Building and Publishing Your Own PHP Packages to Packagist
Creating your own PHP package can be a rewarding way to contribute to the open-source community, share reusable components, or streamline…
June 06, 20251 minsStatic Typed vs Non-Static Typed PHP
PHP has long been known as a dynamically typed language. Developers could write flexible, quick-to-deploy code without worrying too much…
May 28, 20252 minsVentoy The Ultimate Tool for Bootable USBs
When it comes to creating bootable USB drives, traditional tools like Rufus, UNetbootin, or balenaEtcher have long been the go-to solutions…
May 13, 20251 minsUnderstanding Dependency Injection in PHP
Dependency Injection (DI) is a design pattern used in software development to achieve Inversion of Control (IoC) between classes and their…
May 12, 20251 minsUnderstanding Magic Methods Beyond __get and __set in PHP
When most PHP developers think of magic methods, and often come to mind. These two methods are incredibly useful for property overloading…
May 09, 20252 minsHow to Know If You're Burned Out
Burnout is a silent productivity killer and in the tech world, it’s more common than you think. Long hours, constant learning, and pressure…
May 05, 20252 minsPHP Turns 30
This year marks a monumental milestone in the world of web development: PHP turns 30 years old. What began in 1995 as a small set of Common…
April 24, 20251 minsMySQL Best Practices for Optimal Performance and Reliability
MySQL is one of the most widely used relational database management systems in the world. Whether you’re a developer, DBA, or DevOps…
April 23, 20252 minsWhat Is a Monorepo?
If you’ve spent any time in the world of software development, you’ve probably come across the term monorepo. Short for “monolithic…
April 09, 20252 minsWhat Is DevOps and How It Differs from a Developer ?
In the world of modern software development, the term DevOps often comes up alongside more traditional roles like developers. But what…
April 08, 20251 minsThe Hidden Cost of Including a Framework (Even a Minimal One)
It’s tempting. You’re in the middle of building something, an app, a script, a tool and you think, “Why not just include this tiny framework…
April 04, 20252 minsUnderstanding /dev/null The Black Hole of Unix
What is /dev/null? In Unix-like operating systems, is a special file that acts as a data sink meaning anything written to it is discarded…
April 02, 20252 minsWe Are Not Valued by Our Efforts but by Our Results
As developers, we often take pride in the hours we pour into debugging, the all-nighters we pull to meet deadlines, and the sheer complexity…
March 28, 20251 minsFinding a House to Rent in Thessaloniki Greece
Finding a suitable rental home in Thessaloniki can be both exciting and frustrating. While the city offers a variety of housing options…
March 24, 20252 minsUnderstanding the MIT License in Software Development
The MIT License is one of the most popular open-source software licenses. It is known for being simple and permissive, allowing developers…
March 20, 20251 minsGo Web Development
Go provides a powerful yet minimalistic standard library for building web applications. Setting Up a Basic Web Server Create a new directory…
March 16, 20251 minsGo Project Structure
As your Go projects grow, maintaining a well-organized structure becomes crucial for scalability and maintainability. Common Go Project…
March 15, 20251 minsGo Error Handling and Best Practices
Go provides a simple but powerful error handling mechanism. Basics of Error Handling in Go Errors in Go are represented using the built-in…
March 14, 20251 minsGo Packages, Modules, and Concurrency
In my previous post, I wrote a simple program. Now, let’s take the next steps by exploring Go’s package system, module management, and…
March 13, 20251 minsGetting Started with Go
Go, also known as Golang, is a statically typed, compiled programming language designed for simplicity, efficiency, and scalability. It is…
March 07, 20251 minsBasic AI Powered Chatbot with PHP
Chatbots are revolutionizing customer service, automation, and user engagement. With AI, you can create an intelligent chatbot that…
February 27, 20252 minsOptimizing Performance in React Applications
Performance optimization is crucial for building fast and responsive React applications. Poorly optimized applications can lead to slow…
February 20, 20252 minsState Management in React
State Management in React State management is a crucial part of React applications. Choosing the right solution depends on the complexity…
February 19, 20252 minsReact Router Navigating in React Applications
When building single-page applications (SPAs), client-side routing is essential to enable smooth navigation without full page reloads. React…
February 18, 20251 minsUnderstanding React Hooks
React Hooks were introduced in React 16.8 to allow functional components to manage state and side effects without needing class components…
February 17, 20251 minsGetting Started with ReactJS
ReactJS is a popular JavaScript library for building user interfaces, developed and maintained by Facebook. It enables developers to create…
February 16, 20251 minsIntegrating Solana or Ethereum with PHP
Blockchain technology is revolutionizing industries by enabling decentralized applications (DApps) and smart contracts. While PHP is…
February 14, 20252 minsNever-Ending Expectations
Being a developer means living in a world where expectations only go in one direction—up. No matter how much you deliver, there will always…
February 05, 20252 minsAre Developers Going to Lose Their Jobs to AI?
