A debatable statement, depending on where you are reading this from – after all it can be quite gray and dark outside. On the other hand, we are slowly approaching the point when the days start growing longer again. For now, though, it’s the perfect time to read and concentrate on the projects that keep you cozy at home while waiting for the festive season and winter activities.
Meet the curator of the month
Mitya is an experienced full-stack developer with a professional interest in user interface design. Though his background is in pedagogy and linguistics, he has been working in web development for 20 years, on projects ranging from static websites to complex web-based solutions. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, running, DJing, tinkering with Arduino, handcrafting, reading, or coding.
When preparing this edition I was intentionally trying to avoid the AI topic, but one can not ignore the elephant in the room. Recently we had a discussion with my colleagues on how developers are using AI and what drawbacks and risks it might be posing when AI is used as a tool for coding. In this regard the GenAI Code Security Reportgives a clear and quantitative answer to the risks of “vibe coding”. After analyzing 100 LLM’s the study revealed that AI-generated code has security vulnerabilities in 45% of cases. This is the critical reading for understanding the true cost of AI-driven speed.
When we develop any software, we always work with information. Our job is to encode it so that it can later be reliably decoded by another computer system or end user. Many coders come to the profession through hobbies or other paths, without formal studies in computer science. The bookis a computer science-level gem written for curious people; it is a story-driven 101 that tells what actually happens under the hood. Petzold starts with the simple concepts of communication and logic, then adds layer after layer until he has constructed a model of a working computer.
It doesn’t matter whether a developer works with computer system security directly or not, they must still be aware of possible threats and consequences of poorly thought-out work, as well as stay vigilant about social engineering attempts. This podcast helps build that awareness with real stories on hacking, breaches, scams, cybercrime, and the consequences of human mistakes, which we all, by design, do from time to time. Start, for example, with one of the most recent episodes – #165: Tanya – about a developer who realised that secure coding isn’t a separate discipline but a part of being a good developer.
If you develop front-end applications, sooner or later – if not yet for some incredible reason – you’ll encounter the importance of building with accessibility in mind. Whether you are already familiar with the concept or not, it’s worth reading. It’s a comprehensive and reflective mindset guide that explores common misconceptions, philosophy and best practices around ARIA for skilled and not-so-experienced developers.
Tell us about a project you’ve worked on that you found particularly interesting or challenging.
Every project that involves technology you haven’t used before brings its own challenges – there will be both progress and setbacks, reworks, and finding the right way to use it. That’s what happened when I was working on an interactive map for MyHelsinki. The libraries that we used handled most of the heavy lifting, but to implement all the design ideas and functionality, we needed many custom solutions and not-so-straightforward decisions, which made this work especially interesting. In the end, we delivered the result that made the client happy, offered handy functionality for the users, and gave lots of experience that I carry with me for years to come.
Any tips for maintaining a healthy work-life balance?
Do different and complex things in life. Nowadays, we easily inject our brains with dopamine by scrolling social media or quickly watching shorts or series on our phones. That’s a quick hack to make us happier – but does it really do that? Instead, do something meaningful to make that dopamine more valuable: cook a proper meal for your family or yourself, play with your kids, read a book, take care of your plants – do real things.
Build a habit of not postponing little tasks. If something can be done in two minutes – do it right away. This simple rule can save you a lot of time and nerves in the long run.
And of course, it’s always worth reminding: exercise – even a little, but daily; drink enough water; and get enough sleep.
Is there a hobby or interest that you’re passionate about?
A few years back, I got into creative coding – an intersection of development and visual expression – and I’ve been playing with it from time to time ever since. It’s fascinating to see how small changes in math calculations can lead to visually stunning or even surprising results. Lately, I discovered a practice of programming music in real time, using code as an instrument. So-called algorave combines two of my favourite hobbies: coding and music.
Dev Breakfast has always been about sharing the articles, ideas, and insights that sparked curiosity in the developer community — a small monthly ritual to stay inspired, learn something new, and explore what’s happening in the world of software.
As seasons change, so do the ways we share. This edition marks the final Dev Breakfast. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the curators who kept this newsletter going for so many years. Their thoughtful selections and deep interest in the craft shaped Dev Breakfast into what it became and we are grateful for the time and care they put into it. And of course, thank you for joining us each month. We’ll continue sharing what we learn in many other ways, and we hope our paths keep crossing out there in the world.
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