Posts
Python Basics: Package Small Command-Line Tools with zipapp
A small command-line utility may consist of several Python files but have no third-party dependencies. zipapp can bundle that source into one .pyz file that a suitable Python …
October 25, 2026
Python Basics: Find Repeated Work with cProfile and pstats
A slow program may spend time in a helper that is called more often than expected. cProfile records function activity during a run, and pstats turns that recording into a report. …
October 25, 2026
Python Basics: Build Readable Reports with Format Specifications
A terminal report is easier to scan when labels line up and numbers use a consistent precision. Python’s format specifications control the presentation of individual values inside …
October 25, 2026
Linux Basics: Resolve Paths and Check Existence with GNU realpath
A path can contain . and .., repeat directory separators, or reach a file through a symbolic link. GNU realpath turns that spelling into a resolved path. Its options also let you …
October 25, 2026
Linux Basics: Reflow Plain-Text Paragraphs with GNU fmt
A plain-text note can acquire uneven line lengths after several edits. GNU fmt reflows prose into paragraphs with a chosen line width. It can also limit reformatting to a comment …
October 25, 2026
Linux Basics: Number Selected Text Lines with GNU nl
Line numbers help when discussing a short text file, but sometimes only nonempty lines or matching entries should advance the counter. GNU nl lets you choose which lines receive …
October 25, 2026
Linux Basics: Normalize Timestamps and Measure Intervals with GNU date
A log timestamp is easier to compare when its time zone is explicit. GNU date can parse a supplied timestamp, display the same instant in UTC, and convert it to epoch seconds for a …
October 25, 2026
Linux Basics: Inspect File Identity and Link Metadata with GNU stat
Two filenames can hold equal text while referring to different files, or refer to the same file through hard links. GNU stat exposes the metadata needed to tell those cases apart. …
October 25, 2026
JavaScript Basics: Validate IP Literals and Match Subnets with node:net
A configuration field containing an IP address needs different handling from a hostname, a URL, or an address-and-port pair. The node:net module includes local utilities for these …
October 25, 2026
JavaScript Basics: Read and Update Byte Ranges with FileHandle
Reading a whole file is convenient until you need only a header, a fixed-width record, or a small update at a known offset. A FileHandle keeps one file open while you perform those …
October 25, 2026