# General Questions/Help **URL:** https://forum.devtalk.com/c/general-developer-forum/general-questions-help/176.md [Latest](https://forum.devtalk.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.devtalk.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://forum.devtalk.com/tags.md) --- ## [Dealing with network congestion in a home lab environment for development builds?](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/dealing-with-network-congestion-in-a-home-lab-environment-for-development-builds/250273)
**Author:** [@ninav50388](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/ninav50388)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [1 October 2026 18:31 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/dealing-with-network-congestion-in-a-home-lab-environment-for-development-builds/250273 "2026-10-01T18:31:36Z")
Hey everyone, I’ve been a long-time reader of these forums and always appreciate the technical depth here. Lately, I’ve been hitting a bit of a bottleneck in my home lab setup. As I’ve been expanding my local environment… --- ## [Do you prefer regular mechanical keyboards or low profile mechanical keyboards and why?](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/do-you-prefer-regular-mechanical-keyboards-or-low-profile-mechanical-keyboards-and-why/93153)
**Author:** [@DevotionGeo](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/DevotionGeo)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [22 August 2026 15:41 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/do-you-prefer-regular-mechanical-keyboards-or-low-profile-mechanical-keyboards-and-why/93153 "2026-08-22T15:41:38Z")
I have always used antique keyboards like Cherry MX 1800 or Cherry MX 8100 and almost always have modified the switches in some way, like on the 8100 I had replaced the stems of all the brown switches with black switches… --- ## [Best monitor arm for a better desk setup?](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/best-monitor-arm-for-a-better-desk-setup/248846)
**Author:** [@johnnaa](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/johnnaa)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [15 August 2026 05:35 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/best-monitor-arm-for-a-better-desk-setup/248846 "2026-08-15T05:35:27Z")
I’ve been researching monitor arms for the past few days because I want to improve my desk setup and make better use of my workspace. After comparing different options, I’ve narrowed it down to these two: HUANUO FlowLif… --- ## [How do you find good ideas for projects - open-source or apps?](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/how-do-you-find-good-ideas-for-projects-open-source-or-apps/229339)
**Author:** [@conwy](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/conwy)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [16 May 2026 08:53 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/how-do-you-find-good-ideas-for-projects-open-source-or-apps/229339 "2026-05-16T08:53:40Z")
Caveat: Apologies in advance – I guess this topic has probably been done to death. But if it’s Ok to ask, I just want to try again and see if the popular thinking has changed recently or if someone might have a fresh or … --- ## [Recent supply chain attack on Open source security](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/recent-supply-chain-attack-on-open-source-security/239450)
**Author:** [@KnowledgeIsPower](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/KnowledgeIsPower)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [29 March 2026 10:46 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/recent-supply-chain-attack-on-open-source-security/239450 "2026-03-29T10:46:40Z")
Trivy was attacked for twice recently. CheckMarx and Telnyx was attacked too. Looks like the attack is not slowing down. --- ## [Best standing desk for dual monitor setup?](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/best-standing-desk-for-dual-monitor-setup/218260)
**Author:** [@johnnaa](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/johnnaa)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [10 October 2025 12:33 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/best-standing-desk-for-dual-monitor-setup/218260 "2025-10-10T12:33:15Z")
Hey everyone, I’ve been looking for the best standing desk lately because I’m tired of sitting all day working from home. i read reviews on wirecutter, forbes, and tom’s guide, and they all recommend these two as the to… --- ## [What’s a good list of Elixir books recommended for beginners?](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/what-s-a-good-list-of-elixir-books-recommended-for-beginners/211132)
**Author:** [@dPhong31415](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/dPhong31415)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [24 August 2025 17:29 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/what-s-a-good-list-of-elixir-books-recommended-for-beginners/211132 "2025-08-24T17:29:48Z")
Hey everyone :waving\_hand: I’ve just recently discovered Elixir, and honestly—it’s been mind-blowing so far (coming from a React background). I’m really excited to dive deeper, learn the language properly, and start bui… --- ## [Have you received any "Shopper Approved" email (Manning)?](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/have-you-received-any-shopper-approved-email-manning/203381)
**Author:** [@jaeyson](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/jaeyson)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [4 July 2025 03:22 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/have-you-received-any-shopper-approved-email-manning/203381 "2025-07-04T03:22:50Z")
Hi! I received an email from shopperapproved.com, I’ll copy-pasta here: Hi , Would you be willing to help future Manning.com customers, by sharing your recent buying experience? It only takes a minute. Just click on… --- ## [Know of any underrated developer tools? ](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/know-of-any-underrated-developer-tools/203644)
**Author:** [@geo](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/geo)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [23 June 2025 02:30 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/know-of-any-underrated-developer-tools/203644 "2025-06-23T02:30:06Z")
What are some good under rated developer tools? --- ## [Is it possible to learn reverse hacking?](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/is-it-possible-to-learn-reverse-hacking/200043)
**Author:** [@GTX](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/GTX)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [21 May 2025 14:10 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/is-it-possible-to-learn-reverse-hacking/200043 "2025-05-21T14:10:32Z")
Hello everyone! I am not a developer, just wanna know if it’s possible for someone with no skills to learn how to reverse hack my hackers. --- ## [Where do you get your tech/dev news?](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/where-do-you-get-your-tech-dev-news/1343)
