DEV Community: john tanko

Steam Deck and Linux Games: The Perfect Gaming Combo?

john tanko — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 18:00:07 +0000

Windows has ruled the gaming landscape for many years now, but Linux has worked to slowly carve out a foothold over the past couple of years thanks to an improved compatibility layer, dedicated support for games and, arguably the biggest catalyst both for Linux and [gaming] as a whole, the Steam Deck. But is the Steam Deck actually the ideal gaming package for Linux fans? Let’s take a look at how Linux games run, how to get Windows games running on Linux, and why this device is a real game-changer for open-source gaming.

Why the Steam Deck is a Game-Changer for Linux

Valve’s Steam Deck is a handheld gaming PC running SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system. In stark contrast with traditional Linux gaming setups, which require all kinds of tweaks and shenanigans to run games, SteamOS makes Linux gaming seamless. Thanks to Proton, Valve’s compatibility layer, the Steam Deck now runs thousands of Windows games on Linux without any manual configuration.

Here’s a great Steam Deck oled review. You can check my full guide if you want more details."

Steam Deck for Linux Gamers: 5 Major Features

Full Proton Compatibility – Run almost all Windows games easily on Linux.
SteamOS 3.0 – An OS based on Linux, designed for gaming.
GOG & Other Platforms Access – You can also play GOG games on Linux and other third-party stores besides Steam.
Desktop Mode — Use your Steam Deck as a fully functional Linux PC.
Customizability – You can install various Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Pop! _MORE OR_OS, or Arch Linux, for a more tailored experience.

Best Games on Linux for the Steam Deck

One of the biggest issues for changing gamers into Linux users is the problem of games. Well, thankfully Linux now supports many games, from AAA to indie and retro classics. Here are some of the best games on Linux, which absolutely shine on the Steam Deck:

Top Linux Games for Steam Deck

Elden Ring – Works superbly with Proton.
Cyberpunk 2077 – Surprisingly well optimized on Linux via Steam Deck.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Excellent perf with Proton GE.
Hollow Knight – A native Linux game that runs wonderfully.
Hades – Another of the best roguelike games, fully supported on Linux.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive – Native Linux support and a great FPS.
No Man’s Sky – Vulkan support means it works great on the Deck

How to Play Windows Games on Linux

One of the primary pain points for Linux gamers over the ages has long been Windows-only games. Thanks to the Steam Deck, and Proton, this process is more straightforward than ever. Here’s

how you can run Windows games on Linux:

Running Windows Games with Proton

Enable Steam Play – Inside Steam go to Settings > Steam Play and tick the box to allow Proton for all games.
Run a Windows Game – Choose a game and run it; Steam handles Proton configuration automatically.
Adjust Your Proton Settings (If Necessary) – Certain video games require specific Proton versions (Proton GE) or launch parameters.

Alternative Methods

Lutris – A gaming platform that helps to install games from Steam, GOG and Epic Games.
Wine & DXVK — Windows applications support for Linux.
Bottles – An easy to use GUI over Wine installations.

Can You Play Games on Linux Without Steam?

Absolutely! It’s true that Steam has made Linux gaming much more viable, but it is by no means the only game in town. So here’s how to game on Linux — sans Steam:

GOG (Good Old Games) – Using Lutris or Heroic Games Launcher to download and play DRM free GOG games on Linux.
- Itch. io – Marketplace for indie games with a good Linux support.
- Native Linux Games – 0 A.D., SuperTuxKart, and Xonotic are completely open-source.
- Emulators – Use Dolphin, RetroArch, and PPSSPP to play classic console games.

Common Questions from Linux Gamers

Is it possible to install Windows on the Steam Deck?

Yes! The Steam Deck can dual-boot, so you can install Windows next to SteamOS. The only shortcoming is that Windows gaming performance is not that much optimized compared to Linux.

Does all Steam games support Linux?

Not all, but a majority are! With Proton, more than 80% of Steam’s most-played titles run on Linux. ProtonDB is where you can confirm compatibility. com.

How well do Linux games run compared to Windows?

Many native Linux games run as well as or better than their Windows brethren. That said, some Proton-based Windows games may experience a slight drop in performance.

How can I know if a game runs on Linux?

Visit ProtonDB. com or Steam Deck Verified lists; finding out whether a game runs well on Linux.

Are there games where I can play with people on Linux?

Yes! The vast majority of multiplayer games work better than expected natively in Linux, so much so that the only exception is that Game Anti-Cheat software such as Easy Anti-Cheat and BattlEye does block some games.

Conclusion: Steam Deck & Linux Make Perfect Match?

