

Programming Throwdown
Patrick Wheeler and Jason Gauci
Programming Throwdown educates Computer Scientists and Software Engineers on a cavalcade of programming and tech topics. Every show will cover a new programming language, so listeners will be able to speak intelligently about any programming language.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 29, 2024 • 1h 35min
173: Mocking and Unit Tests
The podcast covers topics like Rust vs Cpp productivity at Google, supply chain attack on XZ utility, running techniques, game recommendations, and importance of unit tests and mocking in programming.

Mar 11, 2024 • 1h 26min
172: Transformers and Large Language Models
Exploring transformers and large language models in neural networks, focusing on latent variables, encoders, decoders, attention layers, and the history of RNNs. Discussing the vanishing gradient problem in LSTM and self-supervised learning with direct policy optimization.

Feb 12, 2024 • 1h 25min
171: Compilers and Interpreters
The podcast covers topics such as monitor setups, the controversy around AI-generated content, diffusion models in game level generation, the concept of propaganda, a puzzle game and a build system tool, differences between compiled and interpreted languages, optimization techniques for compiler work, and positive reviews and support from listeners.

Dec 24, 2023 • 1h 39min
170: 2023 Holiday Special Live
Predictions:Jason VR for WorkLowering AI training cost/ improved efficiencyRISC-V takeoffPatrickAi claim of AGIAi peer reviewerAi Video GeneratorMore space vehicles reaching orbitEarly career, finding role at FAANG, liaising vs shipping code. Startup?3 part. 1. How and when current hype for AI will end? 2. Shape of the show 3. Upcoming in techWhat are essential programmer knowledge items?CS Student, how to organize life and goals? What purpose life should serve?What kind of programmer were you in college?Happy Holidays!
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Nov 27, 2023 • 1h 30min
169: HyperLogLog
Intro topic: Testing your car batteryNews/Links:Tech Layoffs still going onhttps://www.sfchronicle.com/tech/article/google-layoffs-california-companies-18465600.php Real-time dreamy Cloudscapes with Volumetric Raymarchinghttps://blog.maximeheckel.com/posts/real-time-cloudscapes-with-volumetric-raymarching/Robot Rascalshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robot_Rascals Meta Quest 3 https://www.theverge.com/23906313/meta-quest-3-review-vr-mixed-reality-headsetBook of the ShowPatrick:HyperLogLog Paperhttps://static.googleusercontent.com/media/research.google.com/en//pubs/archive/40671.pdf Jason: Eureka! NVIDIA Research Breakthrough Puts New Spin on Robot Learning https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/2023/10/20/eureka-robotics-research/ Patreon Plug https://www.patreon.com/programmingthrowdown?ty=hTool of the ShowPatrick: Techtonica: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1457320/Techtonica/ Jason:ESP32 development board: https://amzn.to/3Qpmb20 WEMOSTopic: HyperLogLogMotivationCardinality CountingLinearCountingHash + expectation of collision based on how fullBloom FilterLogLogUse first N bits as bucketUse max sequential 0s in each bucketAverageHyperLogLogHandle empty bucketsUse correction factor like linear counting for low counts (number of empty buckets) and high countsDistributingTransfer bucket counts
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Nov 20, 2023 • 1h 29min
168: Godot
Intro topic: What are expectations on developers that have nothing to do with programmingNews/Links:Pushing for a lower dev estimate is like negotiating weather with a Meteorologisthttps://smartguess.is/blog/your-estimate-is-less-than-that/Announcing python in excelhttps://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/excel-blog/announcing-python-in-excel-combining-the-power-of-python-and-the/ba-p/38934397 Habits of Highly Effective Software Engineershttps://makingsmallercircles.com/articles/7-habits-of-highly-effective-software-engineers/Raspberry pi 5 begins shippinghttps://www.phoronix.com/news/Raspberry-Pi-5-ShippingBook of the ShowPatrick:Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Illustrated Editionhttps://amzn.to/3St3L35Jason: The Pete and Sebastian Showhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pete-and-sebastian-show/id570256898Patreon Plug https://www.patreon.com/programmingthrowdown?ty=hTool of the ShowPatrick: Obsidianobsidian.mdJason:Ink by Inklehttps://github.com/inkle/inkTopic: GodotWhat is a game engine?Graphics, animation, particle effectsTilemapsEntity component systemsPhysicsSoundI/OInput handling (touchscreen, joystick)GDScriptWhy use a game engine?PortabilityAllow for testing individual components of the gameLibraries for ads, in-app-purchasesGodotOpen sourceFocused on 2-D but now many 3-D featuresGreat development environmentAI HeroStarted in phaser (development rut)Moved to Godot, rapid prototyping
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Oct 23, 2023 • 1h 26min
167: Desktop User Interfaces
Topics covered include running metrics, reverse red herring incidents, 'boopification' of platforms, controversy surrounding Unity and Godot, evolution of desktop user interfaces, development of Electron framework, and expressing gratitude to supporters.

Oct 16, 2023 • 1h 12min
166: Speedy Database Queries with Lukas Fittl
- pganalyze: https://pganalyze.com/- Weekly series "5mins of Postgres": https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDV_1Dz2Ixgl1nT_3DUZVFw- How Postgres chooses which index to use: https://pganalyze.com/blog/how-postgres-chooses-index- CMU databases courses: https://db.cs.cmu.edu/courses/- Postgres community: https://www.postgresql.org/community/As well as social links:- Mastodon: https://hachyderm.io/@lukas- Twitter/X: @pganalyze, @LukasFittl- GitHub: @pganalyze, @lfittl- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lfittl/ , https://www.linkedin.com/company/pganalyze/
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Sep 25, 2023 • 1h 17min
165: Differential Equations
The podcast discusses the importance of differential equations, the use of spreadsheets for problem-solving, the debate surrounding lk ninety nine as a potential superconductor, the concept of achievements in games, using FF Improviser and the pandas library for data evaluation, and the applications of solving differential equations in various scenarios.

Sep 11, 2023 • 1h 31min
164: Choosing a Database For Your Project With Kris Zyp
Kris Zyp, database expert and co-founder of HarperDB, discusses choosing a database for your project. They talk about factors to consider, like speed, consistency, scalability, and security. They delve into the differences between relational and non-relational databases and the importance of low latency in user interfaces. They also explore the unique features of HarperDB and discuss real-life scenarios where speed and latency play a crucial role.