Author: tadmin

How to Fix ERR_CONNECTION_CLOSED and ERR_CONNECTION_RESET Errors: A Comprehensive Guide

~ tadmin

Introduction

Encountering network errors like `ERR_CONNECTION_CLOSED` and `ERR_CONNECTION_RESET` can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to browse the web or access a critical application. These errors typically indicate issues with the connection between your device and a server, but understanding what they mean and how to fix them can help you quickly resolve the problem.

In this blog post, we’ll explore what these errors mean, common causes behind them, and practical steps you can take to fix them.

Understanding `ERR_CONNECTION_CLOSED`

What It Means

The `ERR_CONNECTION_CLOSED` error occurs when the server unexpectedly closes the connection before your device completes its request. Essentially, the connection is terminated prematurely.

Common Causes

  • The server is down or undergoing a restart.
  • Network issues, such as firewall restrictions or an unstable internet connection.
  • SSL/TLS handshake failures.
  • Misconfigured server settings or excessive connections to the server.

How to Fix It

  1. Check the Server Status ensure the server you’re trying to connect to is online and functional.
  2. Firewall/Antivirus Settings temporarily disable or reconfigure your firewall or antivirus software to see if they’re blocking the connection.
  3. Network Connection verify that your internet connection is stable. Restart your router if necessary.
  4. SSL/TLS Configuration check that SSL/TLS settings are properly configured on both the client and server sides.
  5. Browser Cache clear your browser’s cache or try accessing the website with a different browser.
  6. Review Server Logs If you’re managing the server, check the logs for any errors that might explain why the connection was closed.

Understanding `ERR_CONNECTION_RESET`

What It Means

The `ERR_CONNECTION_RESET` error occurs when an established connection is unexpectedly interrupted, causing the data transfer between your device and the server to be reset.

Common Causes

  • Network interruptions or packet loss.
  • Server-side issues, such as misconfigurations or overload.
  • Proxy or VPN interference.
  • The server resetting the connection due to security restrictions or other reasons.
  • Incorrect MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) settings.

How to Fix It

  1. Network Stability check for network stability issues, including packet loss. Restart your router if needed.
  2. Server Configuration ensure that the server is configured correctly, especially regarding connection timeouts and rate limits.
  3. Proxy/VPN Settings disable or adjust any proxy or VPN services you might be using to see if they’re causing the issue.
  4. MTU Settings adjust the MTU settings on your network interface to prevent fragmentation issues.
  5. Browser Settings clear your browser’s cache or try a different browser.
  6. Test on a Different Network try connecting to the server from another network to determine if the issue is isolated to your current network.

Conclusion

Both `ERR_CONNECTION_CLOSED` and `ERR_CONNECTION_RESET` errors can disrupt your online activities, but they are often fixable with a few troubleshooting steps. By understanding the causes and implementing the solutions outlined above, you can minimize downtime and get back to what matters most.

If these errors persist, it may be time to consult with your hosting provider, network administrator, or review detailed server logs to uncover deeper issues.

Celebrating Achievement: Lean White Belt and Lean Yellow Belt Certifications

~ tadmin

I’m excited to share a significant milestone in my professional journey. Recently, I completed two Lean certification courses with Nova company, achieving both the Lean White Belt and Lean Yellow Belt certifications.

Lean White Belt Certification

Lean White Belt Certificate Taras Shkodenko

The Lean White Belt certification is the first step in understanding Lean principles. This foundational course provided me with a broad overview of Lean methodologies, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement and waste reduction in business processes. Key takeaways from this certification include:

  • Introduction to Lean Principles: understanding the core concepts of Lean, including value stream mapping and the importance of identifying and eliminating waste.
  • Basic Lean Tools: familiarity with essential Lean tools such as 5S (Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain) and Kaizen (continuous improvement).
  • Cultural Shift: recognizing the necessity of fostering a Lean culture within an organization to drive sustainable improvement.

