgets, gift packs, healthy snacks, or gym membership — these help, too. But the workspace is just as crucial. It is, after all, where the development team will spend most of their day.
The problem: most employers are unaware of how an optimized workspace can enhance the development team’s productivity or how to go about it.
The good news is that we’ve got the solution and created this guide. We will share how to get the creative juice of your tech whizzes flowing. But first, let’s understand the importance of an optimized workspace for developers’ productivity.
Why is it Important to Optimize a Developer’s Workspace?
Developers, like most professionals, spend 8 hours at work on average. That’s a third of the day. So, their work environment must be comfortable to get the best out of them.
When developers are comfortable, it puts them in the right headspace, and they can focus. In the realm of software development, focus cannot be underestimated.
An optimized workspace for developers fosters innovation and collaboration. Knocking the manager’s door or going to the engineering department for clarification or resources can be awkward—especially if you’re unfamiliar. That’s a problem an optimized workspace with an open office layout can solve.
In a shared space, employees can build rapport, which increases collaboration. When everyone feels comfortable with each other, they can share ideas, boosting innovation.
Thus, it is clear why creating an optimized workspace can improve developers’ productivity. This brings us to the ‘how,’ which we discuss in the next section.
How to Optimize a Developer’s Workspace
Optimizing a workspace to boost a developer’s productivity combines the physical environment, technology infrastructure, and the company’s culture. Let’s see how these factors impact creating an optimal workspace for developers.
Physical environment
Aside from algorithms and codes, the physical setup in which a developer operates influences their success or failure.
Create a comfortable and ergonomic workspace
Developers spend a lot of time writing codes and solving complex tasks in the workspace. Even though most of this happens sitting down, it can lead to muscular-skeletal disorders like muscle strains, carpal tunnel syndrome, back injury, etc. Thus, developers are exposed to many potential injuries, leading to more sick days and lower productivity.
Designing an ergonomic workspace for developers can significantly reduce these issues. Provide adjustable desks and chairs that provide a good level of support. That means the chair should support their lower back and allow their feet to rest on the floor. The desk should also be comfortable for their arms and wrists.
Consider multiple monitor screens to manage different tasks. There are special keyboards for coding, such as mechanical, and split. Additionally a mouse pad with wrist support can be beneficial during extended coding sessions. Allow your developers to decorate their space— for example, hanging up pictures or art.
Also, since developers type for long hours, a voice call app can facilitate seamless communication, reducing the risk of hand strain.
Provide developers with access to natural light and fresh air
Lighting is critical for developers’ productivity and well-being. If it is overly bright or dim, it can cause eyestrain, fatigue, and a loss of focus. The key is to find the right balance.
LED lighting is widely used today because it can provide bright and more uniform lighting. As a result, it reduces headaches and high strain, which are associated with fluorescent lighting. Another option is to install transparent glass walls, which can open up the space and increase the amount of natural light employees receive.
In 2021, researchers from Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health discovered a link between workplace indoor air quality and cognitive function. The study revealed that respondents showed lower cognitive function when indoor air pollution was higher.
Maintaining a healthy level of humidity — typically between 30% and 50% can keep mites, dust, and other allergens under control. Use air conditioners and dehumidifiers to keep the humidity levels under control.
Office plants have also been found to improve indoor air quality. Their ability to absorb toxins and produce more oxygen which can be beneficial for your workers, especially if they are in enclosed spaces with limited ventilation. Additionally, replace the air filter frequently and keep your office clean.
Reduce noise and environmental distractions
Many tech companies use an open-office floor plan, which is great because it enhances collaboration. However, since there are no physical barriers to block the noise, it can lead to distractions. Software development often requires an intense focus and distractions can potentially disrupt a developer’s flow. This, in turn, can lead to delays and reduced productivity.
Having private rooms where developers can work without distractions can be beneficial. You may dedicate some office space as “quiet zones” where phone calls and chit-chat aren’t allowed to maintain a peaceful and focused environment.
