Beyond CRUD: A Practical Guide to Modeling Business Processes in REST APIs
Five patterns for modeling complex business processes in REST APIs, from nesting sub-resources to accepting RPC-style verbs when CRUD falls short.
Blog
Practical guides and deep dives on software engineering, architecture and AI.
2026
8 NDepend Rules to Enforce Domain-Driven Design in .NET
Eight NDepend CQLinq rules automate Domain-Driven Design enforcement in .NET, protecting architectural boundaries, entities, and aggregate roots.
2025
Decompiling the New C# 14 field Keyword
The IL code behind the C# 14 field keyword reveals how it removes property boilerplate, and which caveats matter before refactoring an existing codebase.
Mastering the C# Dispose Pattern
Reliable resource management in C# depends on IDisposable. Implementing it correctly cleans up unmanaged resources like file handles and connections, and prevents leaks.
Stop Spaghetti SQL: Simplify Complex Queries with Postgres CTEs in Supabase
Postgres common table expressions break tangled queries into clear, named steps. A music streaming app on Supabase demonstrates how much more readable they become.
What's New in C# 14: Null-Conditional Assignments
C# 14 adds null-conditional assignment, a feature that safely assigns values to properties or indexers without long chains of if statements.
What's New in C# 14: User-Defined Compound Assignments
C# 14 lets types define their own compound assignment operators, avoiding unnecessary object creation. The feature is explained along with the pitfalls to avoid.
Google Gemini Receipt Parser for YNAB
Logging expenses in YNAB by hand is tedious. A Docker-based service now uses Google Gemini to read receipt images and import and categorise transactions automatically.
Beyond the Random Class: Cryptographic Randomness in .NET 6+
Security-sensitive code needs true randomness. Here, .NET's RandomNumberGenerator class is used to produce cryptographically secure random values instead of Random.
C# Null-Conditional (?.) & Null-Coalescing (??) Operators Explained
C#'s null-conditional and null-coalescing operators handle null values gracefully, resulting in cleaner and more robust code. Each is explained with examples.
2024
Introduction to Mapster in C#: Benefits and Quick Start Guide
Mapster is a high-performance object mapping library for .NET. A beginner-friendly introduction highlights the key features behind efficient data mapping in C#.
2022
Extension Methods in C#
Extension methods let C# developers add functionality to existing classes, even sealed third-party ones, without resorting to inheritance or wrapper classes.
2021
Case-sensitive and Case-insensitive String Comparisons in PowerShell
PowerShell offers separate operators for case-sensitive and case-insensitive string comparisons, such as -eq, -ceq, -like, and -clike. Each is explained with examples.
Logging .NET to AWS CloudWatch: Using NLog
NLog can ship .NET application logs straight to AWS CloudWatch. This guide covers installation, CloudWatch configuration, and settings for better performance.
Logging .NET to AWS CloudWatch: Using Serilog
Serilog can write .NET application logs to AWS CloudWatch. Setup, CloudWatch integration, and log settings for better performance are covered in detail.
Logging .NET to AWS CloudWatch: Understanding the basics using AWS SDK
The AWS SDK can send .NET application logs directly to CloudWatch. Log groups and streams are created, and log messages are sent programmatically, step by step.
Introduction to Aspect-Oriented Programming (AOP) in .NET with Autofac Interceptors
Aspect-Oriented Programming improves modularity and readability in .NET. Autofac interceptors are set up and used to apply AOP principles in practice.
2020
Three Methods to Convert Strings into Enums in C#
Three methods for converting strings into enums in C# are compared, with guidance on which approach best suits different performance and safety requirements.
Using Config.Net for .NET Application Configurations
Config.Net offers an interface-based way to manage settings in .NET and .NET Core applications with minimal boilerplate. A follow-up to the App.config article.
The Comprehensive Guide to Custom DateTime String Formats in C#
C# offers several ways to turn a DateTime into a string. Custom format specifiers give full control over the output, and each one is explained with examples.
Backing Up and Restoring Native SQL Server Backups in AWS RDS
Native SQL Server backups can be created and restored in AWS RDS once an S3 bucket and the right access are in place, as this walkthrough shows step by step.
2019
Getting AWS Lambda Environment Variables in all supported languages
Every language supported by AWS Lambda reads environment variables through its own native API. Code snippets for each are collected in one place, with no extra dependencies.
Send Slack messages from anywhere using Webhook Integration
A Slack bot with an incoming webhook can notify a team channel when a process fails. Setup is shown step by step, with Postman used to send a test message.
Enabling and Disabling Hyper-V in Powershell
Running VirtualBox or other virtualization software on Windows 10 often means turning Hyper-V off. Two PowerShell commands make enabling and disabling it quick.