Lean Yellow Belt Certification

Lean Yellow Belt Certificate Taras Shkodenko

Building on the White Belt, the Lean Yellow Belt certification, which I completed yesterday at our Corporate University, delved deeper into Lean techniques and their practical applications. This course equipped me with a more comprehensive understanding of Lean methodologies and how to implement them effectively within our team and projects. Highlights of this certification include:

  • Advanced Lean Tools: in-depth knowledge of tools like Value Stream Mapping (VSM), Root Cause Analysis, and Process Mapping.
  • Project Management: learning how to apply Lean principles to manage and streamline projects, ensuring efficiency and reducing bottlenecks.
  • Team Collaboration: enhancing skills in leading Lean initiatives and fostering collaboration within teams to drive process improvements.

Applying Lean Principles to Web Development

As a team lead in PHP backend web development, these certifications are invaluable. The principles and tools I’ve learned will help us:

  1. Optimize Workflows: streamline our development processes, reducing waste and improving efficiency.
  2. Enhance Collaboration: foster a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration within our team, leading to more innovative solutions.
  3. Deliver Better Products: ultimately, these improvements will enable us to deliver higher-quality products to our clients more efficiently.

Moving Forward

Obtaining these certifications is just the beginning. I’m eager to implement what I’ve learned and continue exploring how Lean principles can benefit our projects and team dynamics. I encourage everyone in the PHP Dinos community (our Telegram channel) to consider Lean training—whether you’re just starting with the White Belt or looking to advance with the Yellow Belt, the insights and skills you gain are invaluable.

Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to sharing more updates on our Lean journey soon!

Resolving Compatibility Issues When Upgrading Laravel from 10.x to 11.x with Composer Libraries

~ tadmin

Upgrading Laravel from version 10.x to 11.x can be a smooth process, but some Composer libraries may cause compatibility issues. In this article, we’ll address common problems with two specific packages and provide a step-by-step guide to ensure a successful upgrade.

Problematic Libraries

During the upgrade, I encountered issues with the following Composer libraries:

  • “hedii/laravel-gelf-logger”: “^8.0”
  • “barryvdh/laravel-ide-helper”: “^2.13”

Both libraries were not compatible with Laravel 11.x, causing errors and hindering the upgrade process.

Solution: Remove Incompatible Libraries

To resolve these issues, follow these steps to remove the incompatible libraries, upgrade Laravel, and then reinstall the libraries:

Step 1: Remove Incompatible Libraries

First, remove the problematic libraries using the following commands:

composer remove hedii/laravel-gelf-logger
composer remove barryvdh/laravel-ide-helper

Step 2: Upgrade Laravel to 11.x

Next, proceed with the Laravel upgrade:

composer update

Step 3: Reinstall the Libraries

Finally, reinstall the libraries to ensure compatibility with Laravel 11.x:

composer require hedii/laravel-gelf-logger
composer require --dev barryvdh/laravel-ide-helper

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can successfully upgrade your Laravel application from version 10.x to 11.x without running into compatibility issues with the “hedii/laravel-gelf-logger” and “barryvdh/laravel-ide-helper” libraries. Removing the incompatible versions, updating Laravel, and reinstalling the libraries ensures a smooth transition to the latest Laravel version.

Keep your Laravel applications up-to-date and running smoothly by addressing compatibility issues proactively. If you encounter any other problems, check the library documentation or the Laravel community for additional support.

Check out a few YouTube videos on this subject:

Why Use declare(strict_types=1) in PHP?

~ tadmin

Why Use `declare(strict_types=1) in PHP?

In PHP, the `declare(strict_types=1);` directive is used to enforce strict type-checking for the file in which it is declared. By default, PHP uses dynamic typing, which means that it attempts to automatically convert types when they don’t match the expected type. This can sometimes lead to unexpected behavior and bugs that are hard to trace. Enforcing strict types helps to catch type errors early in the development process.

Benefits of Using `declare(strict_types=1)`

  1. Error Prevention: it prevents type coercion, ensuring that the types you specify in function signatures and variable declarations are strictly adhered to.
  2. Code Clarity: it makes the code easier to read and understand, as the types are explicit and enforced.
  3. Better IDE Support: many modern IDEs provide better support and auto-completion when strict types are used, enhancing the development experience.
  4. Consistency: it enforces a consistent coding style across the project, reducing the likelihood of type-related bugs.

