The Hacker News post introduces a new platform for learning Node.js through interactive video tutorials. The platform allows users to not only watch the tutorial videos, but also edit and run the code examples directly within the browser, providing a hands-on learning experience. This eliminates the need to switch between the video and a separate code editor, streamlining the learning process and allowing for immediate experimentation and feedback.
mrge.io, a YC X25 startup, has launched Cursor, a code review tool designed to streamline the process. It offers a dedicated, distraction-free interface specifically for code review, aiming to improve focus and efficiency compared to general-purpose IDEs. Cursor integrates with GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket, enabling direct interaction with pull requests and commits within the tool. It also features built-in AI assistance for tasks like summarizing changes, suggesting improvements, and generating code. The goal is to make code review faster, easier, and more effective for developers.
Hacker News users discussed the potential usefulness of mrge.io for code review, particularly its focus on streamlining the process. Some expressed skepticism about the need for yet another code review tool, questioning whether it offered significant advantages over existing solutions like GitHub, GitLab, and Gerrit. Others were more optimistic, highlighting the potential benefits of a dedicated tool for managing complex code reviews, especially for larger teams or projects. The integrated AI features garnered both interest and concern, with some users wondering about the practical implications and accuracy of AI-driven code suggestions and review automation. A recurring theme was the desire for tighter integration with existing development workflows and platforms. Several commenters also requested a self-hosted option.
pytest.nvim is a Neovim plugin designed to seamlessly integrate the pytest testing framework into the Neovim editor. It provides a streamlined workflow for running tests, displaying results directly within the editor, and navigating between test files and their corresponding implementations. Features include running tests at various granularities (file, directory, nearest test, etc.), a visual test summary display with detailed information about passed and failed tests, and the ability to jump to test failures or specific test functions. It leverages Neovim's virtual text capabilities for displaying test statuses inline, enhancing the feedback loop during test-driven development. The plugin aims to improve the overall testing experience within Neovim by providing a tightly integrated and interactive environment.
Hacker News users discussed the pytest.nvim plugin, generally praising its speed and tight Neovim integration. Several commenters appreciated features like the virtual text display of test status and the ability to run tests directly within Neovim. Some users compared it favorably to running tests in a terminal, citing improved workflow and less context switching. A few people mentioned using and enjoying similar plugins for other languages, highlighting a broader trend of IDE-like test integration within Neovim. One commenter pointed out a potential drawback: the plugin's reliance on a specific test runner could be limiting for projects using alternative tools. Another user mentioned potential conflicts with other plugins. Despite these minor concerns, the overall sentiment was positive, with many expressing interest in trying the plugin.
This blog post announces the Mermaid Chart VS Code plugin, a tool that simplifies creating and editing Mermaid.js diagrams directly within Visual Studio Code. The plugin provides live preview rendering, allowing users to see their diagram update in real-time as they edit the Mermaid.js code. It also offers features like syntax highlighting, linting for error detection, and autocompletion to streamline the diagram creation process. The plugin aims to make working with Mermaid.js diagrams more efficient and integrated within the VS Code environment.
Hacker News users generally expressed positive sentiment towards the Mermaid Chart VS Code plugin. Several commenters appreciated the convenience and improved workflow it offered for creating and editing diagrams directly within VS Code. Some highlighted specific features they found useful, such as live preview and syntax highlighting. A few users mentioned alternative tools they preferred, like PlantUML and Excalidraw, but acknowledged the plugin's value for those already working within the Mermaid.js ecosystem. One commenter noted the benefit of having diagrams as code, enabling version control and collaborative editing. There was also a brief discussion regarding the licensing of the plugin and the underlying Mermaid.js library.
MS Paint IDE leverages the familiar simplicity of Microsoft Paint to create a surprisingly functional code editor and execution environment. Users write code directly onto the canvas using the text tool, which is then parsed and executed. The output, whether text or graphical, is displayed within the Paint window itself. While limited by Paint's capabilities, it supports a range of programming features including variables, loops, and conditional statements, primarily through a custom scripting language tailored for this unique environment. This project demonstrates the surprising versatility of MS Paint and offers a playful, unconventional approach to coding.
