Favorite hacks of 2015

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Chris Marra
5 min readintermediate
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Overview

The article highlights several innovative features and tools that emerged from hackathons at Facebook in 2015. It showcases the creativity and problem-solving capabilities of engineers who transformed ideas into practical applications, ranging from VR coding tools to data transfer solutions.

What You'll Learn

1

How to implement real-time coding in VR using React and three.js

2

Why optimizing on-board optics can improve signal integrity and reduce power consumption

3

How to utilize Stetho for debugging Android applications effectively

4

How to create engaging video content with Boomerang for social media

5

How to enhance data transfer speeds using Warp Speed Data Transfer

Key Questions Answered

What is the purpose of the React + Oculus hack?
The React + Oculus hack allows developers to modify code in real time while using a VR headset. This innovation eliminates the need to switch between the headset and monitor, enabling a more immersive coding experience that integrates seamlessly with the React library.
How does the Celebrate Pride hack work?
The Celebrate Pride hack enables users to apply a rainbow filter to their profile pictures quickly using CSS layering. This feature was developed in just 72 hours and saw over 26 million users update their profile pictures to support the LGBTQ community.
What is Stetho and how is it used?
Stetho is a debugging platform for Android that provides access to Chrome Developer Tools. It allows developers to inspect network traffic, view hierarchy, and manage SQLite databases, enhancing the debugging process for Android applications.
What improvements does Warp Speed Data Transfer offer?
Warp Speed Data Transfer improves data transfer speeds by cutting input into blocks and sending them in parallel over multiple TCP paths. This method allows for faster and more efficient data transfers, achieving speeds over 500 GB/s at Facebook.

Key Statistics & Figures

Profile picture updates for Pride celebration
26 million
This statistic reflects the impact of the Celebrate Pride hack, showcasing its widespread adoption among users.
Data transfer speeds achieved with Warp Speed Data Transfer
500 GB/s
This performance metric highlights the efficiency of the Warp Speed Data Transfer tool in handling large data transfers.

Technologies & Tools

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Frontend
React
Used for building the real-time coding interface for VR.
Frontend
Three.js
Utilized for rendering 3D graphics in the VR coding tool.
Backend
Stetho
A debugging platform for Android applications.
Backend
Warp Speed Data Transfer
An embeddable library for fast data transfer between systems.

Key Actionable Insights

1
Implementing real-time coding tools for VR can significantly enhance developer productivity.
By allowing developers to code directly in VR, teams can streamline workflows and reduce context-switching, leading to faster development cycles.
2
Optimizing hardware layout, such as moving optics on circuit boards, can lead to better performance and energy efficiency.
This approach not only resolves physical congestion but also improves signal integrity, which is crucial for high-speed data transmission.
3
Utilizing tools like Stetho can drastically improve the debugging experience for Android developers.
By providing web-based inspection tools, developers can gain deeper insights into their applications, making it easier to identify and fix issues.