2025-09 on Funky Si's Test

Periodic Table of DevOps 2025

funkysi1701@gmail.com (funkysi1701) — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 20:00:45 +0000

DevOps has transformed the way teams build, deploy, and manage software. Over the years, the tools we use have evolved rapidly—some have become industry standards, while others have faded away or emerged to solve new challenges. In this post, I revisit the concept of a “Periodic Table of DevOps” to compare the landscape in 2016 with 2025, highlight key changes, and reflect on what these shifts mean for developers, IT professionals, and organizations embracing modern workflows.

The periodic table lists all the chemical elements and groups them together based on some key properties. In 2016 I found an article about the periodic table of DevOps and wrote a blog post about it.

Periodic Table of DevOps Tools 2025

Periodic Table of DevOps Tools 2016

I thought it might be interesting to see what tools are still in use, and what are new.

Source Control

Git, the most popular source control system, is on both charts, in 2016 it was at position 3, and in 2025 it is at 2. GitHub, the most widely used web-based git repository, is also on both charts, moving from 1 to 10. Bitbucket (now owned by Atlassian) was a hosted git repository I used to use and is still on the chart, moving from 11 to 36. Subversion, a source control system I started my career with, has vanished off the chart in 2025. Not really a surprise due to the popularity of git now.

Cloud Platforms

In 2016 we had a whole column of Cloud Platforms, including Rackspace and OpenShift, in 2025 this has been reduced to the big three (Azure, AWS and GCP) plus OpenShift.

Containerization

In 2016 we had a column of tools like Docker, Docker Swarm and Kubernetes. In 2025 there are far more tools in this space, with the addition of tools like Helm and the various ways you can host containers on cloud platforms (like Azure AKS).

Build and Deploy tools

In 2016 Azure DevOps was still called Team Foundation Server, so this has spread out into the various ways you can use Azure DevOps, such as Pipelines and Code. Also since 2016 GitHub Actions has appeared on the market.

In 2016 I was also dabbling with TeamCity, this is no longer used that much so isn’t on the chart in 2025. Jenkins is still around on both charts.

Comms Tools

In 2025 Slack and MS Teams are the go-to tools for communicating with distributed teams, Slack was around in 2016, but Teams wasn’t a thing back then.

New Tools

New tools for monitoring like Grafana have appeared; back in 2016 I was exclusively using Application Insights from Azure.

Conclusion & Key Takeaways

The DevOps landscape has changed dramatically over the past decade. Some tools have stood the test of time, while others have faded or emerged to meet new challenges. Here are the key takeaways:

Git remains the backbone of source control, with platforms like GitHub and Bitbucket continuing to thrive.
Cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP) have become central, reflecting the shift to cloud-native development and operations.
Containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes, Helm) are now essential, enabling scalable, flexible deployments.
Monitoring and collaboration tools have evolved, with newcomers like Grafana and MS Teams joining established solutions.
Legacy tools are disappearing, showing the importance of adaptability in tech.

As DevOps continues to evolve, staying curious and open to new tools is key. The periodic table analogy reminds us that the right mix of technologies can empower teams to build, deploy, and manage software more effectively. What tools will shape the next decade? Only time will tell.

The Mandelbrot Set

funkysi1701@gmail.com (funkysi1701) — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 20:00:00 +0000

The Mandelbrot Set: Beauty, Chaos, and Mathematical Art

The Mandelbrot set is one of the most iconic images in mathematics—a mesmerizing swirl of fractal patterns, infinite complexity, and unexpected beauty. But what exactly is the Mandelbrot set, and why has it captured the imagination of mathematicians, artists, and curious minds alike?

What Is the Mandelbrot Set?

At its core, the Mandelbrot set is a collection of complex numbers. It’s defined by a simple equation, but the results are anything but simple. The definition is:

A complex number c is in the Mandelbrot set if, when you start with z = 0 and repeatedly apply the function z = z² + c, the value of z remains bounded (does not go to infinity), no matter how many times you iterate.

In other words, for each point c on the complex plane, you check: if you keep plugging it into this formula, does it stay small, or does it spiral out of control? If it stays small forever, it’s in the Mandelbrot set.

From Simple Formula to Stunning Images

The real magic happens when you visualize the Mandelbrot set on a computer. Each point in the complex plane is coloured based on whether it belongs to the set or how quickly it escapes to infinity. The result is a black, bulbous shape surrounded by intricate, infinitely detailed patterns that resemble swirling galaxies, seahorses, or lightning bolts—the Mandelbrot set and its “fractal boundary.”

Zooming in on the edge reveals ever more complexity, with shapes that are reminiscent of the original set at different scales. This property, a form of self-similarity, is a hallmark of fractals.

Why Is the Mandelbrot Set Important?

The Mandelbrot set is more than just a pretty picture. It’s a window into the world of complex dynamics and chaos theory. The set’s boundary is infinitely complex, showing how simple mathematical rules can generate unexpected and beautiful complexity.