Hacker News users were generally impressed with the MS Paint IDE, praising its creativity and clever execution. Some found its impracticality charming, while others saw potential for educational uses or as a unique challenge for code golfing. A few commenters pointed out the project's limitations, especially regarding debugging and more complex code, but the overall sentiment was positive, appreciating the project as a fun and unconventional exploration of coding environments. One commenter even suggested it could be expanded with OCR to make it a "real" IDE, highlighting the project's potential for further development and the community's interest in seeing where it could go. Several users reminisced about past simpler times in computing, with MS Paint being a nostalgic touchstone.
This blog post details how to implement custom syntax highlighting in Emacs using tree-sitter. The author demonstrates creating a minor mode for highlighting TODO items and FIXMEs in comments within C++ code. This involves defining specific queries that target the comment nodes in the tree-sitter parse tree and then associating faces (colors and styles) with the captured nodes. The example provides a practical illustration of leveraging tree-sitter's structured code understanding to achieve more precise and context-aware highlighting than traditional regular expression-based approaches. The post also briefly covers how to incorporate these queries into a theme for broader application and includes a troubleshooting tip for ensuring tree-sitter highlighting is active.
HN commenters largely praised the integration of tree-sitter into Emacs, highlighting the significant improvements in syntax highlighting accuracy and performance. Some expressed excitement over the potential for more advanced features like semantic highlighting and code navigation enabled by tree-sitter's deeper understanding of code structure. A few users shared their personal experiences with setting up and using tree-sitter in Emacs, offering tips and workarounds for common issues. One commenter noted the wider adoption of tree-sitter across various editors and its positive impact on the developer experience. Others discussed the technical details of tree-sitter's implementation, comparing it to traditional regular expression-based highlighting. A couple of comments touched on the potential for future improvements, such as asynchronous parsing and better support for more obscure languages.
Zed, a code editor, has introduced Zeta, an open-source large language model (LLM) designed specifically for predicting code edits. Zeta powers a new "Suggest Edit" feature within Zed that anticipates the user's next change and offers it as a suggestion, potentially streamlining the coding process. Trained on a massive dataset of edits from real-world projects, Zeta understands context and offers increasingly relevant suggestions as you type. This model is available for anyone to download and use, fostering community development and customization for various programming languages and workflows.
Hacker News users generally expressed enthusiasm for Zed's new edit prediction feature powered by the Zeta model. Several praised the speed and accuracy of the predictions, noting its potential to significantly improve coding workflow. Some discussed the implications of open-sourcing the model, hoping it would foster community contributions and adaptations for other editors. A few questioned the licensing details of the open-sourced components and how they relate to Zed's overall business model. Others drew comparisons to existing AI-powered coding assistants like GitHub Copilot, speculating on Zeta's potential competitive advantages and disadvantages. Finally, some expressed interest in how the model handles complex edits beyond simple completions, like refactoring and debugging.
Zeminary Arrays offers an experimental web app providing infinitely expanding horizontal and vertical arrays of text editors. Each editor can be used for coding, writing, or note-taking, and supports Markdown rendering. Users can create new arrays, add or delete individual editors within them, and navigate the grid seamlessly. The application aims to provide a flexible and expansive workspace for managing various text-based tasks concurrently.
HN users generally praised the clean UI and unique approach of the infinite horizontal array of text editors. Several commenters questioned the practical use cases, wondering what problems it solves beyond novelty. Some suggested potential applications like managing code snippets, comparing different versions of text, or outlining long documents. A few users experienced minor glitches, like unexpected behavior with the backspace key. There was also discussion about the technical implementation, particularly regarding memory management with large arrays and the potential benefits of using a different data structure. One commenter appreciated the editor's mobile-friendliness. Overall, the reception was positive, with curiosity about its potential applications driving the conversation.