Another solution is to employ voicemail drops to control the influx of phone calls and minimize disruptions. Noise-cancelling headphones can also help developers suppress distractions and focus on their tasks.
Establish boundaries between work and home space
With the rise of remote work, many developers work from their homes. While this offers flexibility, it can blur the lines between work and personal life — which can be a recipe for decreased productivity and burnout.
Encourage developers to create a designated workspace within their homes, separate from their living areas. This can be a spare room, a corner of a room, or even just a specific desk.
A designated workspace ensures developers can mentally switch into work mode when they enter that space — and switch back to their personal life when they leave it.
Technology
The development team needs access to the right technology to work efficiently.
Provide developers with the latest hardware and software
Outdated or slow equipment can hinder a developer’s productivity and cause frustration. So, invest in powerful computers, high-speed internet connections, and up-to-date software programs.
This includes specialized tools that cater to their specific needs, such as development environments, version control systems, collaboration platforms, and invoicing software for freelancers. These tools ensure that developers have the necessary resources to excel in their roles.
From a screen share app for remote collaboration to code editors with efficient debugging tools, having the right tools can significantly enhance a developer’s workflow.
Ensure developers have access to the tools and resources they need
Technology is rapidly evolving, and developers always try to keep up. Whether acquiring new skills or perusing an industry publication, access to current information can be beneficial.
These publications or periodicals offer information on the latest technology trends, frameworks, and best practices.
Maintain a curated collection to get the most out of the development team. Regularly update the library with the latest books on frameworks, programming languages, and software development methodologies.
The same goes for tools. Developers often need to work together, whether it’s through code review, pair programming, or team meetings. Use project management software, version control systems, and communication platforms to facilitate efficient collaboration and communication. It streamlines the development process and fosters teamwork.
Create a system for managing and tracking resources
Most organizations have finite resources. How you oversee them can determine whether or not your development team is productive. Proper resource management and tracking can give you insight into developers’ workflow, availability, skills, and project time requirements.
The obvious solution is to invest in resource management software. This tool comes with features designed to improve resource management and productivity. For example, the time-tracking feature allows developers to log their working hours and track how they allocate their time.
Applying data science methods can also help optimize resource allocation and efficiency. A data-driven approach identifies patterns and trends in resource usage, enabling better allocation and optimization of resources.
Culture
Your organizational culture also plays a crucial role in developers’ productivity. An environment encouraging learning, growth, and open communication produces positive outcomes.
Create a culture that values productivity and efficiency
A productive work culture boosts morale, fosters collaboration, increases productivity and efficiency —and supports employee retention.
To achieve this, set clear goals for the development team. Let them understand the metrics by which their work will be measured. This way, they can dedicate their efforts toward achieving those goals. A culture that values productivity will provide developers with the necessary tools, resources, and services, from companies such as Vonage, to help them excel.
Diversity in your development team is also essential for a productive work culture. With different experiences, skills, and perspectives, team members can bring fresh ideas and innovative solutions.
Empowering the GenZ workforce, who are often at the forefront of emerging technologies, is crucial for the future of the tech industry. The goal is to create an environment where developers feel safe and supported to take risks and think outside the box.
Encourage developers to take breaks and recharge
This is especially important for remote development teams. Remote work can result in getting sucked into work and losing track of time. While this may seem harmless at first, in the long run, it leads to burnout and decreased productivity.
Encourage developers to take regular breaks throughout the day. Staring at a monitor for extended periods can strain the eyes and lead to fatigue. Productivity doesn’t also mean sitting down all day long.
Provide opportunities for developers to learn and grow
Always offer developers the chance to expand their skills and knowledge. This can be via paying for courses from reputable online platforms or bringing in experts to conduct workshops and training sessions. Encourage them to attend conferences, webinars, and meetups relevant to their expertise.
Conclusion
Improving developers’ productivity is vital to business success. Optimizing the workspace is a critical step in this process. Creating a work environment where developers can do their best is crucial for maximizing productivity. Focus on improving their physical environment, investing in the right technologies, and supportive work culture.
