Code with Jason

In this episode I talk with Yegor Denisov-Blanch and Simon Obstbaum about their Stanford research on developer productivity. They share findings about "ghost engineers" (9.5% of developers who do minimal work), discuss challenges in measuring engineering output versus productivity, and explain their data-driven approach to software engineering assessment. The conversation explores how different developers contribute varying value, how life circumstances impact work motivation, and their methodology examining source code and Git metadata. The researchers highlight the importance of quantifying engineering contributions and have collected data from over 50,000 engineers in their ongoing study.

In this episode, Amanda Perino, Executive Director of The Rails Foundation, discusses the foundation's mission to promote Rails through events like Rails World, focusing on finding unique venues that create special conference experiences. She shares insights about venue selection, sponsor negotiations, and the foundation's efforts to showcase Rails amid challenging job market conditions.

Dave Thomas, co-author of The Pragmatic Programmer and keynote speaker at Sin City Ruby 2025, dives into his upcoming book, Simplicity. He unpacks how software development has spiraled into unnecessary complexity and advocates for questioning established norms. The conversation emphasizes cultivating intuition in coding and experimenting with simpler solutions instead of following trends. Dave also reflects on the importance of personal storytelling in writing and encourages developers to embrace complexity as a learning opportunity.

Jerad Gallinger, a software developer and former philosophy major, dives deep into the essence of good code. He emphasizes that while code must function correctly, true quality lies in its understandability and maintainability. The duo discusses how different coding contexts shape quality expectations, and they connect code creation to artistic processes, highlighting the mix of discipline and creativity. They also explore the vital collaboration between developers and UX designers, stressing the importance of user-centric design for effective software.

In this episode of Code with Jason, host Jason Swett interviews Prarthana Shiva, a senior software engineer at NexHealth, who shares how her team is handling massive database scaling challenges. Prarthana explains their PostgreSQL database's growth to 24 terabytes (with projections to triple within a year) and details their innovative solutions including read replicas, Elasticsearch implementation, Redis caching, external write-ahead logs, and optimized vacuuming processes. The conversation also touches on Jason's own database challenges with his CI platform and concludes with Prarthana's upcoming presentation at Sin City Ruby 2025, where she'll discuss their transition from schema-based to row-based multi-tenancy for better scalability.Prarthana Shiva on LinkedInSin City Ruby

This podcast episode features a lively conversation between Jason Swett and Nick Schwaderer, covering a range of topics from Thanksgiving traditions to Ruby conferences, personal philosophies, and even the idea of starting a long-format, freeform podcast. They discuss their approaches to cooking turkey, the quirks of different Thanksgiving side dishes across the U.S., and the experience of celebrating American holidays abroad. The conversation then shifts to Sin City Ruby and Rails World, with Nick reflecting on how conferences create strong community bonds. They also delve into personal growth, handling adversity, and the importance of resilience in career and life.

The episode explores the challenges of remote work and the opportunities for connection that arise from engaging in community events like the Sin City Ruby conference. Neeraj Singh shares his experiences running a remote consulting agency, highlights unconventional hiring practices, and delves into the benefits of creating clone products, all while emphasizing the value of quality software and a thriving company culture.• Discussing the emotional toll of remote work • Importance of community events for connection • Neeraj's Big Binary: A unique, remote-first agency • Innovatively maintaining talent on the bench for flexibility • The value of creating clones in a saturated market • Hiring challenges and unique strategies • Retaining talent through strong company culture • Quality assurance as a fundamental aspect of software development • A holistic view on building competitive and maintainable productsBigBinaryNeetoSin City Ruby

In this episode I talk with Ryan Kulp, creator of TRMNL, an e-ink dashboard.TRMNLryanckulp.comRyan Kulp on X

In this podcast episode, Steven R. Baker dives into test doubles like mocks and stubs, discussing their essential role in robust code development and challenging traditional testing practices. The conversation covers the nuances of Test-Driven Development (TDD), including writing failing tests first for better code clarity and test coverage, and explores RSpec's influence on TDD. Additionally, Steven examines Ruby's adaptability and the integration of AI in programming, providing listeners with actionable strategies for more maintainable codebases and a balanced view on AI's evolving role in software development.

Join us for a conversation with John Gallagher, founder of Joyful Programming, as he shares insights on making programming enjoyable through Ruby, design, and object-oriented practices. We’ll explore the Unison programming language, designed to simplify distributed computing, and discuss the role of AI tools like ChatGPT in adopting new technologies. The episode includes stories about human forgetfulness and the growth opportunities podcasting offers, along with resources from Joyful ProgrammingJoyful ProgrammingSoftware Design Simplified