Developer Guides
"Unexpected Token" in JSON: What It Means and How to Fix It
The token in the error message is the clue. Here's what "Unexpected token" means for each common character, from an HTML error page to a hidden BOM, and how to fix it.
Developer Guides
Practical explainers on data formats, encodings, IDs, timestamps and the everyday details of writing code.
Developer Guides
What Is a JWT? How to Read One Without Trusting It
A JWT isn't encrypted: anyone can decode it. We take one token apart by hand, explain its claims and signature, and cover the checks a server must make.
Developer Guides
camelCase vs snake_case vs kebab-case: Naming Conventions
camelCase, snake_case, PascalCase and kebab-case each have a home. Here's which style each language and format expects, and how to convert at the boundaries.
Developer Guides
JSON vs CSV vs XML: Which Data Format to Use
JSON handles nesting and types, CSV is the leanest choice for tables, and XML carries documents and schemas. Here's how they compare and what breaks when you convert.
Developer Guides
Regex for Beginners: 15 Patterns You'll Actually Use
The handful of regex building blocks you need, 15 tested patterns for everyday validation, searching and cleanup, and the mistakes that trip up beginners.
Developer Guides
URL Encoding Explained: %20 vs + and When to Use Each
A space can be %20 or +, depending on where it is. Here's how percent-encoding works, which JavaScript function to use, and how to avoid double encoding.
Developer Guides
The Year 2038 Problem, Explained
Signed 32-bit Unix time runs out at 03:14:07 UTC on January 19, 2038. Here's why, what's already fixed, what's still at risk, and how to check your own systems.
Developer Guides
What Is Base64 Encoding (and Why Is It 33% Bigger)?
Base64 rewrites any bytes using 64 safe text characters. Here's how the encoding works, where the extra third comes from, and where you'll run into it.
Developer Guides
UUID v4 vs v7: Which Should You Use?
Version 4 UUIDs are random, version 7 UUIDs are ordered by time. Here's what's inside each one, why it matters for database indexes, and how to pick.