Solovis

solovis

Business English: A Practice Book by Rose Buhlig is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book . THE ADJECTIVE AND THE ADVERB here THE ADJECTIVE AND THE ADVERB As a rule, adverbs present more difficulty than do adjectives. Careless pupils frequently use an adjective when an adverb is necessary; as, Wrong: He solved the problem very . quick Right: He solved the problem very . quickly Wrong: This is good candy. real Right: This is (or ) good candy. really very Until the habit of correct usage is formed, every sentence must be watched. When a word modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb, another adverb must be used, and an adjective may not correctly be substituted. As a rule, adverbs express the following ideas: Adverb modifying a verb: See how slowly the man walks! Adverb modifying an adjective: The weather has been extremely warm. Adverb modifying an adverb: He dictates very rapidly. It must be remembered, however, that verbs of the senses—taste, feel, look, smell, sound, and the like—are sometimes almost equal in meaning to the verb be. In that case, they are followed by adjectives and not by adverbs; as, Adjective: 	He looked angry.
Adverb: 	He looked angrily at us. Exercise 90 Name the adjectives in the following selection, explaining with what noun each belongs. Name the adverbs, explaining what part of speech each modifies. Since 1904 the number of live cattle exported from this country has been steadily growing smaller. Exports of dressed beef have also shrunk to such insignificant proportions that the United States is no longer an important factor in the foreign markets for beef. Often has it been said that the competition of cheap Argentine beef has deprived us of foreign markets. It would be more nearly true to say that foreigners buy the inferior article only because we cannot supply them with all they want of the best grade. Take, for instance, the Englishman's willingness to pay considerably more for American corn-fed beef than for Argentine. The raising of cattle is important, also, from the standpoint of the leather business. Obviously, with a 21 per cent increase in population in each decade, many more shoes are necessary. Automobile and other industries are making constantly increasing demands for leather. Shoes cannot become cheaper in the face of increased demand and diminished supply. Too much depends upon the cattle industry for us to allow it to wane. Exercise 91 Which of the italicized words should you use in the following, and why? Why do you walk so slow—slowly? Speak louder—more loudly. I cannot explain why he spoke so gentle—gently. The automobile was going very swift—swiftly. The well has been dug very deep—deeply. He is not near—nearly so tall as you are. Are you cutting that even—evenly? She does pen and ink sketches beautiful—beautifully. Why can't I grow quicker—more quickly? I feel bad—badly this morning. Can you do all I have asked? Easy—easily. She does her work good—well. She does her work fine—finely. I am real—very much surprised to see you. He became real—very angry. I'm afraid it's not near—nearly big enough. She works twice as quick—quickly as you do. He sure—surely is a good speaker. He seems sure—surely of himself. Are you going? Sure—surely? He says he is near—nearly starved. He worked steady—steadily all morning. The others did not work near—nearly so hard. I am speaking as serious—seriously as I can. The orange tastes bitter—bitterly. Don't you think he has been acting queer—queerly? The coat is finished nice—nicely. Exercise 92 Explain the proper position of the italicized adverbs in the following sentences. Remember that an adverb must stand as closely as possible to the word that it modifies, but remember also that an infinitive, although made up of two parts, is one word and should not be split by an adverb. I merely want the Milwaukee list of customers. You almost write like her. Your writing is like hers almost. I can not find one of the papers I had on the desk. He told me to carefully add the figures in the column. I expect to quickly finish my dictation. I don't even understand the first problem in the lesson. Don't say you don't ever expect to go to school again. All the statements are not on my desk. He promised to quickly settle the matter. I wish you to clearly understand the situation. I only have two more items to enter. I only expect to take a short vacation this year. He only spoke of two causes of the loss in trade. I only decided to take the Western instead of the Eastern trip at the last moment. Adjectives are compared so as to express different degrees of quality. There are three degrees of comparison, the positive, the comparative, and the superlative. When the object modified or described by the adjective is not compared with another, the first or positive degree is used. When two objects are compared, the second or comparative degree is used to denote more or less of the quality expressed by the adjective. When several objects are compared, the superlative degree of the adjective is used to express the highest or the lowest possible degree of the adjective. Exercise 93—Comparison The usual method of comparing an adjective is to add er to the positive to form the comparative, and est to form the superlative. Frequently, however, especially for an adjective of two or more syllables, the comparative is formed by prefixing more or less to the positive, and the superlative by prefixing most or least. Besides the adjectives in these two classes there are some which do not follow any regular method and must, therefore, be watched a little more closely. The following table illustrates the different methods of comparison: Positive Comparative Superlative bright brighter brightest dangerous more dangerous most dangerous beautiful more beautiful most beautiful good better best bad worse worst ill worse worst Be careful to avoid using a double sign for the comparative degree; as, This writing is than yours. Wrong: more neater Some adverbs are also compared; as, Positive Comparative Superlative well better best quickly more quickly most quickly Some adjectives and adverbs cannot be compared because the positive degree in itself expresses a complete or meaning; as, absolute absolute,-ly eternal perfect sufficient circular extreme perpendicular supreme continual faultless perpetual unanimous dead full right unique decisive impossible round universal empty incurable square white Compare those of the following adjectives that may be compared. Explain why some do not admit of comparison. great spotless expensive wise tall dear parallel high desirable east old new honorable early exclusive blank **Exercise 94 In the following exercise, select the correct one of the two italicized forms. Remember that the comparative degree is used in comparing two objects, the superlative in comparing three or more. I had three pens. I have lost the better—best one. I have two clerks. John is the older—oldest. Of the two colors, I think the tan is the more—most becoming to you. You are the taller—tallest of all the boys. Of two professions, choose the more—most honorable. He is the faster—fastest workman in the shop. Which of your hands is the cleaner—cleanest? Which do you like better—best, skating or sleighing? Which of your eyes has the better—best vision? Of all the shops, she likes Leslie's better—best. Which is more—most durable, serge or broadcloth? Which tree lives longer—longest, the poplar or the elm? Which is the best—better policy, honesty or dishonesty? He is the wittier—wittiest one in the class. He is the wittier—wittiest boy in the class. There is only one boy in the class besides him. Of our twenty salesmen, he is considered better—best because he is quicker—quickest witted than any other. You should not mention the two men in one breath. The former—first is famous and the latter—last infamous. Which of you two do you think deserves more—most praise? Which of you two deserves less—least praise? Which of you two can run the faster—fastest? Exercise 95 Remember that the double negative is wrong; as, *Wrong:*I haven't no paper. I have no paper. Right: Correct any of the following sentences that contain this mistake: None of them didn't come. I couldn't do the problem neither. This paper isn't very good, I don't think. Couldn't you find no better pen? I didn't choose none of them. I don't see nothing to complain of. He couldn't hardly see across the street. We didn't find the paper nowhere. They can't scarcely believe the report. She couldn't stay with us only a few minutes. Exercise 96—Fewer, Less Fewer refers to a smaller number by counting, less refers to a smaller quantity by measuring. Insert the correct word: You are making —— mistakes each day. I am having —— difficulty in writing shorthand. There are —— houses on this street than I had thought. The farther inland we went the —— signs of habitation we saw. Each year there is —— opportunity for an uneducated man to rise. Each year there are —— opportunities for the uneducated man to rise. Most, Almost Most refers to quantity or number; almost means not quite. Insert the correct word: —— people enjoy their work. I have —— finished the course in stenography. —— European cities are beautiful. —— all European cities are beautiful. Real, Very Real is an adjective meaning actual; very is an adverb of degree. Insert the correct word: I'm —— glad to see you. Is your comb —— amber? The men of the Titanic were —— heroes. He is a —— good soloist. She is —— entertaining in conversation; it was a —— pleasure to meet her. Exercise 97—Adjectives and Adverbs Incorrectly Used Wrong Right 1. I don't like kind of pens. those He solved the problem very . quickly 2. What sort of course are you taking? a What sort of course are you taking? 3. His statements made me . mad His statements made me . angry 4. Yours . respectively Yours . respectfully (Consult a dictionary for the correct use of respectively) 5. Do you want in? Do you want to come in? 6. Go with me. some place Go with me. somewhere 7. My father is better. some My father is better. somewhat 8. He comes . every once in a while He comes . occasionally 9. Did you recognize the girl who drove past? Did you recognize the girl who drove by? 10. The two are alike. both The two are alike. 11. He is to come any minute. liable He is to come at any minute. likely 12. That ring has a design. funny That ring has an design. odd 13. I'd stay at home. sooner I'd stay at home. rather 14. Are you ready? most Are you ready? almost 15. I'm sleepy. kind of I'm sleepy. rather 16. What hat do you wear? size What hat do you wear? sized 17. book is the one I wish. This here book is the one I wish. This 18. He spoke . angry like He spoke . angrily 19. His ideas are good. no His ideas are (or ). worthless not good 20. He makes a mistake. seldom ever He ( ) makes a mistake. seldom hardly ever 21. I didn't work last night. any I didn't work last night. at all 22. I walked far yesterday. this I walked yesterday. as far as this 23. I want to see you . badly I want to see you . very much 24. He sells insurance . on the side he sells insurance. In addition to his other business 25. Don't talk . out loud Don't talk . aloud 26. She is disappointed. very She is disappointed. very much (Before a perfect participle or may not be used without the addition of the adverb ) too very much 27. She is a (or ) child. cute cunning She is a child. pretty (Look up the words and in a dictionary) cute cunning 28. He was lying face on the grass. down He was lying face on the grass. downward About HackerNoon Book Series: We bring you the most important technical, scientific, and insightful public domain books. This book is part of the public domain. Rose Buhlig (2011). Business English: A Practice Book. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/38046/pg38046-images.html This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at , located at . www.gutenberg.org https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html

THE ADJECTIVE AND THE ADVERB

When AI Joins the Dev Team

Christian Science by Mark Twain, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book . MORE SELF-PROTECTIONS here MORE SELF-PROTECTIONS The Hymnal. There is a Christian Science Hymnal. Entrance to it was closed in 1898. Christian Science students who make hymns nowadays may possibly get them sung in the Mother-Church, “but not unless approved by the Pastor Emeritus.” Art. XXVII, Sec. 2. Solo Singers. Mrs. Eddy has contributed the words of three of the hymns in the Hymnal. Two of them appear in it six times altogether, each of them being set to three original forms of musical anguish. Mrs. Eddy, always thoughtful, has promulgated a By-law requiring the singing of one of her three hymns in the Mother Church “as often as once each month.” It is a good idea. A congregation could get tired of even Mrs. Eddy's muse in the course of time, without the cordializing incentive of compulsion. We all know how wearisome the sweetest and touchingest things can become, through rep-rep-repetition, and still rep-rep-repetition, and more rep-rep-repetition-like “the sweet by-and-by, in the sweet by-and-by,” for instance, and “Tah-rah-rah boom-de-aye”; and surely it is not likely that Mrs. Eddy's machine has turned out goods that could outwear those great heart-stirrers, without the assistance of the lash. “O'er Waiting Harpstrings of the Mind” is pretty good, quite fair to middling—the whole seven of the stanzas—but repetition would be certain to take the excitement out of it in the course of time, even if there were fourteen, and then it would sound like the multiplication table, and would cease to save. The congregation would be perfectly sure to get tired; in fact, did get tired—hence the compulsory By-law. It is a measure born of experience, not foresight. The By-laws say that “if a solo singer shall neglect or refuse to sing alone” one of those three hymns as often as once a month, and oftener if so directed by the Board of Directors—which is Mrs. Eddy—the singer's salary shall be stopped. It is circumstantial evidence that some soloists neglected this sacrament and others refused it. At least that is the charitable view to take of it. There is only one other view to take: that Mrs. Eddy did really foresee that there would be singers who would some day get tired of doing her hymns and proclaiming the authorship, unless persuaded by a Bylaw, with a penalty attached. The idea could of course occur to her wise head, for she would know that a seven-stanza break might well be a calamitous strain upon a soloist, and that he might therefore avoid it if unwatched. He could not curtail it, for the whole of anything that Mrs. Eddy does is sacred, and cannot be cut. About HackerNoon Book Series: We bring you the most important technical, scientific, and insightful public domain books. This book is part of the public domain. Mark Twain (2004). Christian Science. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved October 2022 https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/3187/pg3187-images.html This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at , located at . www.gutenberg.org https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html

MORE SELF-PROTECTIONS

THE SPIRITED HONEYMOON

Impostor syndrome is a psychological occurrence in which an individual doubts their skills, talents, or accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud. Despite external evidence of their competence, those experiencing this phenomenon do not believe they deserve their success or luck. They may incorrectly attribute it to the , or they may think that they are deceiving others because they feel as if they are not as intelligent as they outwardly portray themselves to be. Matthew Effect describes it as a risk for happiness saying that the problem with impostor syndrome is that the experience of doing well at something does nothing to change your beliefs. Very Well Mind Even though you might sail through a performance or have lunch with co-workers, the thought still nags in your head, “What gives me the right to be here?” The more you accomplish, the more you just feel like a fraud. It’s as though you can’t internalize your experiences of success. Impostor syndrome expert , who is the author of a book on the subject, “The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women”, has also found patterns in people who experience impostor feelings: Valerie Young Some of them are called “ ”, that set extremely high expectations for themselves, and even if they meet 99% of their goals, they’re going to feel like failures. Any small mistake will make them question their own competence. perfectionists Others are called “ ”, who feel the need to know every piece of information before they start a project and constantly look for new certifications or training to improve their skills. They won’t apply for a job if they don’t meet all the criteria in the posting, and they might be hesitant to ask a question in class or speak up in a meeting at work because they’re afraid of looking stupid if they don’t already know the answer. experts The “ ” has to struggle or work hard to accomplish something, he or she thinks this means they aren’t good enough. They are used to skills coming easily, and when they have to put in effort, their brain tells them that’s proof they’re an impostor. natural genius There are also the “ ”, that feel they have to accomplish tasks on their own, and if they need to ask for help, they think that means they are a failure or a fraud. soloists And finally the “ ” or “ ”, that pushes themselves to work harder than those around them to prove that they’re not impostors. They feel the need to succeed in all aspects of life and may feel stressed when they are not accomplishing something. supermen superwomen Impostor syndrome can stem from and result in strained personal relationships and can hinder individuals from achieving their full potential in their fields of interest. Individuals with impostor syndrome often have corresponding mental health issues, which may be treated with psychological interventions, though the phenomenon is not a formal mental disorder. Thank you for reading another article here! I hope you enjoyed it! Also published here

What Is Impostor Syndrome?

