DEV Community: Sheikh Shahariar Siam

Handling Webhook Chaos: Backend work isn’t just writing APIs

Sheikh Shahariar Siam — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 18:28:27 +0000

Working with Meta webhooks (WhatsApp / Instagram / Facebook) is a different kind of challenge.
Meta allows only one webhook endpoint per app per product, and that single endpoint has to handle many different events—messages, delivery updates, status changes, and more.

The complexity isn’t just in processing the events, it’s in the setup across different platforms:
🔹 Facebook Page webhooks can be tested in a dev mode right away.
🔹 Instagram requires switching to live mode before the webhook becomes active.
🔹 WhatsApp demands advanced access before you can even start testing with real numbers.

Each platform plays by its own rules.
To build a reliable system, I had to:
✅ Host a dedicated server to inspect real-time webhook calls.
✅ Log and analyze every incoming request from each platform.
✅ Create a flexible routing logic that cleanly separates and processes every event in real time.

It’s a perfect example of how backend work isn’t just writing APIs—it’s about orchestrating different requirements into one seamless flow.

AWS S3 Presigned URLs: Secure and Temporary File Access Made Simple

Sheikh Shahariar Siam — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 07:18:36 +0000

AWS S3 (Simple Storage Service) is a cornerstone of cloud storage solutions, offering reliable and scalable options for businesses and developers alike. During my recent exploration of AWS S3, I came across an incredibly useful feature called Presigned URLs, and it left me thoroughly impressed. This feature addresses the need for secure, temporary access to files, proving invaluable in many use cases.

Understanding Presigned URLs

Presigned URLs are time-limited links generated for specific operations (like GET or PUT) on objects within an S3 bucket. These URLs are created using AWS credentials and inherit permissions tied to those credentials, ensuring secure and controlled access without exposing the bucket or its contents to unauthorized users.

Even for private buckets, presigned URLs allow:

GET Requests: Temporary access for downloading objects.
PUT Requests: Temporary access for uploading objects.

Why Are Presigned URLs So Useful?

The applications for presigned URLs are vast, but some of the standout scenarios include:

Delivering Digital Content: For businesses selling courses or digital products, presigned URLs ensure secure delivery of eBooks, videos, or other materials without exposing sensitive bucket data.
Enabling User File Uploads: Systems requiring users to upload private files can leverage presigned URLs to allow direct uploads to an S3 bucket, maintaining security and efficiency.

How Do Presigned URLs Work?

The mechanism behind presigned URLs is simple yet highly secure:

Request Creation:

A presigned URL is generated by signing an operation request (e.g., GET or PUT) with AWS credentials. The URL includes an embedded signature based on the credentials, the specified operation, and an expiration time.
The expiration time determines how long the link remains valid.

Temporary Permissions:

The presigned URL grants temporary access only for the specific operation, ensuring that broader access to the bucket is not compromised.

Secure Operations:

Users interacting with the URL do not need AWS credentials. The temporary signature in the URL authorizes the operation, maintaining security while avoiding exposure of permanent credentials.

Generating Presigned URLs

Presigned URLs can be easily created using the AWS SDK or AWS CLI. Here’s an example using Node.js:

Generating a Presigned URL for Download:

const AWS = require('aws-sdk');
const s3 = new AWS.S3();

const params = {
  Bucket: 'your-bucket-name',
  Key: 'your-object-key',
  Expires: 60 // Expiration time in seconds
};

s3.getSignedUrl('getObject', params, (err, url) => {
  if (err) {
    console.error('Error generating presigned URL', err);
  } else {
    console.log('Presigned URL:', url);
  }
});

Generating a Presigned URL for Upload:

const params = {
  Bucket: 'your-bucket-name',
  Key: 'your-object-key',
  Expires: 60 // Expiration time in seconds
};

s3.getSignedUrl('putObject', params, (err, url) => {
  if (err) {
    console.error('Error generating presigned URL', err);
  } else {
    console.log('Presigned URL for upload:', url);
  }
});

Key Benefits of Presigned URLs

Enhanced Security:

Ensures temporary, controlled access to specific objects without exposing credentials.
Allows bucket policies and object permissions to remain intact.

Improved Scalability:

Direct file operations reduce the load on your application’s backend.

Customizable Access:

Define the validity period for precise control over access duration.

Ease of Integration:

Works seamlessly with both web and mobile applications.

Practical Use Cases

Content Distribution: Share secure download links for paid courses, reports, or software.
File Upload Portals: Let users upload files directly to S3 without exposing backend systems.
Temporary File Sharing: Collaborate securely with clients or team members using expiring links.

At The End

AWS S3 Presigned URLs are a versatile tool that balances accessibility with security. By enforcing access conditions like allowed HTTP methods and headers, they offer even greater control over file operations. Whether you’re managing digital products, facilitating secure file uploads, or enabling temporary file sharing, presigned URLs provide a seamless, scalable, and secure solution.

If you haven’t used Presigned URLs yet, now is the perfect time to explore their capabilities. They’re an indispensable feature for modern, cloud-based applications, enhancing both security and user experience.

