Quick Tips Tutorials

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    Checkout the Previous Branch with git

    Command line shortcuts are can be a huge time saver, which is why I like creating bash aliases and and enjoy other tricks I've found.  I do have a list of tasks I don't yet have a shortcut for, like easy switching between my current...

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    Add CSS and JavaScript Files to Phabricator Extensions

    Every open source framework has its own methods of extending functionality; some make extending incredibly easy and others...not so much.  Most of the time it comes down to how well the framework is documented.  Phabricator did an awesome job of making necessary classes extendable but it's fair to say it...

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    Create Aliases in Bash

    Every developer likes a shortcut -- they're what make us more efficient in our work.  Of course there are good shortcuts and bad shortcuts (lazy coding, lack of security review, etc.), but let's stick with the positive and talk about a good shortcut:  bash aliases. We all have commands...

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    Create GitHub Pull Request and Issue Templates

    There's nothing more frustrating than getting an incomplete bug report.  I've often seen bug reports containing a useless "{x} feature doesn't work"; no steps to reproduce, no URL, no browser or device information, just a hopelessly vague message.  Similar is receiving a pull request or patch which doesn't...

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    Track Empty Directories with git

    There are times when you'd like to track an empty directory within git but there's a problem: git wont allow you to add a directory that doesn't have a file in it.  The easy solution is putting an empty stub file within the directory, and the industry...

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    Get Keychain Passwords from Command Line

    One of my favorite command line utilities is Guillermo Rauch's wifi-password, a utility that allows you to get a saved password for the wifi network you're presently connected to (to share with colleagues or creeper in the cafe you're in).  The idea of being able to...

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    Get Python Requirements Package Hashes

    Python's (pip's) requirements.txt file is the equivalent to package.json in the JavaScript / Node.js world.  This requirements.txt file isn't as pretty as package.json but it not only defines a version but goes a step further, providing a sha hash to compare against to ensure package integrity: Coming from the JavaScript / package.json world, you only need...

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    Continue Download with cURL

    One of the most useful but least talked about utilities a developer has at their disposal is cURL.  The cURL command line utility has been so amazing that Chrome lets you copy requests as cURL from the developer tools Requests panel.  cURL lets you post form data, follow redirects,

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    Phabricator AphrontRequest / Save Error Fix

    Working on Phabricator extensions has thrust me back into the world of PHP, a language I had only touched via WordPress plugins and blog themes over the past few years.  Despite being away from the language, I was able to jump back in fairly quickly and felt...

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    Fix Bash Error in Docker

    I really enjoy working with Docker because it gives me more insight into creating and maintaining your own environments, mostly from scratch.  I instantly gained a greater appreciation for Ops engineers, package creators, and other engineers who work on low level software.  I think what I'm trying to say is that...