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The Difference between Duplicate and Reference in Power Query

Power Query offers Duplicate and Reference features for loading data twice with distinctions in functionality.
Duplicate copies M-Code to create a new table, while Reference creates a new table based on an existing one.
SQL Profiler and Power Query Diagnostics are tools used to analyze the behavior of these features.
When creating a Duplicate, the data is retrieved twice with separate connections, as shown in SQL Profiler.
Creating a Reference also results in the data being read twice, indicating no difference in load traffic compared to Duplicate.
The key difference is that Duplicate creates an independent new table, whereas Reference is based on the outcome of the referenced table.
Reference is suitable for extracting subsets without affecting the original table, while Duplicate is needed for operations like merging tables due to circular references.
Consider potential conflicts during data loading, especially from sources like Excel, where adjusting settings for parallel loading may be necessary.
In conclusion, there is no difference in load performance between Duplicate and Reference in Power Query as both load data independently.
Understanding the distinctions between these features is vital for efficient data loading and transformation processes in Power Query.

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Engadget

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NotebookLM, the acceptable face of Google AI, is getting an app in May

NotebookLM, the Google research tool known for AI-generated podcasts, will launch an official app on May 20, 2025, coinciding with Google I/O.
Users can pre-register for the Android or iOS version, retaining core functionality for uploading various sources like PDFs, URLs, YouTube videos, and text.
NotebookLM evolved from Project Tailwind in I/O 2023 and now offers services in over 50 languages, making it a trustworthy AI tool grounded in chosen documents.
As part of Google's Gemini product focus at I/O 2025, NotebookLM's app release signifies its permanence, hinting at potential AI product reveals on May 20.

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Medium

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Functional Programming Tricks That Work Well in JavaScript

Functional programming in JavaScript heavily relies on closures and memory management behind the scenes, especially in methods like map, filter, and reduce.
Functions passed into map, filter, or reduce carry a 'memory' (closure) of the variables from the environment in which they were created.
Map creates a new array by applying a function to each item, maintaining access to variables via closures.
Filter tests and decides whether to keep items based on a function's result, benefitting from closure to hold onto external variables.
Reduce accumulates a single result by passing an accumulator through each step with closure maintaining outside values.
JavaScript's reference-based memory model for arrays and objects encourages immutability to avoid unexpected side effects.
Immutability involves creating new objects based on the original, preventing shared memory changes and enhancing data predictability.
Immutable patterns allow for safer data manipulation by controlling shared memory creation.
Functional programming concepts naturally align with closures, references, and immutability in JavaScript for cleaner and more predictable code.
By understanding these concepts, using map, filter, reduce, and immutable patterns becomes a natural and effective way of working in JavaScript.

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Medium

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Why Thread Priorities in Java Do Not Guarantee Execution Order

Java thread priorities are treated as a suggestion rather than a strict rule by the operating system.
Each thread in Java has a priority value between 1 and 10.
Setting a thread's priority does not directly control when it will run or enforce a strict execution order.
The JVM communicates the thread's priority to the operating system, which ultimately decides how to prioritize threads.
Different operating systems handle thread priorities differently, not always aligning with Java's priority scale.
Operating systems like Windows translate Java priorities into their own thread-priority constants, impacting thread scheduling.
Threads can voluntarily yield the CPU through methods like Thread.sleep() or Thread.yield(), affecting their execution order.
Thread behavior can appear unpredictable due to preemptive multitasking and various factors influencing thread scheduling decisions.
Relying solely on thread priorities for precise program behavior is risky, and using synchronization mechanisms is more reliable.
Concurrency design around synchronization tools rather than thread priorities can lead to more predictable program execution.

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Infoq

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QCon London 2025 Day 3: AMQP Politics, Serverless Databases, Betrayal in Security and Architecture

Day three of the 19th annual QCon London conference focused on AMQP Politics, Serverless Databases, and Security in Architecture.
John O'Hara's keynote on AMQP traced the evolution of the protocol, emphasizing the importance of dedicated leadership and thorough specifications.
AMQP, created in 2003, is ISO-certified, processing 10 trillion messages per day with implementations like RabbitMQ and Apache Qpid.
Alex Seaton presented on building a database without a server, highlighting the complexities of object storage and Conflict-Free Replicated Data Types (CRDTs).
Seaton discussed challenges like clock drift, distributed locking, and the subtleties of CRDTs in database management.
Shana Dacres-Lawrence's presentation emphasized the relationship between security and architecture, warning against betraying one at the cost of both.
Dacres-Lawrence outlined defense strategies against betrayal, advocating for open communication, technology tools, automation, validation, and collaborative culture.
Key takeaways included the significance of consistency, adopting a 'shift-left' approach, being intentional, and ensuring that security guides architecture while architecture shapes security.
The QCon London conference delved into the complexities of AMQP, serverless databases, and the critical intersection between security and architecture.
Speakers highlighted the importance of dedicated leadership, technological advancements, and the interplay between trust, security, and architectural integrity.

