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Articles by Azhar Alvi
Phase 8 — Making It Trustworthy: Hardening a FastAPI App with an Audit, a Test Net, and a Logging Bug I Typed Twice
Phase 7 gave the app a brain. Phase 8 was about making it trustworthy — the unglamorous gate between "works on my machine" and "safe to put a URL in front of." No new features. Instead: a security audit that probed my own API for leaks, a global exception handler so unexpected errors stop leaking internals, a five-test pytest suite that turns every manual check into a permanent one, and a git-history secrets sweep.
Phase 7b — Bolting On the AI: An LLMCategorizer Behind the Same Door (with Caching, a Fallback, and Six Model Names)
The seam I built in Phase 7a finally earned its keep. I dropped a Gemini-backed categorizer in behind the exact same interface — main.py never noticed — with a config toggle, description-level caching so I'm not paying for the same "Starbucks" twice, and a rules fallback for when the model is down, slow, or wrong. Here's the build, the six model names it took to get one working call, and the silent except block that hid a completely broken LLM for an embarrassingly long time.
Phase 7a — Getting Opinionated: Rules-Based Auto-Categorization (and a Seam for the AI Later)
My expense app finally has a point of view on what I'm spending money on. No AI yet — just honest keyword rules, a nullable column, and one interface that means I can bolt an LLM on later without ripping anything out. Here's the build, three "empty value" bugs that bit me, and the habits that kept it clean.
Phase 6 — Give Me the Receipts: Date-Range Reports & CSV Export in FastAPI
Tagline: Let the database do the filtering, let Python do the formatting, and never hand-build a CSV. Introduction By the end of Phase 5 my app could already tell me how much I'd spent this month and whether I was up or down versus last month. Nice numbers on a dashboard. But numbers on a screen aren't something you can do anything with — you can't hand them to an accountant, drop them into a spreadsheet, or keep a copy.
Phase 5: The Numbers Start Talking
My expense tracker could already remember everything. It could register users, hash passwords, issue JWTs, isolate one user's expenses from another's, and do complete CRUD through a responsive React UI. That was the end of Phase 4, Part 2: The Deviation: the app had a face, expired sessions returned me cleanly to login instead of leaving me stranded, the components had clearer jobs, and Tailwind had made the whole thing look less like a form recovered from an abandoned government portal.
Phase 4 [Part 2] : The Deviation
Kill the 30-minute dead-end where an expired token traps you on a broken screen, break one bloated component into smaller ones that each own their job, and give the login and app shell their first real coat of paint — the two debts I flagged at the end of Part 1, plus the refactor that made fixing them possible. At the close of Part 1, my app finally had a face: I could log in through a real form and do full CRUD without ever opening /docs. Genuinely a milestone.
Teaching My Backend to Lock the Door — FastAPI Auth, Phase 3
Hash the password, hand out a token, and make absolutely sure no one can read someone else's expenses. So Phase 2 gave my app a mouth. It could finally talk — create, read, update, and delete expenses over real HTTP endpoints, all clicking together through /docs. But there was a giant, deliberately-ignored problem sitting in the middle of it: the door had no lock. Anyone who could reach the server could read, edit, or delete anything.
Teaching My Backend to Listen and Reply — FastAPI CRUD, Phase 2
Validate what comes in, shape what goes out, and give every outcome its proper status code. So Phase 1 gave my app a memory — a real database that remembers users and expenses even after a restart. Small problem: the only way to actually talk to it was a Python script I ran by hand. The app could remember things, but it was mute. Nobody on the internet could add an expense, list their spending, or delete a typo. Phase 2 fixes that.
Phase 0 : Building My First FastAPI App: Setup, Git, and Secrets Done Right
Tagline: Commit small, commit often, write real messages. Creating a hello-world app sounds easy — and it is. But doing it the right way, with proper git hygiene, isolated environments, and secrets handled safely from day one? That takes a bit more care. Here's what I actually did, step by step, and why.
Best Uplifting Documentaries That Are Well Worth Your Time
We have had some rough days in the past year and the only takeaway from those times is that we have come out as stronger beings not only as individuals, but species as a whole. The past year has taught us that even though times can be challenging and uncertain, there is no adversity in the world stronger than our human spirit. As such, we have come into the new year with a healthy mindset of expecting the worst but hoping and working for the best.
Simple Vehicle Care Tips For Extreme Winter
The winter season is not very kind to machines. There is a risk of corrosion, fluids freezing, engine components failing and a host of other maladies that can often impair their performance. And as we are so dependent on them in our daily lives, it often becomes prudent to care for them when the mercury drops low. This is especially true for our automobiles.