Ryan Yee – Copywriter
Ryan is an award-winning copywriter, with 20+ years of experience working alongside major US brands, emerging start-ups, and leading tech enterprises. His copy and creative have helped companies in the B2B marketing, education, and software sectors reach new customer bases and enjoy improved results. Here is his LinkedIn.
Let us discuss digital onboarding which is like the fancy term for how businesses bring in new folks but with a cool twist.
So, imagine the old way with tons of paperwork and slow processes. It is where digital onboarding plays its role.
However, why does this matter?
Well, it is all about making things smoother and quicker. Technology is like the magic wand that transforms the usual and makes it way more efficient.
Now the heroes behind the scenes are called PrestaShop developers. They are like the architects who are building the digital world where everything just clicks.
Digital onboarding used to be a paperwork marathon, but thanks to PrestaShop developer, it is more like a digital dance. They make sure everything flows seamlessly and turn the old-school into a digital masterpiece.
This article is like a journey, where we’ll explore this digital onboarding thing to figure out how tech, especially the PrestaShop developers, turns the regular into something super cool.
So, come along as we dig into this world where technology meets the everyday that are making things not just better but downright awesome!
Keep reading and let us discuss.
Understanding Digital Onboarding
Let us dive into the world of digital onboarding which is like the high-tech way of saying, “Welcome aboard!”.
Definition and Importance:
Digital onboarding is like the tech-savvy version of introducing someone to a new job or place. It is not just a simple welcome but a cool and efficient way of getting people started. You can think of it as the digital red carpet for newbies. It makes the whole joining-in thing smoother and more enjoyable.
Evolution of Digital Onboarding in Various Industries:
Now, let us talk about how this digital welcoming has evolved. It is not just for one type of job or industry. It is everywhere. From big banks to small tech companies, everyone is using it. It is like a universal language for making sure the start of a new job feels just right. You can imagine it as a tech makeover for the old-school “first day on the job” routine and making it fit perfectly in every job and industry.In a nutshell, digital onboarding is like the superhero cape for welcoming people to new places or jobs. It is not just a fancy term but the cool way tech is changing the game that is making every beginning a little more awesome.
Challenges in Traditional Onboarding
Let us take a stroll into the world of old-school onboarding which was like a blast from the past, where everything was done by hand, and paperwork ruled the show.
Manual Processes and Their Limitations:
Imagine a time when welcoming someone to a job meant drowning in paperwork. It’s like doing a complicated dance with forms and signatures, and it is not always smooth. This old way of doing things was a part of what we call traditional onboarding. It had its share of lots of problems as well.
In that traditional world, manual processes were like roadblocks that were slowing down everything. It was like using handwritten notes in a world where everything’s digital. Mistakes happened and things got lost, delays became the norm. Not exactly the red-carpet welcome we all dream of.
Time and Resource Constraints:
Now, let us just think about time slipping away and resources being used up on all this manual stuff. Time that could be better spent on exciting things is just wasted on paperwork. Resources that could fuel growth are drained by endless administrative tasks. It is like being stuck in a time warp when the world is moving forward. This is why we need to shake things up, moving from the old-school to a digital era where time and resources work hand in hand for a smoother journey.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
It is time now to dive into the world of onboarding where things get a futuristic twist thanks to two cool players called AI and Machine Learning (ML).
Introduction to AI and ML in the Context of Onboarding:
Imagine a future where welcoming new team members is not just a routine but a digital symphony. That is where AI takes the spotlight which is like the tech rockstar making the onboarding experience more personal and tailored to every person.
How Automation Enhances the Efficiency:
Here is the cool part called automation, this is more like having a helpful robot friend. With AI and ML working behind the scenes, this digital assistant makes things smoother and faster. It tackles repetitive tasks, so humans can focus on what they do best which is adding that personal touch where it matters.
In this new era of onboarding, AI is not just a tool. It is the magic wand making things more personalized and efficient. You can get ready for a journey where tech and human touch team up to create an onboarding experience that is not just welcoming but downright extraordinary.
