DEV Community: Hillary Nyakundi

AWS re/Start - Cloud Computing for Beginners

Hillary Nyakundi — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 06:42:09 +0000

As technology continues to evolve, the need to acquire new skills is irresistible, especially when it comes to understanding the workings of cloud technology. For me, one of the skills has been to understand better the cloud and how it operates and AWS re/Start came in just at the right time.

You might be curious how I got into one of the best training programs. Well, it all started with a single post I came through on X (formerly Twitter). But first, let's shed some light on understanding what the AWS re/Satrt program is.

What is AWS re/Start?

Amazon Web Services (AWS) re/Start is not just a program, but a bridge to a new career path for people with little or no prior knowledge in the tech space. In particular, this program is a collaboration between AWS and the Ajira Digital Program aiming to equip learners with skills necessary for entry-level IT career opportunities through building knowledge, skills, and practical application of cloud-based technical skills.

As a participant who has been in the program for some time, I am always looking forward to the curriculum that so far has promised nothing but the best when it comes to topics of cloud computing. The program does not only offer instructor-led sessions but also interactive lab sessions as well as knowledge assessments to gauge the learner's progress.

My goals in this learning journey are pretty straightforward - to learn from experienced instructors, collaborate with fellow learners, and gain the skills that will help me navigate the field of cloud computing.

The Program Approach

As I mentioned earlier this program is instructor-led, meaning it's more of a class with an interactive approach that includes:

Daily Instructor-led discussions that total up to 3hrs
Application activities
Hands-on labs
Peer and class discussions
Professional skills practice and
Assessments.

In addition to this learning approach, the course also provided various materials such as slides, notes, and additional activity templates that help the learner build a work portfolio.

What to Expect from this Series

The program itself is a 12-week program and I intend to document the entire learning journey by giving daily updates on what I learn in the form of a detailed article.

My goal with this series of articles is to provide first-hand experience of the program by doing a reflection on the day-to-day challenges, lab sessions, and class experiences. My approach will be pretty simple:

Attend classes daily.
Attempt all the KCs and lab sessions
Record my progress and post it on my YouTube channel DevChallaneges.

If you are curious about the cloud computing space or just want to know more about the program stay tuned for updates as we get to learn together.

With that said, buckle up for a narrative that unfolds in the world of AWS re/Start, where each day brings me closer to a future fueled by the power of cloud technology.

Understanding the OSI Model - Basics for Cybersecurity

Hillary Nyakundi — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 05:00:00 +0000

What is an OSI Model?

If you have been in the tech field for some time, chances are that you have come across the term OSI Model or have heard someone mention the term. If you haven't well you are still in the right place for a simplified answer😊.

To begin with, the OSI Model stands for Open Systems Interconnection Reference Model. It's a framework that's used to understand how different parts of a computer network communicate with each other.

The model itself is divided into 7 layers, each having specific functions to ensure that data can be transmitted smoothly across a network.

1. Physical Layer (Layer 1)

This layer is not about protocols, it's about the signaling, cabling, and connectors. It's more of dealing with physical problems like:

Fixing the cables, punch-downs, etc...
Running loopback tests, replacing cables, swapping adapters, etc...

2. Data Link Layer (Layer 2)

Also referred to as the Data Link Control protocol or the Switching layer. It focuses on creating reliable links between directly connected devices. Its main tasks involve:

handling data framing
error detection and correction to ensure that data sent from one device is delivered accurately.

3. Network Layer (Layer 3)

Also known as the routing layer. It's the layer associated with IP addresses. It's responsible for routing data over the network. It determines the best path for data to travel from the source to the destination across multiple devices and networks.

4. Transport Layer (Layer 4)

Sometimes also referred to as the post office layer as it describes how data is being delivered and where it is being delivered. Some of its protocols include TCP and UDP. In addition to this it also

manages data flow,
provides error checking, and
reassembles data packets in the correct order if they arrive out of sequence.

5. Session Layer (Layer 5)

Designed to establish, maintain, and terminate connections between one device and another.

6. Presentation Layer (Layer 6)

Mainly used for character encoding and application encryption to be easily understood by the receiving device. It's mostly combined with layer 7. It handles tasks like data compression, encryption, and formatting conversions.

7. Application Layer (Layer 7)

This is the layer that we as humans get to see and interact with. It includes protocols and interfaces used by software applications to exchange information over the network, such as web browsers, email clients, and file transfer programs.

Throughout your career, you will from time to time refer to this model, and understanding it might be challenging but by using the mnemonic All People Seem To Need Data Processing, you can easily recall the entire OSI Model structure.

For a more elaborate guide check this video by Professor Messer.

Navigating Open-Source: A Beginner's Manual

Hillary Nyakundi — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 05:56:14 +0000

The open source movement champions the idea that knowledge should be accessible to all, and fosters a culture of openness, transparency, and cooperation.

Contributing to open-source has many benefits not only for those taking part in it but also the community at large.