It also has deep implications in mathematics:

Fractals: The Mandelbrot set is the most famous example of a fractal—a shape that shows similar, though not identical, patterns at every scale.
Chaos Theory: It illustrates sensitive dependence on initial conditions, where tiny changes can lead to drastically different outcomes.
Complex Numbers: It brings to life the beauty of complex numbers, which are usually abstract concepts in math classes.

The Mandelbrot Set in Art and Culture

Thanks to its stunning visuals, the Mandelbrot set has become a cultural icon. It’s inspired digital art, music, and even jewellery. It also serves as a symbol for how complexity and order can emerge from simple rules, a concept that resonates in fields from biology to computer science.

Try It Yourself

Many websites and software tools let you explore the Mandelbrot set interactively. Try zooming in and discover new shapes and patterns emerging at every level. It’s a fantastic way to experience the intersection of math, art, and chaos.

Final Thoughts

I have been fascinated by fractals since I was young. I remember seeing them generated on a Lynx computer and the process was slow, one pixel at a time, after a few hours you would see a complete Mandelbrot set. More recently I have looked at generating them in the browser (using .NET’s Blazor WebAssembly technology), and the image at the start of this post took only a few seconds to generate.

I’ve also created an interactive Mandelbrot set generator . It’s a work in progress, but you can already generate a set and zoom in using the buttons at the top or by clicking with your mouse. I plan to add more features in the coming weeks.

The Mandelbrot set reminds us that even the simplest equations can produce infinite complexity and beauty. It stands as an enduring inspiration—proof that mathematics is not just about numbers, but about wonder, creativity, and the endless possibilities hidden within the fabric of reality.

The Hacker Ethic

funkysi1701@gmail.com (funkysi1701) — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 20:00:00 +0000

The Hacker Ethic: Principles That Shaped the Digital Age

When most people hear the word “hacker,” they imagine shadowy figures breaking into computer systems. But the original meaning of “hacker” is far richer, rooted in curiosity, creativity, and a set of values that have profoundly shaped technology and culture. This philosophy, known as the hacker ethic, remains a powerful force driving innovation and openness in our digital world.

What Is the Hacker Ethic?

The term “hacker ethic” was popularized by Steven Levy in his book Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution (I have just finished listening to the audio version and highly recommend it). The book describes a set of beliefs and practices developed by early computer enthusiasts at places like MIT, Stanford, and the Homebrew Computer Club. Far from criminality, the hacker ethic is about playful exploration, sharing knowledge, and questioning limits.

The Core Principles

The hacker ethic can be distilled into several key tenets:

1. Access to Computers Should Be Unlimited and Total

Hackers believe that information and tools for learning should be open to all. They value environments where curiosity is encouraged and barriers to entry are low. This spirit led to the creation of open-source software, free educational resources, and collaborative online communities.

2. All Information Wants to Be Free

While not advocating for stealing proprietary data, hackers champion the free flow of information. They believe that sharing code, knowledge, and discoveries accelerates progress and empowers individuals. This principle underlies movements like open data, Creative Commons, and Wikipedia.

3. Mistrust Authority—Promote Decentralization

Hackers are skeptical of gatekeepers and centralized control. They prefer systems that empower individuals and distribute power. This mindset has influenced everything from peer-to-peer networks to blockchain technology.

4. Hackers Should Be Judged by Their Hacking, Not Bogus Criteria

Hackers value skill, creativity, and contribution over credentials or status. In hacker culture, what matters is what you build, solve, or improve—not your job title, age, or background. This meritocratic ideal helped shape the egalitarian ethos of the internet.

5. You Can Create Art and Beauty on a Computer

Hackers see computers not only as tools, but as canvases for creativity. From elegant code to digital art, they celebrate the artistry inherent in technology and design.

6. Computers Can Change Your Life for the Better

Hackers believe in the transformative potential of technology. They see computers as instruments of empowerment, education, and community—tools that can solve meaningful problems and improve lives.

Why the Hacker Ethic Matters Today

The hacker ethic is alive in open-source communities, maker spaces, and digital activism. It challenges us to question closed systems, embrace sharing, and use technology for good. In a world increasingly shaped by algorithms and artificial intelligence, the hacker ethic reminds us that human creativity, curiosity, and collaboration are still at the heart of progress.

After listening to the book, it’s clear that many of today’s security problems stem from this ethic. Early computers and software were built by design without security in mind. The hackers featured in the book strongly disliked passwords and locks; they believed information and systems should be open to all. I had incorrectly assumed this was merely an oversight, or that security wasn’t considered necessary at the time.

The growth of open source software can clearly be seen as an extension to the sharing of code started by these early hackers, instead of looking in a drawer for paper tape containing the code you want to improve, we go to GitHub, but the principle is the same.

Final Thoughts

The hacker ethic is far more than a technical mindset—it’s a philosophy of openness, empowerment, and playful problem-solving. By understanding and embracing these principles, we can build a digital future that is more inclusive, innovative, and free.

The more I think about my career with computers, the more I identify as a hacker rather than a programmer or any other job title. I started hacking together simple web pages, I then hacked away at networks and Active Directory, now I hack at .NET and Kubernetes.

Sponsored Link: Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution (book)