There’s been a lot of panic around AI taking over software development jobs. But let’s take a step back and ask: is this really happening…
February 04, 20251 minsWhy Simple Code Beats Clever Code Every Time
In the world of programming, there’s an undeniable appeal to writing clever, dense, and highly optimized one-liners. It feels good to flex…
February 02, 20251 minsAI Lost Its Job to AI
In a groundbreaking development, the artificial intelligence landscape has been disrupted by an unexpected contender: DeepSeek-R1. This open…
January 28, 20252 minsMicrosoft Keeps Wasting My Time
For years, I’ve moved away from daily driving Windows. My main operating system is no longer Microsoft’s, but for specific use cases—certain…
January 26, 20252 minsCreating a PHP CLI App
PHP is primarily known for web development, but it’s also an excellent choice for building command-line interface (CLI) applications. With a…
January 22, 20252 minsShould You Integrate Your Business Login in a Single System or Multiple Smaller Ones?
When managing a business, the question of whether to consolidate functionality into a single, unified system or distribute it across…
January 20, 20253 minsExploring the Miyoo Mini Plus A Retro Gaming Dream Come True
After much anticipation, my Miyoo Mini Plus has finally arrived, and I couldn’t wait to dive into the retro gaming experience it promises…
January 15, 20253 minsFeatures and Changes are Not Like Choosing Food in a Restaurant
When it comes to programming, implementing features or making changes is often misunderstood. People sometimes think it’s as simple as…
January 10, 20252 minsComposition vs. Inheritance in PHP
When designing software applications in PHP, one of the most critical decisions developers face is how to structure their classes and…
January 09, 20252 minsWelcome to My Collection Showcase
As 2024 comes to a close, I wanted to share something personal and close to my heart my collection. It’s not the largest or most extravagant…
December 31, 20242 minsFormatting PHP Files with Git Hooks
When working on a PHP project with multiple developers, maintaining a consistent code style is crucial for readability, maintainability, and…
December 30, 20243 minsNine months of Tracking My Spending with Firefly III
As someone who loves to keep track of finances, I began using Firefly III seriously in March 2024 to monitor and analyze my spending habits…
December 30, 20242 minsI Love Open Source, But I Love Being Productive Too
Open source software is a cornerstone of modern technology. It powers our servers, runs our favorite apps, and fuels innovation across…
December 11, 20242 minsYardstick One and Nooelec NESDR Two Titans of RF Experimentation
The world of radio frequency (RF) experimentation is vibrant, filled with tools that cater to both seasoned professionals and curious…
December 06, 20243 minsPHP 8.4 Lazy Objects
PHP 8.4 introduces Lazy Objects, a game-changing feature designed to enhance performance and efficiency by deferring the initialization of…
December 04, 20242 minsProfiling and Debugging PHP Code with Xdebug and Beyond
Debugging and profiling are crucial for building robust, high-performance PHP applications. Tools like Xdebug have revolutionized the way…
December 03, 20242 minsSteam Deck The Device I Dreamed of as a Kid
Growing up, I always dreamed of having a gaming device that could do it all—a portable console-grade powerhouse that could play the latest…
December 02, 20242 mins30 Years of PlayStation
This year marks a monumental milestone in gaming history—30 years of PlayStation! What began as Sony’s bold foray into the gaming world in…