Summary: Why is burnout so common? Burnout symptoms are often a result of suboptimal procedures and working conditions. They are signs of a serious and protracted illness. Especially, burnout of software developers is more widespread than one might suspect. It hits companies via increased employee turnover, reduced team productivity, and above-average sick leave just as hard as the affected employees. Amongst many other reasons, “meaningless” work, frequently changing priorities, unrealistic goals, deadlines, and overwork are disproportionately often named as causes. Early indicators for these most important burnout causes can be identified from the work on the software code with the DETANGLE Analysis Suite. With these analysis results, project leaders/-management have information at hand to identify health-threatening working conditions of their developers at an early stage and can initiate countermeasures timely. By regularly applying these analyses, additional information regarding the trend of the relevant key metrics will become available. Over time it becomes increasingly easy to narrow down the causes of a developer’s burnout and to avoid it before the individual and as a consequence, the organisation is seriously impacted. Why are software developers so often exposed to burnout symptoms? Burnout is a serious and protracted illness.  There is still no clear definition and diagnosis for it. Often, it is confused with depression. A helpful description can be found, for example, at Burnout Prevention for Software Developers [1]: Burnout is one of those things you don’t notice until you already have it. But people with symptoms of burnout are people who are – generally always working, always on they feel like they can never take a break or have downtime. – Abby Kearns, Cloud Foundry The . The following list of some symptoms are consistently cited in How Not to Burnout: Guide for Software Developers [2]: consequences of burnout are severe for the individual developer, the team, and the company “Becoming cynical or overly critical at work” “Lack of energy and concentration with no evident cause” “Constant fatigue” “Procrastinating on tasks that you used to do enthusiastically” “Feelings of dread, apathy, and being out of control” “Lowered productivity” “Minor to major anxiety” “Outbursts of anger” One could argue that burnout happens in every profession. But software engineering is particularly predestined for it. And there is a reason for that. Software engineering has no limits. Work is not defined by a set number of hours per day, but by optimistic and sometimes arbitrary management deadlines. As one senior tech CEO told me, “I knew there was no chance of meeting my deadline, but I just wanted to get the engineering team to work faster.” In addition, understaffing of project teams is  common because recruiting developers is difficult – and expensive. [3] The publication Beware Burnout [3] lists the following software development-specific reasons for an increased probability to get burnout: “Unclear or rapidly changing direction” (A), “Bus factor is low” (B), “Programming is isolating” (D), “Draining work of maintenance” (C), “Impatient or ungrateful users” (in the case of open source development) “Coding for others” Other publications such as 7 Reasons why programmers burn out [4] and Only You Can Prevent Tech Burnout [5] list quite similar and further reasons. The various reasons the different authors find causal for increased susceptibility for burnout can be consolidated into four clusters: Category Example Lack of focus (A) Too many varying tasks. The developer e.g. works on the development of many new features but just a few will be completed. Or the developer constantly switches between maintenance/bug fixing and feature development often without finishing previous tasks. High workload and/or unbalanced distribution of tasks (B) High workload for some top developers, as only they have the skill to handle complex parts of the software. A single developer has to coordinate the work of many (new) developers. Unrealistic deadlines coupled with notorious understaffing. Significant share of “non-value” work (C) A high share of maintenance work and a low share of the development of new features/innovations becomes frustrating in the long run. Bad collaboration within and between development teams (D) Lack of onboarding/training of new colleagues. Experienced developers who do not delegate or share their knowledge. Lack of communication about work progress and best practices within the team or between teams. Table 1: Work condition categories and their influence on burnout of software developers Of course, it also depends on very individual circumstances whether the employee suffers from burnout. But since it is a very serious and long-lasting disease, it is even more important to measure the known causes and their impact on the individual developer as early as possible and to implement prevention concepts. In the following sections, we show that many causes of burnout can be extracted by investigating the work on the software code. Early indicators of burnout are measurable The first step in burnout prevention is to identify indicators that are known or reasonably suspected to be associated with an increased susceptibility for burnout as shown in table 1. For the category clusters A, B, and C, we record the following parameters per developer over time with DETANGLE®: What is the developer’s share of the workload of system maintenance vs. feature development? How many features/user stories does a developer work on simultaneously and what is their effort distribution? How many different source code directories is the developer working on simultaneously? How many different programming languages is the developer working with? Does a developer pose a project risk over a longer period of time due to his relevant and special knowledge, and is she/he aware of it (bus factor)? The analysis of these data gives clear insights about working circumstances that are known to cause an over-proportional amount of employees burdened with burnout syndrome. For example, the higher the individual’s maintenance effort, the lower the proportion of real value-adding work that usually is seen as a satisfying activity (C). The higher the number of features/user stories and the higher the number of source code directories or programming languages, the lower the developer’s focus (A), whereas the Bus Factor also indirectly reflects his workload (B). Figure 1 shows the Bus Factor, i.e. the number of key developers for the Django open-source project. It can be seen that their number has increased from 4 to 7 developers from 2019 to 2020, and about 12% of the developers are considered mission-critical and contribute to the Bus Factor. The loss of one of these developers is always a project risk. Since these key developers also usually have the highest workload and responsibility, they are particularly at risk for burnout. Thus, the Bus Factor is also an early indicator of the number of employees at risk for burnout. If a developer is recorded as a Bus Factor for a longer time, project management should try to rebalance his load and reduce his/her high level of continuous high importance for the project(s). We have already addressed the causes of category D from the previous section (problem of poor cooperation) in several blogs. Under [6] and [7] we have explained that it is not the star soloists, but the team players that matter in order to limit the stress level in the team while still improving productivity and quality. Software Due Diligence – Developers and their Cooperation in Focus The Diffusion of Responsibility Phenomenon Analyzed: Unravel the Truth Conclusion: Developing software is challenging and the risk of burnout is real Developing software is an intellectually challenging process for many brilliant minds. given the challenges and pressure in software development projects. We strongly recommend identifying burnout indicators early on or even better continuously to minimize the risk of employees dropping out for months due to overwork or dissatisfaction. Software companies are, therefore, “people” companies. The risk of burnout is real and present Cape of Good Code has developed an analytical, software-based approach to identify indicators that describe the risk of burnout of an individual caused by working circumstances in software engineering. By using DETANGLE® regularly, . Each indicator gives specific hints of where the stress could come from. This allows project managers to . By speaking with the employee one can definitively clarify how stressful he/she perceives the work circumstances and whether he/she can further handle that stress level. project leaders can gain insight about the work-induced stress level within their team reach out to that employee and discuss individual countermeasures Links [0] Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich from Pexels [1] Burnout Prevention for Software Developers [2] How Not to Burnout: Guide for Software Developers [3] Beware Burnout [4] 7 Reasons why programmers burn out [5] Only You Can Prevent Tech Burnout [6] Software Due Diligence – Developers and their Cooperation in Focus [7] The Diffusion of Responsibility Phenomenon Analyzed: Unravel the Truth Also published at: https://capeofgoodcode.com/2021/09/10/burnout-syndrome-why-it-hits-software-developers-so-often/