Where to Use `declare(strict_types=1)`

  • On top of PHP files: it should be placed at the very top of a PHP file before any other code, including whitespace or comments.
  • In files with function definitions: particularly useful in files where functions or methods are defined, as it ensures that the arguments and return types are strictly checked.
  • In files with class definitions: when defining classes, strict typing ensures that the properties and methods behave as expected with the correct types.

Example with `declare(strict_types=1)`

<?php
declare(strict_types=1);

function addNumbers(int $a, int $b): int {
    return $a + $b;
}

echo addNumbers(5, 10); // 15
echo addNumbers(5, '10'); // TypeError: Argument 2 passed to addNumbers() must be of the type int, string given

In this example, the second call to `addNumbers` with a string `’10’` will throw a `TypeError` because strict typing is enforced.

Example without `declare(strict_types=1)`

<?php

function addNumbers(int $a, int $b): int {
    return $a + $b;
}

echo addNumbers(5, 10); // 15
echo addNumbers(5, '10'); // 15

Without strict types, PHP will automatically convert the string `’10’` to an integer, and the function will return `15` without any error. While this might seem convenient, it can lead to subtle bugs and unexpected behavior, especially in larger codebases.

Conclusion

Using `declare(strict_types=1);` in PHP is a best practice that can help prevent type-related bugs, make your code more readable, and improve overall code quality. It should be placed at the top of files that contain function or class definitions to enforce strict type-checking throughout the file.

By understanding and implementing strict typing, you can write more robust and maintainable PHP code, ensuring that types are explicitly checked and errors are caught early in the development process.

How to fix LF will be replaced by CRLF the next time Git touches it on Windows

~ tadmin

To disable Git warnings about line endings on Windows, you can configure Git to handle line endings according to your preference. Here are a few options:

Option 1: Configure Git to Use LF Line Endings

You can set Git to use LF line endings by running the following command:

git config --global core.autocrlf input

This setting ensures that Git will convert CRLF to LF on commit but will not modify line endings when checking out files.

Option 2: Configure Git to Use CRLF Line Endings

If you prefer to use CRLF line endings on Windows, you can set Git to automatically convert LF to CRLF on checkout and CRLF to LF on commit:

git config --global core.autocrlf true

Option 3: Disable Line Ending Conversion Warnings

If you want to disable the warnings without changing how Git handles line endings, you can use the following command:

git config --global core.eol native

This setting tells Git to use the native line endings for the operating system and suppresses related warnings.

Option 4: Disable Line Ending Conversion Entirely

To disable all automatic line ending conversion, you can use:

git config --global core.autocrlf false

This setting will keep line endings unchanged, which might not be ideal for collaboration but can eliminate the warnings.

Option 5: Suppress Specific Warnings

If you want to suppress this specific warning, you can add a `.gitattributes` file to the root of your repository and specify how Git should handle line endings for specific files:

  1. Create or edit a `.gitattributes` file in the root of your repository.
  2. Add the following line to the file to specify that PHP files should always use LF line endings: 
    *.php text eol=lf
  3. Save the `.gitattributes` file and commit it to your repository. This will ensure consistent line endings for PHP files and suppress the warnings.

Choose the option that best fits your workflow and collaboration needs.

Converting WebP Images to PNG on Linux: A Comprehensive Guide

~ tadmin

If you’re working with images on Linux, you might often encounter WebP format, which is known for its efficient compression. However, there might be instances where you need to convert these WebP images to more widely supported formats like PNG. In this guide, we’ll explore how to convert WebP images to PNG using various tools available on Linux, with a special focus on ImageMagick. We’ll also show you how to automate the conversion process for all WebP images in a directory.

Installing the Required Tools

Before we dive into the conversion process, we need to ensure that the necessary tools are installed. We will use `ffmpeg`, `imagemagick`, and `dwebp` from WebP tools for our conversions.

