# tricks Published articles for tricks. This is one page of public article previews, not the complete archive. Follow Next page to continue. Summaries are not the original full articles. ## A series of tricks and techniques I learned doing tiny GLSL demos DevFeed: [A series of tricks and techniques I learned doing tiny GLSL demos]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Published: 2025-12-07T17:48:26Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [The Last Static Blog RSS]() Topics: [glsl](), [Demo](), [Code](), [iteration](), [color]() Tags: [code](), [demo](), [fun](), [glsl](), [graphics](), [iteration](), [math](), [prog](), [techniques](), [tricks]() ### AI overview This tutorial examines four tiny GLSL demos--Moonlight, Entrance 3, Archipelago, and Cutie--and explains selected techniques learned while creating them. It introduces an alternative raymarching approach using inverse-density color contributions and relates it to photon-density integration. ### Source excerpt In the past two months or so, I spent some time making tiny GLSL demos. I wrote an article about the first one, Red Alp. There, I went into details about the whole process, so I recommend to check it out first if you're not familiar with the field. We will look at 4 demos: Moonlight, Entrance 3, Archipelago, and Cutie. But this time, for each demo, we're going to cover one or two things I learned from it. It won't be a deep dive into every aspect because it would be extremely redundant. Instead, I'll take you along a journey of learning experiences. Moonlight Moonlight demo in 460 characters // Moonlight [460] by bΒ΅g // License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 void main(){vec3 o,p,u=vec3((P+P-R)/R.y,1),Q;Q++;for(float d,a,m,i,t;i++<1e2;p=t<7.2?Q:vec3(2,1,0),d=abs(d)*.15+.1,o+=p/m+(t>9.?d=9.,Q:p/d),t+=min(m,d))for(p=normalize(u)*t,p.z-=5e1,m=max(length(p)-1e1,.01),p.z+=T,d=5.-length(p.xy*=mat2(cos(t*.2+vec4(0,33,11,0)))),a=.01;a<1.;a+=a)p.xz*=mat2(8,6,-6,8)*.1,d-=abs(dot(sin(p/a*.6-T*.3),p-p+a)),m+=abs(dot(sin(p/a/5.),p-p+a/5.));o/=4e2;O=vec4(tanh(mix(vec3(-35,-15,8),vec3(118,95,60),o-o*length(u.xy*.5))*.01),1);} Note See it on its official page, or play with the code on its Shadertoy portage. In Red Alp, I used volumetric raymarching to go through the clouds and fog, and it took quite a significant part of the code to make the absorption and emission convincing. But there is an alternative technique that is surprisingly simpler. In the raymarching loop, the color contribution at each iteration becomes 1/d or c/d where d is the density of the material at the current ray position, and c an optional color tint if you don't want to work in grayscale level. Some variants exist, for example 1/d^2, but we'll focus on 1/d. 1/d explanation Let's see how it looks in practice with a simple cube raymarch where we use this peculiar contribution: One glowing and rotating cube void main() { float d, t; vec3 o, p, u = normalize(vec3(P+P-R,R.y)); // screen to world coordinate for (int i = 0; i < 30 ## 5 Useful CSS functions using the new @function rule DevFeed: [5 Useful CSS functions using the new @function rule]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Published: 2025-08-13T00:00:00Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Una Kravets]() Topics: [CSS functions](), [CSS](), [Design system](), [Font]() Tags: [code](), [css](), [css-functions](), [design](), [examples](), [fonts](), [properties](), [syntax](), [tricks](), [typography]() ### AI overview A tutorial demonstrating five practical uses for CSS custom functions introduced with the new @function rule. The examples cover negating values, creating opacity variants, fluid typography, and conditionally rounded borders, with emphasis on clearer and more organized CSS. ### Source excerpt CSS custom functions are a gamechanger. Here are 5 really useful examples. ## Terminal and Bash - Tips & Tricks DevFeed: [Terminal and Bash - Tips & Tricks]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Chris Hager Published: 2024-01-04T00:00:00Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Chris Hager]() Topics: [Terminal](), [Shell](), [Bash](), [Scripting, bash](), [macOS](), [dotfiles]() Tags: [aliases](), [bash](), [iterm2](), [macos](), [setup](), [shell](), [terminal](), [tips](), [tricks]() ### AI overview A collection of practical notes and tips for setting up and using iTerm2 and Bash on macOS. It covers terminal navigation, profiles, panes and tabs, Bash as the default shell, dotfiles, shell history, fuzzy search, aliases, and helper functions. ### Source excerpt A collection of notes, tips and tricks about how I setup and use my terminal (iTerm2) and shell (Bash). Perhaps you find some of it useful or interesting for your own setup. ## VS Code: Tips and tricks for beginners DevFeed: [VS Code: Tips and tricks for beginners]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: dipika-bhattacharya Published: 2023-11-07T00:00:00Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [MDN Blog]() Topics: [Visual Studio Code](), [ide](), [Extension](), [Git](), [Markdown](), [Sublime Text](), [macOS]() Tags: [extensions](), [git](), [how-to](), [ide](), [macos](), [shortcuts](), [tips](), [tricks](), [vs-code]() ### AI overview A beginner-oriented guide to Visual Studio Code covering built-in features, Git support, extensions, keyboard shortcuts, Zen Mode, and multi-cursor editing. It