I share experiences from over 10 years of work as a programmer, architect and tech lead
Tech Journey Notes
Top articles
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AI Tools for Developers: My Journey from Skeptic to Conscious User
December 3, 2024A year ago, I was skeptical of AI coding tools. Today, they're an integral part of my work. Follow my journey from resistance to balanced integration and discover practical ways to enhance your development process using AI tools while maintaining control and expertise.
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Assertiveness in IT - How to Decline Additional Commitments Without Damaging Relationships
December 10, 2024Each of us in the IT industry has experienced this moment—you’re sitting in yet another meeting, you hear a request for a "small favor," and before you know it, your calendar and task list are bursting at the seams with additional commitments. After many years in this field, I’ve learned (often the hard way) that the ability to assertively say "no" is just as important as staying up to date with the latest technologies. In this article, I’ll share my experiences. Hopefully, you’ll find some valuable takeaways too.
New articles
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From Rooftop to Desktop: A Full Stack Developer's Journey
February 6, 2025Can you transition from working on roofs to building complex web applications? A little over ten years ago, I was a roofer, spending my days laying tiles and fixing leaks. Today, I'm a full stack developer and tech lead, creating digital solutions and leading development teams. My journey from construction sites to coding wasn't just about learning new technologies. Over time, I realized that the principles of good craftsmanship apply to both building houses and web applications. In this article, I'll share not only my transformation story but also practical insights about what it really takes to become a full stack developer. You'll learn about the most important technologies, challenges of working with a team, and most importantly, how to build a sustainable career in technology without burning out. Whether you're considering a career change, starting your programming journey, or looking to develop your current career in technology, my experiences can help you avoid common pitfalls and find your own path to fulfilling your dreams.
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Learn C# in One Day and Learn It Well Book Review - Can You Learn Programming in 24h?
January 29, 2025Remember those ads like "Learn English in a month"? Or "Lose 10kg in a month"? Well, the book "Learn C# in One Day and Learn It Well" sounds similar - a bit like a promise of a miracle diet or a quick shortcut. I was somewhat skeptical about this book, but I gave it a chance, or rather I had no choice - I needed to quickly grasp C# basics. In this article, I describe what this book really offers.
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What I Learned About Cloud Run During Migration From Kubernetes
January 22, 2025Why do DevOps love Kubernetes? Simple - it keeps them busy! But what if you’re not a qualified DevOps engineer and need to launch your application’s MVP? Cloud Run in Google Cloud might be the right choice. I once joined a team with workloads running on Kubernetes, but no dedicated DevOps or someone experienced enough to manage and modify K8S. On top of that, we were experimenting with microservices and needed something that allowed us to deploy new services quickly without relying on the infrastructure team. In this article, I’ll share the story of how we migrated from Kubernetes to Cloud Run, the challenges we faced, and most importantly—what we learned. Along the way, you'll also gain insights into Cloud Run, how it works, and its applications.
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6 effective techniques to help you move forward, even when you lack motivation
January 13, 2025Do you feel that despite a massive list of tasks, your motivation is disappearing like gasoline in the tank of an old BMW? In this article, you will find practical techniques that will restore your will to action and increase your productivity, regardless of the situation.
Professional Development & Career Growth
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From Rooftop to Desktop: A Full Stack Developer's Journey
February 6, 2025Can you transition from working on roofs to building complex web applications? A little over ten years ago, I was a roofer, spending my days laying tiles and fixing leaks. Today, I'm a full stack developer and tech lead, creating digital solutions and leading development teams. My journey from construction sites to coding wasn't just about learning new technologies. Over time, I realized that the principles of good craftsmanship apply to both building houses and web applications. In this article, I'll share not only my transformation story but also practical insights about what it really takes to become a full stack developer. You'll learn about the most important technologies, challenges of working with a team, and most importantly, how to build a sustainable career in technology without burning out. Whether you're considering a career change, starting your programming journey, or looking to develop your current career in technology, my experiences can help you avoid common pitfalls and find your own path to fulfilling your dreams.