  1. Installing ffmpeg: 
    sudo apt update
sudo apt install ffmpeg
  2. Installing ImageMagick: 
    sudo apt update
sudo apt install imagemagick
  3. Installing WebP tools: 
    sudo apt update
sudo apt install webp

Converting WebP to PNG Using `ffmpeg`

Once `ffmpeg` is installed, converting a WebP image to PNG is straightforward:

ffmpeg -i input.webp output.png

For converting to JPEG, you can use:

ffmpeg -i input.webp output.jpg

Converting WebP to PNG Using ImageMagick

ImageMagick provides a powerful way to handle image conversions:

convert input.webp output.png

For JPEG conversion:

convert input.webp output.jpg

Converting WebP to PNG Using dwebp

The `dwebp` tool from the WebP package can also be used for conversion:

dwebp input.webp -o output.png

To convert to JPEG, first convert to PPM and then to JPEG:

dwebp input.webp -o output.ppm
convert output.ppm output.jpg

Automating the Conversion for All WebP Images in a Directory

To convert all WebP images in the current directory to PNG, you can use a shell script or a one-liner command.

Using a Shell Script

  1. Create the script: 
       nano convert_webp_to_png.sh
  2. Add the following content: 
       #!/bin/bash

   for file in *.webp; do
       if [ -f "$file" ]; then
           convert "$file" "${file%.webp}.png"
           echo "Converted $file to ${file%.webp}.png"
       fi
   done
  3. Make the script executable and run it: 
    chmod +x convert_webp_to_png.sh
./convert_webp_to_png.sh

Using a One-Liner Command

Alternatively, use a one-liner command in the terminal:

for file in *.webp; do convert "$file" "${file%.webp}.png"; done

Conclusion

Converting WebP images to PNG on Linux is a simple task with the right tools. Whether you prefer `ffmpeg`, `imagemagick`, or `dwebp`, each method provides an efficient way to handle image format conversions. Automating the process for multiple images can save you a lot of time and effort. We hope this guide helps streamline your image processing tasks on Linux.

Streamline Your PHP Laravel Development with Code Sniffer on Ubuntu

~ tadmin

Introduction:

In the dynamic world of web development, maintaining code quality and consistency can be a challenge, especially as projects grow and teams expand. For PHP Laravel developers working on Ubuntu, integrating a tool like PHP Code Sniffer can be a game-changer. This tutorial will guide you through the steps to set up PHP Code Sniffer in your Laravel environment, demonstrating how to enforce coding standards effortlessly.

Step 1: Prepare Your Environment

Begin by navigating to your Laravel project directory on your Ubuntu system. Open your terminal and enter the following command:

cd /home/user/projects/laravel-test

Step 2: Install PHP Code Sniffer

PHP Code Sniffer is a crucial tool for detecting violations in coding standards. To add it to your project, execute the following command in the terminal:

composer require --dev squizlabs/php_codesniffer

This command installs Code Sniffer as a development dependency, ensuring your production environment remains clean.

Step 3: Explore PHP Code Sniffer Commands

Before diving into code checks, familiarize yourself with the available PHP Code Sniffer commands. Run the following to view a list of options and flags:

vendor/bin/phpcs --help

Step 4: Run a Code Check

To analyze your Laravel application’s code, use this verbose command, which provides detailed feedback:

vendor/bin/phpcs -v app

This step helps identify areas of your code that may not meet specified coding standards, providing a basis for improvement.

Step 5: Automatically Fix Coding Errors

For many common coding issues, PHP Code Sniffer can automatically correct code through PHP Code Beautifier and Fixer. To apply automatic fixes using the PSR12 standard, use:

vendor/bin/phpcbf --standard=PSR12 app

Step 6: Laravel-Specific Code Fixing with Pint

Laravel Pint is another tool designed to work seamlessly with Laravel projects. Execute the following command to automatically fix coding style issues throughout your Laravel codebase:

vendor/bin/pint

Conclusion:

Integrating PHP Code Sniffer into your Laravel projects on Ubuntu Linux not only helps maintain high coding standards but also streamlines your development process. With automated tools for code quality checks and fixes, you can focus more on functionality and less on style discrepancies. Embrace these tools to enhance your development workflow and elevate the quality of your projects.