Now, if you are just a beginner trying to get into the open-source world, you should keep in mind that you are embarking on a journey that will not only improve your technical skills but also open many doors for you and give you multiple opportunities to interact with like-minded individuals.

This beginner friendly handbook is crafted to be your companion as you begin your journey into the world of open-source. It will cover concepts that will allow a beginner like you to make your mark in the open-source world.

We will start with the fundamentals of open source, and I'll guide you through setting up your development environment, navigating open-source communities, selecting the right projects, and making your first contribution.

By the end of this guide you will be equipped with the necessary skills to become an active member of the open-source community. This is the beginning of your open source journey where you will get to continuously learn, collaborate with others, and create an impact. To get started, Read the full handbook here: Read Now.

50+ AI Tools to Boost Productivity - Work Smarter, Not Harder

Hillary Nyakundi — Sun, 23 Apr 2023 05:00:00 +0000

Productivity is essential to success in any field. But maintaining the levels might be difficult most when you have multiple tasks to perform. But with the help of available resources like the AI tools you can be able to achieve more that what you can imagine.

The most effective AI tools that can help you boost your productivity are those that help you automate tasks, manage your time better, and keep you organized. With the right you can be able to get more done in a short period of time.

So if you are looking for different ways to boost your productivity in your day to day tasks read on!

AI Tools based on Functionalities

As much you are excited to find out more about the different tools we have, to make it easier to navigate through, the tools are subdivided according to the different tasks they are able to perform.

Personal Assistant Tools

They are the most common types of tools that we interact with on daily basis, be it it at home, work, gym or even out in the park. They help us perform and manage basic tasks like scheduling meetings, setting reminders, turning on the lights, accessing your favorite's playlist etc... Examples of this tools include:

Google assistant,
Siri,
Alexa,
Bixby,
Cortana,
Celia.

Multi-purpose Tools

Writing and Editing Tools

AI Detection Tools

Code & No-Code Tools

Email & Social Media Tools

Designing & Photo Tools

Presentation Tools

Tome
Pitch

Video & Audio Tools

Music Creation Tools

Finance AI Tools

Other AI Tools

Best Tech Movies to Watch

Hillary Nyakundi — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 06:45:22 +0000

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

Just like any other career, programmers are entitled to rest, or what do you think? As a person relaxing is good for not only your mind but also your health, and it makes you feel calm and at peace. Our body also needs rest, and it is important to identify the signs that the body shows when it is overworked.

We have a tone of ways on which you can relax your mind and body, different people will opt for different methods. It is during this time our bodies will relaxed and free from work.

As we speak in our society today, it's through movies that we get to visualize and see the importance of technology and possible outcomes that can be achieved with it's help in our day to day lives. Now to help you find the right film to watch here are some of my all time favorite shows.

But before we get started, allow me to share somethings to point out while you entertain yourself. Even though this is considered a relaxing time it's also good practice to take this opportunity to learn a few things and tricks.

As the famous tweet say Close your laptop brethren, you've done enough for this year

Movies List

Films for Designers

Abstract - The Art of Design - a documentary television series that profiles various designers and their creative process in fields such as architecture, graphic design, and product design.
The Creative Brain - a documentary film about the science of creativity, featuring interviews with various researchers and creative professionals.
Minimalism - a documentary film about the philosophy and movement of minimalism, which advocates for simplicity and the reduction of unnecessary possessions and distractions.
The People's Designer - a documentary film about the life and career of designer Bruce Mau, who is known for his work in sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility.
Floyd Norman - An Animated Life - a documentary film about the career of Floyd Norman, an animator who has worked on numerous iconic films and television shows.
The Toys that Made Us - a documentary television series that explores the history and impact of iconic toy franchises such as Star Wars, Barbie, and Lego.
The 00 Years Show - a documentary film about Carmen Herrera, a Cuban-American artist who gained recognition for her work late in life after being overlooked for decades.
Design Canada - a documentary film about the history and evolution of graphic design in Canada, featuring interviews with various designers and examples of their work.
Print the Legend - a documentary film about the rise of 3D printing and its potential impact on various industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and architecture.

Movies about Cyber-Security

Sneakers - a film about a group of hackers and security experts who are hired to steal a black box that can crack any encryption.
Who Am I - a film about a computer hacker who becomes a hero after uncovering a conspiracy involving a corrupt businessman and the German government.
Blackhat - a film about a convicted hacker who is released from prison to help track down a cyber criminal who is attacking global infrastructure.
Hackers - a film about a group of young hackers who are targeted by a corrupt businessman and the FBI.
War Games - a science fiction film about a young computer hacker who accidentally starts a global nuclear war simulation.
Takedown - a film based on the true story of Kevin Mitnick, a notorious computer hacker who was pursued by the FBI for years.
Mr. Robot - a television series about a hacker who becomes involved in a conspiracy to bring down a major corporation.
Snowden - a biographical film about Edward Snowden, a former NSA contractor who leaked classified information about government surveillance programs.
Citizenfour - a documentary film about Edward Snowden and the revelations he made about government surveillance programs.
Anonymous - a film about the group of hackers known as Anonymous and their involvement in various high-profile cyber attacks.
The Great Hack - a documentary film about the Cambridge Analytica scandal and the role of data privacy in modern society.
Algorithm - a film about a young computer programmer who is recruited by a mysterious organization to crack a complex code.
The Hacker Wars - a documentary film about the conflict between hackers, the government, and corporations.

