Functions in Python are very important, even when you forget that they are objects. To make functions easier to use, there are a lot of additional features that have been added as Python developed. Parameters are explained in this extract from my book, Programmer's Python: Everything is an Object.

We discover why computer memory can be likened to pigeonholes and even include instructions for you to build your own memory device.

Yes, you read that headline correctly. Despite being out of favor and in maintenance mode, WinForms is still capable of a surprise or two. How can .NET 5.0 introduce new features for something that isn't developing?

The results of the 2020 State of JavaScript Survey have been released. What do they tell us about developers attitude towards JavaScript and its ever-expanding ecosystem?

MIT will be hosting its second annual quantum hackathon at the end of January. If you want to participate in an online event in which projects are run on real quantum hardware, register by January 15th.

Three-quarters of applications have some sort of security flaw, although high-security flaws are found in only a quarter. PHP is the programming language with the highest prevalence of flaws while Python and JavaScript are the least affected.

A major new version of JupyterLab has been released with new features for users and substantial improvements to the extension system.

As rumored last year, the Qt Company has announced that now that Qt 6 is released, Qt 5.15 LTS will move to a 'commercial-only' phase.

For a new take on the evergreen topic of which programming language is the most popular, give yourself a five minute break and watch this animation which shows how programming languages have competed for the title of most popular language since 1965. And yes it is Python that currently holds the title. 

The winners of the 27th International Obfuscated C Code Contest have been announced, and the source code for the winning entries is available to view and try.

Developers who use Perl are invited to take a survey to provide feedback on what help and guidance they would find useful. It's a Perl Foundation initiative to guide developers in their journey of learning Perl.

A major new version of GTK has been released with improvements to the internal design and an improved application programming interface (API). Support has been added for OpenGL and Vulkan hardware drawing for the widgets with the aim of maximizing performance while minimizing CPU load.

Season of Docs is a project supported by Google that aims to bring together open source organizations and technical writers with the aim of improving open source documentation. The results of the 2020 season, its second, have now been announced.