Even in a world of advanced IDEs, Sublime Text holds its own due to its speed, simplicity, and extensibility. The author appreciates its snappy performance, distraction-free interface, and powerful customization options via plugins and keybindings. While acknowledging the benefits of more feature-rich alternatives like VS Code, they find Sublime Text's minimalist approach ideal for focused coding and quick edits, particularly for tasks involving multiple languages or remote servers where a lightweight editor shines. Its enduring popularity speaks to its effectiveness as a powerful yet uncluttered coding tool.
Hacker News users generally agreed with the author's preference for Sublime Text, praising its speed, simplicity, and extensibility. Several commenters highlighted its performance advantages, particularly for large files and complex projects, where other editors can become sluggish. The robust plugin ecosystem and keyboard-centric workflow were also frequently mentioned as key strengths. Some suggested that Sublime Text's appeal lies in its resistance to feature bloat and focus on core editing functionality, contrasting it with more resource-intensive IDEs. A few dissenting voices mentioned the lack of integrated debugging and other advanced features, but the overall sentiment was strongly positive towards Sublime Text's enduring relevance. The discussion also touched on the benefits of a perpetual license model and the value of mastering a single, powerful tool.
Hedy is a gradual programming language designed to make coding accessible to beginners. It introduces programming concepts incrementally, starting with a simplified version of the language and progressively unlocking more advanced features as the user progresses through lessons. This scaffolded approach aims to reduce the initial cognitive load and make learning to code less daunting. Hedy uses clear, concise syntax and provides helpful error messages to guide learners. It's available as a web-based editor and is open-source, allowing for community contributions and adaptations. The project aims to bridge the gap between block-based visual programming and traditional text-based coding.
Hacker News users discussed Hedy's approach to teaching programming, generally praising its gradual introduction of complexity. Several commenters compared it to Logo, highlighting the similarities in using a simplified environment to build foundational concepts. Some expressed skepticism about its long-term effectiveness, questioning whether the simplified syntax would hinder the transition to "real" programming languages. Others raised concerns about the target audience, wondering if the constrained environment might be too limiting for more advanced learners. The creator of Hedy also participated, responding to questions and clarifying the design choices behind the language. There was a thread discussing the importance of visual feedback and how Hedy could potentially incorporate it, along with suggestions for expanding the language's capabilities in the future.
Helix editor's pull request #11285 integrates a file explorer directly into the editor. This new feature allows users to browse and open files within their project workspace without needing external tools. The implementation provides basic file management operations like creating, deleting, renaming, and opening files and directories, enhancing the editor's self-sufficiency and streamlining the editing workflow. It leverages the existing tree-sitter infrastructure for efficient parsing and rendering of the file tree.
Hacker News users generally expressed excitement about the merged file explorer in Helix, praising its speed and integration with the editor's core functionalities. Several commenters appreciated the thoughtful design, particularly the ability to open multiple files simultaneously and the minimalist, non-distracting implementation. Some users compared it favorably to other editors' file explorers, noting its superior performance and smoother workflow. A few commenters discussed potential improvements, like the ability to rename files directly within the explorer and support for fuzzy finding. Overall, the reception was positive, with many looking forward to using the new feature.
After over a decade using Vim/Neovim, the author experimented with Zed, a new electron-based editor. While appreciating Zed's native performance, smooth scrolling, and collaborative features, the author found the Vim mode lacking compared to their highly customized Neovim setup. Specifically, plugins and keybindings didn't translate seamlessly, hindering their workflow. Although impressed by Zed's potential, particularly its speed and built-in collaboration, the author ultimately returned to Neovim, finding its flexibility and familiarity more valuable than Zed's current advantages. They remain optimistic about Zed's future and plan to revisit it as it matures.
