Elixir Mentor

In this episode of the Elixir Mentor Podcast, I chat with Andrea Leopardi, Elixir core team member and author of "Network Programming in Elixir and Erlang." We dive deep into the fundamentals of network programming and how the BEAM's process model is perfectly suited for building robust networking applications.Andrea breaks down complex concepts like the TCP protocol, the OSI model, and the acceptor pool pattern in clear, understandable terms. We explore how Elixir's message-passing paradigm naturally maps to the world of network communications, making it an excellent choice for building high-performance servers and clients.Our conversation covers the evolution of HTTP protocols from version 1 to 3, the differences between libraries like Mint and GenTCP, and how to approach scalability challenges in network-intensive applications. Andrea shares insights from his experience creating networking libraries and writing technical books that make these advanced topics accessible.Whether you're building web servers, API clients, or custom TCP/UDP applications with Elixir, this episode provides valuable perspective on the underlying networking concepts that will help you write more efficient and reliable code.Resources Mentioned:- Network Programming in Elixir and Erlang: https://pragprog.com/titles/alnpee/network-programming-in-elixir-and-erlang/Connect with Andrea:- Website: https://andrealeopardi.com/SUPPORT ELIXIR MENTOR- Elixir Mentor: https://elixirmentor.com

In this episode of the Elixir Mentor Podcast, I chat with Chris Nelson, co-founder and principal engineer at Launch Scout, about leveraging AI tools for Elixir development and how these technologies are transforming developer workflows. Chris brings over a decade of Elixir experience to the conversation, sharing valuable insights on how consultancies can integrate AI to dramatically increase productivity.Chris discusses the inflection point where AI tools became truly valuable for production work, highlighting how features like Claude AI and Cursor's agent mode with test-driven capabilities transformed his team's approach to development. We explore the unpredictable nature of large language models, structured approaches to AI-assisted coding, and how Launch Scout measured a 4x productivity increase on a real client project using these tools effectively. The conversation includes practical examples of how experienced developers can guide AI to create robust, production-ready code while maintaining critical thinking skills.Our discussion extends to Web Assembly components and Chris's work on the WASM library, which enables Elixir developers to securely run code written in various languages within their applications. Chris explains how WASM leverages OTP supervision for resilient system design and opens up new possibilities for customizable platforms. We also explore the advantages of Elixir and LiveView for rapid application development, comparing it to microservices approaches and reflecting on the remarkable stability of Elixir applications in production.Whether you're curious about integrating AI into your development workflow or exploring the cutting edge of Elixir's ecosystem, this conversation offers practical insights and real-world experiences from years of professional Elixir development at scale.Resources Mentioned:- Launch Scout:https://launchscout.com/- Cursor:https://cursor.sh/- Claude AI:https://anthropic.com/claude- WASMEx:https://github.com/tessi/wasmex- LiveState:https://hexdocs.pm/live_state/readme.htmlConnect with Chris:- X:https://x.com/superchris- LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-nelson-038875/- Website:https://launchscout.com/- GitHub:https://github.com/superchrisSUPPORT ELIXIR MENTOR- Elixir Mentor:https://elixirmentor.com

In this episode of the Elixir Mentor Podcast, I chat with returning guest Daniel Bergholz about leveraging AI tools like Windsurf and Claude to dramatically improve Elixir development workflows. Daniel shares his journey from skepticism to becoming a power user, demonstrating how these tools can help developers build faster without compromising quality.Daniel walks us through his practical approach to incorporating AI into both professional development work and side projects. He explains how to effectively use features like rules files, web documentation integration, and memory systems to get the best results when generating Elixir code. The conversation covers important nuances about how different programming languages perform with AI tools, with Daniel noting that while JavaScript/TypeScript might get near-perfect results, Elixir requires more guidance but still provides excellent value.The discussion takes a critical look at the "Vibe coding" trend (generating code without understanding it) and offers a more responsible alternative that we call the "sniper approach" - using AI with precision and knowledge. We explore how AI tools are changing developer roles, potentially transitioning programmers from pure coders to more holistic product engineers who can focus on customer needs while leveraging AI for implementation.Whether you're an Elixir enthusiast curious about productivity tools or a developer interested in responsible AI usage, this episode provides practical insights on balancing automation with craftsmanship. Daniel's experience demonstrates that AI can be a powerful assistant when used thoughtfully, helping developers produce higher quality work in less time.Resources Mentioned:- Windsurf:https://www.windsurf.io/- Cursor:https://cursor.sh/- Claude:https://claude.ai/Connect with Daniel:- Workflow Blog:https://dev.to/danielbergholz/my-ai-powered-workflow-for-writing-elixir-and-phoenix-with-windsurf-4k8m- Website:https://bergdaniel.com.br/SUPPORT ELIXIR MENTOR- Elixir Mentor:https://elixirmentor.com

Isaak Tsalicoglou, author of "Northwind Elixir Traders" and former mechanical engineer, shares his journey into software development. He dives into database modeling with Ecto, detailing lessons learned from the Northwind project. Topics include optimizing query performance, managing migrations, and the advantages of using SQLite for learning. Isaak also discusses the challenges of schema changes, agile methodologies, and the interplay between hardware and software in product design. His insights offer practical wisdom for both new and seasoned developers.

