Show HN: MassCode – a code snippets manager for developers
github.com
github.com
> python manage.py diffsettings --all
My use case for snippets is mainly to stub out tests, components, and stories - things that are largely an exercise in boilerplate code with fill-in-the-blanks changes to start with. I can't think of a way to do that with a script that would be less effort than a snippet.
But in reality the overhead of creating and maintaining a library/tool/package can be enormous, for relatively small gains in re-usability (see: https://xkcd.com/1205/).
This snippet library seems more like a step before creating a library, kind of like note taking apps are a step before blog posts or publications.
I think you could still use this and be a good programmer.
Cherry Tree, Joplin, Zim, Trilium Notes; all have the ability to create a tree-like folder structure.
> I would recommend updating your demo GIF to more accurately portray the idea. Perhaps instead of just typing the function into the text editor, it should also convey how snippets can be saved and reused at a later point. This would give me a better idea of how to utilize the project.
The comment wasn't particularly unfriendly at all. It didn't contain any personal attacks or contentless bashing. Indeed, the comment did something valuable: identified a problem, and thoroughly described why it was a problem. If the only way some one can give usable problem analysis and criticism is by including suggested fixes, and delicately toning down the criticism, then far fewer people are going to be willing to expend enough effort to interact beyond meaningless cheerleaderism.
In fact, your suggestion of a different way to criticize comes across to me as incredibly condescending -- to both the commenter and the original author.
> If the only way some one can give usable problem analysis and criticism is by including suggested fixes,
I think we can all agree that the inclusion of suggested fixes does make feedback more helpful in general.
> and delicately toning down the criticism, then far fewer people are going to be willing to expend enough effort to interact
It does require a little additional effort to write kinder feedback, to take the moment to address the human being behind an Internet comment in a similar way to how we might address a person face to face. I'm as guilty as any of failing in that way.
But if criticism's aim is to improve, it will be more successful if it's more easily digested by its audience. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar and all that.
And really the reply above isn't that big a difference. In my view, it's a sign of intelligence, learning how to communicate effectively. If raising the bar only this high results in "far fewer people" interacting, maybe that's a good thing. I don't really need to hear from people unable to tame their own words when they have no time limit on typing them, and I'd rather belong to a community with fewer responses but a higher proportion of politeness and shared humanity than an array of comments expressing the kind of gruff emphasis on failure that bookends the original comment, "Your gif doesn't convey your idea __at all__," and "i'm confused as to why this project even exists."
Edit: BTW today I learned "stet" thanks to you.
I'm not sure why emphasis on failure is a problem, when that failure is precisely what is being communicated. However, the comment certainly does look a lot more unfriendly in light of the responses. Perhaps I was too kind to "i'm confused as to why this project even exists", because I don't understand why I would ever want "code snippets" myself.
Image showing what I mean: https://i.imgur.com/Beo2qve.png
From the FAQ: https://news.ycombinator.com/newsfaq.html
> Why don't I see down arrows?
> There are no down arrows on stories. They appear on comments after users reach a certain karma threshold, but never on direct replies.
Disclaimer: I built GistPad, and am just mentioning it since you mentioned GitHub-based snippets.
Anyone having an idea how to come close to MassCode's UI with a React.js UI library? Is there anything out there, which is similar?
"npm build" SHOULD get it running locally but it didn't for me. Did anyone else get it working?
It’s called GistPad, and in addition to allowing you to create/manage code snippets, it supports easily moving files between your local machine and gists, pasting images, starring/forking gists, viewing and replying to comment threads, and creating “playgrounds” that are CodePen-like runnable samples: https://aka.ms/gistpad.
Additionally, since it’s a VS Code extension, you can easily edit/manage your snippets, while taking advantage of your existing editor setup/language support, using your favorite extensions, arranging files into arbitrary grid configurations, etc.
Can it support private gists? I couldn't find a way to enable that.
“Secret” is the term that GitHub uses (as compared to a private repo), which is why I call them that.