Nerd Out on 10 of Our Favorite Posts From 2021

A curated selection of our favorite 2021 posts, spanning technologies & engineering disciplines, with a few classics you still love, read, and share.

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Shopify
•
Jennie Lundrigan
•6 min read•intermediate•
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•View Original
ApacheElasticsearchGraphQLMonolithMySQLRailsRate LimitingReactRuby

Overview

The article highlights ten of Shopify's favorite engineering posts from 2021, showcasing a variety of technologies and disciplines. It emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge within the engineering community and provides insights into various projects and tutorials that can enhance developers' skills.

What You'll Learn

1

How to build a web application using only standard Ruby libraries

2

How to optimize storefronts using Hydrogen framework

3

How to conduct effective exploratory data analysis (EDA)

4

How to upgrade MySQL and handle rollback testing

5

How to implement rate limiting for GraphQL APIs based on query complexity

Key Questions Answered

What are the steps to build a web app without Rails?
The article details a tutorial by Maple Ong that guides developers through building a web application using only standard Ruby libraries, emphasizing the educational value of this approach and its significance in a Ruby developer's career.
What is the purpose of the Hydrogen framework?
Hydrogen is a React-based framework designed for building custom storefronts. The article explains how it is optimized for personalized and dynamic commerce, making it a powerful tool for developers looking to enhance user experience.
How does YJIT improve CRuby performance?
YJIT is a new Just-In-Time compiler for CRuby that enhances performance by optimizing execution speed. It has been integrated into Ruby 3.1.0, showcasing its importance for developers looking to improve Ruby application performance.
What are the key steps in exploratory data analysis?
Cody Mazza-Anthony outlines five essential steps for conducting exploratory data analysis, including handling missing values, visualizing data distribution, and identifying relationships among features, which are crucial for effective data-driven decision-making.

Technologies & Tools

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Backend
Ruby
Used for building web applications and implementing the YJIT compiler.
Frontend
Hydrogen
A React-based framework for building custom storefronts.
Database
Mysql
Used in Shopify's database systems and discussed in the context of upgrades.
API
Graphql
Used for Shopify's API, with discussions on rate limiting and query complexity.
Frontend
React Native
Used for building App Clips that enhance user engagement.

Key Actionable Insights

1
Building a web application without relying on Rails libraries can deepen your understanding of Ruby and enhance your coding skills.
This approach encourages developers to grasp the fundamentals of web development, making them more versatile and capable of tackling various challenges in their careers.
2
Utilizing the Hydrogen framework can significantly improve the performance and customization of storefronts.
By leveraging Hydrogen, developers can create more engaging and contextually relevant shopping experiences, which can lead to higher conversion rates.
3
Implementing a structured exploratory data analysis process can lead to better insights and decision-making.
Following the five steps outlined in the article can help data scientists and analysts uncover hidden patterns and relationships in their data, ultimately driving business success.

Common Pitfalls

1
Neglecting the importance of understanding the underlying technologies when using frameworks like Rails can lead to poor coding practices.
Developers may become overly reliant on frameworks, missing out on critical knowledge that can help them troubleshoot and optimize their applications effectively.
2
Failing to account for rollback scenarios during database upgrades can result in significant downtime.
It's crucial to prepare for potential issues during upgrades by implementing thorough testing and rollback strategies to ensure system reliability.