December 01, 20242 minsHow to Increase Code Quality in PHP
PHP remains one of the most widely-used programming languages for web development, powering platforms like WordPress, Drupal, OpenCart and…
November 30, 20243 minsUnderstanding PHP Interfaces
PHP interfaces are a cornerstone of object-oriented programming (OOP) in PHP. They allow developers to define a blueprint for classes…
November 29, 20242 minsNavigating Imposter Syndrome
As a developer, I’ve often found myself grappling with the frustrating and overwhelming feeling that I don’t truly belong in my role. This…
November 27, 20242 minsUnderstanding PHP Namespaces
PHP namespaces are a powerful feature introduced in PHP 5.3 to help developers better organize and manage their code. If you’ve ever…
November 26, 20242 minsExploring My Hak5 Gadgets for Tinkering Enthusiasts
If you’re someone who loves technology, gadgets, and the occasional deep dive into how things work, you might have come across Hak5 devices…
November 23, 20243 minsCoding and OCD
Coding is a craft that thrives on precision. A missing semicolon, an extra space, or an unclosed loop can spell disaster for a developer’s…
November 22, 20242 minsExploring the Laravel Ecosystem
Laravel has grown into one of the most popular PHP frameworks, not just because of its elegant syntax and ease of use but also due to its…
November 21, 20242 minsHow to Prevent Your Website's Emails from Being Flagged as Spam
Email communication is essential for businesses and websites, whether it’s sending transactional emails, newsletters, or customer service…
November 20, 20242 minsMy Take on YubiKey After 2 Years of Usage
Two years ago, I decided to invest in a YubiKey to enhance my online security. At the time, I was motivated by rising concerns about account…
November 19, 20242 minsUnderstanding Memory Unsafe Languages What They Mean and Why It Matters
In a recent announcement, the FBI emphasized the risks associated with “memory unsafe” programming languages, highlighting their role in…
November 18, 20242 minsWhy I Think i3wm is Better than More Modern Window Managers
In a world filled with glossy, feature-heavy desktop environments and advanced window managers, it may seem unusual to use i3wm — a…
November 09, 20243 minsUnlock E-commerce Potential With OpenCart
OpenCart is a robust, open-source e-commerce platform known for its flexibility, ease of use, and vast customization capabilities. From…
November 08, 20243 minsAttending FOSSCOMM 2024
I’ll be attending FOSSCOMM 2024 in Thessaloniki, Greece – and this is my very first time attending! As an open source enthusiast, I couldn’t…
October 31, 20241 minsWhy I Stopped Stickerbombing, Mechanical Keyboards, and Distro Hopping
For a long time, I embraced many of the quirks of developer culture—stickerbombed laptops, loud mechanical keyboards, and constantly…
October 21, 20241 minsVoxxed Days Thessaloniki 2024 Was It Worth It?
This weekend, I had the pleasure of attending Voxxed Days Thessaloniki 2024, and I’m here to share my experience and thoughts on whether it…
October 20, 20242 minsAdvanced PHP Error Handling and Logging
Error handling is an essential aspect of any PHP application, ensuring that issues are managed gracefully and logged properly for debugging…
October 14, 20243 minsUpcoming HBO Documentary to Reveal Satoshi Nakamoto What If It’s Len Sassaman?
Cryptocurrency enthusiasts and Bitcoin followers are buzzing with excitement and speculation after HBO recently announced an upcoming…
October 06, 20243 minsAre We Solving Real Problems in Programming or Just Adding Layers of Abstraction?