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Sdtimes

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April 2025: All AI updates from the past month

Anthropic announced Integrations for Claude, allowing users to connect apps and tools using the Model Context Protocol (MCP).
Amazon's Nova Premier, a foundation model, became generally available with capabilities for handling complex tasks.
JetBrains open-sourced its code completion LLM, Mellum, designed specifically for code completion tasks.
Akka introduced new deployment options benefiting developers building distributed systems, including agentic AI systems.
Ketryx launched AI agents for regulated industries, maintaining human oversight for compliance.
Docker is set to launch the MCP Catalog, offering over 100 verified MCP tools for developers.
Solo.io introduced Agent Gateway and Agent Mesh for providing security, observability, and governance for agent interactions.
AWS created SWE-PolyBench benchmark for evaluating coding abilities of AI agents across different programming languages.
OpenAI added an image generation model to its API, enabling developers to incorporate image generation capabilities.
NVIDIA NeMo microservices are now available, providing a platform for creating and deploying AI workflows.

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Tech Radar

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ChatGPT could have multiple preset personalities for you to interact with in the future, to help combat its sycophantic personality problem

OpenAI has addressed the rollback of the most recent update to ChatGPT-4o due to complaints about its sycophantic personality.
In response, OpenAI is refining core training techniques to avoid sycophancy in the future and introducing more personalization features for user control.
Joanne Jang, Head of Model Behavior at OpenAI, mentioned the possibility of ChatGPT having multiple preset personalities to address the issue.
OpenAI is currently working on fixing the problems with ChatGPT's personality but hasn't provided a specific timeline for the next update.

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Changelly

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Image Credit: Changelly

What is a Layer-2 (L2) Blockchain Network Solution?

A Layer-2 (L2) blockchain network is a solution built on top of existing blockchains like Ethereum or Bitcoin to improve speed and reduce costs.
Layer-2 solutions handle most transaction activities off-chain, enhancing scalability without compromising security.
Prominent Layer-2 examples include the Lightning Network for Bitcoin and Optimism or Arbitrum for Ethereum.
The limitations of Layer-1 blockchains like Ethereum and Bitcoin in terms of speed and scalability have led to congestion and high fees.
Layer-2 solutions, such as rollups and state channels, process transactions off-chain to reduce fees, improve speed, and enhance scalability.
Different types of Layer-2 solutions include state channels, sidechains, rollups, Plasma, and Validium, each with unique features and benefits.
Notable Layer-2 networks like Arbitrum, Optimism, and zkSync have significantly improved transaction speeds and costs on Ethereum.
Layer-2 solutions offer lower fees, faster transactions, and increased utility for DeFi and NFT platforms, making them essential for improving blockchain performance.
The future of Layer-2 networks involves enhanced interoperability, decentralized sequencers, and major platforms integrating Layer-2 solutions for improved scalability and efficiency.
Layer-2 networks do not replace Layer-1 blockchains but complement them, offering solutions for scalability limitations and improving overall blockchain performance.

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Tech Radar

350

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I took my Meta Quest 3 on a 3,000-mile flight so you don’t have to – here's what I learned

The author shares their experience taking a Meta Quest 3 on a long flight from London to Miami.
They faced challenges with software recommendations and movie downloads, with limited offline content available.
Despite these hurdles, watching 'Avengers: Endgame' in mixed reality using the Meta Quest 3 was a positive experience.
However, battery life and bulky accessories posed concerns for long-haul flights, impacting the convenience of using the VR headset.
The author suggests that VR headsets like the Meta Quest 3 may be more suitable for shorter flights due to space and battery limitations.
Issues like arm movements and space constraints in economy seats also highlight practical challenges of using VR headsets during flights.
The author acknowledges the potential of VR technology for in-flight entertainment but emphasizes the need for improvements like better battery life and motion controls.
While the Meta Quest 3 provided an immersive movie experience and helped alleviate flight anxiety, practical obstacles currently limit its viability for long-haul travel.
In conclusion, despite the potential for VR headsets to enhance travel experiences, the author opts for AR glasses over the Meta Quest 3 for future flights.