Why Burnout Syndrome Is More Common Among Software Developers

At the moment due to coronavirus, all Skyeng teams work from home. For us, the shift to remote work was much easier than for many teams who are used to the office environment. At Skyeng, 90% of employees and contractors have been working remotely since their first day. With seven years of experience, we’re now experts in productive remote collaborations. Here are 6 key tips for those who are new to working from home. #1 Video chat regularly Live communication is the key to productivity. When you cannot talk face to face, use video chat. At Skyeng, we try to talk through video to everyone we work with. We use video chat to make an offer, to onboard a new hire and then every day at work. We ask people to use real photos for profile pictures in all messengers. This makes communication more personal. For important calls, we make records and share them with colleagues who couldn't come to the meeting. Team leaders use those records to assess new employees after some months at the company. Or, if an applicant would be a good fit for a different job at the company, a team leader can send a recorded interview to another team. We even have informal gathering via video chat. Teams choose a topic and exchange opinions on it. That’s how we get to know each other. Some teams meet offline, for example at a bar. For those who achieve their KPI targets, offline trips are paid by the company. People are usually very surprised when they see their co-workers for the first time, very often about the hight. “Oh, I didn’t know you’re this tall!” It’s great to meet people you work with in real life. Hopefully, the pandemic won’t last forever, and we will go back to this practice. #2 Define and describe your processes Sometimes we hire people who have never worked from home. For them, the shift can be hard — with all the agendas and meeting notes, planning and always being online. To make their life easier, we created a simple onboarding process. We explain how to get access to all the services or find Slack channels they’ll need. The work routine can be very different depending on a team: marketing, partnerships projects, content lab or tech support. But all new hires go through a well-defined onboarding process. First, they get to know Skyeng’s mission, then learn about our processes and meet their teammates. Then they do their first assignments and get into the workflow. We store all our guides and instructions in Notion and update them regularly. It helps us scale up our processes easily. #3 Make your workflow transparent We try to give our employees as much freedom as possible. They can work on their own schedule and pace as long as the job is done. But it’s important to keep in mind that remote work is not the same as freelance work. That’s why we make our processes transparent — when anyone can see what is being done at the moment. This way people know when a task will be completed and can plan their day accordingly. Some managers may still have doubts that people will work productively from home. How to control them? There are some extreme methods like daily standups or screen tracking. But at Skyeng, we don’t use them. To make their workflow transparent, our developers keep work logs, our designers use sprints and track their work time in Trello. We also set targets and plan our work for the next month, quarter and year. Targets are then split into projects, projects are split into steps and steps are split into concrete tasks. That’s how at any moment we can estimate the progress and make adjustments. #4 Highlight the importance of self-discipline and personal planning Remote work has many pluses like no commute or never being late or an opportunity to travel more. But there are also some downsides. People who are used to working in an office 9 to 5 may find it harder to concentrate at home. Sometimes people have trouble separating work from personal life and find themselves not leaving their home for several days in a row. To make the shift to remote work easier, we created online courses on time management and organizing your working routine. We explain that it’s better not to start your day by checking Trello notifications in bed and that it’s a good idea to set time when you stop working. #5 Set tasks right When team members don’t see each other, it’s very important to highlight how they affect the result of a team and the company. When setting a task, explain why it’s important for target metrics. Don’t give out tasks with unclear goals like “move this button to the left” or “create a text for a landing page.” When working with production teams, people usually come to a team leader or product manager first. They fill out a task request together and define the job to be done and the expected result. It doesn’t work out perfectly every time but helps set more clear goals in most cases. #6 Motivate through feedback When you start working from home, it might find it hard to manage a team and keep up with your co-workers. How do you motivate people not just to do their job but to go beyond? At Skyeng, we value feedback — from our students and teachers and from our colleagues. It helps up become better. Every team holds retrospective meetings and discusses their achievements and fails. We analyze what we do and make adjustments if necessary. We also host George Live — an online meeting with our CEO George Soloviev where he shares strategic plans and talks about new prospects for the company. This helps teams set their goals and plan their work according to the company’s strategy. ———— These tips are taken from Skyeng’s experience and books on business process management and can be applied to any workflow, remote or in an office. Even after the coronavirus pandemic is over, they will be a good addition to your work routine. By Aleksey Kataev

6 Remote Productivity Tips for Team Work

Can you tell which is which? With all the new ICOs and cryptocurrencies coming to market, sometimes it can be difficult to know which is a cryptocurrency and which is a Pokemon. Let’s see if you know your stuff: Question #1 — Which one is the cryptocurrency? a) Gnosis b) Solosis ANSWER: a) Gnosis — Cryptocurrency b) Solosis — Pokemon Solosis: A butt inside of a bubble #2— Which one is the cryptocurrency? a) Dash b) Rapidash ANSWER: a) Dash — Cryptocurrency b) Rapidash — Pokemon Rapidash: A byproduct of a unicorn-hating arsonist #3 — Which one is the cryptocurrency? a) Medicalchain b) Medicham ANSWER: a) Medicalchain — Cryptocurrency b) Medicham — Pokemon Medicham: A strange creature with poofy pants. #4 — Which one is the cryptocurrency? a) Porygon b) Paragon ANSWER: a) Porygon — Pokemon b) Paragon — Cryptocurrency Porygon: A polyhedral… bird??? #5 — Which one is the cryptocurrency? a) Elixir b) Dartrix ANSWER: a) Elixir — Cryptocurrency b) Dartrix — Pokemon Dartrix: An owl with a bow-tie and a sweet 90s haircut #6— Which one is the cryptocurrency? a) Ignis b) Gligar ANSWER: a) Ignis — Cryptocurrency b) Gligar — Pokemon Gligar: A scorpion Bat #7 — Which one is the cryptocurrency? a) Granite b) Granbull ANSWER: a) Granite — Cryptocurrency b) Granbull — Pokemon Granbull: Half Dumbo the Elephant, half Spike the bulldog from Bugs Bunny #8— Which one is the cryptocurrency? a) Primulon b) Primarina ANSWER: a) Primulon — Cryptocurrency b) Primarina — Pokemon Primarina: If a mermaid and a seal had a baby #9 — Which one is the cryptocurrency? a) Ocow b) Oshawott ANSWER: a) Ocow — Cryptocurrency b) Oshawott — Pokemon Oshawott: If Hello Kitty made a panda with a comfy sweater #10— Which one is the cryptocurrency? a) Ditto b) Jiyo ANSWER: a) Ditto — Pokemon b) Jiyo — Cryptocurrency Ditto: Most likely made of Nickelodeon’s Gak Want an easy way to earn free Bitcoin? is a Bitcoin faucet that lets you “roll” a virtual number once every 60 minutes. FreeBitco.in You always win some Bitcoin every time, but if you hit certain ranges of numbers, you win big: In a short period of time, I have won over 0.03 BTC. That is equal to over $236 USD. Not bad for doing nothing. And yes, they actually pay out. I have cashed out before and it was a quick and painless process. I was kind of hesitant at first, but is one of the few legitimate sites where you can earn Bitcoin for free. FreeBitco.in Give it a shot at FreeBitco.in

Pokemon or Cryptocurrency?