As the world of software development evolves, it often feels like we’re moving further from solving real-world problems and deeper into the…
October 03, 20244 minsMy First Voxxed Days in Thessaloniki What to Expect
I’m excited to share that I will be attending Voxxed Days Thessaloniki for the very first time! As a software developer and tech enthusiast…
October 02, 20241 minsWhat is the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)
In the age of the internet, the fight for digital rights has become just as important as the fight for civil liberties in the physical world…
October 01, 20243 minsHow to Stay Off the Grid
In an increasingly connected world, where every click, search, and swipe is tracked, the desire to stay “off the grid” has become a growing…
September 30, 20243 minsImplementing JWT Authentication in PHP
In modern web applications, securing APIs and protecting user data is crucial. One of the most common methods to handle authentication is by…
September 28, 20242 minsWhy Legacy Code Exists and Why It's Not a Problem for Everyone
Legacy code is a term we hear often in software development, and it’s usually spoken with a negative connotation. But why does legacy code…
September 27, 20242 minsI Took 5 Job Interviews for a PHP Full-Stack Dev Position in Thessaloniki, Greece in 2024 – Here’s the Average Money Offer
As a full-stack developer currently working with the LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) stack, I decided to explore the job market in…
September 26, 20242 minsIs AI Dangerous for Developers? My Experience So Far
When people talk about AI, there’s always a question: Is it dangerous for us developers? I can’t claim to have a definitive answer, but…
September 25, 20242 minsI'm at the Age of "If It Isn't Broken, I'm Not Getting Another One"
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve noticed something about myself: if something I own works just fine, I see no reason to replace it. Call it…
September 24, 20242 minsWhy I'm Trying to Master Vim Motions
In my free time, I’ve been dedicating myself to mastering Vim motions. It’s a personal challenge that’s not just about improving my…
September 23, 20242 minsHow to Write Effective Code Documentation
Code documentation is often seen as an afterthought, but it’s one of the most valuable aspects of software development. High-quality…
September 22, 20243 minsUnderstanding Technical Debt
In software development, the term technical debt often comes up, but its meaning can be somewhat elusive, especially when trying to explain…
September 21, 20243 minsManaging Laravel Migrations
Laravel migrations are a powerful feature that help you manage your database schema easily and in a version-controlled way. Migrations allow…
September 20, 20244 minsDomain-Driven Design (DDD) in PHP
Domain-Driven Design (DDD) is an approach to software development that emphasizes collaboration between technical experts and domain experts…
September 19, 20243 minsHandling Large Data Sets in PHP with Streams
When working with large data sets, memory limitations can become a serious issue in PHP. Loading an entire file or database result set into…
September 18, 20243 minsHow to Use PHP Traits for Code Reusability
When developing PHP applications, code duplication can become a serious problem. As projects grow, you may find yourself writing the same or…
September 17, 20243 minsWhat Are Middlewares in PHP and How Do They Differ from Controllers?
In PHP development, understanding the difference between middlewares and controllers is essential for designing a clean and efficient…
September 16, 20243 minsHow to Search Effectively on Shodan.io
Shodan.io is often referred to as the “search engine for the Internet of Things (IoT).” Unlike Google, which indexes websites, Shodan…
September 13, 20243 minsExploring PHP Microframeworks
PHP microframeworks have become popular due to their lightweight, minimalistic approach to web development. Unlike full-stack frameworks…
September 12, 20243 minsAsynchronous Programming in PHP An Introduction to Swoole
PHP has traditionally been synchronous and blocking, meaning it waits for each operation to complete before moving on to the next one…
September 11, 20242 minsFrom Procedural to Object-Oriented PHP
Transitioning from procedural to object-oriented PHP can significantly improve the maintainability and scalability of your code. While…
September 10, 20242 minsImplementing OAuth 2.0 Authentication in PHP
OAuth 2.0 is a popular authorization framework that allows applications to access a user’s account information without exposing their…
September 09, 20243 minsThank You for Visiting My Blog!
I’m thrilled to share some exciting news with you. Over the past month, my blog has seen over 50,000 unique visitors! This milestone is not…
September 05, 20241 minsWorking with Non-Technical People
In any industry, teamwork is crucial for achieving goals and driving success. However, when technical and non-technical team members…
September 02, 20242 minsHow Apple "Brainwashes" Its Customers
Apple is often seen as more than just a tech company; it’s a cultural phenomenon. While there’s no denying that Apple makes high-quality…
August 31, 20243 minsWhy jQuery Still Exists in 2024
Despite the rapid evolution of web technologies and the rise of modern JavaScript frameworks, jQuery continues to be a relevant and widely…
August 30, 20241 minsOfficial Laravel VSCode Extension Announced at Laracon US 2024
During the 2024 Laracon US keynote, the Laravel team unveiled an exciting new tool: the official Laravel VS Code extension. This long…
August 29, 20241 minsRevisiting NixOS A Journey from Debian + Docker
Back in 2019, I decided to give NixOS a try. As someone who had been using Debian with Docker for quite some time, I was curious to see what…
August 29, 20242 minsWhy Do People Blame Others?
