A new online platform, sttrace.com, has recently launched to provide practical experience in real-world Software Development, DevOps, and Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) scenarios. The platform aims to equip users with skills vital for daily developer tasks through a series of challenging problems.
Initially, the creator single-handedly developed new problems daily. This involved crafting multiple files—including data.json for metadata, description.md for problem statements, init.sh for setting up initial container states, and task_submit.sh for evaluating user submissions. A custom CLI tool then processed these files to create Docker images and integrate them with the backend server.
However, recognizing the inherent limitations of individual experience, the project has now made its problem set open source. With only three years in the industry as a DevOps and SRE engineer, the founder realized that personal experience, no matter how valuable, would eventually constrain the diversity and relevance of problem scenarios. This move was crucial to prevent the platform from becoming stagnant or repetitive, ensuring it offers a continuously fresh and authentic learning experience.
The decision to open-source the problem set serves multiple purposes: it invites a broader pool of experienced engineers globally to contribute new and diverse challenges, thereby enhancing the quality and breadth of content. This fosters a vibrant community of like-minded professionals dedicated to practical skill development. The core mission of sttrace.com remains steadfast: to be a meaningful upskilling platform, distinct from sites where users might engage in repetitive, less impactful exercises.
It’s important to note that this open-source initiative specifically applies to the problem set content. The website’s infrastructure and hosting will continue to be managed by the founder, allowing focused effort on product development and marketing.
The sttrace-com/problemset GitHub repository is now actively seeking contributions. Professionals with experience in Software Development, DevOps, SRE, and Security are encouraged to share their expertise and contribute to this growing library of real-world challenges.