191: Operational Elixir: What's Supporting the Apps at Felt.com and SleepEasy.app?
Feb 27, 2024
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Guest Tyler Young shares insights on systems supporting Elixir apps at Felt.com and SleepEasy.app. Topics include innovative object storage solutions, WebRTC library implementation, ElixirConf US 2024 details, support systems for Elixir apps in various companies, creating SleepEasy for website monitoring, and strategic decision-making for startup success.
Erlang's OTP JSON module has improved performance surpassing other libraries, aiming to enhance Elixir's JSON handling in the future.
OTP 27 introduces new features like 'maybe' expression and triple-quoted strings, striving to refine functionalities with user feedback.
Deep dives
Erlang's OTP JSON Module Improvements
The Erlang's OTP JSON module has seen significant enhancements, with a faster performance surpassing other JSON libraries like Jiffy. The update is still in progress, aiming to improve Elixir's JSON library when it requires at least OTP 27 in the next two to three years.
Key Updates in OTP 27
OTP 27 introduces notable changes such as enabling the 'maybe' expression by default, equivalent to Elixir's 'with' operator. Additionally, triple-quoted strings have been implemented in Erlang, inspired by Elixir's features. The release aims to gather user feedback with three planned RCs to refine the updated functionalities.
Global Object Storage Solution by fly.io
fly.io announced a new globally distributed object storage solution powered by Tigris and supporting the S3 API. The system replicates data globally for objects under 128k, acting as a global CDN by default. Users can customize replication for larger files, offering versatile possibilities beyond traditional CDNs.
Introduction of xWebRTC Library
A new WebRTC library called xWebRTC has been developed as an Elixir implementation following the W3C WebRTC specification. It addresses compatibility challenges between underlying libraries and the WebRTC pipeline model. xWebRTC aims to simplify WebRTC integration in Elixir, enhancing the ecosystem with a familiar, efficient solution.
In this special episode, we kick off a brand-new series that dives into the world of Elixir—but with a twist. We're exploring the systems surrounding the language and what it takes to support and run a company or team that uses Elixir. Join us as we engage in insightful conversations with various industry voices, starting with Tyler Young, about the practical systems and solutions used by businesses like Felt.com and SleepEasy.app. This series promises to be an enlightening journey for anyone curious about the behind-the-scenes workings of an Elixir-based product. Tune in to hear the unique challenges and successes experienced by others in the field and more!
https://membrane.stream/ – Membrane Framework site; although ex_webrtc was created due to certain challenges with Membrane, Membrane is noted for its pipeline model.
https://www.w3.org/TR/webrtc/ – The W3C WebRTC specification, which ex_webrtc implements in Elixir, is more JS focused.
The Erlang Ecosystem Foundation recently celebrated their 5 year anniversary, highlighting the community's achievements.