Blame-shifting is a common phenomenon that occurs in every profession and department, not just in the tech world. Whether it’s a developer…
August 28, 20242 minsDiving Deeper into Symfony
After my initial exploration with Symfony, where I experimented with its basic features and functionalities, I decided to take things a step…
August 26, 20241 minsRediscovering My 2020 Code
Recently, I stumbled upon a piece of code I wrote back in 2020. It was like discovering a time capsule—an artifact from a different era in…
August 23, 20242 minsWhy FOSS is Essential for Privacy and Security
In an era where data breaches and privacy violations are increasingly common, safeguarding your personal information has never been more…
August 22, 20243 minsNavigating Life Transitions
Life has a way of throwing everything at you all at once. Right now, I find myself in the midst of several major changes moving to a new…
August 21, 20242 minsI Tried Symfony
As a web developer interested in robust applications, I recently decided to explore Symfony, a well-known PHP framework. Here’s a summary of…
August 20, 20241 minsShifting Gears Long-Term Investments
Over the past few years, I’ve gained considerable experience in cryptocurrency riding the waves of volatile markets, learning the…
August 19, 20241 minsOffline Mode
As a developer, I’ve spent the past year immersed in a whirlwind of code, projects, and deadlines. While I love the creativity and problem…
August 06, 20242 minsEveryone Has Their Own Battles Don't Forget
It’s easy to look at someone else and assume they have everything under control. Their life seems perfect on the surface—they appear to have…
August 05, 20241 minsUnderstanding ORMs
When developing applications that interact with databases, one of the challenges developers face is mapping the object-oriented programming…
August 04, 20244 minsSurviving Workplace Drama
Hey there! We’ve all been there. You’re trying to focus on your work, and suddenly, drama erupts. Whether it’s gossip, petty squabbles, or…
August 03, 20244 minsBuilding an Effective Web Crawler in Python
Web crawling, also known as web scraping, is the process of extracting useful information from websites. It is a vital tool for various…
August 02, 20243 minsMy Steam Deck Adventure
When I first heard about the Steam Deck, I was skeptical. Could this little device really replace my gaming PC? But after some research and…
August 01, 20243 minsThe Day I Broke the Internet (Sort Of)
I want to share a harrowing experience that many of us may face at some point in our careers: pushing a code update to production that doesn…
July 22, 20242 minsIs Regex That Difficult to Understand?
Regular expressions, or regex, are powerful tools for pattern matching and text manipulation. They can be incredibly useful, but many people…
July 04, 20241 minsJust-In-Time Compiler in PHP 8
The release of PHP 8 marked a significant milestone in the evolution of the PHP language, bringing a host of new features and improvements…
July 03, 20244 minsMy Simple Homelab Setup
Building a homelab is an exciting way to explore technology and learn new skills. Having your own homelab can be both educational and…
July 02, 20244 minsKeep It Simple
In a world obsessed with productivity and efficiency, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that the more complex your setup, the more…
July 01, 20243 minsHow a Bad Codebase Can Affect Your Reputation
In the realm of software development, the quality of the codebase you work with can profoundly impact how others perceive your skills. It’s…
June 30, 20242 minsReflecting on My Computer Building Journey
A few years ago, my sole ambition was to build computers. I invested a significant amount of money in hardware and dedicated a substantial…
June 29, 20243 minsGit Stash
Git is an incredibly powerful tool for version control, but it’s not just about tracking changes. It’s also about managing your workflow…
June 28, 20243 minsEvent-Driven Development in PHP
Event-driven development is a powerful programming paradigm that allows applications to react to various events asynchronously…
June 26, 20242 minsDeveloper Job Responsibilities
Developers play a crucial role in creating software solutions that empower businesses and individuals worldwide. Their responsibilities…
June 25, 20242 minsDocker Cheat Sheet
Whether you’re just getting started or need a quick reference, this Docker cheat sheet covers essential commands, Dockerfile instructions…
June 24, 20241 minsJavaScript Embracing the Weirdness
JavaScript, often hailed as the language of the web, is also notorious for its peculiarities and unexpected behaviors. Here are a few…
June 22, 20241 minsPHP Coding Standards
In PHP development, adhering to coding standards is crucial for maintaining clean, readable, and maintainable code. Standards ensure…
June 19, 20242 minsLearning to Write PHP Tests
Testing is a fundamental practice in software development that ensures the quality and reliability of your code. For PHP developers…
June 18, 20242 minsRunning Multiple Versions of PHP in Docker
Introduction Running multiple versions of PHP simultaneously can be challenging without Docker, especially when different projects require…
June 15, 20241 minsTypes of Developers I have Met During My Years as a Professional Developer
Introduction Over the years, I’ve had the privilege (and sometimes the misfortune) of working with a wide variety of developers. Each one…
June 02, 20242 minsToxic Project Managers
As a software developer, I’ve encountered a variety of project managers throughout my career. While some are excellent leaders who inspire…
June 01, 20245 minsWhy Clean Code Doesn't Always Work
Clean code is a programming philosophy that emphasizes writing code that is easy to read, understand, and maintain. While this approach is…
May 21, 20245 minsUnderstanding SOLID Principles in Programming
As someone who is learning about these concepts myself, I hope this guide will be helpful for both you and me in understanding these…
May 20, 20244 minsIs PhpStorm the Gold Standard?