Movies about AI

Person of Interest - a television series about a former CIA agent and a billionaire who team up to prevent violent crimes using a highly advanced artificial intelligence system.
Ex Machina - a science fiction film about an artificial intelligence experiment that goes awry.
Simi - a science fiction film about a woman who is given a device that allows her to communicate with her future self.
Iron Man - a superhero film about a billionaire inventor who creates a high-tech suit of armor to fight crime.
A.I. Artificial Intelligence - a science fiction film about a highly advanced android who is programmed to love and seeks to become a real boy.
Her - a science fiction film about a man who falls in love with a highly advanced artificial intelligence operating system.
Transcendence - a science fiction film about a researcher who uploads his consciousness into a computer, leading to unintended consequences.
Morgan - a science fiction film about a genetically engineered being who begins to exhibit dangerous behavior.
Robot Chitti - a science fiction film about a scientist who creates a highly advanced android, but becomes concerned when it starts to exhibit human-like emotions.
I Am Mother - a science fiction film about a young girl who is raised by a robot after a global disaster, and begins to question the robot's motivations when a human survivor arrives.
Ready Player One (2018) - a science fiction film about a virtual reality world that becomes the target of a corporate takeover

Other Movies include:

The Social Network - a drama film about the creation of Facebook and the legal battles that followed.
Pirates of Silicon Valley - a biographical drama film about the rivalry between Steve Jobs and Bill Gates in the early days of the personal computer revolution.
Silicon Valley - a television series about a group of tech entrepreneurs trying to build a startup company in Silicon Valley.
Jobs - a biographical film about Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc.
Source Code - a science fiction film about a soldier who is sent into a simulated reality to prevent a terrorist attack, and begins to question the nature of his mission.
The Social Dilemma - a documentary film about the impact of social media on society and the ways in which it is used to manipulate and control users.
The Imitation Game - a biographical film about Alan Turing, a mathematician and computer scientist who played a key role in cracking Nazi codes during World War II.
THE INTERNSHIP - a comedy film about two salesmen who land internships at Google and must compete with a group of young, tech-savvy employees.
The Circle (2017) - a science fiction thriller about a powerful technology company that begins to violate the privacy of its users.
Codebreakers (1995) - a documentary film about the history of codes and codebreaking, including the work of Alan Turing and others

Conclusion

There are numerous films that inspire techies with their innovative storylines, thought-provoking themes, and captivating characters. This films range from documentaries about the pioneers of the tech industry to science fiction thrillers that explore the possibilities of artificial intelligence and virtual reality, through this we are able to get a wide perspectives on the world of technology. Whether you are a budding entrepreneur looking for inspiration or a seasoned professional seeking to stay current on the latest trends, these films are sure to provide plenty of food for thought.

The Modern Rules of API Testing

Hillary Nyakundi — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 04:00:00 +0000

In this digital age, APIs have become the cornerstone of how data is shared and processed. However, many users are often unaware of the fact that they are putting their trust in an API and not a person. This is why it's important to leverage API testing techniques to ensure that every aspect of your website or application works as expected.

Applications today are comprised of many pieces of software, each of which needs to be tested in its own way. There are always new and exciting ways to test an application and we're not just talking about checking for bugs here, it is more of the app functionality.

As technology continues to advance, the trends on how to test these applications also change. In this guide, we will be discussing the trends that apply to the testing of APIs, how they differ from other types of testing, tools we can leverage when it comes to testing APIs, and how you can stay on top of your game when it comes to API testing.

First, let's get an understanding of what we mean by APIs.

What are APIs?

APIs are designed for developers to use, and are, in essence, coding tool that allows your application to communicate with other applications. APIs allow you to integrate third-party applications into your work or use your own data and processes in the cloud.

The functionality of any application is defined by the connection it has with the outside world. For this reason, connecting your application with APIs becomes very helpful.

A very important thing to keep in mind is that when dealing with APIs we need to be sure everything works out and that we get the correct feedback before integrating them into our applications, and that's why testing them is essential.

For this reason, a vital part of testing any type of software requires evaluating whether or not there is some manner in which the app can be broken. In order to ensure a certain level of continuity when using an API in multiple ways simultaneously, one needs to conduct API testing.

Now, you have an understanding of what an API is and how it functions, and we have also introduced API testing, what exactly might we mean by this, is there more to the term testing?

What is API Testing?

API Testing is a process that checks that an API adheres to the given requirements. Achieving this goal is not an easy task and there are many ways in which a tester could go about doing it effectively.