Increasingly, developers are using SDK when developing applications. In addition to optimising processes, there is also a significant saving in resources and a reduction in the number of errors in the product. We have extensive experience in using various SDKs and believe that this is the solution that should be in service with every development company. What is SDK and why is it important? A software development kit (SDK) is a collection of specific tools. Thanks to this, the developer can create his own application that can be connected or added to another program. With SDK, you can quickly and efficiently create an application for a specific platform. Another important aspect is the use of SDK packages to enhance the functionality of applications. So, SDK allows you to use what has been written and tested before for your solution. This not only saves time, but also a predictable result during development. Everything, that. what is required from developers is to avoid conflicting versions of packages and integrate them correctly based on documentation. API and SDK: what you need to know? Let's start with the truth that all SDKs are APIs, but not all APIs are SDKs. In other words, all SDKs usually contain an API; but no APIs contain an SDK. A typical SDK will contain a large number of APIs required by an application that can create almost any functionality. For example, the PHP Development Kit will contain the API, as well as compilers, runtimes, and more. At the same time, the PHP API is a list of libraries to work with. Thus, SDKs help to create applications, and APIs allow applications to work within the designated SDK. Why do developers choose the SDK? SDK is a great way to simplify basic tasks without spending time and money on them. Reliability and the development cycle itself are significantly reduced, which is appreciated by all parties involved in the processes. That is, API has all the necessary features to create a product base and simplify integration. The chance of an error occurring when using code from a working library is much lower. You also don't waste time manually entering API endpoints, it's all done through the IDE. There are APIs for virtually any type of application, regardless of the industry. You just need to choose the right option. With a foundation in the form of SDK, the developer can focus on more important things and add new progressive features. And also work on new solutions. What does the SDK contain? The content of the SDK can vary significantly depending on the purpose. SDK includes: Libraries or at least one API (predefined pieces of code to perform common tasks). Integrated Development Environment or IDE (visual editor for creating graphic elements and layouts). Tools (anything that allows you to debug, build, run and test applications). Additional components: Documentation Editors Libraries Compilers Debuggers Drivers Network Protocols Examples and test projects. How to choose a good SDK? How to choose a good SDK? Since all SDKs are created according to the same principle, their performance and effectiveness can be checked even before integration at the selection stage. Consider the main components that you should pay attention to. integration: the process should not be laborious and lengthy; documentation: it should contain clear instructions and code examples; uniformity: all functions and methods should be the same for all platforms; resource usage: performance should not suffer from the SDK used; transparency: all permissions and actions regarding clients should be open; updates: they must be compatible with new versions of the OS and architecture, but not conflict with older versions, updates must also be recorded in the documentation; security: check that the SDK does not conflict with your application code and does not harm the user. SDK Use Cases The SDK is widely used by our team to implement various solutions. The use of ready-made parts of solutions in work helps to significantly reduce development time and the number of errors. Among the SDKs that are widely used in web-development: AWS: Integration with AWS Services Stripe (JS, PHP): Payment system Firebase: Integration with various services Facebook: Integration with Facebook API Telegram: Messenger integration Mailchimp: Email Marketing Integration Twilio: Bulk SMS integration socket.io: Socket service Swagger: Writing Documentation Laravel Echo: Service for WebSocket Laravel Octane: Service for increasing project productivity, writing the project into memory, and passing requests at the highest speed Laravel Sanctum: Authentication Service Laravel Passport: Authentication Service Laravel Nova: Administration System Laravel Socialite: Authentication service through third-party services Elastic Search: Smart Full Text Search Engine As for mobile development. Android development: JetpackCompose Is Android’s modern toolkit for building native UI. It simplifies and accelerates UI development on Android. Quickly bring your app to life with less code, powerful tools, and intuitive Kotlin APIs. OkHttp + Retrofit for REST API The most popular, stable, configurable (custom adapters, converters), easy to use Dagger Hilt for dependency injection The most popular one and now also developed and supported by Android team which provides support and easy usage for Android projects rather than just Java MPAndroidChart for chart/graphics Very configurable library to implement different charts, also such library was implemented for iOS with the same interfaces of usage Glide for fetching and displaying images Efficient open source media management and image loading framework for Android that wraps media decoding, memory and disk caching Timber Logger with a small, extensible API which provides utility on top of Android's normal Log class. LeakCanary Popular memory leak detection library for Android UIKit iOS: Standard library for working with UI SwiftUI SwiftUI is Apple's brand new framework for building user interfaces for iOS, tvOS, macOS, and watchOS Helps build great apps for all Apple platforms with Swift and surprisingly small code Firebase SDK Great SDK, which we often use in projects. It combines a large amount of functionality: push notifications, authorization, in-app messages, remote database, remote configuration, analytics. It is possible to integrate not the entire SDK, but only the necessary components. Reliable product from Google. Alamofire Trusted wrapper on URLSession. Makes it easier to work with requests, resulting in fewer lines of code compared to URLSession. It contains the experience of many years from different developers. Maintained and updated to this day. AlamofireImage Convenient and easy to use thanks to the UIImageView extension and caching mechanism. Maintained and updated to this day. SnapKit Convenient, elegant wrapper for constructing constraints. Essentially, it simplifies working with constraints in the code and makes the code simpler and more readable. Maintained and updated to this day. PhoneNumberKit Those who have tried to do the same thing that PhoneNumberKit does know that this is not a trivial task. It will help to save a lot of time with fields for entering a phone number and their validation and formatting. Maintained and updated to this day. IQKeyboardManager The most simple integration. Added to the project and that's it, you no longer worry about whether the keyboard will close some of the content on the screen or not. Conclusions The SDK is a great help to developers and companies that want to work efficiently and efficiently. Easy integration and simple interfaces straight from existing code mean less time spent on basic stuff. A good SDK is all about the clear implementation of certain functions without complicating your code. If you choose the right SDK vendor, you can be 100% sure of its performance and the level of service your end user will receive.

Why SDKs Are Important in the Development of Modern Applications

Today, Ukrainian IT specialists found themselves in a difficult situation due to the war, but despite this, developers continue to work and even find new opportunities in this. Ukraine has a high level of digitalization, which surpasses many European countries, and our developers are ready to bring this unique experience to other countries. Why businesses not only should not be afraid to invest in Ukrainian developers but even should - in our article. Ukrainian IT industry and wartime The IT industry still retains the status of the most profitable in Ukraine. Thanks to higher salaries, the economy is now supported by these specialists, as they continue to pay taxes. In addition, most IT companies have taken care in advance to evacuate teams to safer regions of Ukraine, and even beyond. This made it possible to avoid a drawdown in the fulfillment of tasks and obligations to clients. At the same time, it took one to two weeks to debug operational processes, after which work and even hiring new employees resumed as usual. The coronavirus epidemic gave training in the issue of working in remote mode, and this sad experience came in handy in the new realities. Most of the companies moved to Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, and Uzhgorod. Moreover, a local IT hub was created in Western Ukraine, which made it possible to guarantee that the developer would not leave the project. As for European locations, most often the developers moved to Poland, Germany, Romania, and Spain. Guarantees for customers from Ukrainian companies in wartime Despite the hostilities in the country, Ukrainian IT companies comply with all agreements with customers. In particular, a number of measures have been taken in front of customers to ensure data security. Among the main measures: 1. Setting up a remote access policy: a clear indication of the hierarchy of access to information and instructing employees. 2. Choosing a technology stack: each technology and/or service has its own guarantees and level of security, when choosing a stack, all aspects must be taken into account. 3. Permanently log out: Your employees must log out of the system, as well as all services and tools, after verifying work with them. 4. Constantly updated: Everything needs improvement, and data protection practices are no exception. How does IT work help Ukraine? In addition to helping in the form of cyber troops, IT specialists are an essential part of replenishing the economy through taxation. In addition, a high level of income allows both the developers themselves and the owners of IT companies to donate large amounts to charity. The second aspect is the development of useful products. For example, the air raid warning application was developed in record time. And the TopDevs team created the UAConnect platform on their own, designed to help migrants and refugees. All these efforts help to bring the truth about the situation in Ukraine and support it. Is it worth it to work with Ukrainian IT companies during the war? Definitely yes. Ukraine still retains the status of a powerful IT hub, where most of the specialists have experience working with foreign companies and know foreign languages. In addition, developers have good expertise in a variety of projects and industries. Ukrainian specialists are more motivated than ever, they want to help the country, not forgetting about self-realization and development as specialists. This turns them into great performers who are ready to face any professional challenge. Another aspect is the support of the Ukrainian economy through hiring. Each paid order for product development is your contribution to the economy of the country in which there is a war. It is also supporting the families of developers, some of whom were left without a home and were forced to become internally displaced or even refugees. How does TopDevs work in the new environment? Our team has experience in remote work and experience in team relocation in 2014. We were preparing for the fact that we would have to relocate the team this time as well, or that part of the team might leave the city or country. We have carried out all the necessary technical preparations to avoid breaking deadlines in case of force majeure. Our entire team is safe and all operations are back to normal. , meet deadlines, participate in new projects and support each other. Our team understands the responsibility that lies with us, and we want to support the economy and develop as an IT company. We work on projects Final words The IT sector of Ukraine is gradually recovering, and although not all companies were able to survive the crisis caused by the war, the majority are already actively entering new markets and starting new projects. Everyone understands that the economy must be supported and invested in the future. Despite all the difficulties, the Ukrainian IT sector will continue to develop. The level of professionalism and motivation will become an additional incentive for developers. Thanks to the efforts of these specialists, a huge number of fees are constantly closed. Remember that cooperation with Ukrainian companies is not only about the quality of services but also about supporting Ukraine in the fight for freedom.