HN commenters generally expressed interest in Zed, particularly its performance and native UI. Some compared it favorably to VS Code, highlighting Zed's speed and responsiveness. Several users questioned the viability of Zed's closed-source model and subscription pricing, especially given the strong presence of free and open-source alternatives. A few commenters noted the post author's seeming bias toward Zed, given their employment history. Others discussed specific features, such as collaborative editing, and the desire for Vim keybindings. The potential for vendor lock-in was also raised as a concern.
Parinfer simplifies Lisp code editing by automatically managing parentheses, brackets, and indentation. It offers two modes: "Paren Mode," where indentation dictates structure and Parinfer adjusts parentheses accordingly, and "Indent Mode," where parentheses define the structure and Parinfer corrects indentation. This frees the user from manually tracking matching delimiters, allowing them to focus on the code's logic. Parinfer analyzes the code as you type, instantly propagating changes and offering immediate feedback about structural errors, leading to a more fluid and less error-prone coding experience. It's adaptable to different indentation styles and supports various Lisp dialects.
HN users generally praised Parinfer for making Lisp editing easier, especially for beginners. Several commenters shared positive experiences using it with Clojure, noting improvements in code readability and reduced parenthesis-related errors. Some highlighted its ability to infer parentheses placement based on indentation, simplifying structural editing. A few users discussed its potential applicability to other languages, and at least one pointed out its integration with popular editors. However, some expressed skepticism about its long-term benefits or preference for traditional Lisp editing approaches. A minor point of discussion revolved around the tool's name and how it relates to its functionality.
Summary of Comments ( 34 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43771365
HN users generally reacted positively to the Node.js video tutorial project. Several appreciated the interactive coding environment integrated into the videos, finding it a valuable learning tool. Some suggested improvements, like adding keyboard shortcuts, improving mobile responsiveness, and implementing features found in other interactive coding platforms like saving progress and forking examples. One commenter pointed out the creator's previous work, highlighting the consistency and quality of their educational resources. Others offered technical feedback regarding the choice of UI library and suggested alternatives for enhanced performance and user experience. A few users expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of video-based learning for programming but acknowledged the potential of the interactive elements to address some of those concerns.
The Hacker News post "Show HN: Node.js video tutorials where you can edit and run the code" has generated several comments, mostly offering constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement.
One commenter points out the potential value of allowing users to save their progress, suggesting integration with GitHub or a similar platform. They highlight the benefit of revisiting past exercises and tracking learning progress. This suggestion resonates with another user who emphasizes the importance of having a save feature for any coding tutorial platform.
Another commenter expresses concern about the mobile experience, noting difficulties with keyboard navigation and code editing on mobile devices. They suggest optimizing the UI for touchscreens and implementing features like swipe-to-type to improve usability.
Several commenters focus on the platform's technological implementation. One user inquires about the backend technology used for the interactive coding environment, while another suggests using a smaller, more focused Docker image for improved performance and resource efficiency. A different comment praises the use of Alpine Linux in the Docker image but suggests further optimization to reduce image size.
One commenter questions the decision to include code style checks (specifically linting) in a beginner-oriented tutorial, arguing that it might add unnecessary complexity for new learners. They recommend focusing on fundamental concepts before introducing code style guidelines.
There's discussion around the choice of technologies used. One comment suggests exploring alternative frontend frameworks like Svelte or SolidJS for potential performance benefits and a smaller bundle size. Another comment highlights the use of esbuild, appreciating its speed and efficiency.
A few comments offer specific feedback on the tutorial content itself. One user notes a minor typographical error, while another suggests adding more visual aids or diagrams to enhance understanding. Another user questions the usefulness of teaching callback-based code in modern JavaScript, advocating for a focus on promises and async/await.
Overall, the comments demonstrate a generally positive reception to the project, with many users acknowledging its potential while offering practical suggestions for improvement in areas such as user experience, performance optimization, and content refinement. The discussion is constructive and focuses on making the platform a more valuable resource for learning Node.js.