API testing can be conducted manually or automatically, and it is often considered a part of integration testing. Manual API testing involves directly interacting with the API using tools like API Tester or any other available online tools. API Tester is the first mobile app to test any type of API on the go. Automated API testing uses specialized software to send requests to the API and then compares the results to the expected behavior.

API testing is important because it helps ensure that the various components of a system are working together as expected. By verifying the functionality of the API, you can be confident that the system as a whole will function as intended.

API Testing tools

API testing tools are used to test the functionality of an API. They can be used to test the performance of an API, as well as to check for security vulnerabilities.

There are a number of different API testing tools available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some of the most popular API testing tools include SoapUI, Postman, Runscope, and API Tester.

API testing principles

The Modern Rules of API Testing is the best way to ensure the quality of your APIs and their implementations. The rules can be applied during testing, coding, and development, as well as in production.

API testing should be a part of your continuous integration and delivery pipeline
API tests should be easy to maintain and write
A well-designed API will make your tests easier to write
You should test at the boundary of your system
Keep your tests small and focused
Make sure your tests are deterministic
Run your tests in parallel for speed
Use a tool like API Tester to simplify API testing

How to start API testing

There are many different types of tests that can be performed on an API. Functionality tests focus on ensuring that the API is able to perform its intended functions. Performance tests measure the response times of the API and check for bottlenecks. Security tests assess the vulnerability of the API to attack vectors such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS).

To get started with API testing, you will need to have access to an application with an exposed API. You will also need to choose a method for sending requests to the API (manual or automated), and select a tool or framework for writing your tests (if using automated testing). Once you have these things set up, you can begin writing your test cases and running them against the API.

API testing tips

API testing can be a challenge, but regardless of the tools you decide to use here are some tips that can help.

Make sure you have a clear understanding of the API before you start testing. Read the documentation and any other available materials. This will help you know what to expect and how the API should work.
Use a tool like API Tester to test the API. This will give you a better understanding of how the API works and make it easier to find any issues.
Test all aspects of the API, including input validation, error handling, and security. These are all important factors in ensuring that your API is working correctly.
Keep your tests up-to-date as the API changes. This will help ensure that you catch any new issues that may arise.
Use mobile apps for API testing. It's a very time-changing period now, where many people are working remotely and from their phones too. By using mobile apps you can increase your productivity, get more mobility and work from anywhere in the world.

By following these tips, you can help make sure that your API testing is effective and efficient.

Conclusion

API testing is a key part of ensuring the quality of your software. By following these highlighted rules of API testing, you can make sure that your tests are up-to-date and effective.

User Authentication Techniques - Authenticating User Accounts

Hillary Nyakundi — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 05:00:00 +0000

In the digital world, user authentication is essential for maintaining secure access to online accounts and resources. User authentication verifies the identity of a user before granting access to sensitive information or systems.

There are many different methods of authenticating users, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The most common methods of user authentication are:

username and password,
two-factor authentication,
biometrics just to list a few.

But as time passes we continue to evolve and new methods are introduced that even guarantee a safer way to store user data, good examples of these methods include:

Passwordless login
Multifactor authentication, and
Token-based authentication

In this article, we will explore the most common methods of user authentication and their advantages and disadvantages. By understanding the different options available, you can choose the best method for your needs. But first, let's understand what we mean by Authentication.

What is Authentication?

Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user. There are many ways to authenticate a user, each platform has different methods that they use but some common methods include username and password, fingerprint, facial recognition, and iris scan.

A username and password are the most common form of authentication. Whereby a user enters their username and password into a login form, and if the credentials match what is stored in the database, the user is granted access. However, this method can be insecure if passwords are not properly encrypted or if users reuse the same password for multiple accounts.

Fingerprint authentication uses an individual's unique fingerprint to verify their identity. This can be done using a fingerprint scanner or by using a smartphone's built-in sensor.

Facial recognition works in a similar way, using an image of the user's face to verify their identity. Iris scanning is another biometric authentication method that uses an image of the user's iris to identify them.

Even though we have listed this as the most common one, in the recent past year we have seen a rise in other methods which are said to be more secure compared to the ones listed above. As a matter of fact organizations like Google, GitHub, and Microsoft use these techniques in addition to the user providing a username and password, it is considered an extra layer of security, they include:

Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication, also known as 2FA, is an additional layer of security that can be used to protect your account. When 2FA is enabled, you will be prompted for the second piece of information (usually a code generated by an app on your phone) whenever you try to log in. This makes it much more difficult for someone to gain access to your account, even if they have your password.

2FA is not foolproof, but it is a valuable tool to help keep your account safe. If you are concerned about the security of your account, enabling 2FA will be of great help.

Passwordless Login

There are many reasons why you would want to ditch the password and opt for a passwordless login experience.

For one, it's more convenient for users. They don't have to remember yet another username and password combination. And two, it's more secure. There are no weak passwords to be guessed or brute-forced by attackers.

So how do you set up a passwordless login? There are a few different methods you can use, each with its own set of pros and cons.

One popular method is to use an email link. When the user wants to log in, they provide their email address. They then receive an email with a link that expires after a certain amount of time. When they click the link, they're logged in without having to enter a password.

