Blog
Developer articles on cryptography, encoding, scheduling, data formats, and more.
How to Verify File Integrity with SHA-256 on Mac, Linux, and Windows
File integrity verification lets you confirm that a downloaded file hasn't been tampered with or corrupted. Learn how to use SHA-256 checksums on every major OS.
Why You Should Never Store Passwords as MD5 Hashes
MD5 was once a widely-used choice for storing passwords. Today it's thoroughly broken. Learn why — and what to use instead.
Cron Syntax: A Complete Guide with Examples
Cron expressions look cryptic at first but follow a simple pattern. This guide breaks down every field, special character, and common scheduling pattern you need.
Base64 Encoding Explained: What It Is, Why It Exists, and When to Use It
Base64 turns binary data into printable ASCII text. It's used in JWTs, email attachments, data URIs, and more — but it's often misunderstood as encryption.
JSON vs YAML: Which Should You Use and When?
Both JSON and YAML can represent the same data, but they are optimized for different jobs. Here's how to choose — and the YAML gotchas that will catch you off-guard.
Unix Timestamps Explained: What They Are and Why Developers Use Them
Unix time — the number of seconds since January 1, 1970 — is the universal language for timestamps in software. Here's why developers love it and when it can trip you up.