Why To Choose a Ukrainian Company For Your Project Development

IoT technology is gradually developing and finding its own areas of application. In this article, we will consider the use of IoT in logistics and warehouse automation. In particular, we will look at how this affects the supply chain of goods and whether your business needs this technology. What is IoT? IoT (Internet of Things) are physical devices that are connected to the Internet to collect information and control the devices themselves. The advent and proliferation of cheaper computer chips and wireless networks have made the technology more widespread. Connecting all these independent objects, as well as equipping them with sensors, increases the level of digital intelligence of devices. Thus, the task of IoT is to make the world around us responsive and intelligent by merging the digital and physical worlds. Almost any object can become part of the IoT if it can be connected to the Internet to control or transmit information. At the same time, some large objects may consist of smaller IoT components. Important! IoT does not include devices that require an Internet connection, such as a PC, but a smartwatch does include an IoT device. Benefits of the Internet of Things in Business IoT is in principle one of the best solutions for logistics, both in warehouses and throughout the entire delivery chain. According to rough estimates, the global market for IoT in logistics will reach over $100 billion by 2030. So, IoT helps to work with such problems: 1. Improve safety and avoid shortages You can always opt to not visit but to check the warehouse and the availability of goods in it, as well as the reliability of the availability of goods. 2. Improving employee safety Tracking the state of the equipment occurs in real-time, which means that the detection of even a slight hint of a technical malfunction will be immediately identified. This also includes data coming from sensors that collect data on the condition of patients. 3. End-to-end product tracking This greatly increases the transparency of processes. Supply chains are fully traceable at all stages and this allows you to give guarantees and increase loyalty and trust. 4. Providing business managers with advanced analytics Any analytics is the ground for process improvement. With IoT, all this is much easier and more efficient. Plus, you get process automation. Types of IoT products in the logistics sector The use of IoT technologies in logistics can significantly save costs and optimize processes. We will look at specific aspects that can be controlled with this type of software. 1. Planning and route management through GPS trackers Obtaining up-to-date information from sensors helps to collect traffic statistics, monitor the state of transport and improve your level of customer service. Logistics and fleet companies benefit from the use of tracking systems and can make predictions and streamline business processes. 2. Inventory tracking system Automating inventory and tracking the current state of the warehouse is the transparency and clarity of planning that any company needs. The use of RFID tags and sensors facilitates the development of an intelligent warehouse system. It also leads to modernization and reduction of risks due to the human factor. 3. CBM and accident prevention IoT applications in the logistics segment are not limited solely to asset monitoring and management. Thus, this technology is actively used for diagnostic purposes of the fleet, which allows solving problems quickly and without downtime. 4. IoT and blockchain technologies for digital BOLs The combination of IoT and Blockchain allows you to create a digital bill of lading (BOL) and track the transport cycle of shipped products. Thanks to sensors and smart contracts, both parties can clearly understand the compliance with the terms of transportation and agreements. As for the blockchain, the transparency of the technology reduces the risk of cyber-attacks and allows you to track all transactions. 5. Autonomous and unmanned vehicles Driver safety and cargo safety are two more important tasks that IoT can solve. We are talking about the use of autonomous and unmanned vehicles and the analysis of their work. All this leads to a significant reduction in operating costs and increased security. 6. Drons for cargo delivery The introduction of drones in logistics is the acceleration of delivery processes and the full automation of processes. It is also an opportunity to cover remote areas where other delivery formats are not available. Three components of success when using IoT in logistics processes The implementation of IoT technology has some application culture for the greatest success. The main purpose of using such technology is to collect data, but it does not end there. Data volume Context can only be built from a large amount of data, which also leads to a deeper understanding of the business and the processes that support it. Another aspect is the quick response in case of problems. Data updates It is not enough to collect data once, it is important to constantly update it and receive it in real-time. The IoT is capable of delivering updates continuously and seamlessly. Data relevance In addition to collecting data, it is important to use it. Define a specific problem, analyze the data and use it to solve the problem. IoT technologies must constantly be close to business goals and work for their benefit. TopDevs and IoT experience Our experience in IoT doesn't really fit with logistics, but it demonstrates the essence of the technology well. We have developed the Pet Monitoring System for the constant monitoring of pets. This iOS app is a video streaming service with the ability to interact with your pets using voice and a laser pointer. For certain actions, the pet can receive treats that are stored in a special box. You can read more about this case and its technical stack in our case study. Final words The use of IoT technology is an addition to your future and competitiveness. The market share of such devices will increase, and the sooner your supply chain adopts such a tool, the more effective your business will be. IoT will greatly reduce operating costs and help you increase your workload with less strain on your resources. Digital innovation is the future you can step into today.