Next Steps:

Experiment with different coding standards and configurations of PHP Code Sniffer to tailor the tool to your team’s needs. Explore integrating t:hese checks into your continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines to automate quality assurance throughout your development lifecycle.

Check out video tutorial at Efficient PHP Laravel Testing: Master Code Sniffer on Ubuntu Linux if you prefer watch video tutorials instead of reading text.

Exploring the Magic of CSV File Handling in PHP: From Reading to Saving Data

~ tadmin

In this blog post, we will delve into how the PHP programming language can be effectively utilized to manage data in CSV format. PHP provides straightforward methods for reading and writing CSV files, a crucial skill for developers who handle large volumes of data.

Reading a CSV File

The first step in managing a CSV file is reading its contents. Below is an updated `readCsvFile` function, incorporating exception handling instead of abrupt script termination:

function readCsvFile(string $csvFilePath) : array
{
    // Attempt to open the file in read mode
    if (($handle = fopen($csvFilePath, "r")) === FALSE) {
        throw new Exception("Error opening the file: " . $csvFilePath);
    }

    $csvData = []; // Initialize an empty array to store the CSV data

    // Loop through each line of the file
    while (($data = fgetcsv($handle, 1000, ",")) !== FALSE) {
        $csvData[] = $data; // Add the row to the array
    }

    fclose($handle); // Close the file handle

    return $csvData; // The array can now be processed as needed
}

This function opens the file in read mode and reads it line by line. If the file cannot be opened, it throws an exception, allowing for better error management. Each line of data is stored in the `$csvData` array, which is then returned from the function, making it easy to manipulate the read data within your program.

Writing Data to a CSV File

After processing your data, you may need to save it back in CSV format. The `saveArrayToCSV` function demonstrates how to write an array of data to a CSV file:

function saveArrayToCSV(array $array, string $filePath)
{
    // Open the file for writing
    $fileHandle = fopen($filePath, 'w');

    if ($fileHandle === false) {
        throw new Exception("Failed to open the file for writing.");
    }

    foreach ($array as $row) {
        if (fputcsv($fileHandle, $row) === false) {
            throw new Exception("Failed to write data to the file.");
        }
    }

    fclose($fileHandle); // Close the file
}

This function opens a file for writing and iterates over the provided array, writing each row to the file. The `fputcsv()` PHP function automatically formats each array row as a CSV line. If the file cannot be opened or a row cannot be written, the function throws an exception, which can be caught and handled by the caller.

Here’s an example of how you might handle this exception in a higher level of your application:

try {
    $csvData = readCsvFile("path/to/your/file.csv");
    // Process $csvData here
} catch (Exception $e) {
    // Handle the error gracefully
    error_log($e->getMessage());
    echo "Failed to read the CSV file. Please try again or contact support.";
}

Using code example above gives you much greater control over how errors affect on your application’s flow and user experience.

Conclusion

Handling CSV files in PHP is a practical way to manage data, particularly for importing and exporting large datasets. The revised `readCsvFile` and `saveArrayToCSV` functions showcased above demonstrate a robust approach to such tasks, emphasizing exception handling for improved error management. Whether your goal is to process reports, import user data, or simply maintain records, these functions will help you manage your data efficiently and effectively.

Streamline Your Development with Laravel Seeders

~ tadmin

Laravel’s powerful seeding capability offers a robust way to populate your databases with necessary initial data for testing and development purposes. In this post, we’ll delve into how you can manually run a seeder to fill a specific database table with data using Laravel’s artisan command line tool.

What is a Seeder in Laravel?

In Laravel, a “seeder” is a class that contains a method to populate your database with data. This can be especially useful when you want to automate the process of adding data to your database during development or before you deploy an application. Seeders can be used to generate dummy data for your application’s testing purposes or to load initial data required for the application to run properly in production.