Key Benefits of AI and ML in Digital Onboarding
Let us discuss the benefits of AI and machine learning that are making a positive change In the world of onboarding process.
The Speed and Accuracy Improvements:
Imagine onboarding as a race and guess who just got a turbo boost? Yep, it is Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Now, things are not just fast. They are lightning-speed. Back in the days when tasks used to take forever. Now, they are done in a snap. But it’s not just about speed. It is like having a super-smart buddy ensuring everything is spot-on which is like a conductor that is making sure every instrument plays the right note.
Enhanced Security Measures:
Let us chat about security which is the superhero that is keeping your info safe during onboarding. With the watchful eye of AI, it is not just a static shield. This can be like having a security wizard that learns and adjusts things, it remains ahead of any dangers that are turning the onboarding space from a defenseless zone into a secure fortification, all much appreciated to our computerized gatekeeper called AI.
The Personalized User Experiences:
Onboarding isn’t just an expedient and secure issue But it is almost making it feel like its made only for you. Here comes the cool portion called personalized client encounters which is fueled by our computerized buddy, AI.
You can think of an onboarding journey that feels as if it was tailor-made for you which is like a super comfy custom dress. AI makes onboarding not just a routine but an adventurous event that is making you feel not just welcomed but truly understood.
In the onboarding world, AI is not just a helper, in fact it is the superhero making everything efficient, secure, and personalized. This is not just a tool but the enchanting spell turning onboarding into a smooth journey that is tailored for each new team member.
Future Trends and Innovations
It is the time to explore the future trends and advancement in the world of AI and machine learning that is taking the onboarding world to a new level.
Anticipated Advancements in AI and ML for Onboarding:
Let us take a peek into the future of onboarding which is like looking into a crystal ball where the stars of the show are Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). Get ready for some cool changes coming our way.
Imagine if AI becomes your onboarding buddy, not just doing tasks but predicting what you need before you even ask. It is like having a super-smart sidekick that learns from every interaction that is making onboarding a personalized journey guided by the magic of AI.
The Potential Impact on Business Operations:
Presently, let us have a conversation around what happens when this enchantment spreads. It isn’t almost onboarding; it is like a ripple impact changing how businesses work. You’ll be able to think of commerce operations like a well-played symphony. With AI driving the way, it gets to be super effective, each move calculated with the assistance of keen calculations.
As AI and ML keep getting better, their impact on business operations is like a big, positive wave. It is not just about making onboarding smoother. It is about changing the whole game.
These expected improvements are not just updates. They are like a big shift that is turning business operations into a smart and dynamic success story. The future is not just digital. It is smart, and AI is taking the lead.
Conclusion
The fantastic finale of our travel into the world of onboarding advancement. It is just like the end of an incredible appearance that’s clearing out us with the echoes of how advanced onboarding is changing the diversion.
As we see at this computerized move, it is like a blend of ancient and unused coming together. The complicated ways of manual onboarding are getting a high-tech makeover, much appreciated to the computerized specialists.
The music of speed and precision, top-notch security, and individual touches, all driven by the superhero called advanced onboarding that paints a picture of advance. It isn’t fair to change. it is just like the music coming to its peak that’s an ideal blend of human warmth and cool tech. Within the onboarding world, the end of the AI and ML is like a guarantee that’s bringing a time where each onboarding encounter isn’t a fair schedule but a well-thought-out story.
So, as the appearance wraps up, we deliver a round of praise to this advanced advancement. Advanced onboarding takes the highlight which is turning the regular into a smooth, secure, and personalized execution.
The onboarding story goes on, presently with an advanced touch to guarantee that each unused starting isn’t a fair presentation but an extraordinary involvement.
In this captivating Developer Nation Podcast episode, host Ayan engages in a comfortable and insightful conversation with Darshan, the founder and CEO of API Wiz. Darshan shares his 15-year journey in the software development industry, touching on experiences with diverse technologies and industries. The genesis of API Wiz emerges from Darshan’s realisation of significant gaps in API management within the developer ecosystem.