How to Use IoT in Supply Chains

Business app development can bring great benefits and profits. It is an effective way to promote your business and increase audience loyalty. But how do you communicate to potential customers that your app is really worth downloading? A properly selected development strategy can help you. Let's consider the most effective ones. Today, the app market is oversaturated with apps, and only those that can bring real value to consumers win. The advantage can be both more personalization of content and the ability to use functions for which competitors offer to use additional applications. Application promotion stages An important stage that precedes all work is the connection of the business analyst. The presence of this person is mandatory for the team, since it is he who is responsible for the analysis of risks and competitors. It is important to understand that promoting an app is not only about working with an already existing ideal app. It all starts with a business analysis of a niche and competitors. This is a key requirement for to better understand the market and how you can surprise a potential client. any development process There are three main stages of app promotion: Pre-Launch promo Launch Time promo Post-Launch promo. Each of them has a specific list of what needs to be done in order for as many people as possible to hear about the application. Let's take a look at the main methods of promoting apps and increasing audience engagement. Pre-Launch promo methods The foundation for your app should be laid in advance. Let's consider the main methods of pre-launching an application. E-mails still work! E-mail marketing is still present in most strategies. This tool will come in handy not only for announcing the release of your product, but also for sending news and updates to your users. To further expand your user base, you can also add a CTA to subscribe to your mailing lists. Just do not forget that you will need to draw up a user agreement with a clear description of how and for what you will use this information. Use referral campaigns On the one hand, referral links can and love to be neglected. On the other hand, if your app is really good, the recommendations will be sincere and you will get a loyal audience. Another way to use this tool is through a shared subscription for multiple accounts. Early access to the app for a specific group of people. We are talking about exclusive access, for example, for influencers. They can also be experts in a certain field, because if it is successful, they will be able to give the best advertisement for your product. Take care of the demo video The video must be informative and of high quality. Try to move away from templates, but demonstrate all of its individual benefits and user value. Apply real screenshots and walk through the key features of the application. Use the press Use your competitors' flaws to highlight your superiority. You can do this only after a thorough analysis of the niche. Your story should touch upon broad audience concerns and get down to the details. Invest in content marketing In addition to traffic, you will get recognition and support. Update your content, communicate useful and relevant information to your audience. Show yourself as an expert in your field and become the best friend of your audience. Analytics tools Another non-obvious requirement is to check for the presence of various analytics systems in the application. For example, App Annie or Google Analytics. You can also consider any other integrations that will help you collect visitor statistics and use them to improve and tweak your application. These recommendations are relevant not only for a full-fledged application, but also for the . MVP version of the application Tools for the promotion of an already released application So, your app is released, now you should proceed to the next stage. Try to come up with a viral campaign It could be a planned challenge or a viral video. The more your presence, the better. Encourage your audience These can be both long-term promotional offers and contests and / or sweepstakes timed to specific events. Anyone loves pleasant surprises and rewards, so give them the opportunity to get what they want. Keep in touch with users Ask for feedback wherever your app appears. But do it not for show, but to listen to it. If users don't like something or they offer an interesting idea - implement it. Social networks are also great for this. Post-Launch support After the app has been released and has existed for a while, it is time for the next stage. Encourage your best customers to share These can be bonuses for posts on social networks or any other manifestations with positive reviews. Remember the statistics that 84% of consumers trust online reviews. Deep Link to Your Content The more there are, the more interactions with your application. Use your blog or guest posts to point out specific problems your product can solve. Participate in contests and mobile app reviews Users pay attention to reviews and app awards in the stores. The reward badge in the store will be great proof that you can be trusted. You can also submit your review app on specialized platforms. Final Words Whichever app you use, it is important to carefully study the market and offer a product that will solve the problems of your audience. App promotion is an ongoing job built on trusting relationships, and only you can build them. We at TopDevs understand the importance of working on an application not only in terms of development, but also in the direction of the customer in its promotion. Thanks to the accumulated expertise, we can predict the results of our work, and immediately warn the client about it, at all stages.

How to build an app promotion strategy: from preparation to post release

A finished product requires verification before being handed over to the customer or presented to an audience. There are different types of product testing. In this article, we will talk about them and explain which ones a business should require from a contractor. What is it? is a metric that determines the scope of different types of tests. During this process, you can get information about the health of the application and the state of the code. Test coverage Typically, test coverage is only able to assess 70-80% of the totality of a particular project. The purpose of testing depends on the economics of the goal and the overall risk assessment. Full coverage is usually impractical. Other factors that are taken into account when testing: Estimating the cost of project failure, including based on the scope; The technical documentation of the project should be as clear as possible so that QA can clearly evaluate the test results; Take into account any special test conditions; Tests for unexpected errors lost between layers of code. Testing From the Technical View There are different types of testing that different specialists are responsible for. Unit and integration tests are most often carried out by . developers or automation QA Manual testers are engaged in either intermediate checks at the integration stages or individual endpoints that are checked through postmen. As for acceptance testing, project managers and/or business analysts are engaged in it. Testing types: In this case, testing (methods, classes, functions) takes place. Testing, in this case, is easier and faster since you do not need to take into account the dependencies between modules and run the entire application completely. Often during such testing, module dependencies are replaced or mocking. Unit testing: At this stage, the communication between the modules and the general functioning of the code are checked using software tools. This is a longer process. Integration testing: This can be done either manually or automated, for example, using the Selenium tool. Here the reliability of the system as a whole is tested. System testing: This helps to assess the quality of previously written tests. In this case, testing of the changed section of the code should end in failure. Mutation testing is commonly used when writing frameworks and libraries. Mutation testing (or a / b testing): A special approach to testing, when unit tests are first written, and only after that the modules themselves are compiled. This takes into account all business requirements. The result is a simple transparent code that meets the customer's requirements. TDD (Test Driven Development): First of all, it is important to understand that testing helps to find and fix bugs and potential problems even before the application is presented to the public. Improving the quality of the code can also be achieved using static code analyzers. Code coverage has different assessment criteria: whether each line of source code has been executed and tested; statement coverage - whether each decision point (evaluating whether an expression is true or false) has been executed and tested; condition coverage - whether all possible paths through a given part of the code have been completed and tested; path coverage - whether each program function has been executed; function coverage - whether all function calls and returns have been made. I / O coverage - whether all typical and boundary parameter values ​​have been checked. сoverage of parameter values ​​- Code Testing Tools to use As test automation is becoming more and more popular, there are a huge number of tools for automating the process today. The tools used depend not only on the objectives of the test, but also on the language. Let's take a look at several popular tools and their applications. Popular with testers and web developers. It is one of the best tools out there, and is relevant for projects in JavaScript, Java, Ruby, Python, PHP and C #, and so on. Selenium. Great for testing native, cross-platform and web applications. Great for Android and iOS apps. Appium. A tool that shows test coverage and collects test metrics. Previously worked only in Ruby, today it is used in JavaScript, Java, PHP. Cucumber. Speaking about PHP directly, as the main language using which projects are created in TopDevs, here the main tool is PHPUnit extensions, as well as various libraries created on its basis. The Laravel framework also helps here, which offers add-ons to PHPUnit for simpler and faster tests. So, there is an add-on "DatabaseTransactions trait", which wraps all database queries in transactions and rolls back those transactions upon completion of the test. This way, you can use the existing data and not damage the current database. You no longer need to create an additional database for testing. When it comes to testing JavaScript code, the Jest and Mocha libraries are most often used here. Why do Businesses Need Testing? User loyalty can lose a lot of points, even with one button not working. Avoiding such punctures can only be done with due regard for testing the product before release. There are three test levels that determine the quality of the final product: code level, feature level, and application level. Testing should be agreed with the development team, which will check the correct operation of the application after the completion of development. Before starting work, it is important to define business goals and technical documentation that will help improve the quality of testing, since there will be a clear understanding of what is expected and what is obtained from certain interactions with the application. High-quality test coverage provides the following advantages: the formation of a loyal community; saving resources on fixing bugs and constant improvements to the application; reduction of reputational risks; competitive superiority; easy app store placement; no security risks for customers. It should be understood that test coverage is not only working navigation, but also the correct processing of requests and, for example, transactions. By using the application, the user implies ensuring the security of his data and uninterrupted operation. Only if the tests are covered at least 60%, the developers can guarantee all this. Final words Today, the development process is becoming more and more systematic. Measuring the effectiveness and completeness of testing is the best way to do this. Test coverage can provide product quality assurance, increasing the profitability of the final product. Refusal to test is an irrational decision that can harm your reputation, because even after correcting all the shortcomings, it is quite difficult to regain the user's trust.

