Author: Henry R. Lares

Henry Lares is still early into his career as tech reporter but has already had his work published in many major publications including Tech Crunch and the Huffington Post.  In regards to academics, Henry earned an engineering degree from Apex Technical School. Henry has a passion for emerging technology and covers upcoming products and breakthroughs in science and tech.

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Why APIs are Crucial in Microservices Architecture

In order to be able to improve on the fly, many companies have started to use the microservice architecture while they are developing their software suite. Microservice architectures allow you to easily develop, change and maintain your software, but it is not an easy as it sounds. There are many details that need attention in order for the architecture to work properly. One such issue may be the understanding of API and API management for the microservice architecture.

Let’s imagine that we have a shopping application. The client is responsible with the following: the items available, stock, orders and delivery. Each of them is a mircroservice subsequently connected to one or several microservices. Because of this on or several of the issues listed below may appear.

  • Too many microservices directly connected to the client may overload it, along with connection and authentication issues.
  • The variety of services complicates the policy enforcement process since there is no unified policy protocol
  • Data reporting and inter-service communication can be hampered by several clashing data feedbacks

How can APIs and API management help you?

  1. Unified microservices

The first step is to unify several services, which simples the overall complexity of the program and connected services. IT will also increase the speed of the service, which should please consumers.

  1. A more attractive interface

A well-made API will make your service more attractive, since they will not be exposed to the inner workings of the program.

  1. Increased security

Each of the services listed in the example used above may use one of several security protocols. A unified API gateway service will allow all the service to use a similar security protocol, preventing many issues between one service and another. This will help you in the long run, as consumers that encounter multiple security problems (a failed login being the most common) tend to look for alternative services more often.

Easy incremental updates

The unified API also allows you to more easily update all your services, either all at once or each one individually. As your business develops, you will have the freedom to add more services overtime without needing to redesign the whole client from zero.

There are other advantages that further enhance your experience:

  • As it unifies the services, only one connection is needed in order to use all the features it offers.
  • Using automation tools the patches can be easily launched and done.
  • Since it is facile to deploy and install, the gateway needed is also light and flexible. It can run even on modest servers with minimal requirements. They can also backed-up and restored if something goes wrong.

In conclusion, API and API management can greatly improve your business management and development. Feel free to explore several APIs before you choose the one that is best for your needs.

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News Tech

Android 9.0 P Update now Available to Install on OnePlus 6

A beta version based the anticipated Android Pie update is now available for the users of One Plus 6. The new Oxygen OS beta brings new features for the flagship smartphone, among which we can mention a redesigned user interface, new gestures, and a host of performance improvements.

Additional customization features are added on top of the standard ones. You can now choose the color of your time accent, a missing do not disturb profile has been added, and you can customize how your notifications look and sound according to your preferences.  A new gaming mode will boost your performance, so you can score those sweet PUBG Mobile kills.

As the upgrade is in its beta stage you can freely try it but keep unmind that many bugs can be encountered until a stable version is released.

Here is a quick guide that will help you install the update on your device:

  1. Go to the official website and download the ROM package for the phone
  2. Transfer the package on your device
  3. From your home screen go to Settings/ System Updates/ Local Upgrade
  4. Click on the option, select the ROM file and wait for the installation to complete

The Open Beta initiative allows users to test the ROMs before they are released as official updates, while also allowing the company to sort out bugs at a faster rate, since the users can report freely any bugs that they encounter. After a final version is ready, it will be released as an OTA update for the entire user base. If you have a beta ROM installed you will only get beta updates. In order to enjoy the stable version you will have to return to the standard version.

In order to that you must download a stable ROM package from the official website and repeat the same steps that were used for installing the beta.

If you decide to swap your ROM, backup all your important data as the contents of your phone can be deleted during the installation.

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News Tech

Top 6 Best Photo Slideshow Programs That Can Meet Your Needs

If you’re here, you’re probably asking yourself which slideshow program is the best for you and your projects. You should review all of your options before actually starting to work. Some software has lots of tools, some lack some important tools, that’s why it’s important to get to know them for a bit.

We’ve written this article to give you the best six slideshow programs on the market.

Photostory Deluxe

This comes with all the basic features that are necessary for your project. It has over 300 transition effects and even more than that worth of background and filters.

With this one, you’ll also have full access to an in-store app that allows you to buy additional graphics and music. You don’t have a limit when it comes to adding photos and you can use the advanced editing tools for your pictures. It also lets you export your slideshows in HD for tablets, TVs or smartphones. Or you can burn them to DVD, CD or Blu-ray. The program also allows you to put them directly on Facebook, YouTube or Twitter.

Pros – you can play tracks at all times, and, the advanced photo editing tools are not something to miss

Cons – you cannot have the software on Mac, and it’s really expensive. For phone support, you’ll have to pay some more.

Photostory Easy

This software is the easy brother of the one above. Its interface is simple and is easy to learn. And because it is that easy to learn, it means it’s not that expensive.

It has 27 backgrounds and 72 transition effects, so we cannot really talk about variety, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not enough for you to work something out. It’s true; it doesn’t boast as all the other software, however, you can adjust the saturation, the brightness, hue and the contrast. You can record the idea and fade music in and out.

With this one, you can as well post your projects directly to Facebook or YouTube, even Flickr, but Twitter sits this one out.

Pros – it can burn DVD and Blu-rays and it’s compatible with most of the file types

Cons – if you need comprehensive technical support, you have to pay some extra cash.

Movavi Slideshow Maker

This one is the most modern one on the market. It has all the great equipment you need to edit your photos. It also has voice recording tools and basic video editing tools.