Don't miss the best Christmas ideas you can do while social distancing
Christmas and New Year celebrations have traditionally been full of mirth and laughter and good company around. But this year has been, with other things, anything but traditional. With the global pandemic in the form of the coronavirus, every public event has suffered a battering, and with vaccinations still in their early phases of testing, social distancing is still very much the norm as we turn to the 2021 chapter.
Top 7 Emerging Technologies For The future That Will Change the World
The 21st century has been the age of information and data. Over the centuries, we have collected a smorgasbord of information and knowledge and with computational power increasing every year, we have created an almost virtual reality on which we exist and have based our studies. This vast ocean of knowledge has enabled us to lay the foundations of a future that was previously only possible in movies.
The Dark Side Of Social Media: How Social Media Can Negatively Affect Our Lives?
Social media has been in existence for longer than one can imagine. As a matter of fact, it had its genesis with the advent of computers. The need to connect the computers over a network for sharing information inadvertently gave rise to humans needing to communicate with each other discreetly, and hence, the earliest forms of the modern social media format had its roots in the 60s.
CEOWORLD magazine
As a person who has worked his/her way up life’s daunting challenges to find success, it is a no brainer that you will come to a point in life when you just want things to be laid out to you in a platter for once. After all, you deserve it. All the possessions and wealth you have accrued are not just to prove you’ve accomplished your goals; they are also there to make life easier for you and the people you care about.
9 of the Best Road Trips in India, 2020
As far as exploratory potential goes, India is right up there with the best of them. To its inhabitants, India may be a gigantic land of industrious people always on the move, going about their daily jobs nonchalantly, but to the outside world, it is chock full of surprises at literally every turn. The vast variation in landscape, diversity, culture and languages makes this country a fascinating world to explore.
Recommended: The 10 Best Air Purifying Plants For The Home
A good and healthy lifestyle is a direct product of the air we breathe, the environment we dwell in, and the habits we inculcate. This also explains the reason why its important to be close to nature as much as possible, because as important money-making is to lead a fulfilling life, having an environment that fosters healthy mind and soul is no less important.
These Are The 8 Tips For Mental Well Being
The world is moving and changing at such a vast rate, with umpteen new issues cropping up on a daily basis, there are a rising number of concerns around the quality of life in general, specifically, the mental wellbeing of the common man. As it turns out, the greatest war on war on Earth is not being fought between nations of factions, but the one within the soul.
COVID-19: The 10 Best Everyday Immunity Boosting Drinks You Can Make At Home
Perhaps more than ever before, the desire to stay healthy and resistant to infections has assumed paramount proportions is recent times, all thanks to the recent coronavirus pandemic.
Top Places To Visit Based On Your Star Sign, 2020 - Dream Vacation
Often, our leisure travel choices are defined by what others have recommended us with or what we see people doing in social media, and as such, our expectations for our said travel are already set before we even step out of our homes. As much as this is a good thing, in that it prepares you for what you are eventually going to get, it also dilutes the entire experience of exploring the unknown because you have already seen it through a certain paradigm.
COVID-19: Far Reaching Effects Of The Coronavirus
As the world continues to battle with the coronavirus pandemic, with major countries and communities still under lockdown, there are many who have begun to question the future of humankind and how this world phenomenon will shape the things to come. There is no doubt that every aspect of our daily lives has been affected in some way or the other, and because this has been going on for such a long time, the COVID-19 pandemic will have a profound effect on the future.
Here Is A List Of The Top 8 Pandemics The World Has Gone Through
As the world battles with one of the worst pandemics that have affected the world through the ages, the thought often comes to mind about the very nature of such pandemics to occur in the first place. Many schools of thought simply perceive them as a sort of “reset buttons”, restoring order in a world full of increasing chaos.
Top 8 Mythbusters For The COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic
There is no doubting the fact that the coronavirus pandemic, or COVID-19 as it is so-called, has brought the world to a virtual standstill. Very rarely through all of history has a worldwide phenomenon occurred that has affected every aspect of human life, and every class of humans, as profoundly as this one.
How to Effectively Manage Your Business on A Busy Schedule
When you are running a business there are so many things that need to be handled at once. Many business owners work to very busy schedules and this can increase the pressure on certain areas of the business. Managing this effectively is tricky and many people struggle to handle it. Effectively Schedule in Your Work If you are hoping to keep up with the important things when you have a busy schedule, then you should always make sure that you are planning your day out carefully.
How to maintain high performing teams through the COVID-19 lockdown
COVID-19 is keeping our world in suspense. Governments and crisis management bodies are installing quick measures for remedy in all areas of our daily lives. Social distancing is imperative, and many parts of our societies are now locked down. Obviously, this has huge consequences privately and professionally.
