airhacks.fm podcast with adam bien From Enterprise Java to Cloud-Native PostgreSQL
Jan 6, 2025
Alvaro Hernandez, founder of Ongress and seasoned expert in PostgreSQL and Java, shares his tech journey from early programming on the Amstrad CPC 464 to launching innovative database solutions. He discusses the transition from PHP to Java, the evolution of his company, and the development of Stackgres for PostgreSQL on Kubernetes. Alvaro emphasizes the importance of control in cloud deployments, the benefits of open-source software, and the shift towards serverless architectures. His insights on managing databases and embracing transparency resonate throughout the conversation.
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First Computer and Early Programming
- Alvaro Hernandez's first computer was an Amstrad CPC-464, where he began programming by copying Basic code from magazines.
- He later transitioned to playing games until university, where he realized his limited computer literacy.
Computer Illiteracy at University
- Alvaro stopped programming until university, where a colleague mentioned learning C, leading to a misconception.
- Alvaro thought the Windows command prompt was C programming, highlighting his initial computer illiteracy.
Linux GUI Installation Struggles
- Adam Bien couldn't afford a C compiler, so he bought Linux and tried to install a GUI, leading to hardware disassembly.
- He had to read numbers off his graphics card during the process.