Another option is to use a one-time code generated by an app on the user's phone. The code is valid for only a short period of time, so even if someone were to intercept it, they wouldn't be able to use it.

Which method is best for you depends on your security needs and preferences. But whatever you choose, ditching the password is sure to make life easier for your users - and make your site more secure in the process.

For a practical guide on how to use the passwordless method Auth0 has a demonstrated step-by-step guide on how to implement this.

Multifactor Authentication

It is also known as MFA. Multi-factor authentication is an authentication method that requires a user to verify their identity by providing more than one piece of information identifying them.

A good example of this authentication is when you set up an online banking system, despite having entered a correct username and password your might be required to either provide your prints or even a code in order for some transaction to happen.

Token-Based Authentication

Token-based authentication is a method of authenticating users that involves providing them with a token. This token can be used to identify the user and provide access to certain resources.

There are many benefits to using token-based authentication, including improved security and scalability. Tokens, while costly and inconvenient at times, they provide a greater level of security than passwords or biometrics since they are only issued.

This method is relatively new and it has become more popular in recent years as web applications have become more complex and distributed across multiple servers. It offers several advantages over other methods.

With token-based authentication, the token is stored on the client side, making it much more secure. In addition, since there's no need to store tokens on the server, scaling becomes much easier.

Overall, token-based authentication offers better security and performance than other methods and if you're looking to implement an auth system for your web application, consider using tokens!

Conclusion

In conclusion, user authentication is a critical part of any web application. It is important to choose an authentication method that is both secure and easy to use. There are many different factors to consider when choosing an authentication method, but the most important thing is to choose one that will protect your users' data.

What is Blockchain Development - Blockchain Definition for Beginners

Hillary Nyakundi — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 04:26:39 +0000

Now, if you are a big fan of social media, Twitter to be precise chances are that you have come across terms like blockchain, web3, cryptocurrency, etc... It not a lot of people who are able to explain what they mean or even what they are all about. I was in the same position and will try to share what I was able to learn in the simplest way possible.

We have all come across stories of how people have made millions of dollars through cryptocurrency, right? We have also heard claims that cryptocurrencies are taking over meaning there won't be a need to have physical banks in the near future, well that might be true with the direction everything is headed. To keep you in the loop, let's understand all this.

In this guide, we are going to talk about Blockchain development and some of the applications running on this technology.

Let's get started:

What is Blockchain Development

In simple English, a blockchain is a database that is distributed across multiple computers at the same time.

In technical terms, a blockchain is a decentralized consistently evolving public ledger of digital records. By Decentralized we mean it is a system of interconnected systems where no single entity is the authority.

A good example of a decentralized system in Blockchain technology includes both Bitcoin and Ethereum.

In the past few years, Blockchain technology has gained popularity because it brings trust among networks and also offers genuine privacy connections among systems.

As the tech industry continues to evolve, this means it will continue to open up opportunities for developers in different domains more so in the blockchain field. Its growth has been seen taking shape in different fields like finance, real estate, health care, etc...

History of Blockchain

As a growing developer, I have always been fascinated to learn about the events that came before a particular technology came into existence, and that won't be any different with Blockchain.

As Laura Linney,
History is a resource.

It all began with the concept of distributed ledger which dates back to the 90s when Stuart Haber and Scott Stometta wanted to implement a system where document timestamps could not be tampered with. With the help of a third person Dave, they were able to incorporate Merkle trees into the design, which improved its efficiency by allowing several document certificates to be collected into one block.

First forward to 2009, when the first decentralized blockchain was conceptualized by Satoshi Nakamoto, by his building Bitcoin which officially introduced Blockchain to the world.

A few years later, the technology was widely accepted and it opened ways for cryptocurrency deployment on applications like online wallets. This allowed it to be used in digital payments systems too.

Through this popularity, financial markets & applications started using Blockchain beyond cash transactions. This allowed people to conduct transactions globally without needing banks.

Blockchain technology has taken shape across three major phases, that is:

Blockchain 1.0 - Bitcoin Development
This is when Bitcoin came into existence, this led to more organizations joining the digital revolution hence adopting the technology
Blockchain 2.0 - Ethereum Development
It was developed to leverage the full capabilities of blockchain technology. Its developer Vitalik Buterin started working on what he felt would be a blockchain that can perform various functions in addition to being a peer-to-peer network.

It was officially launched in 2015 making it one of the biggest applications of blockchain technology. This is due to its capability to support smart contracts.

Blockchain 3.0 - The future It will be fair to say that, Blockchain does not stop with Bitcoin and Ethereum. There have been a couple of new projects trying to leverage the whole system.

With the involvement of big tech companies, we hope to see more development taking full advantage of blockchain development.

How Blockchain Works

A good example that can explain the workflow of how blockchain operates is a bank scenario. One of the major systems that have seen the full effect of blockchain in the banking system.

