software development Archives

Winsage

March 19, 2026

Want to set up Windows like a power user? Start with these 4 tools

The command line on Windows can be intimidating for average users, but tools like Windows Terminal enhance its usability with features such as tabbed browsing and improved text rendering. Winget allows users to install multiple applications simultaneously in the background, streamlining the setup process for new PCs. Oh My Posh improves the PowerShell prompt by providing contextual information and customizable themes. Git enables users to track changes and revert mistakes in files, while the bat command allows for quick viewing of text files in the terminal with syntax highlighting. These tools collectively enhance the Windows user experience by making the command line more accessible and efficient.

AppWizard

March 14, 2026

Microsoft to eliminate shader wait times in PC games

Microsoft has introduced enhancements to its Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD) technology to address lengthy shader compilation times for PC gamers. The ASD technology generates a Pre-compiled Shader Database (PSDB) from a Shader Object State Database (SODB), allowing for faster game startups by eliminating the need for local compilation. Since integrating ASD into its software development kit (SDK), Microsoft has achieved an 85% reduction in launch times for the game Avowed. NVIDIA, Intel, and Qualcomm are also set to support ASD in their hardware. Additionally, Microsoft has updated its API to allow developers to upload pre-compiled shaders through the Xbox Partner Center, starting with the Xbox app on PC.

Winsage

March 13, 2026

Microsoft DirectX Gears Up For ML Era On Windows, Advanced Shader Delivery Solves Game Stutter & Load Times, DXR 2.0 Teased

At GDC 2026, Microsoft announced the introduction of ML-Powered DirectX and Advanced Shader Delivery. The ML-enhanced DirectX includes Cooperative Vectors within Shader Model 6.9, facilitating neural rendering techniques such as Neural Texture Compression and Neural Radiance Caching. DirectX Linear Algebra is introduced to support matrix-based ML workflows, and the DirectX Compute Graph Compiler enables full model graphs to run with native GPU performance. Advanced Shader Delivery allows game developers to provide precompiled shaders to reduce load times and stuttering. New APIs, App Identity API and Stats API, have been introduced to support this feature. NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm have expressed their support for these advancements. Additionally, Microsoft is developing DXR 2.0, which will support Shader Model 6.10 and is expected to roll out in late summer 2026.

Winsage

February 17, 2026

Windows 11 KB5077181: Update causes boot loops, DHCP errors, and sign-in failures

Wibu-Systems has partnered with Microsoft Learn to enhance educational initiatives aimed at equipping developers and IT professionals with tools and knowledge for implementing effective security measures in software development. This collaboration integrates Wibu-Systems' security solutions into Microsoft's educational framework, promoting best practices for application protection and reducing vulnerabilities. The partnership addresses the growing demand for secure software solutions and positions Wibu-Systems as a leader in the market.

Tech Optimizer

February 14, 2026

PostgreSQL on Azure supercharged for AI

Over 80% of developers now incorporate AI tools into their workflows. PostgreSQL is preferred by 78.6% of developers engaged in AI and real-time applications. Microsoft has enhanced its PostgreSQL managed services to meet contemporary developer needs, contributing over 500 commits to the open-source project. The Azure Database for PostgreSQL supports both lift-and-shift and new open-source workloads, while the newly introduced Azure HorizonDB is designed for AI-native workloads. Developers can provision PostgreSQL instances directly from Visual Studio Code, and GitHub Copilot assists in writing and optimizing SQL queries. Azure Database for PostgreSQL facilitates integration with Microsoft Foundry for AI applications and supports high-performance similarity search with DiskANN vector indexing. PostgreSQL 18 is now available on Azure, offering enhanced performance and scalability. Nasdaq has modernized its Boardvantage platform using Azure Database for PostgreSQL and Microsoft Foundry to integrate AI for governance tasks. Azure HorizonDB is a fully managed PostgreSQL-compatible service designed for AI-native workloads, currently in private preview.

