John Crickett
@johncrickett.bsky.social
Author of CodingChallenges.fyi
Helping you become a better software engineer through coding challenges that build real applications.
Helping you become a better software engineer through coding challenges that build real applications.
If this doesn't look like an AI bubble, what does?
November 7, 2025 at 11:52 AM
If this doesn't look like an AI bubble, what does?
“If someone was a very good communicator but a terrible software engineer would you hire them?”
This is a false dilemma.
To be a good communicator, you need to understand the domain that you are communicating about.
"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough"
This is a false dilemma.
To be a good communicator, you need to understand the domain that you are communicating about.
"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough"
October 27, 2025 at 1:47 PM
“If someone was a very good communicator but a terrible software engineer would you hire them?”
This is a false dilemma.
To be a good communicator, you need to understand the domain that you are communicating about.
"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough"
This is a false dilemma.
To be a good communicator, you need to understand the domain that you are communicating about.
"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough"
I’ve met many tech executives frustrated that their software teams were failing to deliver.
In each case they’ve been advised by their software engineers that the answer was to rewrite all their software with some awesome new approach, technology, language, library, platform or architecture.
🧵👇
In each case they’ve been advised by their software engineers that the answer was to rewrite all their software with some awesome new approach, technology, language, library, platform or architecture.
🧵👇
June 11, 2025 at 12:52 PM
I’ve met many tech executives frustrated that their software teams were failing to deliver.
In each case they’ve been advised by their software engineers that the answer was to rewrite all their software with some awesome new approach, technology, language, library, platform or architecture.
🧵👇
In each case they’ve been advised by their software engineers that the answer was to rewrite all their software with some awesome new approach, technology, language, library, platform or architecture.
🧵👇
31 things I’ve learned writing 91 coding challenges over the last 27 months:
1. You can build some amazing software in less than 8 hours of focused time.
2. Breaking projects down into steps is a skill that many software engineers don’t have.
3. And one that many want to learn.
🧵👇
1. You can build some amazing software in less than 8 hours of focused time.
2. Breaking projects down into steps is a skill that many software engineers don’t have.
3. And one that many want to learn.
🧵👇
June 9, 2025 at 1:22 PM
31 things I’ve learned writing 91 coding challenges over the last 27 months:
1. You can build some amazing software in less than 8 hours of focused time.
2. Breaking projects down into steps is a skill that many software engineers don’t have.
3. And one that many want to learn.
🧵👇
1. You can build some amazing software in less than 8 hours of focused time.
2. Breaking projects down into steps is a skill that many software engineers don’t have.
3. And one that many want to learn.
🧵👇
Software Engineers - need a project for the weekend?
How about building your own ELIZA chatbot?
codingchallenges.substack.com/p/coding-cha...
Or one of the 80+ other real-world projects you can use to level up your coding skills:
[https://codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/intro](t.co/jZPvdDtBt1)
How about building your own ELIZA chatbot?
codingchallenges.substack.com/p/coding-cha...
Or one of the 80+ other real-world projects you can use to level up your coding skills:
[https://codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/intro](t.co/jZPvdDtBt1)
May 10, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Software Engineers - need a project for the weekend?
How about building your own ELIZA chatbot?
codingchallenges.substack.com/p/coding-cha...
Or one of the 80+ other real-world projects you can use to level up your coding skills:
[https://codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/intro](t.co/jZPvdDtBt1)
How about building your own ELIZA chatbot?
codingchallenges.substack.com/p/coding-cha...
Or one of the 80+ other real-world projects you can use to level up your coding skills:
[https://codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/intro](t.co/jZPvdDtBt1)
If you’re looking for work as a software engineer in a tech company and struggling to find one then consider applying for related roles.
Use them to get your foot in the door. It worked for me, though not quite in the way I expected.
Use them to get your foot in the door. It worked for me, though not quite in the way I expected.
March 19, 2025 at 10:06 AM
If you’re looking for work as a software engineer in a tech company and struggling to find one then consider applying for related roles.
Use them to get your foot in the door. It worked for me, though not quite in the way I expected.