APIWiz, developed over four years, aims to revolutionise API management by addressing technical debt and the maturity and collaboration challenges enterprises face. Darshan emphasises the importance of a platform approach, likening it to an integrated assembly line for building cars. The platform, API Wiz, manages the entire API lifecycle, offering enterprises the flexibility to choose their preferred gateway.
Darshan recounts the challenges faced during the inception of APIWiz, including the need to overcome tool sprawl and foster collaboration across departments. The platform’s recent launch, APIWiz 2.0, and the introduction of Astrum for the developer community are highlighted. Astrum allows developers to use the platform for free, demonstrating APIWiz’s commitment to enabling more with less.
Throughout the episode, Darshan’s passion for solving customer-centric and developer-centric problems shines through, making this podcast a must-listen for developers, DevOps practitioners, and anyone interested in the dynamic world of API management. Tune in to gain valuable insights, learn from Darshan’s experiences, and discover the transformative impact of APIWiz in the evolving landscape of software development. Don’t miss out – hit that listen button now!
Can I play games on Linux? What are the games available for Linux? Where to find Linux games? This comprehensive article answers all your questions on Linux gaming.
Can I play games on Linux?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions by users who are thinking about switching to Linux. After all, gaming on Linux is often termed as a distant possibility. At least, by some hardcore gamers using another platform to play games.
In fact, some people even wonder if they can listen to music or watch movies on Linux. Considering that, the question about playing games on Linux seem genuine.
In this article, I am going to answer most of the Linux gaming questions that a beginner may have. Some of the potential questions that I’m going to address here are:
Is it possible to play games on Linux?
What are the Linux games available?
Where can you download Linux games?
How do you get more information about gaming on Linux?
But before I do that, let me make a confession. I am not a PC gamer or rather I should say, I am not a desktop Linux gamer. I prefer to play games on my PS4 and I haven’t dived into the PC games available or even mobile games (no candy crush request sent to anyone in my friend list). This is the reason you only see a few articles in the Linux games section of It’s FOSS.
So why am I covering this topic then?
Because I have been asked questions about playing games on Linux several times and I wanted to come up with a Linux gaming guide that could answer all those questions. And remember, it’s not just gaming on Ubuntu I am talking about here. I am talking about Linux in general.
Can you play games on Linux?
Yes and no!
Yes, you can play games on Linux and no, you cannot play ‘all the games’ in Linux.
However, you should not expect a native Linux support for the latest and greatest games – which are typically available for Windows.
The reason, in my opinion, is that Linux has less than 2% of desktop market share and the numbers are demotivating enough for most game developers to avoid working on the Linux version of their games.
Not just limited to the userbase, but not all games work perfectly on Linux. But, there are workarounds (ways) to play a huge list of games and I’ll be mentioning how to do that.
If I have to categorize, I’ll divide the games on Linux into four categories:
Native Linux Games (games officially available for Linux)
Windows games in Linux (Windows games played in Linux with Wine or other software)
Browser Games (games that you can play online using your web browse)
Terminal Games (games you can play in the Linux terminal)
Let’s start with the most important one, native Linux games, first.
1. Where to find native Linux games?
Native Linux games refer to those games which are officially supported on Linux. You just have to download it and hit it to play it without any potential troubleshooting.
Of course, there are a lot of games that officially support Linux – but where do you find them?
Hence, I will list some of the resources that you can utilize to download Linux games.
Steam
Steam is a very popular digital video game store that offers incredible deals on games for Linux (including free games as well). So, it is an obvious source of PC games.
You can explore it to find tons of games ranging from AAA titles to Indie games.
Usually, you can easily find Steam listed in your app center or package manager. But, if you have no clue how to install and use it, refer to my guide below on installing and using Steam on Ubuntu Linux to get an idea.
GOG.com is yet another platform similar to Steam. Like Steam, you can browse and find hundreds of native Linux games on GOG.com, purchase the games and install them. If the games support several platforms, you can download and use them across various operating systems. Your purchased games are available for you all the time in your account. You can download them anytime you wish.
