The Curious History of JavaScript Comments: Why `<!--` and `-->` Work

2025-03-12

This article unravels the curious history behind the use of `` as comment characters in JavaScript. Initially, to ensure compatibility with older browsers, developers would wrap their JavaScript code within HTML comments inside `` tags. Surprisingly, modern browsers still support this syntax due to historical browser compatibility burdens and the standardization committee's commitment to 'not breaking the web'. The article explains how this syntax works and why `-->` must appear at the beginning of a line.

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Development

Applying the Hierarchy of Controls to Software Engineering

2025-03-08

A mechanical engineer introduced the author to the Hierarchy of Controls (HoC), a crucial concept in workplace safety. The author applies HoC to software engineering, analyzing a production database incident caused by a wrong query ten years ago. The article explores applying elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE) to mitigate risks in software development. Each level's advantages, disadvantages, and limitations are discussed – for example, overly strict access policies might slow down problem resolution. The author emphasizes holistically considering the impact of controls on system safety, preventing the introduction of new risks.

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Development