also notes that many shortcuts are similar to those in Sublime Text and explains how to customize shortcuts on macOS. ### Source excerpt Discover essential tips and tricks for using Visual Studio Code (VS Code), a powerful IDE. Learn how to leverage its integrated editing features and Git support, and explore a few extensions. ## SSH Tips and Tricks DevFeed: [SSH Tips and Tricks]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Carlos Alexandro Becker Published: 2022-08-09T00:00:00Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Carlos Becker]() Topics: [ssh](), [OpenSSH](), [Git](), [Shell](), [Server](), [Unix]() Tags: [git](), [remote](), [server](), [shell](), [socket](), [ssh](), [tips](), [tricks](), [unix]() ### AI overview A practical tutorial covering SSH tips such as signing Git commits and tags with SSH keys, forwarding a Yubikey agent, reusing connections, entering tmux sessions directly, and defining shorter host aliases. It also notes security considerations for agent forwarding and persistent sockets. ### Source excerpt Since I joined Charm, I've been working and learning more about SSH, and I thought I would share a few quick tips and tricks with you. ## Tips & tricks for building a game using Compose for Desktop DevFeed: [Tips & tricks for building a game using Compose for Desktop]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Sebastian Aigner Published: 2021-05-06T13:03:41Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Kotlin]() Topics: [compose-for-desktop](), [Jetpack Compose](), [arcade](), [ui]() Tags: [android](), [building](), [coding](), [community](), [compose](), [compose-for-desktop](), [desktop](), [development](), [engineering](), [gamedev](), [implementation](), [inclusive](), [jetpackcompose](), [kotlin](), [software](), [tips](), [tricks]() ### AI overview This tutorial explains additional implementation details for building an Asteroids clone with Compose for Desktop. It covers clipping game objects to the play surface, using device-independent pixels and screen density for coordinates, geometry and linear algebra, and frame-independent movement. ### Source excerpt In the first part of my blog post series about building a small clone of the classic arcade game Asteroids on top of Jetpack Compose for Desktop, we saw how to implement the main game loop, as well as manage state and draw basic shapes. In this post, we will explore some more details of the game implementation. This includes: Rendering details - making sure game objects don't escape our play area, and using a device-independent coordinate system for rendering Geometry and linear algebra - the secret sauce that makes the space ships fly Frame-independent movement - so that our game works consistently. Let's learn about these topics! Rendering: Clipping and Coordinate Systems In the context of rendering, there are two areas that still need our attention - we need to make sure that our game objects are constrained to the game surface, and we need to make a conscious decision about the units of the coordinates we use to describe the position of a game object. We'll discuss both in this section. Clipping By default, Compose naively draws your objects without any clipping. This means game objects can poke outside the "play surface", which produces a weirdly fourth-wall-breaking effect: We constrain the game objects to the bounds of our play surface by applying Modifier.clipToBounds() to the Box which defines our play surface: Box(modifier = Modifier .fillMaxWidth() .fillMaxHeight() .clipToBounds() // . . . Because all our game elements are drawn as children of this play area Box, using this modifier causes the rendered entities inside it to be cut off at the edges (instead of being drawn over the surrounding user interface): Device-Independent Pixels and Density Something else to be aware of when doing any kind of rendering tasks in Compose for Desktop is to keep the units of measurement in the back of your mind. Wherever I worked with coordinates, I decided to work in device-independent pixels: The mouse pointer position is stored as a DpOffset Game width and height are ## πŸ•΅ Accessing device location using SIM Card πŸ—ΊπŸ“ DevFeed: [πŸ•΅ Accessing device location using SIM Card πŸ—ΊπŸ“]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Shreyas Patil Published: 2020-07-28T15:07:45Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Shreyas Patil's Blog]() Topics: [Android](), [spoofing](), [API]() Tags: [android](), [android-app-development](), [api](), [google](), [how-to](), [programming](), [spoofing](), [tricks]() ### AI overview An Android tutorial explains how to estimate a device's area or city-level location from SIM card and cell tower data instead of GPS. It discusses using geolocation APIs and applying the approach to cases involving mock or unavailable GPS locations. ### Source excerpt Discover a clever trick to access device location using SIM card info in Android. Learn how to handle mock location scenarios for better location accuracy. ## Pro Android Studio - Taming the interface DevFeed: [Pro Android Studio - Taming the interface]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: info@jeroenmols.com (Jeroen Mols) Published: 2018-07-16T00:00:00Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Jeroen Mols]() Topics: [Android Studio](), [GUI]() Tags: [android-studio](), [androidstudio](), [blogs](), [interface](), [keyboard](), [navigation](), [shortcuts](), [tools](), [tricks]() ### AI overview A tutorial on using keyboard shortcuts in Android Studio to control views, switch tabs and layout modes, invoke dialog buttons, and look up actions. It also points to additional Android Studio productivity features and references. ### Source excerpt Not only can anything in Android Studio be controlled with a keyboard shortcut, it offers many more simple tricks to make you more productive. To conclude this series, we will look at how you can control the interface, invoke every (! ## Tips and tricks for API pagination DevFeed: [Tips and tricks for API pagination]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Tristan Sokol Published: 2017-09-07T17:01:31Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Square Corner Blog RSS Feed]() Topics: [API](), [Transactions]() Tags: [api](), [apis](), [tips](), [tricks]() ### AI overview This tutorial explains API pagination, including how services return cursors or other pagination information for retrieving large result sets over multiple requests. It also describes Square's v2 List Transactions endpoint, where responses include pagination tokens for retrieving subsequent batches of transactions. ### Source excerpt Sometimes you need more from your API than what you get from the first set of returned results. ## Security Tricks Presented at an O'Reilly Security NYC 2016 Ignite Talk DevFeed: [Security Tricks Presented at an O'Reilly Security NYC 2016 Ignite Talk]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Published: 2016-11-01T14:42:29Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Signs of Triviality]() Topics: [Security]() Tags: [security](), [talk](), [tricks]() ### AI overview An Ignite talk given at O'Reilly Security NYC 2016 presents security tricks that generally would not work, with an implied exception. ### Source excerpt An Ignite talk given at O'Reilly Security NYC 2016, presenting a whole bag of this one weird tricks that would never work for you. Unless... ## Tricks and tips for feature engineering DevFeed: [Tricks and tips for feature engineering]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Mrinal Parekh Published: 2016-07-20T18:32:44Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [CleverTap]() Topics: [Feature Engineering](), [data]() Tags: [ai-and-ml](), [ai-and-ml-data-and-analytics-data-insights-engineering-data-science](), [data](), [data-and-analytics](), [data-insights](), [data-science](), [engineering](), [feature-engineering](), [tips](), [tricks]() ### AI overview The article explains feature engineering as the creation of meaningful new input variables from existing fields for predictive modeling. It describes how domain expertise, reasoning, intuition, or automation can improve data insights and predictive model performance. ### Source excerpt Predictive modeling is a formula that transforms a list of input fields or variables into some output of interest. Feature The post Tricks and tips for feature engineering first appeared on CleverTap. ## Kotlin Techniques for Simplifying Android Code DevFeed: [Kotlin Techniques for Simplifying Android Code]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Published: 2016-02-04T00:00:00Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Antonio Leiva]() Topics: [Kotlin](), [Android](), [Code](), [Extension]() Tags: [android](), [code](), [compilation](), [examples](), [extension-function](), [function](), [kotlin](), [tricks]() ### AI overview This tutorial presents independent Kotlin examples for Android development, including lambda-based click listeners, extension functions for inflating layouts, default parameters, and image-loading approaches. ### Source excerpt Everything Android, Kotlin and other random topics ## Git Tips and Commands for Commit Management, Repositories, and File History DevFeed: [Git Tips and Commands for Commit Management, Repositories, and File History]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Carlos Alexandro Becker Published: 2013-02-08T00:00:00Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Carlos Becker]() Topics: [Git](), [version](), [Code]() Tags: [branch](), [commands](), [commit](), [git](), [history](), [patches](), [revision](), [ssh](), [tips](), [tricks]() ### AI overview A practical collection of Git commands and tips covering commit management, reflogs, file restoration, shallow clones, branches, staging, and stashing. It also notes that SSH keys can be used to sign Git commits and tags instead of GPG. ### Source excerpt Git has a lot of features, and I bet that 90% of who use it (including me) doesn't know half of them. Well, maybe, someday, one of those "unknown features" can "save your life". ## Visual Studio Tips DevFeed: [Visual Studio Tips]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Published: 2012-10-30T00:00:00Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Juri Strumpflohner]() Topics: [Visual Studio](), [Microsoft](), [Code](), [ide]() Tags: [code](), [features](), [tips](), [tricks](), [visual-studio]() ### AI overview A collection of Visual Studio tips and tricks for working efficiently with Microsoft technologies, including plugins, keystrokes, code editing, code navigation, and mapped features. It also includes a tip for quickly jumping to the corresponding test class. ### Source excerpt Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet