So you think you know box shadows?
The author explores unconventional and creative uses of box shadows, pushing their capabilities to extreme limits for experimental and janky visual effects rather than standard UX design. They discuss the nature and mechanics of box shadows and drop shadows, layering techniques, and how various implementations differ across graphic design tools like CSS, Photoshop, and GIMP. The text also delves into complex experiments with box shadows, including creating animations, simulating 3D effects, and even attempting to ray trace with box shadows, ultimately questioning the practicality and performance implications of these methods.
Mining JIT traces for missing optimizations with Z3
This text discusses using Z3 to mine Just-In-Time (JIT) traces in PyPy for identifying inefficiencies in integer operations, allowing for optimizations without the combinatorial complexity of classical approaches. The author describes a method of translating JIT traces into Z3 formulas to detect and report redundant operations, supported by code examples and the results of applying this method to real benchmarks like PyPy\'s bootstrap process. The approach aims to systematically find missing optimizations that PyPy\'s JIT cannot yet perform, with future goals of implementing the identified optimizations and extending the methodology.
rr – record and replay debugger for C/C++
rr is a C/C++ debugging tool for Linux that enhances gdb by allowing you to record an execution once and then debug it deterministically as many times as needed, with features like reverse execution and low overhead. It supports multiple-process workloads, IDE integration, and can make intermittent bugs more reproducible using Chaos mode. Designed initially for applications like Firefox, rr operates on stock Linux kernels, runs on modern x86 or ARM CPUs, and provides durable, portable traces, although it has limitations such as emulating a single-core machine and requiring updates for new kernels or system calls.
What is the significance of the character "j" at the end of a Roman Numeral?
In historical documents, particularly from the 16th and early 17th centuries, the letter "j" at the end of Roman numerals was used to distinguish the final "i" and prevent fraud, ensuring clarity and accuracy in handwritten records. This practice was prevalent in Yorkshire and continued in specific contexts like medical prescriptions until recent times. The "j" functions as part of the numeral, such as interpreting "xvij" as 17 rather than 16.
Inkbase: Programmable Ink (2022)
Inkbase is a project exploring the concept of programmable sketches, combining the flexibility of pen and paper with the computational power of digital tools to support dynamic behavior in hand-drawn marks, similar to how spreadsheets allow for reactive formulas. This experimental tool, designed for iPads, aims to enhance the process of gradual enrichment, where users incrementally add structure and functionality to their sketches without switching mental modes. Key challenges in developing this tool include refining the programming model, ensuring reliable recognition of hand-drawn marks, and improving the ergonomics of interacting with dynamic content.
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