Guides · 7 articles
Evidence-backed engineering learning, in long form
Essays on how software engineers actually retain knowledge: spaced repetition that waits for proof, Socratic assistants that refuse to answer, inspectable artifacts, guest-mode design, and turning a failed interview into a plan.
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Applying FSRS Spaced Repetition to Software Engineering Knowledge
Explore how to use the FSRS algorithm for software engineering knowledge. Learn how an evidence-gated learning loop moves spaced repetition beyond rote memorization to systemic understanding.
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Designing Useful Guest-Mode Technical Learning
Learn how to build a robust guest mode for technical learning platforms that persists complex state and transitions seamlessly to authenticated accounts.
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How a Socratic coding assistant should respond to learners
An AI shouldn't just hand out code. Learn why Socratic AI coding assistants must probe understanding, withhold direct solutions, and enforce the Feynman Gate to build actual mastery.
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How to Turn a Failed Coding Interview Into a Learning Plan
Failed a coding interview? Don't panic. Learn how to extract signal from rejection, diagnose the root cause, and build an evidence-backed learning plan.
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Recognition vs Causal Understanding in Technical Study
Explore the gap between recognition memory and causal understanding in software engineering study, and how evidence-gated loops build durable mastery.
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What Counts as Evidence of Mastery in Software Engineering?
Explore why completed tutorials aren't enough and how to build verifiable evidence of engineering mastery through working artifacts, explain-backs, and tradeoff analysis.
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Why technical learning needs an inspectable artifact
Passive technical learning creates the illusion of competence. Discover why true engineering mastery requires inspectable artifacts, causal explanations, and rigorous evidence loops.
From reading to retention
Every guide ends where the learning loop begins. The public curriculum maps the concepts these essays reference; the interactive workspace schedules retrieval, drills, and explain-backs so the ideas survive contact with a real interview.