The Bike Shed

441: The Pickaxe Book with Noel Rappin

Sep 24, 2024

Noel Rappin, an author and Ruby programming expert, dives into his latest work, The Pickaxe Book, which updates the classic text for modern developers. He shares his journey fueled by his views on static typing in Ruby and addresses the community's debate on the topic. Noel discusses the responsibilities of technical authors and the evolution of the 'Pickaxe' within a changing landscape. He also reflects on feedback from his opinionated blogs and the unique challenges of onboarding new Ruby developers.

39:44

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Episode guests

Noel Rappin

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Quick takeaways

Noel Rappin emphasizes the complexity of programming practices, suggesting dynamic typing may cater better to experienced developers than static typing.

The updated 'Pickaxe Book' aims to address contemporary Ruby practices, reflecting a commitment to relevance for both new learners and seasoned professionals.

Deep dives

Exploration of Static vs. Dynamic Typing in Ruby

The discussion centers on the dichotomy between static and dynamic typing in Ruby, highlighting the author's preference for dynamic typing due to prior experience with Smalltalk. There is a critique of the common belief that adopting static typing is universally beneficial without any downsides. The author questions the assumption that more strictness equates to better programming practice and emphasizes that the value of typing approaches can vary based on the context, such as team size and code complexity. This opens a dialogue about the nuances of software design and the importance of balancing flexibility and strictness in coding.

Intro

5min

Static Typing Insights

3min

The Legacy of the 'Pickaxe' Book

13min

The Art and Process of Choosing Book Covers

3min

Exploring Ruby's Hidden Gems

8min

Onboarding Ruby Developers

8min

For a long time, Programming Ruby was the authority in the developing world. Now, a much-needed update has been published. During this conversation, we are joined by Noel Rappin, who shares how his frustration at the idea of static type in Ruby motivated him to investigate why he felt this way, as he published his findings in The Pickaxe Book. We discuss how this book differs from previous material he has published, explore a recent blog post series that explored the idea of failing fast, and address the widespread opinion that developers should take a simpler approach that is more accessible. Noel also explores the responsibility of understanding how readers consume material and the importance of providing thorough context as an author, how Programming Ruby became the most significant programming reference, and the surprising journey that led Noel to realize he was able to provide an updated version of the theory in it. Next, we dive into some of the more opinionated blog posts Noel has posted and the harshest feedback he has received in response to them. You’ll also hear about his research and learning during the act of writing the book. Join us today to hear all this and more.

Key Points From This Episode:

Noel Rappin’s recently published work, The Pickaxe Book, on current versions of Ruby.
The inception of the book during discussions about the collision of Sorbet and Ruby.
How his background made him comfortable with the idea that there are no static types.
A recent blog post series and how it answered a question about failing fast.
Considering whether developers pursue simpler things that are more accessible to a wider range of coders.
The problem of thoroughness and longevity in writing instructional material.
Developing awareness of how readers consume and contextualize theory and opinion.
How Programming Ruby became the most significant programming reference.
Noel’s updated version of this material in his latest book.
His blog posts on real-life applications of Ruby and the feedback he receives.
How he goes about framing blog posts as opinion or instruction.
Determining what community consensus is.
The bewilderment that often accompanies onboarding sessions.
Research and learning leading up to writing and publishing the book.
Feedback and reviews on the book.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Noel Rappin
Noel Rappin on X
Programming Ruby 
How Not to Use Static Typing in Ruby 
David Copeland Talk 
Better Know a Ruby Thing 
How To Manage Duplicate Test Setup, Or Can I Interest You in Weird RSpec?  
Better Know a Ruby Thing: On The Use of Private Methods
Standardrb
Rails Test Prescriptions
Programming Ruby: A Pragmatic Programmer’s Guide 
The Bike Shed
Joël Quenneville on LinkedIn
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