Tag: Algorithms
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How Random Are TOTP Codes? Exploring the Probabilities and Perceptions
We often place a great deal of trust in the randomness of Time-based One-Time Passwords (TOTP) codes used in two-factor authentication systems. These codes are designed to be unpredictable and secure, but users frequently find patterns in the numbers they receive. It’s a common experience to notice repeated digits or seemingly less random combinations, such…
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Cracking the Mystery: Just How Random Are TOTP Codes?
In the realm of digital security, Time-based One-Time Passwords (TOTP) have risen as a robust method for two-factor authentication (2FA). But how random are these six-digit codes that we rely upon daily? Many users, keenly observant of patterns, often find themselves questioning if the TOTP codes they receive are truly random or if there’s an…
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Shipt’s Payment Algorithm: A Balancing Act or a Raw Deal for Gig Workers?
The gig economy has always promised a form of employment that offers flexibility and independence to its workers. However, the implementation of new payment algorithms by companies like Shipt has brought to light underlying tensions and inequities within such systems. Shipt’s updated algorithm, which aims to compensate workers based on the effort required for each…
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Interview Evolution: Shifting Away from Leetcode
The technology sector has long debated the best ways to assess prospective software engineers. Before the rise of platforms like Leetcode, the interview process was more varied and arguably less rigid, relying heavily on whiteboard coding sessions and algorithm-based questions. Companies like Microsoft were known for their brain-teaser questions, such as “Why are manhole covers…
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Turbocharging ‘wc’: The New Frontier in Unix Word Count Optimization
When it comes to text processing on Unix systems, few utilities are as venerable as ‘wc’ (word count). This seemingly simple program is a quintessential tool used to count lines, words, and characters in files. However, recent developments have revealed new avenues for optimizing ‘wc’, thanks to advanced techniques such as state machines and SIMD…
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The Flaws of LeetCode-Style Interviews: A Deeper Examination
In recent years, LeetCode-style interviews have become a sort of gatekeeping tool in the software development industry. Originally popularized by big names in tech like Google and Facebook, these interviews focus predominantly on algorithmic challenges and data structure problems. The idea behind such interviews is laudable: they aim to evaluate a candidate’s problem-solving skills and…
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LeetCode-Style Interviews: Are We Testing Engineers or Just Time and Memory?
The modern tech industry has institutionalized LeetCode-style interviews to a point where they often feel like a necessary evil rather than a beneficial assessment. These interviews, which predominantly test one’s ability to solve algorithmic problems under time constraints, supposedly serve as a proxy for evaluating a candidate’s problem-solving skills and coding prowess. However, a growing…