One main difference between the two is that GOG.com offers only DRM free games. Also, GOG.com is entirely web-based. Unlike Steam, you don’t get a native desktop client on Linux for GOG.com.
Portable Linux Games is a website that offers a good collection of Linux games for 32-bit systems. You can’t run the games on a purely 64-bit system by default – however, you can try following a troubleshooting guide to make it happen.
The downloaded files have all the dependencies (at times Wine and Perl installation) and these are also platform-independent. All you need to do is to download the files and double click to install them.
It’s a great source for gamers who aren’t into the games made by big studios but just want to have a good time playing some games on Linux.
You can also look into the software repositories of your own Linux distribution. There will always be some games on it.
If you are using Ubuntu, the Software Center itself has an entire section for games. The same is true for other Linux distributions such as Linux Mint etc.
2. How to play Windows games on Linux?
There’s a bunch of native Linux games out there. However, most of the popular games available aren’t available on Linux directly. In other words, the latest and greatest games do not support Linux (for the most) and are available for Windows only.
In that case, do we have a workaround to play those games on Linux? Yes, we do!
With the help of tools like Wine, Phoenicis (formerly known as PlayOnLinux), Lutris, CrossOver, and GameHub, you can play a number of popular Windows games on Linux.
Steam Play
If you’re fond of using Steam as your only source of games on Linux, you can easily try the Windows-only games using Steam Play.
Steam utilizes a compatibility layer to directly run a Windows-specific game on Linux. We do have a detailed guide on using Steam Play on Linux – I’d recommend you to explore that to get started with it.
Wine
Wine is a compatibility layer that is capable of running Windows applications in systems like Linux, BSD and OS X. With the help of Wine, you can install and use a number of Windows applications in Linux. Installing Wine in Ubuntu or any other Linux is easy as it is available in most Linux distributions’ repository. There is a huge database of applications and games supported by Wine that you can browse.
CrossOver
CrossOver is an improved version of Wine that brings professional and technical support to Wine. But unlike Wine, CrossOver is not free. You’ll have to purchase the yearly license for it.
The good thing about CrossOver is that every purchase contributes to Wine developers and that in fact boosts the development of Wine to support more Windows games and applications. If you can afford about $20 a year, you should buy CrossOver for the support they provide.
GameHub
We already have a separate article on how to use GameHub on Linux.
But, to give you a heads up, GameHub lets you manage and play games from multiple sources that include Steam, GOG, and Humble Bundle.
Lutris Gaming
Lutris is something similar to GameHub but supports a wide range of sources that include Origin, Uplay, Epic Games Launcher, and several others.
It makes it easy for you to play Windows-only games on Linux. And, it is a quite popular tool used by many users. You can also check the official list of games it potentially supports before trying it out.
Phoenicis PlayOnLinux
PlayOnLinux too is based on Wine but implemented differently. It has a different interface and slightly easier to use than Wine. Like Wine, PlayOnLinux too is free to use.
It may not be the best choice among the others mentioned but you can browse the applications and games supported by PlayOnLinux on its database to decide for yourself.
3. Browser Games
Needless to say that there are tons of browser-based games that are available to play in any operating system, be it Windows or Linux or Mac OS X. Most of the addictive mobile games, such as GoodGame Empire, also have their web browser counterparts.
Apart from that, thanks to Google Chrome Web Store, you can play some more games in Linux. These Chrome games are installed like a standalone app and they can be accessed from the application menu of your Linux OS. Some of these Chrome games are playable offline as well.
4. Terminal Games
The added advantage of using Linux is that you can use the command line terminal to play games as well.
I know that it’s not the best way to play games but at times, it’s fun to play games like Snake or 2048 in the terminal.
To help you out, we have two separate lists of top command-line games and best ASCII games which are pretty easy to install.
How to stay updated about Linux games?
Now that you know where to find the games and how to use them on Linux, the next question is – how to stay updated about new games on Linux?
Of course, we will try to cover major game releases for Linux – however, we at It’s FOSS aren’t completely focused on gaming (as of yet).
