Daily Archives: December 8, 2023

What Is a Toggle?

A toggle is a switch that has two outcomes: it’s either on or off. It’s used in almost every aspect of computing whenever there’s an options or preferences list—think of the Caps Lock and Num Lock keys, or the controls for painting features like brush size, paint drop-off, and opacity. Generally, toggles are set to be on and left in that state, but they can be turned off by clicking or tapping them.

The term was first recorded in the 18th century as a noun meaning “a pin passed transversely through an eye or loop in a rope or chain, to hold it fast.” Nowadays, it refers to a kind of toggle button that lets people choose between opposing values that affect the state of content or a view. It’s usually configured with a distinct appearance to indicate its current state, and platforms may provide guidance for implementing toggle styles.

People perceive a toggle to be either on or off, so it’s important that its design makes clear which of these states it currently represents. This is especially true for visual cues like icons, which should communicate the toggle’s current state to users. It’s also vital that the toggle’s surrounding context provides sufficient information to help people manage its state.

Toggle configuration should ideally be baked into the release and not change over time. That’s why savvy teams often add a task to their backlog when they introduce a new toggle, and then use the team’s process of deploying changes to roll out a new release with that toggle either on or off as necessary. This can have the effect of reducing the need to test new releases and helps keep their total number low.

However, there are some cases when a more dynamic approach to toggle configuration is needed. One common way to achieve this is by modifying code with comments. The disadvantage of this approach is that it requires a restart or re-deployment of the artifact to toggle it, and so can have a negative impact on your validation cycle times and overall testing speed.

Another method is to use an in-memory toggle manager, which allows you to flip a toggle on-demand and without restarting the artifact. This can be a good solution when you’re creating experiments, for example, and don’t need to deploy a new version to validate the experiment. However, it’s also not a good option for a production system, as it can disrupt the flow of the CI/CD pipeline. If you do need to run a new release with the toggle either on or off, be sure to include a test that checks its current state before continuing on with the rest of your tests. This will ensure that your QA team isn’t accidentally overrunning your toggle-flipping tests with unneeded changes. For this reason, some teams even add expiration dates to their toggles in order to ensure that they’re removed as soon as they’re no longer needed.

Top Tips For Playing Slots

Slots are some of the most popular casino games around, thanks to their huge variety and attractive payout percentages. In order to maximise your chances of success, you should adhere to a few important rules.

The first rule is to play only at a reputable online casino, with generous welcome bonuses and a great selection of slots. This will allow you to take advantage of the most lucrative promotions, while also ensuring that your winnings are paid out as quickly and smoothly as possible.

Another key tip for playing slots is to set a budget or bankroll before you start spinning the reels. It is vital that you know how much you can afford to lose, and once this amount is reached, you should stop gambling. This will help you stay responsible and ensure that you don’t get caught up in the excitement of chasing a big payout.

There are many different types of online slots available, so you should choose the ones that appeal to you based on gameplay and theme. For example, if you enjoy ancient themes, check out games from the likes of Playtech. The company specialises in creating slots that have an incredible ancient aesthetic, including the Age of the Gods series and Gladiator.

Video slots are the most common type of online slot, and they feature five or more reels and multiple paylines. They come in a wide range of themes, and some even include bonus features and free spins. However, there are some things that you should keep in mind when choosing a video slot, such as the house edge and the variance.

The house edge is a percentage that represents the average expected return to the player on a given slot machine. This number can be found in the information section of each game, and it is a good idea to check it before you start playing. It is also a good idea to look for a slot with a high RTP, as this will increase your chances of winning.

It is also a good idea to choose a slot with a high volatility. This will increase your chances of hitting a jackpot, but it will also make it more difficult to win smaller amounts.

Lastly, it is important to remember that slot games are not skill-based, and there is no guarantee that you will win every spin. This means that you should accept that luck plays a large role in the outcome of each spin, and only focus on what you can control.

Regardless of how you choose to play slots, it is important that you are having fun. The best way to do this is to play on machines that you enjoy. This will ensure that you don’t miss out on any of the fun that comes with the game, and it will be easier to stick to your gaming budget. If you want to play for longer, try choosing a machine with a higher RTP, but remember that the odds will be lower than those of a low-volatility game.