Ask HN: What technologies did you learn in 2018?

I have been wanting to build a data/science + finance project for the longest time but couldn't pull it off earlier. I finally took a break from work and learned Python + Data Science libraries (Pandas) along with a web framework called Plotly Dash that allows for pretty cool stuff, all inside Python.

I have a dirty prototype running for cryptocurrencies and have been advised to convert this to a "venture", so I am working on that now :) that has been much harder than I expected.

http://earlyaccess.coinquanta.com/

I started using some of the async/await syntax using https://github.com/alexcrichton/futures-await about 6 months ago. I had much problems with understanding the compiler errors because async functions were created using macros, and the compiler was not going a very good job at showing the errors (Or maybe I was missing some information about how to do this).

However, if you are willing to work with nightly Rust, you will be able to start using Futures 0.3 with async and await!. Using the async and await! syntax gave me such a huge boost to productivity that I am willing to walk on the edge and use the alpha version with nightly Rust (futures-preview = "0.3.0-alpha.10").

The integration with things like clocks and networking (The things you get from Tokio) are not yet perfect, but there is a compatibility layer you can use that works reasonably well. There is also the Romio project (https://github.com/withoutboats/romio) as an attempt to make a minimal Tokio that works with the new Futures syntax. I recently saw this post by jsdw, it might help you get started: https://jsdw.me/posts/rust-asyncawait-preview/

I already wrote large amounts of code using Futures 0.3 with async/await for the offst project (https://github.com/freedomlayer/offst). A very simple example you can start with is the Timer module, providing time ticks over channels to other parts of the system. It's code is pretty self contained and shows what could be achieved with the new async/await syntax. You can find it here: https://github.com/freedomlayer/offst/blob/master/components...

- C++ due to studying Computer Science in University. So far I'm finding it to be quite enjoyable. The last class was on dynamic variables and pointers before that. Next semester I'll have intermediate C++ next semester.

- I've found I really enjoy math also. In high school (2008-2012), I thought I was terrible at it and managed to only get pre-calc under my belt. Once again I'm in pre-calc but falling in love with it. Got an A in pre-calc 1 and have pre-calc 2 also next semester. Really excited for calculus.

- While I've been fairly intermediate at PowerShell for a couple years now (developed scripts to automate highly repetitive tasks), I'm now learning Bash and the syntax is quite interesting.

- Studying once again for the VMware Certified Advanced Professional Data Center Deployment certification exam. Have sat for it twice and failed, hopefully the third time is the charm.

- Favorite tech that I've messed with this year is probably Ansible.