**Author:** [@AstonJ](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/AstonJ)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [15 September 2024 04:45 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/where-do-you-get-your-tech-dev-news/1343 "2024-09-15T04:45:46Z")
I really like our #general-developer-forum:in-the-news section and am wondering whether we could automate some of the cross-posting of the more mainstream tech/dev news (probably go into a moderated section first then ‘a… --- ## [How to create a screenshot application that takes screenshots every few seconds?](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/how-to-create-a-screenshot-application-that-takes-screenshots-every-few-seconds/159067)
**Author:** [@Tazmeen](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/Tazmeen)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [14 June 2024 22:27 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/how-to-create-a-screenshot-application-that-takes-screenshots-every-few-seconds/159067 "2024-06-14T22:27:18Z")
Hello, I am new to this forum. Not really sure if this topic is relevant for this chat at all. I apologize if its not. I am trying to create a screenshot application which takes screenshot after every few seconds of th… --- ## [Navigating the Maze of Exception Handling in Java Programs](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/navigating-the-maze-of-exception-handling-in-java-programs/145669)
**Author:** [@harwind](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/harwind)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [29 February 2024 19:45 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/navigating-the-maze-of-exception-handling-in-java-programs/145669 "2024-02-29T19:45:17Z")
Hi, Take a riveting look at exception handling in Java programming, including the complicated dance between try-catch blocks, checked and unchecked exceptions, and exception propagation techniques. This topic digs into … --- ## [Python concerns with the For Loop and While Loop](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/python-concerns-with-the-for-loop-and-while-loop/141470)
**Author:** [@harwind](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/harwind)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [28 January 2024 22:09 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/python-concerns-with-the-for-loop-and-while-loop/141470 "2024-01-28T22:09:08Z")
Hi, I’m now investigating the complexities of Python loops, specifically the contrast between for and while loops. However, I’ve had some difficulty understanding their distinctions and implementing them optimally. Here … --- ## [Python Error Challenge: List vs. Tuple Misuse](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/python-error-challenge-list-vs-tuple-misuse/136584)
**Author:** [@harwind](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/harwind)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [19 December 2023 11:08 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/python-error-challenge-list-vs-tuple-misuse/136584 "2023-12-19T11:08:12Z")
I am working on a Python script, and you encounter an error related to the misuse of lists and tuples. Here’s a simplified version of your code: # Initializing a list my\_data = \[10, 20, 30, 40, 50\] # Attempting to chan… --- ## [Dynamic Programming Challenge: Longest Increasing Subsequence](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/dynamic-programming-challenge-longest-increasing-subsequence/135786)
**Author:** [@harwind](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/harwind)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [13 December 2023 06:21 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/dynamic-programming-challenge-longest-increasing-subsequence/135786 "2023-12-13T06:21:34Z")
Given an array of integers, find the length of the longest increasing subsequence. A subsequence is a sequence that can be derived from another sequence by deleting some or no elements without changing the order of the r… --- ## [Choosing Programming Languages in 2023: Balancing Trends and Practicality](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/choosing-programming-languages-in-2023-balancing-trends-and-practicality/132731)
**Author:** [@harwind](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/harwind)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [23 November 2023 07:32 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/choosing-programming-languages-in-2023-balancing-trends-and-practicality/132731 "2023-11-23T07:32:09Z")
I’m considering learning new languages to expand my programming skills in 2023. While aware of popular choices, I seek advice on striking the right balance between emerging trends and practical applications. Considering … --- ## [JavaScript Challenge: Validating Email Addresses](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/javascript-challenge-validating-email-addresses/127413)
**Author:** [@harwind](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/harwind)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [26 October 2023 13:48 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/javascript-challenge-validating-email-addresses/127413 "2023-10-26T13:48:49Z")
I’m working on a web application where users can sign up with their email addresses. To ensure data integrity, I want to implement client-side validation to check if the email address provided by the user is in a valid f… --- ## [I have no idea how to use Unity and C#](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/i-have-no-idea-how-to-use-unity-and-c/125885)
**Author:** [@thetoaderseventytwo](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/thetoaderseventytwo)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [7 October 2023 15:28 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/i-have-no-idea-how-to-use-unity-and-c/125885 "2023-10-07T15:28:37Z")
I’ve been trying to dip my feet into using Unity and C# for the sake of developing games, however, I have barely any knowledge of how to use the coding language or Unity, and stuff like programming camera controls ends u… --- ## [SQL Query Challenge: Finding the Latest Records](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/sql-query-challenge-finding-the-latest-records/127108)