How to Use Test Coverage for Business Profitability

A is a demo of your app or website with a core set of functionality operating within the market. minimum viable product (MVP) MVP is the first step to verify the funnel of getting customers, gather information, set the course for a further t, and get insights into what works and what does not. Therefore, by getting feedback from the users, your web or mobile app development team can improve on that by adding more features to increase sales, and evaluate your business goals. website or app developmen Instagram, Facebook, Dropbox, Snapchat, Spotify — they all started as MVP. Steve Blank, the founder of the Lean Startup movement, author of Four Steps to the Epiphany, and The Startup Owner's Manual, points out that successful projects often fail because of a lack of their customers' knowledge. When startups develop an MVP product, instead of thinking of end-users' needs they focus on the idea that has not been tested on real users. When you have a business goal and need a set of features, your further decisions will not be based on speculation and presumptions, but on real analytics and on the feedback from the users. How MVP Development is Different From Prototyping Although the concept of Prototype and MVP may seem similar, there is a huge difference between them. It all narrows down to your purposes, priorities, budget, type of project, testing techniques, etc. Let's just put it simply, a is a drawing that you can show to someone. You can show your product to potential investors or customers. Though customers will not pay for something they cannot use or test. prototype However, an is a ready-to-go product to run your business. This product has to be able to complete the primary function of your company. Let's take Instagram, for instance. They implemented photo sharing with a limited number of filters as an MVP. In just 2 months of feature adding they have managed to get 1 million users. Thus, an MVP turned into a fully-fledged social platform. MVP Things To Consider Think about your primary goals: — the sooner you release MVP, the more chances you will have to fit in. If your market segment is highly competitive, do not hesitate . In complex projects companies sometimes postpone the release to correct bugs and errors. Otherwise, there is a risk of scaring users once and for all. Deadlines are paramount . There is no need to polish all the elements of the interface. Make your product as simple as possible and test it right away. After testing, make corrections and test again, and so on and so forth. Start testing as soon as possible Find out about the app development stage prior to MVP, the main prototyping types, and how those are different in the previously published story at https://topdevs.org/blog/prototyping-vs-mvp-development

What is a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and Why You Should Create It Fast

If you already have an in-house development team and require extra hands, IT outstaffing is the best solution for you. It's like renting a specialist of certain expertise from another company for a specific period of time. Imagine, some company operating in real estate has already launched the development of a special app. It should ease real estate property inspections and make addressing tenants’ requests more efficiently. At some point, they realize the necessity for extra developers. The company starts searching for cost-efficient ways to get the bug fixing procedures and certain design and feature improvements. So they turn to an IT outstaffing company that provides them with an iOS developer. Over time they decide to implement the app redesign so another specialist augments the initial development team. This time it is a designer who adds a new color theme and makes a complete app redesign. Keen to know the results of their cooperation? This is a real case, and you can of how the ordering party has boosted business results after cooperation with an outstaffing agency. check the case study What is IT Outstaffing and How Does It Work? IT outstaffing or staff augmentation is an outsourcing strategy that helps businesses to hire the best talents worldwide for a specified period of time. This business model gives an opportunity to cut or extend the existing in-house team with dedicated developers. You can choose personnel with the most suitable stack of professional skills, level of expertise, communication, etc. A covers such aspects of cooperation as legal arrangements, workspace setup, staff IT support, recruitment, and HR processes. The chosen developer is concentrated solely on your project. staff augmentation company The "outstaffing" term may be rephrased in different countries as "contracting", "hiring a contract worker", "offshoring", "subcontracting", "talent outsourcing", etc. Most important is that when some tech startup or enterprise decides to augment the development team with talented specialists, they may partner with some IT outstaffing agency. They provide a detailed job description and the agency starts to search for the matching professional. Once the fitting candidates are found, the ordering party may interview and approve the best developer. After that, the companies sign a contract while an outstaffing agency technically employs the chosen developer. Who Benefits From IT Staff Augmentation the Most? Sometimes it is hard to decide which business model to choose for your business objectives. Here is an overview of the situations when IT outstaffing is the best choice. There is an existing development team in your company. You need extra hands to create an app or some part of the product. Especially when it comes to expertise in some programming language that won't be used in your company in the future. You have a team of developers working on your tech project but need to add some engineers. The local market doesn't offer developers with fitting expertise. Or you are short on time and can not wait for the whole recruitment process, instead, you need quality and fast hiring. You wish to digitize certain processes in your company at lower costs. The existing IT department can monitor the work of the offshore augmented team. You work with an outsourcing company but wish to have more control of the project and remote developers. By using the outstaffing model you can not only speak with developers directly but make sure they feel like part of your in-house development team. in a way that within the first model the ordering party is responsible for staff management both of an in-house and augmented team and the final product delivery and quality by themselves. IT outstaffing is different from IT outsourcing While the outsourcing vendor manages the development team within the project, may add or extract certain developers from the current product development to some other client's needs. Takes the responsibility for planning and progress tracking as well as other product development activities agreed by the contact. The Pros and Cons of Staff Augmentation Model Every business model has benefits and challenges to overcome therefore every business owner chooses the best one for reaching their own goals. The challenges while using outstaffing services include: . To manage the team of offshore developers the ordering party needs to understand each aspect of the software development process. Requires tech expertise from the client lies on the client's shoulders, not the vendor's. The workload of the augmented team is fully controlled by the ordering party. Full responsibility for product development results . As the responsibility for results and team management lies on the client, it is crucial to allocate the best contractors. Choose the fitting staff attentively Every model is viable due to the benefits it brings to businesses. Let's see what provide for tech startups and enterprises: IT outstaffing services . The outstaffing agency fully covers the hiring process and the legal maintenance of staff employment. No recruitment is required . The are lower compared to the in-house hiring due to lower rates or an outsourcing model due to the absence of risk management costs. Cost-efficiency software development costs . No need to manage the administrative side that includes salary payment, HR processes, etc. Full concentration on development . The augmented team is fully focused on one project compared to outsourcing where it is possible to participate in several projects at once. High productivity and dedication . All the source code, IP rights, and development tools belong to the client so the is directly managed by the ordering party. High-security level project security . The client may replace contractors for the one with the necessary expertise at any moment without additional costs for change. Flexibility in staff rotation . Enterprise's journey may face ups and downs and outstaffing helps to lay low and do not fire full-time workers by simply reducing the staff number till the economic situation gets better. Ride out the recession . You already get a professional of expected experience that moves your project development fast so no qualification uplift is required, the rest is handled by the outstaffing agency. No need to train staff How IT Outstaffing Model Helps to Optimize Development Costs The outstaffing model makes it possible to hire the best developers for a reasonable price without opening a new office and maintaining the staff supportive operations. This way you don't need to additionally hire accountants, lawyers, recruiters, office managers, etc. The outstaffing agency will take care of all operational proceedings. Also, there is no need to pay for the organization and the actual setup of team workplaces and other crucial facilities. Instead, you just pay the agreed sum per the contract that includes the vendor's fee and the developer's net salary. While the vendor takes care of the rest. How to Choose an IT Outstaffing Agency? When choosing the right partner in outstaffing services, you should take into account certain major points, such as: . The more time the company operates on the market, the better employer brand it has and the bigger pool of talented developers it has to offer. Years on the market . If the company is recognized by the trusted world organizations and their staff has professional certificates, it speaks eloquently about the overall competence and high delivery standards within the company. Awards and recognition . The way a company answers the questions defines the smoothness of further collaboration which is crucial in business partnerships. Communication . One of the vendor's tasks is to organize a workplace for developers so choose the one who can provide your augmented team with a separate room with all the required facilities. Facility equipment . The outstaffing company should provide a manager in charge to negotiate possible misunderstandings with developers if necessary. Responsible manager Conclusions The right provider of team augmentation services for a tech startup or an SMB company, that has stepped up on the road to digital transformation and needs extra hands, will take care of the client's needs - from one developer to a whole development team including QA engineers and project managers. No distractions for other projects, a development team will be just like a part of your in-house team fully concentrating on your core product and business goals. A responsible manager will take care of all collaboration matters. A professional outstaffing agency will ask you to pay only for the hired staff and give you the option to expand or reduce the allocated development team upon necessity. Curious to know how outstaffing works in practice? Contact us anytime!

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