Let's break it down with the help of an example, take a scenario where we have two people trying to conduct a transaction. Person A is based in Canada and person B is based in Kenya. Initially how this will work in order for the money to be sent to person B in Kenya is:

Person A would need to physically go to the bank, where he will then initiate the transaction via the bank teller, instructing him/her to send a certain amount of money to person B's bank details. After this process person B will have to wait two to three days before the transaction reflects in their bank.

This whole process will have some issues associated with it:

The process is costly because both the sender and receiver will incur charges.
Account hacking Hackers might hack banks hence disrupting and loss of funds.
Financial crisis may also occur.

What if the same transaction was to happen over blockchain technology, how would the process be:

Person A wouldn't have to leave home since all the transactions can be done from anywhere on the smartphone or the computer. All that would be needed is a bitcoin wallet of the receiver to initiate the transaction and in a matter of a few seconds, it will reflect the receiver's wallet in Kenya.

What blockchain is doing in the banking system, is trying to resolve issues of the old banking methods by introducing:

A decentralized system.
Distributed ledger
Incentives validation
Consensus algorithm
Cryptography algorithm.

Types of Blockchain

Blockchain is one of the technologies that have been on the rise in the recent past, we have had different companies try to formulate a blockchain solution to fill their supply chain needs, this act will have to call as to what type of blockchain is best suited for the project they are trying to solve.

That being said, the blockchain solution will have to rely upon the two main characteristics defining the blockchain types, that is:

Permissionless blockchains
Permissioned blockchains

It's under these two main categories that four main types of blockchain networks lie within:

Public blockchains It falls under the permissionless category and a good example to explain this concept is the Bitcoin and Ethereum network. Public blockchains are primarily used for exchanging and mining cryptocurrency.

Private blockchains

It is also referred to as managed blockchains, it falls under the permissioned blockchains category where it is controlled by a single organization. Some common examples of private blockchains include; business-to-business virtual currency exchange network Ripple and Hyperledger, which is an umbrella project of open-source blockchain applications.
Consortium blockchains

It falls under the permissioned blockchains category, it is usually governed by a group of organizations meaning they get to enjoy more decentralization compared to private blockchains.

One of its applications can be linked to the supply chain sector where companies like CargoSmart have developed the Global Shipping Business Network Consortium, which is a not-for-profit blockchain consortium that aims to digitalize the shipping industry and allow maritime.
Hybrid blockchains

They are controlled by a single organization but also deal with permissionless processes. A good example explaining this concept is the IBM Food Trust, which was developed to improve efficiency throughout the whole food supply chain. Read more about it here.

Applications of Blockchain

When we think of Blockchain, our minds should go beyond cryptocurrency, NFTs, and bitcoin. Despite its ability to create more transparency and fairness, it has also helped businesses save time and money.

We have seen the impact of the technology in various departments and sectors meaning its effect is being recognized as we move on.

Some of the common applications where blockchain is implemented include:

NFT marketplaces
Music royalties tracking
Cross-border payments
Personal identity security
Anti-money laundering tracking system
Supply chain and logistics monitoring
Voting mechanism
Advertising insights
Original content creation
Cryptocurrency exchange
Real estate processing platform

Now by this point, you have an understanding of what blockchain development is all about, perhaps you might wonder how do I get to recognize myself as a blockchain developer? What are some of the skills that I might require? well let's talk about that now, but first, let's understand Who is a Blockchain Developer?

Who is a Blockchain Developer

A Blockchain Developer is a person who is responsible for developing and enhancing Blockchain-related applications which are commonly known as dApps, Smart Contacts, architecture, and protocols.

We have two main types of developers under this category, that is:

Core blockchain developers

They design protocols required to run a blockchain solution. They use Low-level programming languages.
Software/App developers

They implement the designs by the core developers to create a realistic blockchain. That includes implementing smart contracts and developing decentralized applications.

Skills Needed to Be a Blockchain Developer

It is obvious that in order to get the title of a Blockchain developer you will need a variety of skills. Some of the most essential include:

Have an understanding of Blockchain Architecture.
Have the knowledge of Data Structures and Coding
Learn how to build and develop smart contracts
Basics of Cryptography
Web development

Responsibilities of a Blockchain Developer

Depending on the type of developer you are, your responsibilities will vary from the other.

Roles of a Core Blockchain Developer

They understand and implement the features and functionalities of the blockchain.
Design blockchain protocols.
They make sure the blockchain network functions smoothly.

Roles of a Software/App Blockchain Developer

They design and implement Smart Contracts
Development and deployment of interactive front-end designs for Dapps.
Deal with integration with other applications and services.

Advantages of being a Blockchain Developer

One of the major advantages that you will get in this field is the high level of job demand. As a blockchain developer, this is your time to shine because opportunities are thriving. Many fortune 500 companies like IBM, Accenture, Openledger, and Capgemini are on the hunt for eligible blockchain developers.

That's not all there is, we have endless opportunities for blockchain developers in the current age, and accompanying the job title is a handsome salary.

A core blockchain developer on average would make around $150,000 annually while blockchain software developers make $100,000 per annum.