And for that, I advise you to follow these blogs that provide you with the latest happenings of the Linux gaming world:
Gaming on Linux: I won’t be wrong if I call it the best Linux gaming news portal. You get all the latest rumblings and news about Linux games. Frequently updated, Gaming on Linux has dedicated fan following which makes it a nice community of Linux game lovers.
Free Gamer: A blog focusing on free and open source games.
Linux Game News: A blog that updates on various Linux games.
I think that’s pretty much what you need to know to get started with gaming on Linux. There are plenty of free Linux games that you can try at the moment.
There’s also a very useful migration guide by the subreddit r/linux_gaming that can help you kickstart your gaming journey on Linux.
It’s time for you to add your input. Do you play games on your Linux desktop? What are your favorites? What blogs do you follow to stay updated on the latest Linux games? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
Whether it be a sound system or PC, you’d expect any recently purchased tech to come with an instruction manual for setup, installation, and operation, right? Well, the same goes for APIs. If your development team builds an API, you must write API documentation to guide development teams and end-users through setup and operation.
If you need a quick refresher, an application programming interface (API) is a software intermediary that enables communication between two different pieces of software.
API documentation is the set of instructions describing how developers can set up, integrate, and use this software to meet specific needs. It should include code samples, functional details, API call examples, and more.
For third-party apps, 38% of developers cited documentation and sample code as the second most important characteristic of a high-quality API, preceded only by security.
So, how do you write API documentation successfully? Here’s everything you need to know.
Who needs to write API documentation?
Traditionally, the software developers who build the API are responsible for writing API documentation. And it makes sense — the creators of the API have intricate knowledge of how the API works. However, this has its downsides.
Writing is an underrated software development skill that many developers fail to hone. Consequently, they may struggle to write clearly and concisely, leaving the API document full of technical jargon that’s difficult for non-developers to comprehend. Plus, because software developers are so busy developing the API, documentation may be rushed or left until the last minute.
Instead of burdening developers, many businesses are turning to technical writers.
With a background spanning both content writing and technical expertise, technical writers understand how to adapt complex technical subjects into easily understandable formats. Using the information supplied by developers, they can write clear, accessible, and engaging API documentation.
For software developers, this is a huge benefit. Rather than waste time writing lengthy documents, they can gear their focus towards API development in alignment with your wider enterprise transformation roadmap. Faster builds, better APIs, and accelerated time-to-value.
But what exactly goes into an API document? Let’s take a look.
What does API documentation include?
Of course, what you include will vary depending on the data engineering platform you use, the type of API that you’re creating, and the use case of the API. But regardless, there are several key pieces of information that every API document needs.
Examples for each API call, parameter, and response
An API document needs to show examples of every API request, response, and parameter. This enables developers to visualize how the API works and understand how to interact with it.
Code samples for popular languages
Code samples give developers a headstart when they’re first using your API. They can copy and paste this code, alter it to meet their specific needs, and refer back to it if they want to utilize a particular feature or remember an endpoint function.
Ideally, you should add code samples for every language that your API supports. At minimum, you need to include the most popular languages – the top three to date being JavaScript, Java, and Python.
Details of API requests with error message samples
APIs should be configured to display error messages as needed. Your API documentation therefore must include examples of the different types of error messages, alongside an explanation of what they mean and how to resolve the issue.
Top tips to successfully write API documentation
How do you write API documentation that’s accessible to junior and senior developers alike? Here are some of our top tips.
Maintain a consistent style and tone
All good pieces of writing — from novels to technical documents — must maintain a consistent, coherent style and tone. Why? Because if your style and tone are all over the place, readers won’t trust you. They might question your credibility and authority, or become confused and disengaged with your content.
Generally, the tone of API documentation needs to align with its purpose — to inform and educate the reader. So, the tone should be factual and relatively formal to establish authority and credibility. That said, don’t overdo it. A laid-back, approachable tone helps you build a relationship with your reader and provides clarity to your communications.
Remember, consistency is key. Identify your style and tone and aim to maintain it throughout your documentation.