Use them to get your foot in the door. It worked for me, though not quite in the way I expected.
“It is hard to describe how much you learn by actually doing — by carefully considering all factors, making a decision, and then taking responsibility for the outcome. Unlocks wisdom that cannot be arrived at any other way.”
Greg Brockman
What happens if we stop doing and start blindly trusting AI?
Greg Brockman
What happens if we stop doing and start blindly trusting AI?
March 18, 2025 at 1:18 PM
“It is hard to describe how much you learn by actually doing — by carefully considering all factors, making a decision, and then taking responsibility for the outcome. Unlocks wisdom that cannot be arrived at any other way.”
Greg Brockman
What happens if we stop doing and start blindly trusting AI?
Greg Brockman
What happens if we stop doing and start blindly trusting AI?
Who else is enjoying listening to Sleep Token’s new song Emergence as they go about their weekend?
March 15, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Who else is enjoying listening to Sleep Token’s new song Emergence as they go about their weekend?
There are so many engineering fails in this post.
March 11, 2025 at 8:57 AM
There are so many engineering fails in this post.
Software Engineers - need a project for the weekend?
How about building your own Time Zone Converter?
codingchallenges.substack.com/p/coding-cha...
Or one of the 80+ other real-world projects you can build to level up your coding skills:
codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/i...
How about building your own Time Zone Converter?
codingchallenges.substack.com/p/coding-cha...
Or one of the 80+ other real-world projects you can build to level up your coding skills:
codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/i...
March 8, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Software Engineers - need a project for the weekend?
How about building your own Time Zone Converter?
codingchallenges.substack.com/p/coding-cha...
Or one of the 80+ other real-world projects you can build to level up your coding skills:
codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/i...
How about building your own Time Zone Converter?
codingchallenges.substack.com/p/coding-cha...
Or one of the 80+ other real-world projects you can build to level up your coding skills:
codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/i...
I saw another post saying AI is getting better and it really does understand what we ask for.
So I asked for a picture of a left handed guitarist to see if it was better than last time I tried.
Spoiler, nope it's not.
So I asked for a picture of a left handed guitarist to see if it was better than last time I tried.
Spoiler, nope it's not.
March 7, 2025 at 3:50 PM
I saw another post saying AI is getting better and it really does understand what we ask for.
So I asked for a picture of a left handed guitarist to see if it was better than last time I tried.
Spoiler, nope it's not.
So I asked for a picture of a left handed guitarist to see if it was better than last time I tried.
Spoiler, nope it's not.
What’s stopping you writing code like this:
```
++++++++++[>+>+++>+++++++>++++++++++<<<<-]>>>++.>+.+++++++..+++.<<+++.
```
If you’re having trouble following the code I’ll give you a clue, it’s written in the Brainf*ck programming language.
```
++++++++++[>+>+++>+++++++>++++++++++<<<<-]>>>++.>+.+++++++..+++.<<+++.
```
If you’re having trouble following the code I’ll give you a clue, it’s written in the Brainf*ck programming language.
March 5, 2025 at 2:43 PM
What’s stopping you writing code like this:
```
++++++++++[>+>+++>+++++++>++++++++++<<<<-]>>>++.>+.+++++++..+++.<<+++.
```
If you’re having trouble following the code I’ll give you a clue, it’s written in the Brainf*ck programming language.
```
++++++++++[>+>+++>+++++++>++++++++++<<<<-]>>>++.>+.+++++++..+++.<<+++.
```
If you’re having trouble following the code I’ll give you a clue, it’s written in the Brainf*ck programming language.
Only people who don't know how to do something, think it can't be done.
Next time think something can’t be done, pause and ask yourself: “How could it be done?”
That’s how you grow.
As a software engineer.
As an manager/leader.
As a person.
Next time think something can’t be done, pause and ask yourself: “How could it be done?”
That’s how you grow.
As a software engineer.
As an manager/leader.
As a person.
February 24, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Only people who don't know how to do something, think it can't be done.
Next time think something can’t be done, pause and ask yourself: “How could it be done?”
That’s how you grow.
As a software engineer.
As an manager/leader.
