An airhacks.fm conversation with Christian Humer (@grashalm_) about: early programming experiences with DOS text Adventures and Captain Comic, transition from graphics design to computer science, work on Java Server Pages (JSPs) and point-of-sale systems, development of Swing GUI for touchscreens, introduction to GraalVM and Truffle framework, ActionScript, Adobe Flash and Adobe Flex, explanation of Futamura projections and partial evaluation in Truffle, discussion on the challenges of implementing dynamic language runtimes, de-optimization in JIT compilers, Nashorn JavaScript engine vs. GraalJS, language interoperability in GraalVM, reuse of libraries across different programming languages, embedding of JavaScript and React in Java applications, comparison with PyPy in the python ecosystem, current work on bytecode DSL for generating bytecode interpreters, the importance of math in computer science and its relation to programming concepts Christian Humer on twitter: @grashalm_

In this engaging conversation, Richard Bair, VP of Engineering at Hedera Hashgraph and a seasoned Java developer, shares his inspiring journey from building computers to shaping blockchain technology. He discusses his pivotal role in JavaFX and the significance of his early programming experiences. Richard explains Hedera's unique Hashgraph algorithm and its ability to solve complex consensus issues. The episode also dives into the transformative potential of blockchain for decentralized networks and real-world asset tokenization, while highlighting resources for developers interested in Hedera.

In this engaging discussion, Alvaro Hernandez, a Postgres JDBC driver contributor and startup founder, delves into the nuances of Postgres performance optimization. He highlights the critical role of connection pooling and recommends tools like PgBouncer for better efficiency. Alvaro also touches on the evolution of Postgres authentication with SCRAM and the complexities of distributed databases. With insights on the trade-offs between optimistic and pessimistic locking, he emphasizes the importance of understanding database internals for optimal application design.

Francesco Nigro, a performance expert at Red Hat, shares his unique journey from a used Commodore 64 to mastering Quarkus. He discusses the impact of breakdancing on his learning and the role of persistence in landing a position at Red Hat. The conversation dives into high-performance computing, revealing insights on the Disruptor concurrency framework and the evolution from assembly programming to Java optimization. Francesco emphasizes the significance of in-depth technical understanding in today’s AI-driven landscape, highlighting his dedication to open-source contributions.

Ladislav Thon, a CDI committer and contributor to Quarkus, dives into the evolution of Context and Dependency Injection in Java. He discusses the shift from XML to annotation-based dependency management and the significance of CDI Lite in version 4.0. Thon highlights differences between portable and build-compatible extensions, as well as performance implications of using CDI in Quarkus. He also touches on new features like lifecycle events and priority support, and the challenges of migrating extensions, providing a glimpse into the future of CDI.

Gerald Venzl, an Oracle database expert, shares his wealth of knowledge about prepared statements and their significant advantages in optimizing query execution. The conversation dives into the nuances of hard and soft parsing, connection pooling, and the powerful capabilities of Oracle's Database Resident Connection Pool. Venzl also discusses sharding versus partitioning, the integration of PL/SQL and JavaScript, and how GraalVM enhances performance. The talk wraps up with insights into Oracle's support for ARM architecture and the evolving landscape of database programming.

Alvaro Hernandez, founder of Ongress and seasoned expert in PostgreSQL and Java, shares his tech journey from early programming on the Amstrad CPC 464 to launching innovative database solutions. He discusses the transition from PHP to Java, the evolution of his company, and the development of Stackgres for PostgreSQL on Kubernetes. Alvaro emphasizes the importance of control in cloud deployments, the benefits of open-source software, and the shift towards serverless architectures. His insights on managing databases and embracing transparency resonate throughout the conversation.

An airhacks.fm conversation with Ladislav Thon (@ladicek) about: Didaktik Gama to Red Hat, early programming experiences with Basic and Karel, learning Pascal and C in school, working with Java in university and early career, joining Red Hat as a quality engineer for JBoss Enterprise Application Platform, testing clustering and load balancing with SmartFrog, transitioning to WildFly Swarm / Thorntail development, becoming Thorntail project lead, moving to quarkus development, involvement in CDI specification improvements, discussion about portable extensions in CDI, interest in science fiction literature, mention of favorite authors and books including Neal Stephenson's Anathem and The Expanse series Ladislav Thon on github: @ladicek

An airhacks.fm conversation with Alfonso Peterssen (@TheMukel) about: updates on Lama 3 Java project and performance improvements, GraalVM Vector API support and performance enhancements, Espresso's ability to run Java code within GraalVM, implementation of Continuations and serializable continuations in Espresso, development of a debugger for native image using Espresso, potential for adding dynamism to native image, Espresso's use in sandboxing and isolating Java code execution, potential applications in cloud environments and serverless computing, possibility of using Espresso for LLM-generated code execution, potential for Espresso as a replacement for the deprecated SecurityManager, discussion of Espresso's performance compared to full virtualization stacks, class reloading capabilities in Espresso, invitation for future discussions on debugging and Espresso deep dive Alfonso Peterssen on twitter: @TheMukel

An airhacks.fm conversation with Mario Fusco (@mariofusco) about: early programming on ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64, father's computer shop in South Italy, work experiences with Olivetti and IBM, the Olivetti M10 laptop, introduction to Java and aspect-oriented programming, project on advertisement optimization for Berlusconi's company, experience with Scala and presenting at Scala Days, joining Red Hat to work on Drools rule engine, current work on quarkus and langchain4j integration, importance of open source contribution and conference participation for career growth, evolution of programming languages and technologies, thoughts on AI and rule engines, social aspects of software development, importance of community involvement in tech industry Mario Fusco on twitter: @mariofusco