The Hacker’s Tribute Vol. 21 follows the Android 10 update, new JavaScript typefaces, Java 12+ backwards integration, new document conversions, and much more.
Greetings coders!
We may be hitting our 21st today, which is an all-the-more reason to get excited. But we’re not the only global entity to reach a significant milestone.
Many updates and simplifications adorn the JavaScript and TypeScript worlds. Convert documents between formats and be sure to check out a trick to reach out to technologically retro Java 8 users. Azure Pipelines will also give you a golden hand in publishing docker images.
It’s yet another celebration – we’re beyond 20 and heading for maturity – just as our digital counterparts. Even the colourful characters are becoming a little more serious!
Growing up has never been this exciting.
Welcome back,
Dan ‘the Man’ Kowalski
Editor-in-Chief, the Hacker’s Tribute
1. JavaScript, You Complete Me
There’s nothing like a Stage 3, to get you out of bed in the morning. Following the ECMA script proposal last month, JavaScript will soon support optional training syntax. To the delight of many, this will help recover from instances of long-chain property accesses. As the old saying goes, “nobody has time for that”. The feature is being finalised and is awaiting your generous feedback now!
https://hub.packtpub.com/javascript-will-soon-support-optional-chaining-operator-as-its-ecmascript-proposal-reaches-stage-3/
2. Android: Turning 10 = Turning off Candy
The latest update to the mobile operating system may bring a particular shock to people. Unlike its previously beloved policy of naming OS’ after delicious confections, the mobile colossus has opted to call its milestone update with the simple 10. Akin to humans, even phones experience changing tastes, aspirations, and perhaps even slower metabolism. It might be far-fetched, but it would explain everything.
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2019/09/welcoming-android-10.html
3. Azure Pipelines – A Pipe Dream?
It’s not a holiday! Creating Docker images for .NET is not a simple case of defining a Dockerfile, lazily running docker build, and giving it a gentle ‘docker push’. Sometimes, a little extra work is needed. Depending on the number of Linux distros, Windows versions, among other items, you might be intimidated by the publishable images. Read here, to learn how Azure Pipelines will save time, energy, and valuable patience.
4. 3.6 The Digital Language of Love
There are few numbers as passionate as 3.6. Beloved by the world over, the new TypeScript 3.6 builds upon JavaScript through optional static types – helping to arrest common errors in their tracks. Say goodbye to misspelling and say hello to a universal browser-friendly lingo. Enjoy more accurate array spreads, improved UX around promises, and better Unicode support for identifiers.
https://devblogs.microsoft.com/typescript/announcing-typescript-3-6/
5. Leave No Java User Behind!
If the saying applies to the U.S. Marines, it’ll apply to you! Not everyone is keen to jump on the bandwagon and update to the newest and shiniest Java release. But when Java 12+ syntax begins to tempt; how do we entice users of Java 8? Don’t worry, ‘there’s a hack for that’. Thanks to this ingenious trick, old-schoolers can enjoy the fruits of 12+ syntax, with Java 8. What a world!
6. Document Domination!
Well-executed document conversion is an art form and should be appreciated! Documents4j, the Java library for converting documents between formats has arrived in its present form. After a 3-year hiatus, the documents4j 1.1.0 is finally here. Revel in the simple API, and duo implementation, both local and remote. A special ‘Takk skal du ha’ (thank you), to the municipality of Oslo for enabling this to be open-source!
Knowledge is free and shared. We’re always on the lookout for new insights into the world of App Development. Get in touch with us, and we’ll give you a heads up on your next big idea.
We’ll be in touch with more news, as it happens!