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Learn C# in One Day and Learn It Well Book Review - Can You Learn Programming in 24h?
January 29, 2025Remember those ads like "Learn English in a month"? Or "Lose 10kg in a month"? Well, the book "Learn C# in One Day and Learn It Well" sounds similar - a bit like a promise of a miracle diet or a quick shortcut. I was somewhat skeptical about this book, but I gave it a chance, or rather I had no choice - I needed to quickly grasp C# basics. In this article, I describe what this book really offers.
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From Developer to Tech Lead and Back: A Journey of Growth and Self-Discovery
December 2, 2024As a developer who always valued complete control over my tasks, I decided to take on the challenge of becoming a tech lead. Initially, it seemed like a great idea, but new challenges and growing pressures led me to hit a wall. That's when I realized I needed to take care of myself and work in a way that wouldn't burn me out. Today, I'll share my story of ups and downs, and ultimately finding balance - about overcoming burnout, regaining health, and finding satisfaction in my work. I really hope this will inspire you and give you energy to deal with your own challenges.
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AI: defeat the enemy, or make friends?
January 9, 2024Generative artificial intelligence is rapidly integrating into our digital world, sparking debates about its potential to replace humans. Content created by artificial intelligence offers value similar to human-generated content. The use of this technology can increase productivity and balance, adjusting to find harmony through focus, not just efficiency.
Productivity & Work Management
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6 effective techniques to help you move forward, even when you lack motivation
January 13, 2025Do you feel that despite a massive list of tasks, your motivation is disappearing like gasoline in the tank of an old BMW? In this article, you will find practical techniques that will restore your will to action and increase your productivity, regardless of the situation.
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Assertiveness in IT - How to Decline Additional Commitments Without Damaging Relationships
December 10, 2024Each of us in the IT industry has experienced this moment—you’re sitting in yet another meeting, you hear a request for a "small favor," and before you know it, your calendar and task list are bursting at the seams with additional commitments. After many years in this field, I’ve learned (often the hard way) that the ability to assertively say "no" is just as important as staying up to date with the latest technologies. In this article, I’ll share my experiences. Hopefully, you’ll find some valuable takeaways too.
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Time Management: How to Plan and Use Time Effectively
December 19, 2023Did you know that an average person spends 28 years of their life working? That’s almost one-third of our lives! So, effective time management is crucial to make the most of our time. In this article, I’ll share some time management tips and tricks that have worked for me, helping me plan and use my time effectively. Are you ready to achieve more in less time?
Work-Life Integration
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Is Technology Taking Over Your Life? Try Starting the New Year Differently
December 23, 2024In an era of constant availability and endless notifications, it's easy to lose control over how technology affects our lives. I invite you to join me in an experiment - a 5-day digital detox at the start of 2025. Let's see together if it's possible to live and work in IT while maintaining a healthy balance between online and offline worlds.
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How Running Saved My Career as a Team Lead
November 26, 2024A team lead's work often feels like an endless sprint - constant meetings, deadlines, and overwhelming responsibilities. I went through this myself until I found myself on the brink of burnout, weighing 233 lbs and barely able to look at my computer. What seemed like the end of my career became the beginning of something new. I discovered that the key to effective leadership lies in... running. In this article, I'll tell you how sports not only helped me lose 35 pounds but, more importantly, became a source of valuable lessons about team management and energy control. Discover the story of transformation from a breathless leader to a marathon runner who learned that the right pace is crucial in both life and work.
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A short story about how I lost and regained job satisfaction
October 31, 2024As a developer who always valued having full control over my tasks, I decided to take it a step further and accept the challenge of being a tech leader. Initially, it seemed like a great idea, but new challenges and growing workloads led me to a breaking point. That's when I realized I needed to take care of myself and work in a sustainable way. Today, I'll tell you about my ups, downs, and how I ultimately found balance—how I overcame burnout, regained my health, and found satisfaction at work again. I hope it can somehow inspire you and give you energy to tackle your own challenges.
