

Self-Directed Research
OneVariable GmbH
This is the Self-Directed Research Podcast! Our hosts, James and Amos, host hyper focused technical deep dives
Visit sdr-podcast.com/ for more information about the podcast, check out all episodes and learn about who we are and how to support us!
Questions, comments, interested in sponsoring? Send an email to contact@sdr-podcast.com
Visit sdr-podcast.com/ for more information about the podcast, check out all episodes and learn about who we are and how to support us!
Questions, comments, interested in sponsoring? Send an email to contact@sdr-podcast.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 16, 2024 • 22min
Async Allocators
Dive into the intriguing world of asynchronous allocators and their implications in programming, especially with Rust. Unpack the complexities of memory management and the challenges it poses across different systems. Explore the stark contrasts between server scalability and embedded system constraints. Discover innovative solutions for async memory management and how future language designs might prioritize compile-time safety checks, enhancing both efficiency and code usability.

Oct 9, 2024 • 28min
Frame Synchronization
Delve into the captivating world of frame synchronization in computer communications. Discover the complexities of message boundaries in protocols like TCP and UDP. Navigate the challenges of reliable data transmission, comparing them to telegraph systems. Learn about signaling techniques and the critical role of accurate message framing. Explore innovative strategies like Consistent Overhead Byte Stuffing for efficient data exchange. Lastly, uncover how COBS encoding and hardware acceleration optimize serial communication.

Oct 2, 2024 • 23min
Fixing build times with rubicon
Amos, a skilled developer, introduces Rubicon, a tool designed to enhance build times in Rust programming. He dives into the challenges of managing dependencies and dynamic linking in large projects, revealing how Rubicon alleviates issues that previously hindered developers. The discussion also covers multiverse programming complexities and the significance of efficient global state management. Amos shares his insights on the evolving Rust tooling landscape, making the case for improved performance and collaborative open-source efforts.

Sep 25, 2024 • 31min
What Are You Syncing About?
An exciting journey through the ins and outs of asynchronous programming awaits! Discover the magic of synchronization primitives and how they manage tasks like pros. Dive deep into the role of 'wakers' in monitoring task readiness while tackling challenges of CPU utilization. Explore innovative lock-free algorithms that elevate task management in multi-threaded environments. Plus, unravel the complexities of state management and compare static vs. dynamic task allocation. It's a tech lover's paradise!

Sep 18, 2024 • 25min
You might not need Arc<T>
Dive into the intricate world of Rust programming as the hosts tackle the challenges of atomic reference counting and the nuances of concurrency management. They illuminate the complexities of asynchronous programming with the Tokio framework, offering strategies to balance performance and safety. Discover the importance of managing context effectively to avoid stale data and navigate the tricky waters of unnameable types. This lively discussion is packed with insights for both seasoned developers and curious beginners!

Sep 11, 2024 • 28min
Talking to Microcontrollers with Postcard-RPC
A conceptual introduction to structured communication protocols, and the design decisions behind the postcard-rpc crate
Visit sdr-podcast.com/episodes/postcard-rpc to see the show notes and transcript!
Episode sponsor: Visit ladybird.org for more information and to join the mailing list.

Sep 4, 2024 • 36min
Thread-locals galore
Explore the quirky world of thread local variables and the hurdles they introduce in dynamic linking. The hosts reveal their missteps in effectively communicating technical concepts, providing a humorous look at learning from past errors. Engaging in collaborative creativity, they discuss the thrill of surprise in project development. Delve into memory management intricacies, including the lifecycle of thread-local variables in languages like Rust and C. Discover the challenges of thread local storage in the Tokyo runtime and the evolution of static functions.

Aug 28, 2024 • 22min
Direct Memory Access for the Uninitiated
An introduction to DMA, including what it is commonly used for, and a model of how to think about what the hardware does.
Visit sdr-podcast.com/episodes/dma to see the show notes and transcript!
You can read the Inside Rust Survey Announcement for information about the Embedded Rust Community Micro Survey, or you can take the survey now by
clicking here.

Aug 21, 2024 • 19min
How Usable is the Rust Cranelift Backend Today
Dive into the intriguing world of the Rust Cranelift backend and its integration with LLVM. Discover the speaker's journey, filled with triumphs and challenges, as they tackle optimization for WebAssembly. Explore the frustration of linkers and code integration, and uncover the complexities faced in the Rust ecosystem, especially on Mac. The discussion also touches on the hurdles of macOS virtualization, highlighted by a humorous initiative to boost developer access to Macs. It's a blend of technical insights and engaging anecdotes!

Aug 14, 2024 • 31min
BBQueue - Going Just Far Enough with Generics
Dive into the intricacies of the BBQ ring buffer library and its innovative use of generics for improved data management in embedded systems. Explore the complexities of data structures and asynchronous programming, with a focus on smart memory management in Rust. Discover how BBQ themes humorously illustrate data accessibility. Learn about crafting a user-friendly Rust library, emphasizing clear guidance and traits. Finally, navigate the challenges of major version updates while balancing breaking changes and ongoing development.