German Velasco, a software developer specializing in Elixir projects, dives deep into the world of test-driven development and pair programming. He shares his transition from Rails to Elixir and highlights the significant benefits of adopting test-driven strategies, especially with his creation, Phoenix Test. The conversation touches on meaningful code coverage, the balance of testing behavior versus implementation, and how AI tools are reshaping programming workflows. German's insights make it clear that effective testing leads to more maintainable applications and better team collaboration.

In this engaging discussion, Christopher Grainger, founder of Amplified.ai, shares insights from his journey in AI and patent technology. He reveals how moving from Python to Elixir boosted efficiency and reduced costs for his company. The chat dives into the innovative LangGraph project, which simplifies LLM interactions, and the role of semantic technology in revolutionizing patent searches. Grainger emphasizes Elixir's strengths in AI, highlighting its actor model's compatibility with modern architectures and the potential of smaller AI models in software development.

Alex Koutmos, author of "Elixir Patterns," and Peter Ullrich, an active community member, share insights on Elixir development. They dive into the intersection of AI tools and coding workflows, discussing tools like Broadway and GitHub Actions. Cultural quirks shine through as they humorously compare European and American banking systems. Alex teases a new financial analytics book and they reflect on the evolution of development tools and the challenges of privacy in AI. The conversation is a delightful mix of tech talk and lighthearted anecdotes.

In this episode of the Elixir Mentor Podcast, I chat with Ellie and Josep, co-authors of "Engineering Elixir Applications: Navigate Each Stage of Software Delivery with Confidence." They discuss their journey into Elixir development, their experience writing the book together as a couple, and dive deep into DevOps concepts for Elixir applications.The conversation covers their approach to teaching deployment concepts through practical examples, including their use of Docker, Docker Swarm, and Terraform. They explain how they made complex topics accessible by starting with project management and building up to more advanced deployment scenarios.The authors describe their book's example application - a Kanban board that demonstrates distributed Elixir capabilities - and discuss their collaboration with Ricardo Garcia on its development. The episode also touches on personal topics, including Joseph's impromptu marathon story and their shared love for gaming.The discussion highlights the importance of understanding DevOps concepts for Elixir developers and provides practical insights for those looking to deploy Elixir applications in production environments.Links discussed:- Engineering Elixir Applications (Book):https://pragprog.com/titles/beamops/engineering-elixir-applications/- Docker & Docker Swarm:https://www.docker.com/- Terraform:https://www.terraform.io/Connect with the authors:- Josep:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseplluisgiraltdlacoste/- Ellie:https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliefairholm/- Website:https://beamops.co.uk/SUPPORT ELIXIR MENTOR- Elixir Mentor:https://elixirmentor.com

In this episode of the Elixir Mentor Podcast, we dive into JustCrossPost with creator Peter Solnica, exploring his journey from Ruby to Elixir development and the evolution of his social media automation tool. Peter shares insights on using AI for development, particularly for frontend work, and discusses how his background in functional programming through Ruby helped smooth his transition to Elixir. We explore the technical architecture behind JustCrossPost, including its use of Oban Pro workflows for reliable cross-platform posting, Cloudinary for image optimization, and his approach to testing both backend and frontend components. The conversation also covers the challenges of learning LiveView, maintaining multiple SDK clients at Sentry, and his thoughts on the impact of AI on software development, particularly for junior developers. Peter also teases upcoming features for JustCrossPost, including GitHub integration for open source maintainers and automated release announcements. Links from the discussion: - TDD Phoenix: https://tddphoenix.com/ - Cloudinary: https://cloudinary.com/ - Cursor.sh: https://cursor.sh/ - Playwright: https://playwright.dev/ Connect with Peter: - X: https://x.com/solnic_dev - BSKY: https://bsky.app/profile/solnic.dev - Website: https://solnic.dev/ - JCP: https://justcrosspost.app/ - GitHub: https://github.com/solnic SUPPORT ELIXIR MENTOR - Elixir Mentor: https://elixirmentor.com

In this discussion, Zach Daniel, creator of the Ash Framework and Igniter, dives into modernizing Elixir development workflows. He explains how Igniter simplifies code generation and project upgrades through smart dependency management. Zach emphasizes its impact on library authors and highlights innovative tools like Hologram and Beacon CMS. The conversation also touches on community engagement and the nuances of publishing technical books, providing valuable insights for both new developers and seasoned Elixir users.