When it comes to PHP development, developers often find themselves at a crossroads when choosing between PhpStorm and Visual Studio Code…
May 19, 20243 minsBuilding Scalable PHP Applications
If you’re using PHP and aiming to build scalable applications, it’s essential to implement strategies that ensure your application remains…
May 11, 20243 minsWill Our Generation in Greece Be Able to Afford to Buy a House?
In Greece, homeownership has traditionally been seen as a key milestone of adulthood and financial stability. However, for many in our…
May 07, 20242 minsWhy Greek Programmer Salaries Are Lower than the Rest of the EU
Greece is home to a vibrant tech community with a growing number of talented programmers. Despite this, salaries for programmers in Greece…
May 04, 20241 minsSetting Up a CI/CD Pipeline for PHP Applications with Jenkins
Continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) are essential practices that help automate the development process, ensuring fast…
May 02, 20245 minsRaspberry Pi is a Beast
The Raspberry Pi is not just a tiny computer, it’s a powerhouse that has taken the tech world by storm. With its affordable price point…
March 12, 20242 minsI Tried FreeBSD
For quite some time, I have been intrigued by the buzz surrounding FreeBSD, a UNIX-like operating system known for its robustness…
February 26, 20243 minsHow I Got My Nickname "xHardc0re"
Back in the early 2000s, online gaming was still finding its groove, and I was diving headfirst into this digital frontier. It was around…
January 26, 20242 minsI Once Was Involved in Sim Racing
My dive into the world of sim racing was a thrilling ride, and customizing my setup was a huge part of that excitement. Here’s a detailed…
January 17, 20241 minsI'm Stuck in 6th-7th Console Generations
Lately, I’ve found myself immersed in a delightful time warp back to the 6th and 7th console generations. Despite the allure of cutting-edge…
January 15, 20244 minsHow I Decluttered My Life in 2023 by Selling Over 150 Items
Introduction 2023 was the year I decided to take control of the clutter in my life. As a developer, I had accumulated a substantial amount…
January 12, 20242 minsDarknet Diaries
If you’re into thrilling stories about the darker side of the internet, you need to check out Darknet Diaries. Hosted by Jack Rhysider, this…
November 22, 20231 minsMy Favorite Greek and International YouTube Channels
Here are some of my all-time favorite YouTubers who have made a significant impact on my interests in gaming, tech, and cars. Each of these…
November 21, 20233 minsThe Origins of Common Variable Names
When diving into programming, especially when learning from tutorials or examples, you often encounter variable names like , , , or . These…
October 08, 20232 minsWhy Programmers Are Called Authors
In the world of software development, programmers are often referred to as “authors.” This might seem unusual at first glance, especially…
April 08, 20231 minsBitcoin A Miracle of Engineering
Bitcoin, often celebrated as a transformative force in the world of finance, is more than just a means to earn or lose money. While the…
March 19, 20222 minsHello World!
Hello, my name is Kostas. Hi everyone, welcome to my internet place! This is my first blog post ever! This website will be just another…
March 12, 20221 mins