# Ahmed Shamim Hassan > Software architect with ten years of experience building scalable systems. Laravel contributor, open-source maintainer, author, and mentor. ## Blog - [A tale of proxy server](https://ahmedshamim.com/blog/a-tale-of-proxy-server/): Proxy servers are a crucial concept in 'Software engineering' and 'System design'. Let's learn about the difference between 'forward proxy' and 'reverse proxy' in brief from this article. - [Probabilistic Data Structures: Bloom filter](https://ahmedshamim.com/blog/probabilistic-data-structures-bloom-filter/): Let's understand one of the most popular probabilistic data structures, how it works, and where it will be useful. - [Retry mechanisms in Laravel](https://ahmedshamim.com/blog/retry-mechanisms-in-laravel/): Laravel provides some excellent 'Retry' mechanisms out of the box for handling transient failures! In this article, we'll learn about these mechanisms to build a reliable system using Laravel! - [How Do You Authenticate, Mate?](https://ahmedshamim.com/blog/how-do-you-authenticate-mate/): A definitive guide to authentication for software developers! - [What Every Programmer Should Know About ‘String’](https://ahmedshamim.com/blog/what-every-programmer-should-know-about-string/): In our day-to-day programming, we use 'String' a lot. Like a really lot! There are some important concepts regarding Strings that every programmer should know. Let's learn them from this article! - [Open Office Environment Should Be Like ‘Library’, Not ‘Cafeteria’](https://ahmedshamim.com/blog/open-office-environment-should-be-like-library-not-cafeteria/): Open offices are fine — treating them like cafeterias is not. Why deep work needs library rules, from years of working in noisy rooms. - [Webhook for You and Me](https://ahmedshamim.com/blog/webhook-for-you-and-me/): Webhook is an interesting and useful concept in Web development. In this article, I tried to explain this concept very simply with a real-life scenario. - [Do not start writing code until you understand the 'problem'!](https://ahmedshamim.com/blog/do-not-start-writing-code-until-you-understand-the-problem/): Jumping straight into code breeds wrong assumptions and tech debt. Understand the problem first — analyze requirements, ask questions, share designs early. - [My key takeaways from ‘Devs Answer’ series](https://ahmedshamim.com/blog/my-key-takeaways-from-devs-answer-series/): Lessons from Honeypot’s ‘Devs Answer’ interviews — staying current without burning out, asking for what you want, and other advice from senior developers. - [Observer vs Pub-Sub Pattern](https://ahmedshamim.com/blog/observer-vs-pub-sub-pattern/): Is there any difference between 'Observer' and 'Pub-sub design pattern'? Some say, yes there is. Some say they are the same. Let's find out from this article. - [Which Programming Language Should I Learn?](https://ahmedshamim.com/blog/which-programming-language-should-i-learn/): Languages are like vehicles: there is no single best one, only the right one for your destination. A framework for picking your first programming language. ## Projects ## Open source - [GLWTPL](https://ahmedshamim.com/open-source/glwtpl/): The "Good Luck With That" Public License — a software license for code you're setting free with zero promises. - [Bangla Programming Resources](https://ahmedshamim.com/open-source/bangla-programming-resources/): Curated list of Bangla tutorials, references, and resources across programming topics. - [DevTools](https://ahmedshamim.com/open-source/devtools/): Ultimate developer toolkit desktop app — everyday utilities like formatters, encoders, and converters in one offline app. - [PulseDeck](https://ahmedshamim.com/open-source/pulsedeck/): The reporting inbox for your AI agents — one place to see what your agents did and flag what needs you. - [Laravel Framework](https://ahmedshamim.com/open-source/laravel-framework/): The PHP framework for web artisans — merged pull requests to the framework core. - [Symfony VarDumper](https://ahmedshamim.com/open-source/symfony-var-dumper/): Symfony's variable dumping component — contributed via the symfony/symfony monorepo. - [Gitmoji CLI](https://ahmedshamim.com/open-source/gitmoji-cli/): Interactive CLI for using gitmoji on commits — improved the search with better matching suggestions. - [NativePHP for Laravel](https://ahmedshamim.com/open-source/nativephp-laravel/): Laravel wrapper for the NativePHP desktop framework — fixed the native database and migration commands. - [Laravel Boost](https://ahmedshamim.com/open-source/laravel-boost/): Laravel's MCP server for AI-powered development — contributed the skills list command. - [Laravel Enum](https://ahmedshamim.com/open-source/laravel-enum/): Simple, extensible enumeration implementation for Laravel — simplified the localization process. - [Laravel Request Analytics](https://ahmedshamim.com/open-source/laravel-request-analytics/): Self-hosted request analytics for Laravel apps — page views, visitors, and traffic insights without a third-party tracker. ## Curated - [Pairing with Junior Developers](https://ahmedshamim.com/curated/pairing-with-junior-developers/): Sarah Mei on onboarding junior developers through pairing, so they become assets instead of burdens. - [Simple Systems Have Less Downtime](https://ahmedshamim.com/curated/simple-systems-have-less-downtime/): Greg Kogan's case for resisting over-engineering: the simpler the system, the less there is to break.