

airhacks.fm podcast with adam bien
Adam Bien
Java, Serverless, Clouds, Architecture and Web conversations with Adam Bien
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 27, 2025 • 41min
AI/LLM Driven Development
Join Jonathan Ellis, a developer at Brokk and a coding innovator, as he dives into a multitude of fascinating topics. He explores Brokk’s intuitive design for AI-driven development and its advantages over traditional tools like Cursor. The conversation covers real-time feedback enhancements, in-memory parser optimizations, and innovative coding techniques like hierarchical embeddings. Jonathan also discusses the role of AI in efficient coding practices, subscription models, and the importance of structured codebases, making this chat a treasure trove for developers!

Jul 20, 2025 • 55min
WebAssembly / Wasm and Java
Fabio Niephaus, an Oracle expert focused on GraalVM and WebAssembly, dives into the exciting world of polyglot programming. He discusses how GraalVM's capabilities enhance Java apps by integrating languages like Python and JavaScript. Explore the innovative WebImage feature that compiles Java bytecode to WebAssembly, enabling seamless web execution. Fabio also highlights WebAssembly's role in secure code execution and its potential for efficient edge computing, promoting new project opportunities and innovations within the Java ecosystem.

Jul 15, 2025 • 1h 4min
There Can Be Only One
Maurice Naftalin, co-author of 'Java Generics and Collections' and a seasoned Java programmer, shares fascinating insights from his experiences in the tech world. He discusses the evolution of integrated development environments (IDEs) and emphasizes the advantages of Visual Studio Code in a polyglot landscape. The conversation also dives into Java's historical changes, the importance of generics, and the elegance of method references. Naftalin's stories from rural Scotland and his journey through the transformations in programming paint a vivid picture of the industry.

Jul 6, 2025 • 60min
TornadoVM: The Need for GPU Speed
Michalis Papadimitriou, an expert in GPU acceleration and compiler optimizations for AI and Java, shares fascinating insights from his journey in tech. He discusses how he achieved up to 20x speedups in Java applications by leveraging OpenCL and TornadoVM. Hear about his work at Huawei and how he is optimizing AI frameworks like Llama 3, emphasizing the importance of standardizing ML model formats. With a focus on enhancing GPU processing in Java, he highlights kernel fusion techniques and the exciting potential of Graal VM in the modern developer landscape.

Jul 3, 2025 • 1h 2min
Building AI-Native Code Platform With Java for Java
Jonathan Ellis, the creator of Brokk, an AI tool for writing code, dives deep into AI's role in enhancing programmer productivity. He discusses the evolution of coding practices, comparing the productivity of younger versus older programmers. The conversation reveals the unique features of Brokk, including context sculpting for improved AI interactions and its open-source nature. Ellis also highlights challenges within large codebases and the use of AI for code reviews and technical debt management, showcasing a shift in mindset among developers.

Jun 21, 2025 • 1h 12min
Not Your Java Package Handler
In this conversation, Billy Korando, a member of Oracle's Java team, delves into his tech journey, from gaming nostalgia with the Apple IIe to his pivotal year as a FedEx package handler. He discusses the evolution of Java and the misconceptions around microservices, emphasizing the necessity of robust coding practices. Billy highlights the importance of automated testing with JUnit 5 and shares insights on Java performance optimization with tools like Java Flight Recorder. His experiences at the Kansas City Developers Conference and reviving JavaOne reveal his passion for community engagement.

Jun 17, 2025 • 1h 6min
From Punch Cards (and Tapes) to Java
Maurice Naftalin, a chemist turned programmer and early Java adopter, shares fascinating insights from his career. He reminisces about his first computer, the expensive Shelton Signet, and the early days of programming with punch cards and paper tape. Maurice highlights his experiences teaching Pascal and programming at British Steel, and discusses the evolution of software and formal methods. His journeys illustrate the dramatic transformation in technology and the innovative spirit that has driven computing forward since the 1970s.

4 snips
Jun 7, 2025 • 57min
Injection Without Reflection
In this conversation, David Kral, a software engineer and Helidon contributor, dives into the innovative features of Helidon SE. He discusses build-time dependency injection, eliminating reflection for enhanced performance. Kral explains the use of code generation for better debugging and ownership, plus the perks of using standard JSR-330 annotations for portability. He also covers compatibility with GraalVM, the value of a customizable service registry, and the exciting future of Helidon Declarative, set for a full release.

Jun 1, 2025 • 1h 6min
About Amazon Corretto
Join Volker Simonis, a key contributor to the Amazon Corretto team and OpenJDK, as he dives into the exciting world of Java enhancements. He explains Corretto's multi-platform support and the rigorous certification process it undergoes. Discover Amazon’s innovative features like async logging and Project Lilliput, which notably reduces memory usage. Volker also compares garbage collectors Shenandoah and ZGC, shares insights on the Graal compiler, and highlights Amazon’s pivotal role in the OpenJDK community, making waves in Java performance and security.

May 25, 2025 • 1h 14min
Building Immutable Release Pipelines with Hashgraph
Richard Bair, a Hashgraph expert and former Oracle employee, shares his insights on innovative blockchain applications for enterprise. He discusses the potential of Hashgraph to create immutable release pipelines, enhancing software supply chain verification. The conversation also explores the dynamics of live demos at Java events, the benefits of using mirror nodes for data queries, and how decentralized systems can improve compliance through transparent auditing. Bair highlights the exciting future of Java and Hashgraph technologies in the software industry.