As a person.
Next time think something can’t be done, pause and ask yourself: “How could it be done?”
That’s how you grow.
As a software engineer.
As an manager/leader.
As a person.
Software Engineers - need a project for the weekend?
How about building your own Brainf*ck Interpreter??
codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/c...
Or one of the 70+ other real-world projects you can build to level up your coding skills:
codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/i...
How about building your own Brainf*ck Interpreter??
codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/c...
Or one of the 70+ other real-world projects you can build to level up your coding skills:
codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/i...
January 11, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Software Engineers - need a project for the weekend?
How about building your own Brainf*ck Interpreter??
codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/c...
Or one of the 70+ other real-world projects you can build to level up your coding skills:
codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/i...
How about building your own Brainf*ck Interpreter??
codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/c...
Or one of the 70+ other real-world projects you can build to level up your coding skills:
codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/i...
If you enjoy Coding Challenges, don't forget we have a Discord server!
You can come hang out, chat and share your thoughts, suggestions for other challenges or solutions to the existing challenges.
You'll find it here: discord.gg/3kRwa9DA
You can come hang out, chat and share your thoughts, suggestions for other challenges or solutions to the existing challenges.
You'll find it here: discord.gg/3kRwa9DA
January 4, 2025 at 2:31 PM
If you enjoy Coding Challenges, don't forget we have a Discord server!
You can come hang out, chat and share your thoughts, suggestions for other challenges or solutions to the existing challenges.
You'll find it here: discord.gg/3kRwa9DA
You can come hang out, chat and share your thoughts, suggestions for other challenges or solutions to the existing challenges.
You'll find it here: discord.gg/3kRwa9DA
Software Engineers - need a project for the weekend?
How about building your own uptime monitoring system?
codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/c...
Or one of the 70+ other real-world projects you can build to level up your coding skills:
codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/i...
How about building your own uptime monitoring system?
codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/c...
Or one of the 70+ other real-world projects you can build to level up your coding skills:
codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/i...
November 23, 2024 at 9:16 AM
Software Engineers - need a project for the weekend?
How about building your own uptime monitoring system?
codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/c...
Or one of the 70+ other real-world projects you can build to level up your coding skills:
codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/i...
How about building your own uptime monitoring system?
codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/c...
Or one of the 70+ other real-world projects you can build to level up your coding skills:
codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/i...
And we wonder why government IT is so broken...
November 19, 2024 at 10:56 AM
And we wonder why government IT is so broken...
The power button on the new Mac mini is a stroke or marketing genius!
All my social media feeds are FULL of people talking about the new Mac mini!
All my social media feeds are FULL of people talking about the new Mac mini!
November 10, 2024 at 1:35 PM
The power button on the new Mac mini is a stroke or marketing genius!
All my social media feeds are FULL of people talking about the new Mac mini!
All my social media feeds are FULL of people talking about the new Mac mini!
“Always remember, however, that there’s usually a simpler and better way to do something than the first way that pops into your head.”
— Donald Knuth
Pause before you commit to the first solution. 15 minutes of ideation might save you weeks, months or years of future pain.
— Donald Knuth
Pause before you commit to the first solution. 15 minutes of ideation might save you weeks, months or years of future pain.
November 8, 2024 at 8:26 AM
“Always remember, however, that there’s usually a simpler and better way to do something than the first way that pops into your head.”
— Donald Knuth
Pause before you commit to the first solution. 15 minutes of ideation might save you weeks, months or years of future pain.
— Donald Knuth
Pause before you commit to the first solution. 15 minutes of ideation might save you weeks, months or years of future pain.
Many software engineers think about scalability too early - before they ship a single thing.
And many software developers think about scale far too late - after they ship.
How can that be?
They think about scale in users, not size of input - and test with input data that’s small/easy to create.
And many software developers think about scale far too late - after they ship.
How can that be?
They think about scale in users, not size of input - and test with input data that’s small/easy to create.
November 4, 2024 at 2:39 PM
Many software engineers think about scalability too early - before they ship a single thing.
And many software developers think about scale far too late - after they ship.