Prioritize clarity over technical jargon
API documentation should be the first point of call for end-user queries. Users should be able to refer to it before they get into contact with your IT helpdesk team or virtual agents. (What is a virtual agent? It’s software that provides an interactive, automated service to end users who have questions relating to your product).
For this reason, API documentation needs to be clear and accessible for both beginner coders and seasoned developers.
Prioritize simple, plain language over technical jargon. Avoid fluffy, long-winded descriptions in favor of to-the-point explanations. And use short, easily digestible sentences to improve document clarity.
Organize content with clear headings
Another way to improve clarity is to organize your content with clear headings. Readers should be able to quickly jump to the section of the document that they need without having to trawl through mountains of text.
The easier it is for users to navigate your document, the faster they get the answers to their questions – and the more likely they are to continue using your API.
Offer step-by-step guides for a quick start
Quickstart guides teach users how to use your API straight away by providing step-by-step instructions for common scenarios and functions.
Start by identifying the most common use cases for the API. From there, walk users through how to use your API to complete specific tasks, providing code samples for each scenario.
Implement effective versioning strategies
The accuracy of your API documentation is heavily dependent on your versioning strategy. If you make a change without documenting it — even if it’s a minor update — your end user can experience significant issues.
Create an effective versioning strategy by implementing the following actions:
Automate the process using an API documentation tool that can read source code changes and update documentation in response.
Communicate in advance when updates are going to happen.
Allow for backward compatibility so that users can still use old versions of your API.
Proofread and double-check for typos
While the odd typo might feel like no big deal, spelling mistakes and grammar errors can ruin the reader experience. It can make your documentation difficult to understand, resulting in misunderstandings that reduce the quality of your document. It may even turn users off your business completely.
After writing your documentation, perform a thorough proofread. As a best practice, get someone other than the person who wrote the document to do the proofreading, as even the most experienced writers can fall victim to typo blindness.
Emphasize the use of security measures
As well as communicating the security skills and measures that developers can utilize to reduce the risk of data breaches, you also need to practice what you preach. In your API documentation, assure end users that you prioritize data privacy by emphasizing security measures such as:
Authentication and authorization
Access controls
SSL/TLS encryptions and signatures
API gateways
Vulnerability testing
Regular security updates and patching
Activity monitoring
Remote access controls — click here to learn more about implementing secure remote PC access.
Encourage user feedback and contributions
Your API documentation shouldn’t be a static document. That is, it should be regularly maintained to ensure that it’s consistently meeting the needs of your end users.
Encouraging users to provide feedback and contributions can help you do this. It can bring to light information in your documentation that might be missing, inaccurate, or difficult to understand.
Feedback can be collected in a variety of ways — email surveys, website forms, phone calls, and so on. But you don’t even need to ask for feedback and contributions directly. Using AI virtual assistant technology, you can discover the sentiment around your document, identify frequently asked questions, and illuminate potential contributions.
For example, if lots of users are contacting your virtual assistant to ask what a specific error message means, it may be that you need to tweak this section in your API document to make it clearer for your readers. Or, it might be that you’ve missed the error message completely and need to add it in.
Overall, it’s a reliable way to gather actionable feedback without pestering end users for contributions.
In Conclusion…
If your API doesn’t come with comprehensive documentation, nobody will be able to use it to its full potential. Even if your API is created for internal use only, poor documentation can cause significant issues for developers who rely on your API to perform critical operations.
To avoid misunderstandings, confusion, and churn, write API documentation that follows the best practices laid out above. Clarity and consistency are key, as is using quickstart guides and specific examples to walk users through the common use cases for your API.
Jenna Bunnell – Director, Field & Strategic Events, Dialpad
Jenna Bunnell is the Director for Field and Strategic Events at Dialpad, an AI-incorporated cloud-hosted unified communications system that provides valuable call details for business owners and sales representatives. She is driven and passionate about communicating a brand’s design sensibility and visualizing how content can be presented in creative and comprehensive ways. Here is her LinkedIn.