Building Software that’s Efficient, Intuitive, and Seamless

Sheikh Shahariar Siam — Sun, 16 Jun 2024 17:23:59 +0000

In the rapidly evolving world of software development, creating applications that are not only efficient but also intuitive and seamless is paramount. As we step into 2024, let’s explore some of the cutting-edge tech stacks that are shaping the future of software engineering

Embracing Modern Tech Stacks

The choice of technology stack is critical in determining the performance, scalability, and user experience of your software. Here are some of the prominent tech stacks that have gained traction in 2024:

LAMP Stack: A classic combination of Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP, renowned for its reliability and ease of use.
MEAN Stack: Comprising MongoDB, Express.js, AngularJS, and Node.js, this stack is known for its speed and efficiency in handling dynamic websites and applications.
MERN Stack: Similar to MEAN but with React replacing AngularJS, offering a more flexible and component-based approach to UI development.
MEVN Stack: A variant of MEAN, where Vue.js is used instead of AngularJS, known for its simplicity and progressive framework.
Serverless Stack: This approach abstracts server management and offers a cost-effective solution for scaling applications on demand.

Key Principles for Efficient and Intuitive Software

User-Centric Design: Start with the user in mind. An intuitive UI/UX is essential for user adoption and satisfaction.
Performance Optimization: Employ efficient algorithms and data structures to ensure your application runs smoothly.
Scalability: Design your software to handle growth seamlessly, whether it’s increasing data, users, or transaction volume.
Security: Implement robust security measures to protect user data and maintain trust.
Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD): Automate your deployment process to reduce manual errors and speed up release cycles.
Responsive Design: Ensure your application is accessible across various devices and platforms.
Testing: Rigorous testing is crucial to catch bugs early and maintain software quality.

Leveraging the Latest Technologies

To stay ahead, incorporating the latest technologies such as AI, machine learning, and blockchain can provide a competitive edge. For instance, AI can be used to enhance user experience through personalized recommendations, while blockchain can increase transparency and security in data transactions.

Conclusion

Building software that’s efficient, intuitive, and seamless requires a thoughtful approach to both the choice of tech stack and the design principles. By staying updated with the latest trends and technologies, and focusing on the user’s needs, you can create software that not only meets but exceeds expectations.

The Art of Software Maintenance: Embracing Change in 2024

Sheikh Shahariar Siam — Sun, 16 Jun 2024 17:15:06 +0000

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, the maintenance of software systems is not just a routine task; it’s an art that requires a deep understanding of the changing tech stacks and the foresight to anticipate future needs. As we step into 2024, the complexity of software systems has grown exponentially, making maintenance a critical aspect of the software development lifecycle.

Why Maintenance Matters

Software maintenance is crucial for several reasons. It ensures that software continues to operate in a changing environment, maintains its value over time, and meets new requirements that emerge from evolving business strategies or customer needs.

The Four Pillars of Software Maintenance

Corrective Maintenance: This involves fixing bugs and defects discovered post-deployment. It’s a reactive approach that ensures the software operates as intended.
Adaptive Maintenance: As the tech ecosystem evolves, adaptive maintenance ensures that software remains compatible with new operating systems, hardware, and tech stacks.
Perfective Maintenance: This proactive approach involves enhancing the software to improve performance and add new features that users demand.
Preventive Maintenance: Aimed at preventing future software issues, this includes code optimization and updating documentation to avoid potential failure.

Tech Stacks of 2024

The choice of tech stacks is pivotal in software maintenance. In 2024, stacks like LAMP, MEAN, MERN, and MEVN have been popular among developers for their robustness and flexibility. Additionally, the Serverless Stack has gained traction for its cost-efficiency and scalability.

Best Practices for Software Maintenance

Automated Testing: Implementing continuous integration and deployment with automated testing ensures that any changes made do not break existing functionality.
Monitoring Tools: Utilizing tools like Hyperping can help in uptime monitoring and identifying issues before they affect users.
Documentation: Keeping documentation up-to-date is essential for effective maintenance, ensuring that any developer can understand and work on the software.
User Feedback: Incorporating user feedback into the maintenance process helps in aligning the software with user needs and expectations.

Conclusion

Software maintenance in 2024 is not just about fixing bugs; it’s about adapting to change, improving performance, and preparing for the future. By embracing the latest tech stacks and following best practices, we can ensure that our software remains reliable, efficient, and relevant in the years to come.

Launching Your Online Business in 2024: A Tech-Driven Guide

Sheikh Shahariar Siam — Sun, 16 Jun 2024 17:08:34 +0000

The Digital Landscape of 2024

As we step into 2024, the digital landscape is more vibrant than ever. With global e-commerce sales expected to continue their upward trajectory, there’s no better time to launch an online business. The key to success lies in leveraging the latest tech stacks to build a robust, scalable, and efficient online platform.

Finding Your Niche

The first step is identifying a gap in the market that aligns with your passions and expertise. Whether it’s a unique product offering or a service that caters to a specific need, your niche will be the foundation of your online presence.

