Most AI coding tools fail senior Java developers for the same reason juniors do:
no feedback, no context, no standards.

In this article, I break down Compounding Engineering — a way to treat AI like a junior developer you actively teach over time:
• context discipline
• rule files as memory
• plan-first workflows
• safety nets and review

No prompt magic. Just engineering.

https://www.the-main-thread.com/p/ai-coding-tools-java-compounding-engineering

#Java #SoftwareEngineering #AI #DeveloperExperience #TheMainThread

I built a full WebDAV server with Quarkus + Vert.x.
Not a toy. Not a demo. Something you can actually mount in macOS Finder.

This article walks through:
– Handler-based WebDAV architecture
– PROPFIND, PUT, MKCOL, LOCK, DELETE
– Vert.x file I/O without blocking
– Why Finder breaks when LOCK is missing

If you ever wondered how WebDAV really works under the hood, this is for you.

https://www.the-main-thread.com/p/webdav-server-java-quarkus-vertx

#Java #Quarkus #Vertx #WebDAV #BackendEngineering #TheMainThread

Just back from Crete, minimal Wi-Fi, max inspiration ☀️
So I built a reactive web MP3 player with Quarkus + Mutiny — streaming, metadata, and all.

Java can be fast and fun.

Read the full story & tutorial →
https://www.the-main-thread.com/p/reactive-mp3-player-quarkus-mutiny-java

#Java #Quarkus #Mutiny #Reactive #WebDev #TheMainThread

Ever had a day where everything worked — code shipped, builds were green — and you still felt like you did nothing?

The truth is, invisible work doesn’t give visible rewards. Our brains never get closure.

I wrote about the quiet psychology behind that feeling — and what helps.

👉 https://www.the-main-thread.com/p/invisible-day-why-you-feel-unaccomplished

#DeveloperLife #MentalHealth #WorkLifeBalance #RemoteWork #TheMainThread