Episodes

  • Programming Under Pressure

    Programming Under Pressure
    Jul 21 2024
    Ben and Matt come up with a podcast on the spot, which they do every month but also this month too. Our hosts discuss on-call rotations, fighting (virtual) fires, and working to meet deadlines at the mercy of the world. Ben says the letter 'P' a lot. Matt's brain freezes, but he's OK.
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Avoiding Abandonware

    Avoiding Abandonware
    Jun 17 2024
    Matt and Ben explore the unfortunate death and rebirth pattern of software systems. Ben botches a quote from Bjarne Stroustrup, and then explains why you can't go back in time and kill Hitler. Matt exhibits all the bad things when describing a serialization library.
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Is Optimization Refactoring?

    Is Optimization Refactoring?
    May 15 2024
    In flagrant violation of Betteridge's Law, Ben and Matt consider the question 'Is Optimization Refactoring?' and conclude that the answer is 'probably'. Ben warns our listener about overspecifying in tests. Matt is horrified by his own assumption that other people's code works.
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    Less than 1 minute
  • The Future of Compiler Explorer

    The Future of Compiler Explorer
    Apr 17 2024
    Matt ponders the future of his accidentally eponymous hobby project. Ben offers thoughtful consideration while waiting for the right opportunity to crack a joke. No lawyers were harmed in the making of this podcast.
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Strong ARM

    Strong ARM
    Mar 18 2024
    Ben and Matt discuss their transition to using ARM-based Apple Silicon laptops for their day jobs. Ben rewrites Bash into Java because it makes his tests run faster. Matt tries to teach VSCode something and winds up writing JSON instead.
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    Less than 1 minute
  • make podcast

    make podcast
    Feb 17 2024
    Matt and Ben describe how to build a developer automation interface with Make, a ubiquitous build tool that can be conveniently inflicted on other people. Ben explains a great way to test shell scripts that doesn't work. Matt deletes libbob3.so and then regrets it.
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Technical Debts

    Technical Debts
    Jan 15 2024
    Ben and Matt discuss the original definition of technical debt a metaphor created by Ward Cunningham to explain why software designs that were correct when created now need to be changed. Ben invents a new verb, 'to soapbox' and then demonstrates its practical use. Matt reads timestamps in the future.
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Copypasta

    Copypasta
    Dec 19 2023
    Matt and Ben talk about when it's OK to copy and paste code. Matt explains how helpful compilers take the time-saving step of copying and pasting code for you, saving you precious microseconds. Ben recalls things from the 80s, like word processors and Indiana Jones.
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    Less than 1 minute