In this episode of the Elixir Mentor Podcast, I chat with Isaac Tsalicoglou, author of Northwind Elixir Traders. We explore database modeling techniques, working with Ecto, and his fascinating transition from mechanical engineering to Elixir development.

Isaac shares his experience creating a practical guide for database modeling in Elixir, explaining how the Northwind Traders project helps developers understand complex relationships and query optimization. We discuss the benefits of SQLite for learning, how to effectively manage database migrations, and the challenges of schema changes with real-world data.

Our conversation covers database architecture philosophy, performance optimization techniques, and the importance of understanding query execution plans. Isaac also shares valuable insights on self-hosting, data privacy considerations, and the fundamental differences between hardware and software product development.

The episode concludes with a discussion on development principles and startup philosophy, offering practical wisdom for engineers and developers across disciplines. This conversation provides valuable perspective for anyone working with databases in Elixir or considering a career transition into software development.

Resources Mentioned:
- Northwind Elixir Traders:https://leanpub.com/northwind-elixir-traders

Connect with Isaac:
- LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tisaak/
- Website:https://overbring.com/

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