Software engineering
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What I Learned About Cloud Run During Migration From Kubernetes
January 22, 2025Why do DevOps love Kubernetes? Simple - it keeps them busy! But what if you’re not a qualified DevOps engineer and need to launch your application’s MVP? Cloud Run in Google Cloud might be the right choice. I once joined a team with workloads running on Kubernetes, but no dedicated DevOps or someone experienced enough to manage and modify K8S. On top of that, we were experimenting with microservices and needed something that allowed us to deploy new services quickly without relying on the infrastructure team. In this article, I’ll share the story of how we migrated from Kubernetes to Cloud Run, the challenges we faced, and most importantly—what we learned. Along the way, you'll also gain insights into Cloud Run, how it works, and its applications.
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Monolith vs Microservices: Pros and Cons and How to Approach Transformation
December 17, 2024Choosing between monolithic and microservices architecture is like deciding between a classic car and a modern design (increasingly fully electric) made up of many independent systems. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. In this article, based on my experiences and observations, I'll help you understand the key aspects of both approaches and show possible paths for architectural transformation.
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From On-Premise to Serverless: The Evolution of Infrastructure
December 12, 2024Remember when every company needed its own server room? Today's world looks completely different. Discover the history of infrastructure evolution - from physical servers through cloud computing to serverless. Learn about breakthrough moments, challenges, and lessons that taught us smarter approaches to infrastructure.
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AI Tools for Developers: My Journey from Skeptic to Conscious User
December 3, 2024A year ago, I was skeptical of AI coding tools. Today, they're an integral part of my work. Follow my journey from resistance to balanced integration and discover practical ways to enhance your development process using AI tools while maintaining control and expertise.
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Software architecture explained: Key concepts for developers
July 13, 2023Can anyone explain what software architecture is? Whether you are an experienced programmer or just starting your adventure with application development, this article is for you. I will show you the concepts that form the foundation of every successful software project. Thanks to this, you will gain the confidence and knowledge necessary for designing and creating applications that will work according to expectations and meet the requirements of both users and businesses.
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Cognitive Load in Teamwork: How to Optimize Performance?
July 12, 2023Have you ever wondered why sometimes you feel overwhelmed with work while other times everything seems to go smoothly? Why sometimes thinking and problem-solving difficult for you, while other times are easier? There is a concept that helps you understand how much cognitive effort you need to put into your work. It's the cognitive load theory, which can help you minimize cognitive effort and work more efficiently.
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Using Fitness Functions in architecture: Improving the quality and performance of systems
July 10, 2023Have you ever wondered how to improve the quality and performance of IT systems systematically and efficiently? Have you ever heard of the mysterious 'Fitness Functions' tool and its impact on software architecture? If not, this article is just for you! Learn how Fitness Functions can change how you create and improve IT systems, ensuring exceptional performance and reliability.
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Surprising facts about simplicity in software architecture
July 4, 2023Have you ever wondered why some software projects become too complicated? Is there a way to avoid excessive complexity and achieve simplicity in software architecture? In this article, we will discover fascinating facts about simplicity in software architecture and learn a principle that can drastically impact how we create and design our projects. Get ready to discover the principle that can revolutionize your approach to software architecture.
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The mysterious power of the 'why' question in programming that you can't ignore
July 3, 2023When I started my adventure with programming, I came from a completely different industry. I was a roofer. But don't worry. I won't talk to you about roofs and gutters. I want to share with you something that I discovered as a programmer that changed my software development approach. I didn't learn it in courses or books, but it was crucial to my success. It's all about one magical word - 'Why.'
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Unveiling the Secrets of Successful Deployment: Mapping the Path to Production
June 22, 2023Have you ever felt frustrated with failed deployments? Have you ever wondered why some projects are hugely successful while others sink into chaos and delays? Get ready to discover a key benefit that will change your approach to project development. You will learn to effectively map the path to production to find weaknesses in your development and deployment process. This simple technique will allow you to reduce risk, increase efficiency, and achieve success at the highest level.
