Fork Around And Find Out Writing bugs with K.S. Bhaskar
May 23, 2025
In this discussion, K.S. Bhaskar, a software veteran since the 1970s and founder of YotaDB, shares his rich journey through the evolution of programming. He highlights the inevitability of software bugs and advocates for open conversations about them. Bhaskar reflects on the importance of community-driven innovation in tech and the joy found in open-source advocacy. He also dives into the critical relationship between software and hardware, emphasizing reliability in database technologies and pondering the societal implications of AI advancements.
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Early Programming in India
- Bhaskar started programming in India using punch cards on an IBM 7044 where computing time cost 2,000 rupees an hour.
- The experience taught him to value time spent debugging over saving computer cycles, in contrast to today.
Shift in Value from Hardware to Software
- Modern software engineers may value hardware time less, but this can lead to wasteful practices unlike earlier times.
- Bhaskar notes productivity increased but critical and thoughtful design must still precede coding.
Indian Institutes of Technology Origins
- Bhaskar describes the Indian Institutes of Technology collaborations with different countries such as the U.S., Soviet Union, Germany, and UNESCO.
- His institute had strong American ties and started with an IBM 1620, a rare privilege at the time in India.