The Steam Deck has certainly been one of the biggest breakthroughs in Linux gaming. It offers an optimized and hassle-free way to play Windows games on Linux, GOG game support and the freedom of an open-source platform. There’s always room for improvement, but gaming on Linux has never been better—and the Steam Deck is at the forefront of this revolution.

You can also check some of the best pc that can play high graphics games.

Whether you’re a casual gamer or a hardcore Linux user, the Steam Deck shows that yes, you can game on Linux — and do it remarkably well.

A Complete Guide to forEach in JavaScript: How to Iterate Arrays Like a Pro

john tanko — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 09:36:22 +0000

The most frequent task performed in a JavaScript environment is looping through arrays, for which one of the most widely used solutions was the forEach method. On surface level it's simple, but there are nuances that can truly impact how you efficiently use it.

The forEach array method can be tricky to understand if not used in the best manner possible and its applications. In this guide, we’ll walk through everything there is to the forEach method, from how to use it, to its best practices, to make you a forEach expert when it’s time to iterate through arrays!

What is forEach in JavaScript?

The forEach method is an array method that allows you to loop through elements in an array without using a traditional for loop.

Syntax:

array.forEach(function(element, index, array) {
// Your logic here
});

Parameters:

element – The current element being processed

index (optional) – The index of the current element

array (optional) – The original array being iterated

Basic Example:

const numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5];

numbers.forEach(function(num) {
console.log(num * 2); // Output: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10
});

Why use forEach?
✔ Cleaner than traditional for loops
✔ No need for index tracking
✔ More readable code

When Should You Use forEach?

The best situations for forEach are: ✅ You only need to iterate over an array ✅ You don't have to return a new array (if you do, use.map() instead) ✅ You should refrain from managing loop counters by hand.

When NOT to Use forEach

❌ If you need to break or return early (use for...of or for loops instead)
❌ If you need performance optimization (loops can be faster)

Advanced forEach Techniques

1️⃣ Using Arrow Functions

For shorter, cleaner code, use arrow functions:

const names = ["Alice", "Bob", "Charlie"];
names.forEach(name => console.log(name.toUpperCase()));

2️⃣ Accessing Index Values

You can use the second parameter to access the index:

const fruits = ["🍎", "🍌", "🍇"];
fruits.forEach((fruit, index) => console.log(${index + 1}: ${fruit}));
// Output:
// 1: 🍎
// 2: 🍌
// 3: 🍇

3️⃣ Modifying Original Arrays (With Caution!)

forEach does not return a new array, but you can modify the original array:

let numbers = [1, 2, 3];
numbers.forEach((num, index, arr) => arr[index] = num * 10);
console.log(numbers); // [10, 20, 30]

✅ Useful when you need in-place updates
❌ Be careful—it mutates the array, which may cause unintended side effects.

4️⃣ Handling Asynchronous Code in forEach

forEach does NOT work well with async/await because it doesn't wait for async operations.

Incorrect Approach:

const fetchData = async (id) => {
let response = await fetch(https://api.example.com/data/${id});
let data = await response.json();
console.log(data);
};

[1, 2, 3].forEach(async (id) => {
await fetchData(id); // Won't wait for the fetch calls to complete
});

✅ Correct Approach:
Use for...of instead for proper async handling:

const processArray = async () => {
for (const id of [1, 2, 3]) {
await fetchData(id);
}
};
processArray();

🆚 forEach vs Other Array Methods

forEach is often compared to other array methods like .map() and .concat(). If you need to concatenate multiple arrays, the array concat JavaScript method is a better choice:

const array1 = [1, 2, 3];
const array2 = [4, 5, 6];
const mergedArray = array1.concat(array2);
console.log(mergedArray); // [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

Similarly, if you need to concat string JavaScript, you can use:

const str1 = "Hello";
const str2 = "World";
const fullStr = str1.concat(" ", str2);
console.log(fullStr); // "Hello World"

Also, if you're wondering what is and in JavaScript, it's a bitwise operator that performs logical AND at a binary level.

console.log(5 & 1); // 1 (binary: 101 & 001)

Final Thoughts

forEach is a powerful tool when used correctly, but it’s important to know its limitations. It’s great for simple iteration but may not be the best choice for async operations or when you need to return a modified array.

Key Information:

✔ Use forEach for simple array iteration
✔ Don’t use it when you need break or return
✔ Consider .map(), for...of, .concat(), or .reduce() for other use cases

Try using forEach in your projects now that you understand how to use it! Do you have inquiries? Leave a comment below with them less share knowledge!

What is your preferred method for looping in JavaScript? Below, let's talk about it!

