Mastodawn

The first reviews of my new book on software performance engineering are coming in:

⭐ "A manifesto against enshittification."
⭐ "The most principled engineering book I've read in a long time."
⭐ "The best chapters in this book are worth a whole book."

And it's now 50% off with code “MLOdell” until 26 March: https://hubs.la/Q044cvlc0

#performance #webperf

Performance Engineering in Practice - Den Odell

You can prevent most software performance problems if you recognize their predictable patterns. Performance Engineering in Practice introduces author Den Odell’s Fast by Default model that replaces the slow fix-it-later path with a unique framework to build in performance from the start. Den Odell’s System Paths framework provides a universal diagnostic language for performance that works across any platform or stack to keep your systems fast even as your codebase, team, and user base grow. You’ll work through hands-on examples like slow internal dashboards and cascading problems from a degraded API. Effective profiling tools, shared dashboards, CI budgets, and design reviews all ensure your performance goals are user-centered and your team is aligned and accountable.

Manning Publications

Den Odell Feb 26

I'm excited to share that my new book, Performance Engineering in Practice, is now available through Manning's Early Access Program! 🎉

For 25 years I've seen the same pattern: performance problems surface after users complain, teams panic, patch, and repeat. I call it the Performance Decay Cycle.

This book is the practical guide to breaking that cycle. First 5 chapters available now with 50% off at launch 🚀
https://hubs.la/Q044cvlc0

#PerformanceEngineering #SoftwarePerformance #FastByDefault

Den Odell Feb 23

The first Mac OS fitted in a 64kB ROM. That hard limit didn't hold back innovation, it demanded it.

The engineers who worked within those limits knew their platform completely. We've lost some of that thinking, the knowledge of our foundations.

I wrote more here:
https://denodell.com/blog/constraints-and-the-lost-art-of-optimization?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=constraints_post

Constraints and the Lost Art of Optimization

How working within hard limits produced some of the most elegant software in history, and what we can learn from it.

Den Odell

Den Odell Jan 14

I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to be a respectful web engineer.

When someone visits a site, the browser gives us one main thread to run our JavaScript and respond to their interactions.

If our code runs too long, the browser stops listening to them. That’s what jank really is.

We’re only borrowing the main thread from the user. We should treat it with respect.

https://denodell.com/blog/the-main-thread-is-not-yours?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=main_thread_post

#WebPerformance #Frontend #JavaScript #UX #Accessibility

The Main Thread Is Not Yours

Every millisecond your JavaScript runs is a millisecond borrowed from your users. Here's how to be a better guest on the main thread.

Den Odell

Den Odell Dec 4

stoyan Dec 4

Web Performance Calendar day #4 when @denodell shows us how to adopt a fast-by-default mindset to escape the vicious cycle of ship-complain-panic-patch.

https://calendar.perfplanet.com/2025/fast-by-default/

Den Odell Nov 5

After a decade of React dominance, we've forgotten: frameworks run inside the web, not the other way around.

New post on breaking free from framework lock-in. Not by abandoning React, but by building platform-first apps that could outlast any framework.

Key ideas:
- Framework success creates institutional gravity
- Platform-first practices make apps framework-agnostic
- How to build apps that could survive any framework migration

https://denodell.com/blog/escape-velocity-break-free-from-framework-gravity?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=escape_velocity_post

#WebDev #React #Frontend #JavaScript

Escape Velocity: Break Free from Framework Gravity

After a decade of React dominance, it’s time to remember that frameworks run inside the web, not the other way around.

Den Odell

Den Odell Oct 11

Show thread

GrandTheftUrkel Oct 11

@kubikpixel @denodell This is timely advice! Finally getting a chance to dive into web a11y for the first time in my ~12-year career, because it's the first time a company has prioritized it. Per another of your articles, it's thanks to the EU!

Semantic solutions like this will be a HUGE boon to getting up to WCAG snuff. Coincidentally, lots of risk calculations in our app, too!

Den Odell Oct 11