Tammy Xu, M.S.

Staff Reporter at Built In

Expertise: Software development

Education: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Northwest

Tammy Xu is a former Built In staff reporter covering software development and trends across the software industry. She holds a master of science in computer science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a bachelor of arts in chemistry from Northwestern University. Prior to joining Built In, she spent five years as a software developer for The Dow Chemical Company. Xu is also a former contributing editor and director of fact checking for South Side Weekly. She is currently a reporting fellow at MIT Technology Review.

153 Articles

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Tammy Xu Tammy Xu
Updated on July 30, 2024

What Is Haptic Feedback?

The field of haptic feedback technology is abuzz with innovation.

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Tammy Xu Tammy Xu
Updated on March 20, 2025

How to Stop a DDoS Attack: A Guide

Take these steps to stop a DDoS attack from hurting your company.

How to Stop a DDoS Attack: A Guide
Tammy Xu Tammy Xu
Updated on December 08, 2025

How to Write Inclusive Job Descriptions

Don’t turn away great candidates before they even apply.

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Tammy Xu Tammy Xu
Updated on June 27, 2025

Is Dark Mode Better Than Light Mode for Coding?

From readability to personal preference, there are many reasons why programmers are turning to dark mode.

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Tammy Xu Tammy Xu
Updated on November 16, 2022

Microservices Can Save You Time and Money — If Used Correctly

It’s all about finding the right balance.

Tammy Xu Tammy Xu
Updated on September 29, 2025

29 Java Interview Questions and Answers to Know

To succeed in a Java interview, demonstrate strong fundamentals in core Java, problem-solving skills and practical understanding of system design and real-world application architecture.

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Tammy Xu Tammy Xu
Updated on April 29, 2024

Long-Term Career Goals: 10 Examples and How to Set Them

Goal-setting is an opportunity to reflect on what you want, both professionally and personally.

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Tammy Xu Tammy Xu
Updated on April 15, 2024

How to Talk About Your Weaknesses in a Job Interview

With some preparation, you can make talking about weaknesses the strongest part of your interview.

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Tammy Xu Tammy Xu
Updated on June 15, 2022

Looking for a Software Developer Job? Try the Local Grocery Store.

From ensuring all customers get the same experience to optimizing shelf space, engineers impact all areas of the grocery business.

Tammy Xu Tammy Xu
Updated on June 01, 2022

When ‘It Works on My Machine’ Just Doesn’t Cut It

Here’s how to actually identify and fix the problem instead.

Tammy Xu Tammy Xu
Updated on April 22, 2024

More Crypto Regulation May Be Inevitable

And here’s what it could look like.

Tammy Xu Tammy Xu
Updated on February 25, 2025

22 Crypto ETFs to Know

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) combine different stocks and funds into a single asset that can be bought and sold on exchanges throughout the market day. Here are some of the most popular crypto ETFs for investors to consider.

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