3 ms·
Ask HN: Which RFCs do you think most developers should read?
Some RFCs are complex and esoteric, and some are approachable educational, and rewarding even for generalists or non-experts.
As an example I felt that RFC 1034 ("DOMAIN NAMES - CONCEPTS AND FACILITIES") [0] was well worth reading.
Which RFCs do you think most developers would benefit from reading through in their entirety (or close to)?
[0] https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc1034
- zgs 4y agoRFC 1149 is worthwhile. It's followup, RFC 2549, rather less so. I've read lots of RFCs over the years and had too implement (too) many.
- xwowsersx 4y ago> Avian carriers can provide high delay, low throughput, and low altitude service Hahaha too good.
- L81132 4y agoEasy question -- everyone MUST read https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2119 https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2119. Seriously, once you get clarity and precision around these words, sloppy writing will make you cringe.
- xwowsersx 4y agoHaha love it, thanks
- drpixie 4y agoProbably none. RFCs are about implementation specifics and details. Developers should be aware they exist, but don't waste your time until you need to implement or use something specific. Better to spend your time getting a good general understanding of machine-code and assembler, compilers, network protocols, database mechanisms, etc. Then you'll be able to make sense of, and maybe implement, RFCs.
- xwowsersx 4y agoRight. So I started digging into some RFCs recently as they seemed relevant to lower-level networking topics that I wanted to have a clearer understanding of. I agree that it's probably a circuitous path to understanding these area, at least in most cases. Anyhow, I'm back in the mood of wanting to have a firmer grasp on "lower" level area, including the ones you mentioned. Years ago, I did this by checking out (in no particular order) - TCPIP Illustrated - Essentials of Compilation - Computer Networking A Top-Down Approach ...and many more. Do you have any thoughts on what a good course of study might be for someone who's a high-level programmer wanting to get a good general understanding of the areas you mentioned? Any books, resources, courses you'd recommend?
- drpixie 4y agoI'd say "the classics". Don't ignore older texts - the basics won't (don't, can't) change; the language of choice changes every year but the basics are still the same. Things I liked: * Tanenbaum on Computer Networks, and Structured Computer Organization (the examples are old but the fundamentals are very clear and very applicable) * Kernighan's original C book * Brooks Mythical Man-Month * Aho on Compilers (dragon book) * Abelson's Structure and Interpretation (for familiarity with algorithm basics) * Hofstadter on Godel (fun)
- xwowsersx 4y agoThanks for these!