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Continue reading →: The Clean Slate Fallacy: Why Rewriting Code from Scratch Destroys EstimatesTL;DR The Clean Slate Fallacy lures developers into thinking a full code rewrite is quicker and easier than fixing legacy systems, but it often leads to blown estimates, new bugs, and business stagnation—opt for incremental refactoring instead to deliver real value without the pitfalls. Introduction Ever stared at a tangled…
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Continue reading →: 5 Reasons I Switched from Claude to Google Gemini Subscription as a Software EngineerTL;DR After using Claude for months, I switched to Google Gemini this week because its massive context window, multimodal features, speed, deep Google integrations, and real-time info access better fit my software engineering workflow and daily productivity needs, making it a more versatile tool overall. Introduction As a software engineer…
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Continue reading →: Algo Trading: Simple Moving Average (SMA) – The Beginners AlgorithmTL;DR The Simple Moving Average (SMA) is a straightforward tool that smooths out price fluctuations to reveal underlying trends, making it a great starting point for traders and algo enthusiasts to spot buy or sell signals through crossovers. Introduction Ever stared at a choppy stock or forex chart and wondered…
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Continue reading →: My Notes on Sharp Ratios in Algorithmic TradingTL;DR The Sharpe Ratio measures risk-adjusted returns in algorithmic trading, helping you assess if your strategy’s extra gains justify the volatility, calculated as excess return over a risk-free rate divided by standard deviation. Introduction Ever wondered if your algorithmic trading strategy is truly worth the rollercoaster ride? Enter the Sharpe…
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Continue reading →: Kubernetes NGINX Ingress Controller RetiredTL;DR The Kubernetes Ingress NGINX Controller is retiring in March 2026, ending all updates and security fixes, which pushes users toward modern alternatives like the Gateway API for better flexibility and security. Start planning your migration now to avoid disruptions in your Kubernetes setups. Introduction Imagine waking up to find…
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Continue reading →: When to Skip Backtesting: My Notes on Algo Trading StrategyTL;DR Not every trading strategy is worth backtesting; spotting obvious flaws like poor risk-adjusted returns or survivorship bias early can save you time and frustration in algo trading. Introduction In the fast-paced world of algorithmic trading, backtesting seems like the ultimate litmus test for any strategy. But here’s a reality…
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Continue reading →: How Stock Splits and Dividends Affect Algorithmic Trading SystemsTL;DR Stock splits and dividend adjustments can disrupt algorithmic trading systems by distorting price data and triggering false signals, but with proper data handling and adjustments, traders can mitigate risks and maintain accurate strategies. Introduction Imagine your algorithmic trading system suddenly interprets a routine corporate event as a market crash,…
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Continue reading →: The Secret Driver of Futures Returns Retail Traders MissTL;DR Many retail traders focus solely on price direction in futures, but roll return, driven by the futures curve’s structure, can significantly boost or erode profits, often proving as crucial as spotting market moves correctly. Introduction Picture this: you’ve nailed a directional bet on oil prices rising, but your futures…
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Continue reading →: Kalman Filters for Trading: Boost Your Mean Reversion StrategyTL;DR Kalman filters offer a dynamic edge in mean reversion trading by adapting to shifting market conditions, outperforming static tools like Bollinger Bands and boosting strategy performance for algorithmic traders. Introduction Imagine trading pairs of stocks that usually move together, only to watch their relationship unravel during a market shakeup.…
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Continue reading →: Mean Reversion in Algorithmic Trading: Key Tests and UsesTL;DR Mean reversion strategies in algorithmic trading rely on prices returning to their historical averages, but success demands rigorous statistical tests like the Augmented Dickey-Fuller and Hurst Exponent to confirm patterns before risking capital. Introduction Ever watched a stock price spike wildly, only to drift back to normal? That’s mean…
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Continue reading →: Building a Foundation for Algorithmic Trading with OANDA’s REST APITL;DR Building a strong foundation for algorithmic trading starts with OANDA’s REST API, focusing on modular code, error handling, and practical examples to create reliable, extensible trading systems. This approach bridges technical setup with real-world trading needs, helping you test and deploy strategies safely. Introduction Imagine turning market data into…
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Continue reading →: Why Early Payments Focus on Interest (in JS)TL;DR Loan amortization explains why your early payments on mortgages or car loans go mostly toward interest, not principal, and understanding this can help you save thousands by making smarter payoff choices like extra payments or shorter terms. Introduction Ever wondered why your first mortgage payment feels like it’s barely…
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Continue reading →: Understanding Compound Interest with Coding TipsTL;DR Compound interest turns small, consistent investments into massive wealth over time, and by coding a simple JavaScript visualizer, you can see exactly how time, rates, and regular contributions create exponential growth—proving that starting early often matters more than investing large sums. Introduction Ever heard compound interest dubbed the “eighth…
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Continue reading →: Javascript esbuild: The Beta Go Bundler Powering Amazon and Shopify in ProductionTL;DR esbuild, a super-fast JavaScript bundler still in beta, powers production apps at giants like Amazon and Shopify, proving that version numbers don’t define readiness—its speed and simplicity make it a game-changer for many developers. Introduction Imagine a tool that’s not even at version 1.0 yet is quietly revolutionizing how…
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Continue reading →: UV Revolutionises Python Package Management with Rust PowerTL;DR uv is transforming Python package management by offering a Rust-powered, all-in-one tool that’s 10-100x faster than pip, consolidating features from multiple utilities into a streamlined workflow that boosts developer productivity. Introduction Python developers know the drill: juggling pip for installations, virtualenv for environments, poetry for projects, and pyenv for…
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Continue reading →: Optimise Your Claude Code Setup with .clauderc TipsTL;DR Optimizing your .clauderc file by incorporating lessons from past AI mishaps creates a persistent guide for Claude Code, ensuring it handles complex setups like Docker architectures correctly and boosts your development efficiency. Introduction Ever felt like your AI coding assistant was more hindrance than help, especially in intricate projects?…
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Continue reading →: Debugging War Stories: Fixing Port Conflict from Rogue Node.js Process on MacTL;DR A rogue Node.js process on your Mac can hijack port 3000, causing Docker containers to fail silently, but spotting it with lsof and killing the process restores smooth port forwarding. Introduction Ever fired up a Docker container only to watch your requests vanish into the void? If you’re developing…
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Continue reading →: Debugging as Philosophy: How Troubleshooting Boosts Your Thinking SkillsTL;DR: Debugging is more than a technical skill; it’s a philosophical approach to thinking that teaches us to question assumptions, embrace complexity, and solve problems systematically in code and life. Picture this: you’re staring at a screen, your code refusing to behave as expected, and frustration creeps in. We’ve all…
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Continue reading →: The Art of Saying I Don’t Know in EngineeringTL;DR: Saying “I don’t know” in engineering isn’t a sign of weakness but a mark of intellectual honesty that builds trust, fosters collaboration, and drives real learning. Embracing this phrase can transform your career and team dynamics. Picture this: you’re in a high-stakes engineering meeting, and a colleague asks a…
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Continue reading →: Establishing the Truth About Coding Every Day: Real Challenges and RewardsTL;DR: Coding every day is achievable and can keep your skills sharp, but the reality of software engineering often lies in problem-solving, analysis, and reflection rather than just writing code. True growth comes from balancing commits with critical thinking and leveraging tools like AI to amplify your impact. Let’s talk…
Hello,
I’m Sean
Welcome to the Scalable Human blog. Just a software engineer writing about algo trading, AI, and books. I learn in public, use AI tools extensively, and share what works. Educational purposes only – not financial advice.
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