Category: Writing

What is the SITREP on Apache Kafka & Flink?

I’ve worked with (** references at end of article) a number of Apache projects over the years, often pretty closely; Apache Cassandra, Apache Flink, Apache Kafka, Apache Zookeeper and numerous others. But the last few years I’ve not been immediately hands on with the technology. A few questions popped up recently, that fortunately I was able to answer based on existing knowledge, but it made me real curious about what the SITREP (Situational Report) is for the Apache Kafka and Flink Projects for TODAY, i.e. rolling into 2025! The following is a quick dive into the history and then the latest details (and drama?) with Apache Kafka, Flink, and tangentially some other projects (Zookeeper?).

Apache Projects – Context & Quick Details

If you’re unfamiliar with the Apache Projects in a general sense, I highly suggest going and checking out the Apache Project Directory and Apache Projects List. There you will find all sorts of fascinating information about the organization itself, how the projects are organized, and the trend of committees and related details. For example, I always love checking out the initial charts on retired and active that show on the directory page, as I’ve snapshotted below.

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The Missing Pieces: What Online Tutorials and Docs Always Seem to Forget

Yo, fellow coders and tech enthusiasts! Adron here, and today we’re diving into a topic that’s been grinding my gears for ages – the stuff that’s always missing from online tutorials and docs. Buckle up, ’cause we’re about to get grumpy!

0. The Invisible Prerequisites

Before we even get to the main course, let’s talk about the appetizer that so many tutorials forget to serve – the damn prerequisites! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve started a tutorial only to find out halfway through that I needed some obscure tool or specific version of something that wasn’t mentioned upfront.

Here’s the deal, tutorial writers: lay out ALL the prerequisites clearly at the beginning. And I mean ALL of them. Don’t assume I have jq installed for your GraphQL tutorial. Don’t assume I’m running the latest version of Python (and for the love of code, specify WHICH Python – 2.x or 3.x?).

And here’s a novel idea: how about actually telling me where to find and install these prerequisites? Give me links, give me version numbers, give me command line instructions. Assume I’m starting from scratch on a fresh machine. Because guess what? Sometimes I am!

Even though this isn’t a tutorial, but just because I mentioned them here, check out jq here and Python here.

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My Review of JetBrains’ Writerside ✅ or ❎ ?

Alright folks, let’s dive into the latest concoction from the JetBrains‘ lab – Writerside. This isn’t just another tool; it’s a game-changer in the technical writing arena. Buckle up as we take a tour of this nifty piece of tech wizardry.

The Gist of Writerside

Melding Code and Prose

JetBrains has pulled a rabbit out of their hat with Writerside, built on the IntelliJ platform. It’s like they’ve read the minds of developers and writers, blending their worlds seamlessly. Imagine crafting documentation right in the heart of your IDE – that’s Writerside for you!

Markdown Meets XML

Here’s where it gets spicy. Writerside juggles Markdown and a custom XML-based markup. It’s like having the best of both worlds, letting you switch hats between a Markdown maverick and an XML expert. This duality is a boon for those who want to add a bit more oomph to their docs.

Testing and Styling with Ease

Over 100 built-in tests? Check. Predefined designs that you can tweak? Double-check. Writerside isn’t just about writing; it’s about making sure your documentation is as robust as your code. No more fretting over broken links or layout hassles.

Real-Time Preview and AI Smarts

The live preview feature is like having a co-pilot, instantly showing you the impact of your edits and flagging errors on the fly. And the AI-based spellchecker and grammar tool? That’s the cherry on top, supporting a plethora of languages and keeping your prose polished.

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