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Optimizing the Software Architect Role: How to Avoid Being a Bottleneck
June 21, 2023Do you know what puzzle the role of a software architect hides? Is there a key to efficiency that will allow you to avoid the trap of being a bottleneck? Get ready for an exciting solution to this puzzle, as in this article we will discover how optimizing the role of a software architect can transform your career and make you an indispensable part of any innovative project!
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How architecture diagrams help you talk about software
June 20, 2023Have you ever wondered how architecture diagrams can help in easier understanding and communication about software among different groups of people? In this article, you will learn how diagrams allow for translating business requirements into a technical description of the software and their main advantages and disadvantages. I will also present the popular c4 model and sequence diagrams. Enjoy the read!
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Hexagonal architecture (ports and adapters): pros and cons
April 20, 2023Today I will show you the hexagonal architecture, which is known as the ports and adapters pattern. You will learn the basics of this architectural pattern, as well as see its advantages and disadvantages. Additionally, I will show you cases where it is worth using this application design approach. The article discusses combining the hexagonal architecture with Domain Driven Design (DDD) modeling techniques.
Archives
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AHA! Let's bring back the simplicity of Frontend
January 23, 2024 -
Discover why cooperation between product owners and developers is the key to success in a startup
December 12, 2023 -
Essential Software Architecture Principles for Programmers
October 26, 2023 -
Balancing technology and business: How to reconcile technical requirements with business goals as a software architect
August 17, 2023 -
Is gathering business requirements really difficult? Discover the truth
July 14, 2023 -
Estimation without fear
July 11, 2023 -
Level up as a programmer or IT specialist thanks to the think time technique
July 7, 2023 -
Guide for Beginner Software Architects: Discover the Characteristics of Architecture
July 6, 2023 -
Can new technologies kill you?
July 5, 2023 -
The main differences between architectural and technical decisions in the software development process
June 23, 2023 -
Refactoring: when it is necessary and what problems it can cause
March 21, 2023 -
Programmer and teamwork
March 15, 2023 -
How to build a high-quality PWA Studio extension
February 11, 2023 -
How to use GraphQL mutations in React and Apollo Client
October 27, 2022 -
The reality of support for Magento 2 shipping methods in headless storefronts
October 18, 2022 -
Introduction to the Apollo local state and reactive variables
October 13, 2022 -
How to create a quick search component using Apollo lazy query
September 29, 2022 -
10 Answers to Your Questions About Magento Enterprise Versions
September 23, 2022 -
The Anatomy of Great Code Quality
September 22, 2022 -
How to mock GraphQL queries and mutations
September 16, 2022 -
The full-stack guide to the GraphQL query
September 8, 2022 -
2 ways of handling GraphQL errors in Apollo Client
September 2, 2022 -
Magento 2 PWA theme (PWA Studio, Vue Storefront) vs. Magento Luma: features comparison
August 6, 2022 -
How to import Magento GraphQL schema to Postman
June 1, 2022 -
Magento GraphQL: How to resolve URL
February 12, 2022 -
React Context API: It's Not as Difficult as You Think
February 3, 2022 -
Vue component here, Vue components there. Components everywhere!
January 27, 2022 -
How to get started with Vue (part1)
January 14, 2022 -
Magento 2 product types
December 29, 2021 -
How to get started with routing in React apps with React Router
December 23, 2021 -
Why We Love Headless eCommerce (And You Should, Too!)
November 10, 2021 -
What is react redux, and what development of redux apps looks in 2021
November 2, 2021 -
What is JSX in React, and is it worth making friends with it
October 7, 2021 -
Getting started with Magento PWA Studio targetables
October 4, 2021 -
How to add support for Category Landing Pages to PWA Studio
April 15, 2021 -
How to extend PWA Studio with new features
March 25, 2021 -
Everything you need to know about CSS modules
September 15, 2020