
Happy Path Programming
No-frills discussions between Bruce Eckel and James Ward about programming, what it is, and what it should be.
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Latest episodes

Apr 10, 2025 • 51min
#111 Wasm & MCP with Steve Manuel
We chat with Steve Manuel (of dylibso.com and mcp.run) about LLM "plugins" with Wasm & MCP (Model Context Protocol).Discuss this episode: discord.gg/XVKD2uPKyF

Apr 9, 2025 • 1h 5min
#110 Unlocking Developer Productivity with Justin Reock
Justin Reock has spent a lot of his career thinking about how to help developers be more productive. In this episode we learn about the methodologies that can help developers spend more time in "flow state" - happily coding the fun stuff. Further reading: Measuring developer productivity with the DX Core 4 Discuss this episode: discord.gg/XVKD2uPKyF

Feb 21, 2025 • 1h 13min
#109 AI, LLMs, and MCP with Lize Raes
Lize Raes, an AI and LLM expert, dives into the mechanics of language models and their transformative capabilities. The discussion reveals how training data and model architectures enhance AI performance. Lize also unpacks exciting advancements in protein folding technology and its impact on drug discovery. The integration of AI into user interfaces is explored, highlighting tools like LangChain4J and the Model Control Protocol (MCP). Finally, the conversation touches on AI's role across industries, emphasizing its potential to augment human creativity and productivity.

Jan 30, 2025 • 44min
#108 Winter Tech Forum and Current Projects
Get ready for the 2025 Winter Tech Forum! The hosts discuss the exciting format that encourages collaborative learning and engaging discussions. They dive into effect systems in TypeScript, sharing insights and evolving trends in programming. The talk also covers advancements in Python tooling and virtual environments, alongside challenges in type systems. Plus, hear about transitioning domains using Pickle, and enjoy playful reflections on pop culture interwoven with programming themes. It's a blend of tech insight and community spirit!

19 snips
Dec 30, 2024 • 1h 10min
#107 The Joy of Programming with Dave Thomas
Dave Thomas, co-author of The Pragmatic Programmer and a key figure in the Agile Manifesto, shares his insights on the joy of programming. He discusses the evolution of programming paradigms and the importance of adaptability in a tech-driven world. The conversation delves into understanding clients' needs and the balance between automation and personal touch in small businesses. They also critique the commercialization of Agile and encourage continual learning, highlighting the art of formulating the right questions to engage effectively with AI.

Dec 3, 2024 • 1h 4min
#106 Agile Organizations with Jutta Eckstein
Jutta Eckstein, author of 'Company-wide Agility with Beyond Budgeting, Open Space & Sociocracy,' discusses how to extend Agile principles beyond software teams to entire organizations. She shares insights on rethinking budgeting for flexibility and the importance of collaboration in software architecture. Jutta emphasizes the value of open space technology and sociocracy in empowering teams. She also addresses the role of corporate responsibility and how adaptability can shape modern workplaces, especially in the context of AI and the pandemic.

Oct 13, 2024 • 1h 23min
#105 Nathan Sobo's Pursuit of the Ultimate Code Editor
Nathan Sobo, co-founder of Zed and a former contributor to Atom and Electron, shares his journey in crafting a revolutionary code editor. He delves into the challenges of collaborative editing and the role of CRDTs, revealing how unique identifiers are essential for effective data structures. Discussions also touch on the innovative GPUI framework for enhanced GPU performance, and the impact of AI on coding practices. Sobo sheds light on balancing traditional development methods with AI capabilities, aiming to transform the developer experience.

Oct 7, 2024 • 58min
#104 Effect Oriented Programming: The Book
In this engaging discussion, Bill Frasure, the lead author of "Effect-Oriented Programming" and expert in Scala and ZIO, shares insights from their four-year journey creating the book. They explore the importance of clarity in programming to help developers handle uncertainties, such as network failures. The conversation also highlights the integration of resource management and functional error handling. Plus, they reflect on the innovative use of AI in refining their work, aiming to make complex concepts more accessible.

Aug 20, 2024 • 1h 8min
#103 AI Augmented Programming with Stephan Janssen
Stephan Janssen is always on the bleeding edge of both helping developers grow and with how he uses technology to accomplish amazing things. He led the creation of Devoxx but is a coder at heart. Stephan shares his journey with AI, both as a "library" in his applications and also as an "assistant" that helps him iterate and program more quickly.
Resources:
DevoxxGenie IntelliJ Plugin
Ollama
LangChain for Java
LMstudio
Llama.cpp
James on The AI Native Dev Podcast: Rethinking Software Development: James Ward on AI's Role in Software Testing and Coding
Discuss this episode: discord.gg/XVKD2uPKyF

Aug 17, 2024 • 53min
#102 Gathering Nerds and Java Gatherers with Venkat Subramaniam
Venkat Subramaniam, a Java expert and conference speaker, dives into the exciting world of the upcoming dev2next conference. He discusses the innovative Stream Gatherers API in JDK 22 and its advantages over traditional functional programming. The conversation highlights the significance of custom solutions for conference management and the role of technology in optimizing these processes. Venkat also shares insights on error handling in functional programming and the future evolution of Java, emphasizing ongoing learning and the impact of AI on modern coding practices.
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