Link Dump #221

I assume your New Year's resolutions list may already be full, but how about adding one reading-related?

1. #BookOfTheMonth The Unicorn Project
   
2. Software Architecture
   1. API Design: REST, GraphQL, gRPC Comparison
      Architecture is all about trade-offs. This article compares the three heavyweights of API design - REST, GraphQL, and gRPC. Learn why REST remains the pragmatic default for public APIs, how GraphQL solves the 'N+1' query problem for mobile apps, and why gRPC is the gold standard for high-performance internal microservices.
3. Software Development
   1. Why developers aren't like figure skaters? #PickOfTheWeek
      The author critiques the rise of the 'sacred cow' developer who focuses on technical abstractions like hexagonal architecture and microservices simply because they’re trendy, not because they’re needed. Discover why true seniority is measured by your ability to connect everyday work to how a company creates value, not by the number of buzzwords in your CV.
4. Languages and Libraries
   1. What’s New in Maven 4
      Maven 4 introduces native support for multiple Source Directories and Condition-Based Profiles, allowing for more flexible, logic-driven build configurations. Dive into features like Parent Inference and new artifact types that make managing Java Modules and annotation processors simpler than ever.
5. Leadership
   1. Questions aren't curiosity
      Asking questions isn't the same as being curious. Most 'work questions' aim for speed, compliance, and closure, but curiosity seeks understanding. Learn why work questions move tasks forward, while curious inquiries move people forward. Stop collecting data and start inviting thinking.
   2. AI Tools Make Coders More Important, Not Less #PickOfTheWeek
      Many leaders are excited about the promise of AI coding tools that can make it easier for novices to write code and, seemingly, make experienced coders less essential. Yet these tools make experience more important, as AI is not a replacement for real engineers. Learn why it is important to keep experienced engineers in charge of the design, the rules, and the safety checks.
6. Communication
   1. Filler words are not as bad as you might think #PickOfTheWeek
      This post argues that filler words aren't just 'noise' - they actually make you sound more human and relatable. Learn why a perfectly polished, filler-free speech can sometimes come across as robotic, and how these small pauses give your audience vital time to process your message.
7. Fun
   1. A Case of Old Code