Robotics empowering communities in times of crisis: How drones and autonomous vehicles can provide aid without the risk of face-to-face contact
How can drones help bring supplies as we’re social distancing? Unmanned automated vehicles are reducing face-to-face contact worldwide. China quickly deployed remote trucks for deliveries during its shutdown to limit human interaction. Organizations like Zipline have used drones to deliver critical medications to locations in Rwanda for more than a year – whether it’s medication, transporting blood samples, etc. Discuss your brand’s unique partnerships with Uber Eats and the US Army.
5 Beachwear Brands To Consider For Your Next Vacation
Spending time by a beach is a therapy in its own right. And an integral part of that journey is the beachwear that accompanies you. Every piece of beachwear that you own has some memory associated with it, a part of the journey that you brought back with it. It is time to head back; the weather’s turning hot again making it perfect for a seaside getaway. It’s time to create more memories.
Top tips for spending a quality quarantine
It is an almost certain fact that all of us have never faced disruption in the world order as profound as the one in recent times, where the entire planet has seemingly been shut down because of a global pandemic that, despite the best efforts of the people and governments, could not be contained in its initial stages and has now assumed gargantuan proportions.
CEOWORLD magazine
We have been through this before — on company, industry, national and global levels. It is difficult to imagine that as we experience and react to the human and economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
When Faith And Fellowship Kills
This week, Christians and Jews will celebrate Holy Week and Passover, and later in the month, Muslims will begin Ramadan. Millions of Americans will practice their sacred rituals, but without the fellowship that usually accompanies them, thanks to social distancing guidelines and community lockdowns. At least that is the hope of local and state governments—and epidemiologists like me.
The Positive Side Of COVID-19
The world has hit kind of a reset button in 2020. The reason for that is obvious. A novel virus that originated in the Wuhan district of China has now taken refuge in host bodies in almost every part of the world. Even the remote islands of French Polynesia have not been spared. Aviation, transportation, travel, services and gigantic companies have ground to a halt.
Highly Recommended Cafes in Detroit
The iconic ‘motor city’, Detroit is fast regaining its lost glory by reigniting the inherent entrepreneurial passion. The town is reassembling around the modern tech startups, and the neo-age cafes are making a gainful contribution in making the city great again. Cafeterias were and are the place where communities commune to collaborate and create. With the rise of the entrepreneurial community, Detroit has witnessed a boom in coffee shops in recent years.
What to do in 48 Hours in Dublin: Reasons to Explore
Dublin, the capital of Ireland, situated on the mouth of River Liffey, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. The city, with its glorious history and rich culture, is home to several renowned historical marvels. The warm and friendly Irish people welcome millions of travelers from across the world to experience the right mix of adventure, entertainment, and learning. Dublin is a perfect eco-friendly destination to spend weekends and relax to recharge your mind, body, and soul.
5 Things To Note If You Wish To Become A High-End Fashion Model in Paris
Paris is the dream destination for models. If they make it to Paris, they know they will have only better opportunities ahead. Modeling, after all, is not easy, and when you want to ace the industry, then you have to focus your energies on the prime modeling locations in the world—Paris being one of them. However, as noted earlier, it is not easy being a model; let me rephrase, it is especially not easy to be a model in Paris.
Airport Outfits: 5 Stylish Items That Makes your Airport Look Complete
Airport fashion was not always there. Oh, no, maybe it was, but we became woke about it in the 21st century. So, what happened in the 21st century? People started flying more, airports became fancier, and people became more aware of their fashion choices and area of comfort. Today, one cannot simply take airport fashion lightly because what you wear shows who you are.
CEOWORLD magazine
There are thousands of ports and marinas around the world, and most of them are very charming, worthwhile places to visit. However, there are a few in particular that are simply irresistible to the superyacht set, boasting iconic facilities that see the world’s glamorous return time and time again to revel in their splendor.
Absolute Best Destinations For Bungee Jumping Around The World
Few adventure sports in the world hold a candle to bungee jumping when it comes to an individual’s adrenaline rush and courage levels. You’re either someone who can do it in one go or someone who would never be able to step up to the challenge. But for the truly adventurous among us, there is a universal agreement that bungee jumping is something one must try at least once in life. It is one of those itches you have to scratch to liberate yourself from constant nagging.
10 Must-Know Tips For Selling Luxury Retail
There is selling common goods and services, and then there is selling luxury. You cannot make the same principles work in both categories because of the huge difference in clientele. There is a reason (apart from the quality of product) as to why only so few luxury brands have managed to last over a period of centuries. It is so because they know the trick to sell. If you are looking to set up your own shop or franchise or join a retail outlet then you have found the right place to be at.