How to Get Started with Blockchain Development

In order to learn all that we have discussed here, you'll probably want some guidance. Luckily, you won't have to search for the resources yourself because I did that for you. All you need is to pick one and get started learning.

Online Courses

YouTube Courser

Wrap Up

So, folks, that is all that there is to know about blockchain development and how to become a blockchain developer. Now go ahead and master the skills mentioned above to get into blockchain development.

If you have read this far I really appreciate it.

Let's get social 😊 Twitter | GitHub | YouTube | LinkedIn |

Enjoy Coding ❤

Top Benefits of a Student Email Address

Hillary Nyakundi — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 04:38:53 +0000

Full article on freeCodeCamp.

In recent years, various tech companies and organizations have started supporting students who have an interest in and passion for tech.

Many companies give their premium services to students for free, and others offer discounts on their products.

If you're a student, basically all you need to take advantage of these discounts and offers is your student email.

Having a student email will come in handy especially if you can't afford expensive products or premium services. In this article I'll give you a run down of the benefits that are within your .edu email and how to get access to them to help you in your education and career.

Some of the general benefits include:

Free access to online educational courses
Free access to content and streaming tools.
Free software.
Access to premium entertainment services.
Access to graphic design tools.
Access to discounts on products.

Let's get started.

Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today. – Malcolm X

1. GitHub Student Developer Pack

To begin with at the top of the list is one of my all time favorite packs with tons of deals in it.

In order for you to qualify for this deal, you must:

Be in school, enrolled in either a degree or a diploma program.
Have a verifiable school-issued email address.
Have a GitHub account.
Be at least 13 years old.

Now depending on the different companies that have partnered with Google for this particular program, terms and condition may vary and some point the service may not exist in every region. But for now you will still be able to get a majority of the benefits.

Some of the companies that have partnered with GitHub for this particular program include: Canva, DigitalOcean, namecheap, educative, datacamp, Drovio and others.

Benefits offered by these companies range from access to production tools, credit cards, and even hosting services. This means that as a total beginner you can get:

free access to premium learning materials.
free design tools.
free domain names for one year.
free hosting plans with credit from organizations like Microsoft and DigitalOcean.
Access to streaming platforms.

...just to mention a few.

If you haven't yet gotten your pack, Check out the GitHub education page and get your own share of these amazing resources.

The list of benefits is long, Now! in order to get the rest of the article check the original article on freeCodeCamp.

Top Benefits of a Student Email Address

I appreciate your time reading.

Your support will be a big plus :)

Connect With me at Twitter | GitHub | YouTube | LinkedIn |

Django PostgreSQL Migration from SQLite

Hillary Nyakundi — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 21:34:45 +0000

Full Article on Sweetcode

PostgreSQL is a powerful, open-source object-relational database system that uses and extends the SQL language combined with many other features that safely store complicated data workloads.

The database comes with many features that not only help developers build applications but also help administrators protect data no matter how big or small the dataset is.

As developers, we often work on different projects depending on the level of expertise. As a beginner, you worked on an app like a ‘to-do app’ which didn’t require a heavy database mechanism to store records of tasks. But as you advance, the kind of projects you handle change with time. A point will reach where you will need to build a production-ready project which will need a database structure.

Usually a basic Django project will ship with a SQLite database as the default. Even though this is the default database, Django also supports other databases like:

PostgreSQL
MySQL
Oracle

In this article we will focus on PostgreSQL and how we can implement it on Django projects.

Why use PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL comes with many features that not only help developers build applications but also help administrators protect data no matter how big or small the dataset is.

So, why should you consider PostgreSQL over the others:

It is free to use and it’s also an open-source program which makes it easy to upgrade or extend.
PostgreSQL is highly extensible – for example, you can define your own data types, build your own functions and even write code from different programming languages without having to recompile your database.
It supports many SQL features.
It also supports multiple programming languages like Python, Java, C/C++, Ruby, etc…
Works on most popular Operating Systems.
It is not controlled by any cooperation meaning it is free.

Let’s get started and see how to implement PostgreSQL.

Setting up Django project

Now, for us to be able to make a database migration it means we need a project to work with. Let’s go ahead and create a new Django project.

As always the first step is to create a virtual environment, which is accomplished in two steps:

pip install virtualenvwrapper-win

This installs virtual a environment, so the next step is to name the virtualenv:

mkvirtualenv [name]

Naming it automatically activates the virtual environment.

Now, since we are working on a Django project, installing it is essential. It will be installed in the virtual environment

pip install django

Next we have to create our Django project, in this case, it can be named testproject.

django-admin startproject testproject

Then, we create an app within our project folder.

python manage.py startapp projectApp

Finally, we can run the project so as to initialize the sqLite database with this command.

python manage.py runserver

We will be using this simple Django application to perform the migration in the following steps.

Step 1: Backup existing Database

The first step we will need to create a backup of our current data which we are going to export into PostgreSQL later on.