Building Your Online Presence

Once you’ve pinpointed your niche, it’s time to build your online presence. This involves creating a professional website that not only looks great but also performs seamlessly. Consider using the MERN stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React, Node.js) for a full-stack JavaScript solution that can handle dynamic content and user interactions with ease.

E-Commerce and User Experience

For e-commerce functionality, look into platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce, which can integrate with your tech stack to provide a seamless shopping experience. Prioritize user experience (UX) by employing responsive design and intuitive navigation, ensuring your site is accessible across all devices.

Marketing and SEO

No online business can thrive without a solid marketing strategy. Utilize social media platforms and SEO techniques to drive traffic to your site. Content marketing, powered by AI-driven tools like GPT-4, can help you create engaging content that resonates with your audience and improves search engine rankings.

Customer Service and Analytics

Excellent customer service is paramount. Implement chatbots and customer support systems that utilize AI to provide quick and helpful responses. Use analytics tools to track user behavior and refine your strategies accordingly.

Security and Compliance

Ensure your tech stack includes robust security measures to protect user data. Stay updated with the latest compliance regulations to maintain trust and avoid legal pitfalls.

Conclusion

Starting an online business in 2024 requires a blend of entrepreneurial spirit and tech savviness. By embracing the latest tech stacks and focusing on user experience, you can set your online venture up for success.

How and why the Next.js App Router is so awesome

Sheikh Shahariar Siam — Sun, 16 Jun 2024 17:03:07 +0000

The Next.js App Router is a new paradigm for building applications using React’s latest features. It was introduced in Next.js 13 and is built on React Server Components. The App Router provides a number of benefits over the traditional Pages Router, including:

Shared layouts
Nested routing
Loading states
Error handling
Shared layouts

The App Router makes it easy to create and share layouts across your application. This can help to improve consistency and reduce boilerplate code.

Nested routing

The App Router supports nested routing, which allows you to create complex routing structures without having to resort to hacks or workarounds.

Loading states

The App Router provides built-in support for loading states, which can help to improve the user experience by preventing users from seeing blank pages while content is loading.

Error handling

The App Router also provides built-in support for error handling. This can help you to gracefully handle errors and provide users with useful feedback.

Why the Next.js App Router is so nice

In addition to the benefits listed above, the App Router is also simply more elegant and expressive than the Pages Router. It is more aligned with the React programming model and makes it easier to build modern, complex applications.

Examples of how to use the App Router

Here are some specific examples of how the App Router can be used to improve your Next.js applications:

Sharing a layout across multiple pages: With the App Router, you can easily create a shared layout for your application and then reuse it across multiple pages. This can help to improve consistency and reduce boilerplate code.
Creating complex routing structures: The App Router supports nested routing, which allows you to create complex routing structures without having to resort to hacks or workarounds. For example, you could create a nested route for a blog post category, with sub-routes for each individual blog post.
Improving the user experience with loading states: The App Router provides built-in support for loading states. This means that you can easily show users a loading spinner or other indicator while content is loading. This can help to improve the user experience by preventing users from seeing blank pages.
Gracefully handling errors: The App Router also provides built-in support for error handling. This means that you can easily display a custom error page to users if an error occurs. This can help to provide users with useful feedback and prevent them from seeing generic error messages.

Conclusion

Overall, the App Router is a powerful and flexible tool that can help you to build better Next.js applications. It is more aligned with the React programming model and provides a number of benefits over the traditional Pages Router. If you are building a new Next.js application, I recommend that you use the App Router.

Guideline For Newly Redux Learner

Sheikh Shahariar Siam — Sun, 16 Jun 2024 16:47:23 +0000

From my experience of learning redux , I am sharing a guideline for newly redux learners. I hope my guideline will help you to gain redux knowledge without suffering any confusion.

The first thing that you must have to know before starting a journey with redux is what is redux actually?. Basically redux is a state management JavaScript library. It helps us to manage state in a predictable way and its state works globally. You can get and update the state anywhere from your website. And then if you are a React developer like me. You will face a confusing situation with redux JS , react-redux and redux-toolkit . This confusion will eat a large amount of your time and you will be late to start your redux learning journey. so my opinion is just close your eyes to learn and explore the redux JS first because it’s the main redux logic and then if you want to use redux in your react app , you have to explore react-redux library and then when you are feeling comfort in redux , you can learn redux-toolkit. Redux toolkit is not an external anything from redux. Redux-toolkit is for managing redux logic in an easier way. There you will find another name that is rtk-query its like react-query library. it will help you to do query in your application.

Then after gaining the knowledge about redux logic and how to implement that you must have to practice. For react developers, react-hook is good enough for managing state and context-API is also good for using the state globally but in a large application it’s better to manage your state in a different and predictable way. So in a large application redux gives us a power to manage our state. And my advice is go to YouTube and find a large application with redux implementation and practice it. You have already gained the redux knowledge and after practicing this you will feel comfortable to use redux in large applications.