How can that be?
They think about scale in users, not size of input - and test with input data that’s small/easy to create.
And many software developers think about scale far too late - after they ship.
How can that be?
They think about scale in users, not size of input - and test with input data that’s small/easy to create.
If you're a software engineer who doesn't use a debugger, I think you're leaving a useful tool in the box.
And that's a shame.
Then I see this quote:
"The most effective debugging tool is still careful thought, coupled with judiciously placed print statements."
-- Brian Kernighan
And that's a shame.
Then I see this quote:
"The most effective debugging tool is still careful thought, coupled with judiciously placed print statements."
-- Brian Kernighan
November 4, 2024 at 9:42 AM
If you're a software engineer who doesn't use a debugger, I think you're leaving a useful tool in the box.
And that's a shame.
Then I see this quote:
"The most effective debugging tool is still careful thought, coupled with judiciously placed print statements."
-- Brian Kernighan
And that's a shame.
Then I see this quote:
"The most effective debugging tool is still careful thought, coupled with judiciously placed print statements."
-- Brian Kernighan
This has to be the dumbest take on WFH i’ve seen yet.
Why is it so dumb?
Because, over the last 12 years more and more organisations have introduced nap areas in their offices.
So why is napping in the office cool, but doing it from home bad?
Why is it so dumb?
Because, over the last 12 years more and more organisations have introduced nap areas in their offices.
So why is napping in the office cool, but doing it from home bad?
October 29, 2024 at 8:00 AM
This has to be the dumbest take on WFH i’ve seen yet.
Why is it so dumb?
Because, over the last 12 years more and more organisations have introduced nap areas in their offices.
So why is napping in the office cool, but doing it from home bad?
Why is it so dumb?
Because, over the last 12 years more and more organisations have introduced nap areas in their offices.
So why is napping in the office cool, but doing it from home bad?
5 Reasons to learn Go:
1. Simplicity
2. High Performance
3. Concurrency Support
4. Strong Standard Library
5. Growing Community & Demand
And it’s fun! I’m really enjoying re-building many of the Coding Challenges in it.
What’s your reason for learning Go?
1. Simplicity
2. High Performance
3. Concurrency Support
4. Strong Standard Library
5. Growing Community & Demand
And it’s fun! I’m really enjoying re-building many of the Coding Challenges in it.
What’s your reason for learning Go?
October 28, 2024 at 3:37 PM
5 Reasons to learn Go:
1. Simplicity
2. High Performance
3. Concurrency Support
4. Strong Standard Library
5. Growing Community & Demand
And it’s fun! I’m really enjoying re-building many of the Coding Challenges in it.
What’s your reason for learning Go?
1. Simplicity
2. High Performance
3. Concurrency Support
4. Strong Standard Library
5. Growing Community & Demand
And it’s fun! I’m really enjoying re-building many of the Coding Challenges in it.
What’s your reason for learning Go?
Software Engineers - need a project for the weekend?
How about building your own Video Chat Application?
codingchallenges.substack.com/p/coding-cha...
Or one of the 70+ other real-world projects you can build to level up your coding skills:
codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/i...
How about building your own Video Chat Application?
codingchallenges.substack.com/p/coding-cha...
Or one of the 70+ other real-world projects you can build to level up your coding skills:
codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/i...
October 26, 2024 at 8:47 AM
Software Engineers - need a project for the weekend?
How about building your own Video Chat Application?
codingchallenges.substack.com/p/coding-cha...
Or one of the 70+ other real-world projects you can build to level up your coding skills:
codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/i...
How about building your own Video Chat Application?
codingchallenges.substack.com/p/coding-cha...
Or one of the 70+ other real-world projects you can build to level up your coding skills:
codingchallenges.fyi/challenges/i...
The best way to learn a new skill is to apply it.
The best way to apply it, is to create something.
What will you create today?
The best way to apply it, is to create something.
What will you create today?
October 24, 2024 at 9:43 AM
The best way to learn a new skill is to apply it.
The best way to apply it, is to create something.
What will you create today?
The best way to apply it, is to create something.
What will you create today?