To perform a data backup, we use the following command:

python manage.py dumpdata > data.json

This command will generate a data.json file in the root of your project, meaning you generated the dumpdata from SQLite and stored it in JSON format.

Step 2: Installing PostgreSQL

<------------->

Read the rest of the article on Sweetcode

I appreciate your time reading.

Your support will be really appreciated

Connect With me at Twitter | GitHub | YouTube | LinkedIn |

Python Project Ideas to Improve Your Résumé

Hillary Nyakundi — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 05:30:15 +0000

Every project is an opportunity to learn – to figure out problems and challenges, and to invent and reinvent.

And as a developer, working on projects can improve not only your skills but also your résumé – which can increase your chances of getting that dream job.

Have you ever come across a job description that requires candidates to have a certain numbers of years of experience? I have – actually almost every job advert that I come across. These job descriptions can lower your self-esteem and make you feel underqualified, especially if you're a fresh graduate or just learning to code.

So, what happens when you don't have any work experience in the tech industry and you want to apply for a job? Well, the answer is simple – your portfolio is everything. You just have to use your past projects (and maybe build some new ones) to help you stand out.

In this guide, we will go through how to use experience from your projects to help you with your job applications. Our focus will be on some of the major Python projects that can help boost your résumé in a job environment.

Why Build Projects in Python?

You can use Python in many ways, including software and web development, machine learning, data analytics, and more. Knowing Python is a valuable skill for a coder. But if you're new to coding, it can be difficult to demonstrate your expertise on a résumé when you are applying for jobs.

Completing Python projects that you can clearly describe and that a hiring manager can look at is a great way to showcase your skills

If you aren’t sure how to write a résumé or your résumé needs a complete revamp, there are multiple resources online to help you out:

Now, here are some ideas for Python projects that you can showcase on your résumé.

Python Project Ideas

1. Server Status Checker

A server status checker is a script that will let you monitor if your server is active and running. It can show you how much downtime your server has had and give you regular updates of its performance. It'll also send immediate alerts when server is down.

Some of the tools that come in handy when developing such a script include:

Socket - helps with connection to different servers.
SSL - required for wrapping the socket connection.
Date & Time - Check what time server is active or went down.
smtplib - Send email alerts when the server is down.
Pickle - Saves the history of the server performance.

Read the rest the article here on freeCodeCamp to get to learn on other project ideas and also how to list projects in a resume.

I appreciate your time reading.

Your support will be really appreciated

Connect With me at Twitter | GitHub | YouTube | LinkedIn |

Enjoy Coding ❤.

How to Choose a Python Framework for Web Development

Hillary Nyakundi — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 18:08:28 +0000

Full article available on Sweetcode for free

Python is by far one of the easier-to-learn programming languages. It is not only easy, but also covers almost every field of development and technology. However, in order for Python as a language to cover so many fields, it requires help. Python gets this help from frameworks.

What is a Framework ?

A framework is a collection of packages or modules which allow developers to write web applications. It acts as a reflection tool that makes it simpler to build up applications and reuse code. In Python there are three main types of frameworks:

Full-Stack framework: This is a one-stop solution for all developer requirements, such as form generators, form validation and template layouts. Some examples include: Django, Web2Py, Pyramid, TurboGears, CubicWeb etc…
Micro-frameworks: These are lightweight frameworks that do not offer additional functionality. Developers who use this need to add a lot of code. Some examples include: CherryPy, Flask, Falcon, Bottle, Dash, Pycnic etc…
Asynchronous: It is a micro-framework that allows developers to handle a large set of concurrent connections. Some examples include: Tornado, Growler and Sanic.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Python Framework

As Python continues to rise in the ranks as the most preferred programming language, its demand by web developers is also increasing. Even some of the top companies (such as Instagram, Netflix, Facebook, Spotify, and Dropbox) use Python in the development of their sites to sustain top notch performance. As a result, understanding the different Python frameworks is a crucial skill.

Before you even decide to use Python, you have to assess the best web framework for your needs. For instance, on one hand, as a developer, if you are planning to work on a large project that will require lots of features, then a full-stack framework will be the right choice for you. On the other hand, a micro-framework is better if you are planning on a simple product app.

When considering a framework, it is important to determine if the framework is up for the task and if it will perfectly fit your desired project. This is especially vital when developing a project that is required to run on several web servers and needs the ability to support additional features and functionality.

Advantages of a Python Framework

Using a framework during development is very important not only because of the code organization but also because it helps improve productivity, which simplifies the whole development process.

Some advantages of Python and its frameworks are:

Python is an Open-source language
Its frameworks are accompanied with good and detailed documentation.
It allows for code reusability.
It is easier to integrate the frameworks during development.
Implementation is easy.

In order to capitalize on these advantages, you have to know what you want and the framework you will need to make it a success. To help you choose your framework to develop your next project, below is an overview of some of the top frameworks.

Python Frameworks for Web Development

Continue Reading:
Check SweetCode for other educative articles.

No registration is needed to access the article

Connect With me at Twitter | GitHub | YouTube | LinkedIn |

Enjoy Coding ❤.