Top Things To Shoot As A Photographer Or Cinematographer
Modern technology had made it possible for imaging products to seep in deep in our daily lives, so much so that the average consumer nowadays has access to cameras that can rival motion picture video quality and that raises interesting avenues for the creative ones among us who always wanted to get into the reel world but didn’t have the resources or the opportunities to actually get there.
Places To Experience Hot Water Glaciers And Dip In Them
Where the mother Earth homes ice-cold water, it’s not strange to know that there exist various hot water glaciers as well. Dipping in hot water glaciers not only soothes and rejuvenates your body and soul but also has medicinal benefits. Bathing in hot water boosts blood circulation, burns calories, promotes sleep, heals from pain, and also soothes skin problems. Some also carry ethical beliefs with them.
Business Traveler: Max Salk, Photographer and Investment Analyst
Max Salk is an investment analyst based in New York City. He developed an interest in financial markets in college, where he studied finance at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, by following financial news and researching stocks in his free time. In addition to his career in the financial sector, Salk is an avid traveler with a passion for landscape and travel photography.
8 tips to be a successful travel blogger
There has never been a better time than now to be a traveler. The world has become a much smaller place thanks to unparalleled connectivity options and ease of transportation. Provided you have the resources and the time, you can pretty much travel to the far reaches of the Earth in a matter of hours and discover something unprecedented.
5 Things Every Hotel Must Offer For A High-Class Service For Business Travelers
Hospitality is a virtue. It is not just a customary expression of care and well-being; it is an indispensable feature of respect towards guests. When a person chooses a hotel or any other accommodation facility, he expects a range of high-class services possible in his budget. Whether the hotel is budget-friendly or extravagant, standard hospitality is expected and failure to experience it damages the very essence of hospitality.
These Are The Top 10 Best Bridges In The world You Need To See
Impressive architecture and construction has never gone unnoticed, especially if it has had the privilege of connecting cultures and telling umpteen stories of its own formation. People have given their lives and inducted themselves in history and folklore through the walls and stones embedded in these monuments. Although the architecture of the past served more of an aesthetic than functional purpose, with grandeur and majesty the central theme, modern architecture has a more functional purpose.
CEOWORLD magazine
Cheers to the New Year and the start of a new decade! With the summer months nearly approaching, a lot of you might already have your plans made and tickets sorted. The summer season calls for going to the hills or beaches mostly, in any part of the world. Whether you like traveling solo, or with friends or family, the summer months are the best time to plan a vacation. It is soothing, relaxing and fresh.
Top 10 Most (And Least) Racially And Ethnically Diverse Large Cities In The United States, 2020
Interestingly, the city of Stockton in California has been recognized as the most racially and ethnically diverse large city in the United States for 2020, according to US News and Report, while Oakland, California, and Sacramento, California placed second and third, respectively. The 2020 rankings placed New York City in fourth ahead of Long Beach, California into fifth; while San Jose, California ranked sixth, and Houston, Texas seventh.
The Best Hotels In Coventry (England) For Business Travelers, 2020
Coventry is a metropolitan borough in England, which incidentally is one of the largest cities in the United Kingdom. Not a lot of conviction is needed to visit Coventry because there is nothing here which you will not like. In simpler words, it is a whole package. While known for many things, people identify the city with its magnificent cathedrals whose ruins stand as a glaring reminder that wars only cause destruction.
The Best Hotels In Cornwall (England) For Business Travelers, 2020
Cornwall holds high cultural relevance in England, especially among Cornish people who consider this ceremonial county the place of origin of their kind. Their distinct identity and the need to preserve the same has received due recognition in the international sphere, with the European Convention for the Protection of National Minorities designating them minority status. Aside from Cornish heritage, there are a few remains of the Roman Empire and the Brittonic Kingdom.
Upcoming cultural events in the next 12 months
2020 is here and with it comes a fresh set of 12 months for us to make the most of. We have resolutions, deadlines, projects, and alliances to achieve and after the serious work is done, we have ourselves a calendar full of leisure and cultural activities. The new year is often an exciting opportunity and is often viewed as an excuse by some to break the monotony of last year and embark on something new.
The Best Hotels In Manchester (England) For Business Travelers, 2020
In terms of the number of tourists in the United Kingdom, Manchester holds third place following London and Edinburgh. The city is particularly renowned for its architecture, sports club, transport network, and scientific contributions. Its vibrant and engaging culture attracts people from all over the world. People have noted that the city’s nightlife and music industry are especially worth experiencing.
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