development community Archives

Winsage

September 10, 2026

ReactOS Dev Gets FEX Running For x86_64 Games On This “Open-Source Windows” OS Under ARM

Ahmed Arif, known as "SidiHmeed," has made significant advancements in the ReactOS project, achieving an experimental ARM64 build that runs on 64-bit ARM hardware, including Raspberry Pi. He successfully integrated the FEX emulator with ReactOS ARM64, allowing Windows x64 games and applications to run on ARM hardware. ReactOS has been operational on actual ARM64 hardware since the beginning of the year, and recent developments have shown improvements in this area. Ahmed has demonstrated ReactOS running on both the Raspberry Pi 5 and the older Raspberry Pi 3, complete with custom Ethernet and WiFi drivers.

AppWizard

August 29, 2026

Android’s new RAM rules come with a Play Store threat attached

Google will implement new regulations in February 2027 that impose per-app memory ceilings on the Play Store, requiring Android developers to optimize their apps for RAM usage. Apps exceeding these memory thresholds may be removed from the Play Store, leading to increased competition and enhanced user experience due to faster load times and improved performance.

Winsage

July 4, 2026

Ex-Microsoft engineer rebuilds Notepad in 2.5KB using nothing but stuff Windows already had

Dave Plummer, a retired Microsoft engineer, has developed TinyRetroPad, a Notepad-like application that is only 2.5 kilobytes in size. TinyRetroPad includes features such as Open, Save, Find and Replace, printing, font selection, word wrap, and an unsaved changes prompt. It is built on existing Windows components, allowing it to function efficiently without extensive resources. TinyRetroPad is based on Dave’s Tiny Editor and utilizes RICHEDIT50W for text handling. The application's file size increased incrementally with each feature added, with the final size being 2,476 bytes. Crinkler, a compression linker, was used to optimize the executable. TinyRetroPad is still in development, facing issues like high memory consumption and compatibility problems. In contrast, Windows 11's Notepad has become larger and more complex, weighing approximately 352KB and incorporating features that some users find unnecessary. Windows 11 LTSC retains the classic Notepad without modern features, while TinyRetroPad aims to demonstrate the potential for simplicity in application design.

Winsage

June 23, 2026

Why is Windows 11 so disliked by programmers – and can Microsoft do anything to change things?

Windows is experiencing a decline in favor among developers, with many preferring macOS and Linux for coding. Although nearly half of developers (49.5%) primarily work on Windows, this is often due to organizational mandates rather than personal preference. Developers interviewed did not select Windows as their preferred environment, citing concerns about Microsoft's developer experience, cumbersome tools, and security issues. The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) allows developers to run Linux environments on Windows 11, addressing some compatibility issues. However, there is a consensus that Microsoft should enhance WSL and align Windows more closely with Linux to attract more developers. Critics also point to the intrusive nature of ads and upselling in Windows 11 as detracting from the developer experience.

Winsage

June 4, 2026

Microsoft makes Linux developers feel more at home in Windows with Coreutils release

Microsoft has introduced a solution that integrates Coreutils directly into the Windows environment, allowing developers to execute a majority of Linux commands from CMD, PowerShell, or Windows Terminal without needing to switch between platforms. This enhancement aims to improve developer productivity by streamlining the use of Linux command line utilities on Windows.

Tech Optimizer

May 5, 2026

A Long Story About How I Dug Into the PostgreSQL Source Code to Write my Own WAL Receiver

Researchers have unveiled a new AI model that enhances machine learning capabilities by streamlining data processing and improving predictive accuracy. The model incorporates advanced techniques for efficient training, leveraging deep learning algorithms and optimized data structures to analyze large datasets quickly and precisely. It offers enhanced data processing, scalability for growing business needs, and cost efficiency by reducing computational load. The model can learn from diverse data sources, making it adaptable for various applications and contributing to smarter decision-making and operational efficiencies.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

The 7th Guest Remake launches in June, bringing back one of the earliest PC CD-ROM games

PC CD-ROM drives led to the development of notable games like Myst, Star Wars: Rebel Assault, and The 7th Guest. Nintendo secured rights for The 7th Guest for a planned SNES CD add-on, which was never released. In 2023, The 7th Guest was re-released on the Nintendo eShop after three decades. Vertigo Games is remaking The 7th Guest, featuring reimagined puzzles and environments, with a scheduled launch on June 4th, priced at .99, available on PS5, Xbox Series, and PC, with a Nintendo Switch version expected later. Owners of The 7th Guest VR on Steam or PlayStation will access the remake for free, and those who purchase the remake on Steam or PS5 will receive The 7th Guest VR for free on Steam VR or PlayStation VR2.

Tech Optimizer

October 29, 2025

Dangerous npm packages are targeting developer credentials on Windows, Linux and Mac – here’s what we know

Security researchers from Socket have discovered ten malicious npm packages that infiltrated the Node Package Manager ecosystem, mimicking legitimate tools and downloaded nearly 10,000 times. These typosquatted packages contain malware that bypasses application-level security to target system keyrings, allowing the harvesting of decrypted credentials and access to critical resources like corporate emails and databases. Users who installed these packages are advised to treat their systems as compromised, disconnect from the internet, revoke exposed credentials, wipe and rebuild the infected system, change passwords, audit npm dependencies, review logs for suspicious activity, and enable multi-factor authentication.

AppWizard

October 15, 2025

RPG developer Owlcat launches free game dev learning resource: ‘A rising tide truly lifts all ships’

Cyprus-based Owlcat Games has launched the GameDev Learning Drop, a free directory of resources for game developers, in collaboration with several game studios and publishers, including Midwest Games, Fireshine Games, Gaijin Entertainment, and 11 Bit Studios. The initiative features over 350 curated learning resources covering topics like game design, programming, narrative design, and project management. The project originated from Owlcat's internal practice of sharing valuable resources among team members. The GameDev Learning Drop is intended to be a continuously updated resource, allowing other developers and publishers to contribute materials for review and inclusion.

AppWizard

August 27, 2025

Android app developers will soon need to verify identity to distribute apps outside Play Store

Google will require app developers to undergo a verification process starting in September 2026 to distribute apps outside the Google Play Store. An early access program for developers will begin in October 2025, with a broader rollout planned for March 2026. Developers will use a new Android Developer Console to verify their identities, enabling Android devices to block apps from unverified developers.