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Medium

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How WhatsApp Built Privacy-Preserving AI (and How You Can Too)

Meta has developed a privacy-preserving AI feature called Private Processing, using Trusted Execution Environment (TEE), Remote Attestation with TLS (RA-TLS), and OHTTP to ensure data security and privacy.
Private Processing leverages TEE, such as Intel SGX or ARM TrustZone, for decryption inside a secure enclave, ensuring data remains protected even if the server or operating system is compromised.
RA-TLS allows user devices to verify enclave integrity before data transmission, while OHTTP secures the transport layer, making requests anonymous to the processor.
WhatsApp's approach involves processing data without storing it, enabling compliance, auditability, and user opt-in for enhanced privacy, with Meta committing to transparency and external audits.

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Engadget

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Ask Engadget: Is it a good time to move to Macs from Windows?

It's a great time to switch from Windows to Mac, with MacBook Air and MacBook Pro being highly rated laptops over the last few years.
Major advantages of Mac include speed due to Apple Silicon, superior battery life lasting up to two full work days, and durability.
Some downsides of switching to Mac are the learning curve, lack of touchscreen support, and limited gaming library.
Historically, Mac and Windows have different user cultures and price differences, with Mac now offering something for everyone with its latest hardware.
Recommended Mac options include MacBook Air for portability, MacBook Pro for high performance, Mac mini for desktop users, iMac for family use, and Mac Studio for professionals.
Apple's custom hardware and Apple Silicon chips have made Macs more powerful and efficient compared to Windows PCs.
The transition from Windows to Mac involves learning basic macOS features and differences in app installation and trackpad usage.
While gaming support on Mac has improved, Windows still offers a broader range of games and upgrade options unavailable on Macs.
Mac hardware is known for its longevity and durability, with Apple Silicon chips enhancing speed and battery life significantly.
As cloud services become more common, the differences between Mac and Windows have slightly lessened, allowing for similar user experiences across platforms.

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Javarevisited

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Some bus stop shelters may actually make you hotter, study finds

Some bus stop shelters may actually increase heat stress instead of providing relief, as per a study from UTHealth Houston.
Research analyzed the impact of different shelter designs and nearby trees on heat stress, which is the strain the body feels from high temperatures, humidity, sunlight, and wind.
Findings revealed that certain shelter designs could trap heat, leading to hotter conditions, while others, like shelters with glass elements and shade from trees, effectively lowered heat stress by several degrees.
The study emphasizes the importance of thoughtful shelter design and tree planting to create safer and more comfortable public transit spaces, particularly as summer temperatures increase.

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Github

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Building a more accessible GitHub CLI

GitHub is focused on making its tools accessible to all developers, including through the GitHub CLI that enables GitHub's functionalities in the terminal.
While web and graphical applications have accessibility standards like WCAG, the terminal lacks a comprehensive standard for accessibility.
GitHub's recent Public Preview aims to cater to users relying on screen readers, needing high contrast, and requiring customizable color options.
Improvements in the GitHub CLI target accessibility for blind, low-vision, and colorblind users by considering text output and structural cues.
Enhancements in prompts and progress indicators address challenges faced by speech synthesis screen readers, making interactions more accessible.
Color, contrast, and customization play vital roles in the terminal, and GitHub CLI works on aligning its color palettes to accommodate user preferences.
Future goals include extending accessibility improvements to extension authors, ensuring a consistent experience across all GitHub CLI commands.
The GitHub team welcomes feedback and collaboration to further enhance the accessibility of the GitHub CLI for all developers.
Adapting accessibility standards for the CLI presents both challenges and opportunities, with a focus on setting new accessibility standards for CLI tools.
GitHub encourages developers to participate, provide feedback, and contribute to building a more accessible GitHub for everyone.
The commitment to accessibility in the CLI space reflects GitHub's dedication to inclusivity and continued efforts to improve accessibility.

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Javacodegeeks

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Micronaut Backends for Swing Frontends

Micronaut offers a solution for connecting Swing frontends to modern cloud services securely.
Traditional Swing applications often face challenges with integration, but Micronaut's lightweight design and native cloud support provide an elegant solution.
Using Micronaut for Swing backends ensures fast startup time, low memory footprint, and built-in OAuth2 support for secure authentication.
By integrating JavaFX WebView with Micronaut, Swing applications can securely handle the OAuth2 flow, enabling seamless communication with cloud backends.

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