**Author:** [@harwind](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/harwind)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [6 October 2023 23:33 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/sql-query-challenge-finding-the-latest-records/127108 "2023-10-06T23:33:58Z")
I’m working on a SQL query for a database containing records of customer transactions. Each transaction has a transaction\_id, customer\_id, transaction\_date, and amount. I need to find the latest transaction for each cust… --- ## [Converting an Array to a String in JavaScript](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/converting-an-array-to-a-string-in-javascript/125502)
**Author:** [@harwind](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/harwind)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [26 September 2023 08:19 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/converting-an-array-to-a-string-in-javascript/125502 "2023-09-26T08:19:32Z")
I have an array of strings in JavaScript, and I need to convert it into a single string with specific delimiter characters between the elements. Here’s a sample array: let myArray = \["apple", "banana", "cherry", "date"\]… --- ## [Is Rust still good to learn?](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/is-rust-still-good-to-learn/125977)
**Author:** [@jaeyson](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/jaeyson)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [28 August 2023 10:21 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/is-rust-still-good-to-learn/125977 "2023-08-28T10:21:28Z")
Is Rust still good to learn? Last time (ages ago) I heard there was changes made by the foundation. If not, is Go suitable for api and web framework? I just want to branch out from Laravel --- ## [JavaScript Array of Objects Sorting: How to Sort by a Specific Object Property](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/javascript-array-of-objects-sorting-how-to-sort-by-a-specific-object-property/124861)
**Author:** [@harwind](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/harwind)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [19 September 2023 23:21 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/javascript-array-of-objects-sorting-how-to-sort-by-a-specific-object-property/124861 "2023-09-19T23:21:59Z")
I have an array of objects in JavaScript, and I want to sort them based on a specific property of the objects. For example, I have an array of books, and each book object has properties like ‘title’, ‘author’, and ‘publi… --- ## [Newbie in Rspec need tips](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/newbie-in-rspec-need-tips/113611)
**Author:** [@PaulMartin](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/PaulMartin)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [26 June 2023 14:32 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/newbie-in-rspec-need-tips/113611 "2023-06-26T14:32:30Z")
Hey everyone! Do you have any tips or free resources that can help me learn Rspec? Although I know how to write some Rspec, I’m not very comfortable with it and am not sure if what I’m writing is a good or bad test. --- ## [Function Overloading In C++ - why is const disregarded in the first example but not in the second?](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/function-overloading-in-c-why-is-const-disregarded-in-the-first-example-but-not-in-the-second/101650)
**Author:** [@harwind](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/harwind)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [21 March 2023 16:20 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/function-overloading-in-c-why-is-const-disregarded-in-the-first-example-but-not-in-the-second/101650 "2023-03-21T16:20:04Z")
Consider the following bits of code: void foo(const int i) // First foo { std::cout \<\< "First " \<\< i \<\< endl; } void foo(int i) // Second foo { std::cout \<\< "Second " \<\< i \<\< endl; } int main() { int i… --- ## [How to find good experts in Cash Loan services?](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/how-to-find-good-experts-in-cash-loan-services/86570)
**Author:** [@Girtyp](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/Girtyp)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [10 December 2022 22:04 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/how-to-find-good-experts-in-cash-loan-services/86570 "2022-12-10T22:04:03Z")
Hi everyone. Getting right to my question, I have recently thought about implementing payment by installment feature in my website. Who knows a good company, which can help me with it? --- ## [Heroku Alternative ...?](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/heroku-alternative/81714)
**Author:** [@finner](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/finner)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [17 November 2022 08:24 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/heroku-alternative/81714 "2022-11-17T08:24:02Z")
Hello devtalk ! Heroku are closing their free tier (dynos) later this month and I was wondering if you guys could recommend any alternatives that offer free tier. My application is for personal use, mainly for playing a… --- ## [How can I apply a converted date to a SQL Server variable?](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/how-can-i-apply-a-converted-date-to-a-sql-server-variable/75322)
**Author:** [@sona11](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/sona11)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [25 September 2022 16:48 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/how-can-i-apply-a-converted-date-to-a-sql-server-variable/75322 "2022-09-25T16:48:03Z")
How can I apply a modified date and time to a variable? This is what I get when I execute the following query in SQL Server Mgmt Studio: SELECT CONVERT(varchar(15), CAST(GETDATE() AS TIME), 100) I have a variable I ne… --- ## [What are the main stages of software development?](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/what-are-the-main-stages-of-software-development/47841)
**Author:** [@AlexJosef](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/AlexJosef)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [1 April 2022 21:34 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/what-are-the-main-stages-of-software-development/47841 "2022-04-01T21:34:15Z")
What are the main stages of software development? --- ## [Any tips on understanding recursion?](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/any-tips-on-understanding-recursion/9169)
**Author:** [@brennan](https://forum.devtalk.com/u/brennan)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [6 July 2021 09:35 UTC](https://forum.devtalk.com/t/any-tips-on-understanding-recursion/9169 "2021-07-06T09:35:42Z")
Trying to understand recursion in Elixir. Sometimes it is simple based on the problem, sometimes it is hard. Any suggestions on how to learn and understand it better? [Next page](https://forum.devtalk.com/c/general-developer-forum/general-questions-help/176.md?page=1)