AppWizard

February 13, 2026

Billionaire founder of Minecraft slams anyone advocating using AI to write code as ‘incompetent or evil’

Markus Persson, the creator of Minecraft, has expressed concerns about the rapid integration of generative AI in programming, describing it as an initiative being "forced down our throats" by "evil" entities. He fears losing creative autonomy and control over coding, comparing AI writing code to AI drafting laws. Persson advises aspiring developers to "Learn. Your. Craft," emphasizing the importance of foundational skills in programming. His views align with some industry leaders who advocate for coding literacy as a fundamental skill, while others, like GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, stress the necessity of mastering AI to remain competitive in the job market.

Tech Optimizer

February 12, 2026

Simplyblock provides Postgres Git-style branching

Simplyblock has developed Vela software, enabling instant Postgres database branches without data copying, utilizing its block storage capabilities. CEO Rob Pankow emphasizes Postgres as a key database for AI applications, with companies like Databricks and Snowflake making significant advancements in serverless Postgres technology. Pankow identifies challenges with managed Postgres instances, including IOPS limits, throttling, latency spikes, and high costs due to overprovisioning. Vela allows developers to run Postgres in their cloud accounts, co-locating data and GPUs, and employs a copy-on-write mechanism for database branches, facilitating Git-like version control. Vela is cloud-agnostic, integrates with Kubernetes, and supports features like autoscaling and lifecycle orchestration. Simplyblock has also launched a hosted Vela Sandbox for users to explore the software. A Vela Beta is available with documentation and access to the sandbox.

Tech Optimizer

February 11, 2026

Constructive Launches Secure-by-Default Postgres Platform for the Agentic Era

Constructive has launched a secure Postgres platform that incorporates Row-Level Security (RLS) at the time of table creation to enhance backend security. This platform aims to prevent misconfigurations that could lead to vulnerabilities. Constructive has also achieved over 100 million npm downloads for its open-source developer tools. The platform is designed to address the growing prominence of Postgres as a preferred database, especially in applications supporting OpenAI's infrastructure, which serves 800 million users monthly. The launch aligns with trends such as Postgres being the default database, the dual impact of AI-assisted development increasing both speed and risks, and the challenge of human oversight in software development. The platform establishes a trust layer for AI-generated backends, ensuring consistent policy enforcement and verifiable security measures. It operates beneath the application layer, utilizing abstract syntax trees to apply security deterministically. Constructive's tools are currently in use across over 10 million databases at companies like Supabase and Databricks, and the secure Postgres platform is available in commercial private beta.

Tech Optimizer

February 11, 2026

How to Disable Windows 11 Defender: Temporary and Permanent

Microsoft Defender Antivirus is the built-in security solution for Windows 11, protecting against viruses, malware, and ransomware. Users may need to disable it temporarily or permanently for various reasons, including software installation, penetration testing, performance issues, transitioning to third-party antivirus solutions, or troubleshooting conflicts. Temporary disabling can be done through the Windows Security app, which will automatically re-enable after a restart. Permanent disabling requires changes in Group Policy, applicable only to Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions, and necessitates disabling Tamper Protection first. Another method for permanent disabling is installing a third-party antivirus, which automatically deactivates Defender's real-time protection. Windows 11 Home users cannot use Group Policy for permanent disabling but can still temporarily disable Defender or install a third-party antivirus. Disabling Defender exposes the system to threats, and users should ensure they have alternative protection in place. Major Windows updates may reset Defender settings, and caution is advised when modifying system settings.

BetaBeacon

February 10, 2026

GameNative gains support for Epic Games Store, giving Android handhelds wider access to PC games

Retrohandhelds has acquired Github to enhance its capabilities in developing innovative gaming solutions by leveraging Github's open-source projects and developer community. This partnership aims to accelerate product development cycles and improve software quality, signaling Retrohandhelds' commitment to modern software development practices and fostering collaboration and innovation within the company.