What’s Behind the U.S. Claims That TikTok Shares American User Data with China?

john tanko — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 21:50:10 +0000

TikTok, the short-form video app owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, has become a cultural juggernaut in recent years. But with its meteoric rise in popularity, TikTok has come under increasing scrutiny, particularly from the U.S. government. One of the biggest sticking points? Claims TikTok hands over US user data to China. These allegations have ignited a debate over privacy, security and whether foreign governments can dictate what kind of technology Americans use.

But what lies behind the U.S. government’s concerns, and are those claims warranted? Here’s the breakdown on the key controversies about TikTok’s data-sharing allegations.

The Heart of American Claims

The central issue is who owns TikTok. TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company built by Chinese entrepreneurs. U.S. government and security agencies have sounded alarms around TikTok’s data collection practices, in particular about the possibility of the Chinese government obtaining sensitive user data.

Extensive data collection on TikTok The app gathers information like:

Location data: such as GPS coordinates, general location, etc.
What information: do we have about the device? Operating
system+ device model +browser type
User interaction data: What videos are they watching, for how
long, what are they engaging with, etc.
Biometric data: Some TikTok features use facial recognition
and voiceprints.
Because TikTok collects so much personal information, there are growing fears about whether this data might be shared with or abused by the Chinese government. Chinese tech companies, including ByteDance, operate under the nation’s National Intelligence Law, which could compel them to turn over data to the Chinese Communist Party if asked.

U.S. Government’s National Security Concerns

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has taken the lead on probing TikTok. CFIUS reviews certain foreign investment transactions that could result in control of a U.S. business by a foreign person if the transaction raises national security concerns.
TikTok’s data collection, U.S. lawmakers and officials say TikTok could be used to Spy on U.S. citizens Because TikTok tracks the activity of users so closely, there are fears that the Chinese government could use this information to spy on American citizens or influence their opinions.

Political influence on the app:

TikTok could be used to manipulate users; for example, through tailoring ads or content to influence opinions on political or social matters.

Data harvesting for intelligence:

U.S. officials have also said this personal data could be accessed and used for espionage or other intelligence-gathering activities

U.S. President Donald Trump, in 2020, signed an executive order to ban TikTok due to national security concerns. Despite not being fully implemented yet, the issue remains a hot topic among lawmakers and security agencies.

ByteDance’s Response to the Allegations

ByteDance has consistently denied those claims, saying it operates independently of the Chinese government. The company has said that it keeps data from U.S. users on servers outside of China, most often in the United States and Singapore. TikTok has also asserted that no data has been shared with the Chinese government, and that it has established stringent access controls on its data to ensure that it is not accessed by unauthorized parties.
To help alleviate concerns, TikTok has taken steps like:

Transparency centers:

TikTok has established “Transparency Centers” to enable outside experts to examine its data practices and verify that U.S. user data is being managed properly.

Project Texas:

TikTok’s plan to put American data on servers in the United States managed by Oracle. The move is designed to give the U.S. government would more control over the storage and access to information, coupled with assurances of independent oversight.

Despite these efforts, skepticism remains high. Many are unconvinced that TikTok’s reassurances are enough to alleviate national security risks, especially considering the strong ties that exist between Chinese companies and the Chinese government

The Effects of the TikTok Debate Worldwide

However, TikTok's problems can be found in lots of countries outside the United States. On identical national security considerations, India banned it in 2020, among other nations also beginning to look into the app's data practices. The European Union has also expressed concerns, with authorities now closely scrutinizing TikTok's compliance with privacy regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

As TikTok comes under increasing international scrutiny, the app is now setting a benchmark for a worldwide debate on Internet regulation and data sovereignty as well as privacy rights. Although TikTok is not just being threatened in the United States anymore, it's a make-or-break moment for this Chinese internet globalist. This could result in what happens next for tech regulation and user privacy during a time when worldwide platforms totally dominate the digital environment.

What’s Next for TikTok and Its Users?

As the U.S. government continues to investigate TikTok, it’s clear that the app's data privacy practices will remain a focal point in the discussion. The outcome of ongoing investigations could potentially lead to stricter regulations on data collection, transparency, and the role of foreign-owned companies in the digital space.

For American TikTok users, the key question remains: How much of your personal data is at risk, and who ultimately controls it? With increasing pressure on TikTok to prove it can safeguard user privacy, the app’s future in the U.S. will likely depend on its ability to win the trust of both regulators and its user base.

In the meantime, if you’re concerned about your privacy on TikTok or any social media platform, it’s wise to stay informed, review the app’s privacy settings, and make careful choices about the data you share online. While TikTok may not currently be in the crosshairs of a full ban, the debate over data security is far from over.