Jason C. McDonald

Author | Speaker | Hacker | Time Lord

Hacker

I am a hacker (by the true definition of the term) with a passion for open source software.

Expert in Python and C++, proficient in Bash, C, Ruby, C#, Typescript, CSS, HTML, and PostgreSQL (plus a little Assembly on the side). I know just enough of a bunch of other languages to get into trouble. I love reading and improving legacy code!

I'm an accidental expert in memory management, debugging undefined behavior, and advanced object-oriented and functional programming. I deeply enjoy working with algorithmic efficiency, data structures, design patterns, and algorithms. I'm a Linux power user, reluctant IT, computer repair technician, and open source advocate.

Additionally, I have expertise in Agile project management, coding style, documentation, testing, and DevOps/CI/CD/build systems.

I'm looking for my next adventure as a Software Engineering Manager.

I'm the Lead Developer at MousePaw Media. I'm a member of the Ubuntu community, the Open Source Initiative, and the Python Software Foundation. I serve as one of the community moderators on DEV.

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Current Projects

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Dead Simple Python

The most pedantically Python primer printed! Based on my popular DEV article series, Dead Simple Python is written for existing developers who want to learn and master idiomatic Python without wasting time rehashing the basics of computer programming. Edited by Python experts, and packed with vibrant, realistic examples, you won't just learn how to write Python code; you'll learn to think like a native Pythonista!

Available from No Starch Press.

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Timecard 2.0

Time tracking should be simple. Timecard allows you to start, pause, and log how much time you spend, all from within a simple, unified interface. [Win/Linux]

This is a resurrection of the first software application I ever built. I've reimagined it in Python and PySide2 (Qt 5).

Project Website

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Omission

A deceptively simple word game that challenges you to find the missing letter in a famous quotation. Published through MousePaw Games. [Win/Linux]

I built this game in Python 3 and Kivy. The game itself took only two months to build; it took nearly four years to figure out how to package it!

Project Website

Articles

Here is a selection of my more popular articles:

Projects

I've worked on a lot of diverse projects, both independently and through my software company. Here's a few highlights...

My Tech Stack

Languages and Technologies

See the Full List

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