It has 105 transitions effect and they’re classy and 165 photo filters. This software also comes with e-mail support, an FAQ page and even some tutorial videos. However, it’s not any good if you want to burn DVD, CD or Blu-ray. But it allows you to post directly to YouTube and save them on tablets and smartphones.

Pros – you can have it on your Mac and you can see the quality in the slideshows.

Cons – You cannot directly post to Twitter or Facebook.

ProShow Gold

It may be an older software. However, it’s quite nice, since the interface is so easy to use.

You don’t have any backgrounds with this one, no themes or filters, but you have 30 transition effects that are perfect for you. You can crop or rotate your photos, and adjust the brightness, hue or contrast. You have the most common video and audio formats.

Pros – the image quality of the slideshow is amazing

Cons – you cannot have it for Mac.

PhotoStage Slideshow Software

Photostage is so simple; you won’t have any problems. The slideshows are customizable. You have imagines, videos, transitions, and music. It has a built-in photo editor and its output options are diverse.

Pros: it’s really fast and the features are good.

Cons – its design is outdated and you have a free version for only a month.

Icecream Slideshow Maker

With this one, you’ll get to enjoy a modern experience. You can add multiple or single pieces of media from PC folders. The tools are user-friendly and the program is totally free – it also has a premium version with more pro features.

Pros – the design is excellent and the overall, the program is fast.

Cons – some features come with behind a paywall.

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News Tech

A Brief IoT Processing Tutorial – Apache Nifi 1.7 and MiniFi 0.5

In this tutorial, you will learn the basics of using IoT development by using the DeepLearning protocol. The process involves IoT data reading, Big Data processing and data ingestion in order to track simple events, data processing, flow, conversion and storage. Apache Nifi 1.7 and MiniFi 0.5 are mandatory for data ingestion.

Prerequisites

  1. A Raspberry Pi, to which you add a USB camera, and install Python, Sensor libraries, Java 8, Minifi 0.5, Apache MXNet and the latest patches.
  2. The MiniFi will push files such as JSON and JPEG to the Apache NiFi server. You can also choose to push the data to a Nifi/Kafka cluster instead, as long as they use a HDF 3.2 environment.
  3. The Apache NiFi cluster will push the data to Dockerized API, Hive and HDFS which work in a HDP 3.0 or similar third party IPs.
  4. Nifi and Kafka can be used in conjunction with Schema Registry in order to compile tabular data and JSON GPS data.

I personally prefer to stream data into Apache ORC files and use them in order to compile external data tables

I use command lines in order to create two distinct tables and storage locations. The tables are generated automatically and they are stored at the designated location as ORC locations.

The general command is: ‘’CREATE EXTERNAL TABLE IF NOT EXISTS (insert name)’’

In order to facilitate the processing task, I also create a Hive 3 acid table:

  • create table rainbow acid (add the line between brackets)
  • After it is done I load the data
  • Insert in x acid (where x is the name of the file)
  • Select * from x

I then use the most recent version of Hive in order to sort out and separate data. I hope this tutorial was useful for you and that it will help you to get started in IoT. Cheers!

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News Tech

Python vs. Java – Best Programming Language Comparison

There is an old debate regarding Python and Java when it comes to choosing the best programming language. The truth is there isn’t a correct answer. They both have their advantages and disadvantages and it is up to you to choose the one that suits your needs.

Today we are going to analyse all the pros and cons so that it will be easier for you to make a choice. There are plenty of things Python and Java have in common, but there are also numerous features that differentiate these two.

There is plenty of library support for both Java and Python and developers seem to use them both equally. However, there are many things that differentiate these two. There are some clear differences, while others are more subjective.

Types of languages

We should start by mentioning that Python is an interpreted language, while Java is a compiled one. Obviously, each type has its characteristics. It is hard to say which language is faster or better, and most developers have contradicting opinions. Usually, the context in which a language is used influences its performance.

The way you write these languages is also different. When you use Python you use indentation if you want to create a structure. Meanwhile, in Java you will have brackets for that. Some developers seem to believe that indentation makes the code well structured.

Each programmer can choose the structure which appears more accessible. This is usually up to each person, and you decide which structure allows you to type faster. Since many developers also use templates and coding environments, this might not be that big of an issue.

The threading models of these two programming languages is completely different as well. Python can run on a single CPU core at a time and that is because it is single-threaded, unlike Java. This makes it a lot easier to use a CPU with Python.

Popularity

If we take a look at the popularity of these languages, there are some clear differences. Java has been around for more time, so it remains the most popular language. However, Python had an impressive evolution, and if it continues to rise that way, it is very likely that it will overcome Java.

Nonetheless, just because Java is older, this does not mean that it does not evolve. Developers continue to add new features and they are doing their best to make Java faster and more powerful. The JVM is also a great tool when it comes to creating cross-platform Java apps.

If you are thinking about money, you should know that a freeCodeCamp post revealed that programmers who use Python earn more money than those who use Java.

Learning process

When you are choosing a programming language you should also think about how much it will take you to learn it. Obviously, you also need to take into account your current knowledge. If you are a beginner and you have no experience you might want to choose Python. It doesn’t take that much time to get used to it and it has a wide range of techniques. Java can be simple for you if you already know how to program in C++ for example.

You should also think about the way the code is presented. Nowadays, programmers aren’t the only persons who have to work with code, so you must think about the skills of all the persons involved. Python supports the literate programming approach, which can be a big plus. These programs offer explanations, graphs and pictures in a document, while the code remains executable.

Related comparison:

The Best Predictive Analytics Application: R versus Python
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