Writing since 2015

Don't use method syntax for your TypeScript function types!

In TypeScript, there are a few ways to type functions. But did you know that using the method syntax to define your functions in TypeScript is not type safe?

How can I run some code after changing state with React hooks?

Running code after changing state is a common desire. Lets look at how to do that with hooks.

Object Destructuring 101

Object destructuring is just a way of extracting certain keys directly from an object. It's used quite heavily in React and other modern JavaScript frameworks. In fact you probably already use it. Let's break it down bit by bit, so that you can read it like a pro.

Which Headless CMS should I use for a new Gatsby site?

Gatsby is an awesome static site generator, but you need to get your data from somewhere. What are your options for headless CMSs?

Can I use React Helmet to add social card meta tags for Twitter and Facebook?

So you've built an awesome React powered site. It's shiny, and cool, and does everything you need... until your client/boss/best mate's dad asks about social sharing meta tags.

Is it ever OK to set state directly? A setState cheat sheet

One of the parts of React that trips people up is understanding state and how to update it.

Avoid npm build errors by tracking your Node version with nvm

Arrow functions coming soon to PHP 7.4

Build a GraphQL server with Laravel

Starting something new

Over the last month or two, I've started something new. I've started a new blog over at https://www.modernjsforphpdevs.com.

Why React or Vue and not jQuery?

React starter repo with Symfony 4 and Webpack Encore

Modern JS in Symfony with Webpack Encore

Git and Mercurial Cheat Sheet

Inspired by the excellent (but very thorough) Mercurial to Git Rosetta stone, here is a bare bones, back to basics, KISS mapping between Hg and Git.

Markdown to Confluence with Ruby and SOAP

Importing extracted markdown from SharePoint wiki into Confluence

Sharepoint Scraping with Python, Mechanize, and Beautiful Soup

Over the Christmas break, I decided to write a SharePoint scraper in Python. At work we have a SharePoint based wiki that is universally disliked and thus is poorly used despite containing a lot of useful information. I've been trialling Atlassian Confluence as a replacement and it seems a much better solution.

Hello World!

Hi everyone, I'm Chris. I'm a Software Engineer in Brisbane, Australia.