Using SData 2.0 in Sage CRM: Part 5 - A word on authentication
The final part of the SData 2.0 series for Sage CRM, comparing the available authentication methods and when each one is the best choice.
Using SData 2.0 in Sage CRM: Part 4 - Deleting records
Part four of the SData 2.0 series for Sage CRM, showing how to delete records with the DELETE verb, using examples such as removing a company.
Using SData 2.0 in Sage CRM: Part 2 - Updating records
Part two of the SData 2.0 series for Sage CRM, showing how to update existing records with the PATCH verb and a JSON request body, using examples.
Using SData 2.0 in Sage CRM: Part 3 - Inserting records
Part three of the SData 2.0 series for Sage CRM, showing how to insert new records with the POST verb, using examples such as creating a company.
Using SData 2.0 in Sage CRM: Part 1 - Introduction and Querying
The first in a series on SData 2.0 in Sage CRM, introducing the RESTful API, how it differs from SData 1.1, and how to query records with Postman.
SMTP, IMAP and POP Settings for Popular Email Providers
A quick reference of the SMTP, IMAP, and POP server addresses, ports, and security settings for popular email providers, handy for email integrations.
Relicensing Sage CRM
Renewing or upgrading a client's Sage CRM license means relicensing the system. The short process is laid out step by step, along with its prerequisites.
Sage CRM Exchange Integration: Sage CRM Setup
Synchronizing contacts, appointments, and tasks between Sage CRM and Exchange/Office 365 starts with configuring the integration in Sage CRM, as shown here.
Sage CRM Exchange Integration: Office 365 Setup
Before Sage CRM can sync with Exchange, Office 365 needs a dedicated user and an impersonation role. The setup is covered step by step.
Cannot process file because of mark of the web error in Visual C# project
A build error caused by the Mark of the Web can block Visual Studio projects. Several fixes are covered, from unblocking files to more obscure solutions.
2018
Fixing "Authentication required, Browser session mismatch" error in Sage CRM
Logging into Sage CRM over HTTPS with Internet Explorer can trigger a "Browser session mismatch" error. The cause and the fix are explained.
Fixing "Cannot create file" error when viewing Sage CRM report on screen
A domain change can leave the Sage CRM application pool without file permissions, causing a "Cannot create file" error in reports. Granting access fixes it.
The 'humbs.db' attachment in Sage CRM emails
A mysterious humbs.db attachment can get Sage CRM emails flagged as spam. Disabling thumbnail caching and removing existing attachments resolves it.
Enabling CORS in Nancy
A single line of code in a Nancy module enables CORS, allowing a REST API built with Nancy to be called from JavaScript hosted on other domains.
Disabling checkpoints in Hyper-V
Hyper-V's automatic checkpoints can slow down shutdowns and corrupt virtual drives when merging fails. Disabling them per virtual machine avoids the problem.
Fixing "Class not registered" error in Sage CRM .NET pages
A July 2018 Windows update can break Sage CRM .NET pages with a "Class not registered" error. A small IIS authentication change resolves it.
Fixing "UnexpectedEvent" when uploading documents in Sage CRM
Sage CRM document uploads can fail with an "UnexpectedEvent" error when document type codes are too long. The cause and the fix are explained here.
Fixing CredSSP encryption oracle remediation in RDP
After the CredSSP security patch, RDP connections to unpatched servers fail with an encryption oracle error. A temporary registry change gets connections working again.
Sage CRM .NET Templates Visual Studio Extension
A Visual Studio extension speeds up .NET development for Sage CRM, bundling project templates, item templates, and snippets for commonly used components.
Using SQL Server Cursors
SQL Server cursors process data one record at a time, much like a loop in code. A worked example imports companies and their people from a staging table.
Converting between different virtual drive formats
Moving a virtual machine between Hyper-V and VirtualBox often means converting its drive. StarWind V2V Converter handles VHDX to VHD conversion for free.
Using Reflection to execute assemblies at runtime in C#
Reflection lets a C# application load DLL assemblies at runtime, extract methods from them, and execute those methods without compile-time references.
Creating Custom Configuration Sections in App.config
Custom configuration sections let a .NET app read structured settings from its App.config file. The classes needed to define and read them are demonstrated.
2017
Python Virtual Environments in Visual Studio
Python virtual environments keep project dependencies isolated, and Visual Studio makes them easy to manage. Creating and using them is covered step by step.
Python List and Dictionary Comprehensions
Python comprehensions build lists and dictionaries from existing data or generated sequences in a single readable expression, as these examples show.
2015
App Review: Pythonista
Pythonista brings a full Python editor and runtime to iPad and iPhone. A hands-on review of its code editor, custom keyboard, and other features for coding on the go.
Blog's up and running
A short welcome to the blog, which was started to share thoughts, tutorials, and lessons learned on programming and other hobby-related topics.