Creating a Seeder

To start, you first need to create a seeder class. This can be done using the Artisan command line tool provided by Laravel. Open your terminal and navigate to your Laravel project directory. Run the following command to create a new seeder:

php artisan make:seeder SeederClassName

Replace `SeederClassName` with the name you want to give to your seeder. Laravel will create a new seeder file in the `database/seeders` directory.

Writing Your Seeder

Open the newly created seeder file located at `database/seeders/SeederClassName.php`. In this file, you will see a class with the same name as your seeder. Inside the class, there’s a `run` method where you’ll place the code to insert data into your database.

Here’s a simple example where we populate a `users` table:

use Illuminate\Support\Facades\DB;
use Illuminate\Support\Str;

class SeederClassName extends Seeder
{
    public function run()
    {
        DB::table('users')->insert([
            'name' => Str::random(10),
            'email' => Str::random(10).'@example.com',
            'password' => bcrypt('password'),
        ]);
    }
}

In this example, we use the `DB` facade to directly access the database and insert a new record into the `users` table. Modify this according to your table structure and data requirements.

Running the Seeder

Once your seeder is ready, you can run it manually using the following command:

php artisan db:seed --class=SeederClassName

This command will execute the `run` method in your seeder class, inserting the data into your database as specified.

Conclusion

Seeders in Laravel are a great tool for managing data filling during development or production setup. They can help you automate the process of adding initial data, making your development process smoother and more efficient. With the ability to run specific seeders manually, you have precise control over what data gets loaded and when.

Remember to always use non-sensitive data in your seeders, especially when developing applications that will be deployed to production environments.

Monitoring Processes in Linux with the ps Command: checking web server Apache processes information

~ tadmin

In the vast toolbox of Linux system monitoring utilities, the `ps` command stands out for its direct approach to tracking what’s happening on your server or desktop. Whether you’re a system administrator, a developer, or simply a curious user, knowing how to leverage `ps` can provide you with insights into the processes running under the hood of your Linux machine.

Why we use `ps` utility?

The `ps` command is versatile and powerful, offering a snapshot of currently running processes. It’s particularly handy when you need to verify whether a specific service, like the Apache web server, is running and how it’s behaving in terms of resource consumption.

Example Use Case: Checking Apache Processes

Httpd or Apache web server is a widely used web server software, is essential for serving web pages. If you’re managing a website or a web application, you might often need to check if Apache is running smoothly. Here’s how you can do that with `ps`:

ps auxwww | head -n 1; ps auxwww | grep httpd | grep -v grep

This command sequence is broken down as follows:

  • `ps auxwww`: Lists all running processes with a detailed output.
  • `head -n 1`: Displays the column headers.
  • `grep httpd`: Filters the list to show only Apache (`httpd`) processes.
  • `grep -v grep`: Excludes the `grep` command itself from the results.

Output Explained:

USER PID %CPU %MEM VSZ RSS TTY STAT START TIME COMMAND
root 21215 0.0 0.1 524056 30560 ? Ss 16:59 0:00 /usr/sbin/httpd -DFOREGROUND
apache 21216 0.0 0.0 308392 14032 ? S 16:59 0:00 /usr/sbin/httpd -DFOREGROUND
…

  • USER: The username of the process owner.
  • PID: Process ID.
  • %CPU and %MEM: CPU and memory usage.
  • VSZ and RSS: Virtual and physical memory sizes.
  • TTY: Terminal type.
  • STAT: Process status.
  • START: Start time of the process.
  • TIME: Cumulative CPU time.
  • COMMAND: Command line that started the process.

Going Further:

To explore more options and details about the `ps` command, consulting the manual page is always a good idea. Simply type:

man ps

This command brings up the manual page for `ps`, providing comprehensive information on its usage, options, and examples to try out.

Conclusion:

Understanding and utilizing the `ps` command can significantly enhance your ability to monitor and manage processes on your Linux system. It’s a fundamental skill for troubleshooting and ensuring that essential services like Apache are running as expected.