Elixir Wizards

Owen Bickford, creator of the WebAuthnComponents library, dives into the future of passwordless authentication for Phoenix LiveView apps. He discusses the evolution from traditional passwords to modern passkeys and highlights security flaws in conventional systems. Owen explains how the WebAuthn API enhances user experience and security while encouraging community contributions to the library. Also covered are challenges like cross-device support and the transformative potential of hardware-based credentials, ensuring safer, more efficient web applications.

Today on Elixir Wizards, indie developer Lucas Sifoni shares his experience prototyping a remote-controlled terrestrial telescope using Elixir, Nerves, Rust, and various hardware components. Lucas explains the basic components of a telescope, the challenges he faced during the development process, and the benefits of using Elixir and Nerves for hardware projects. Lucas emphasizes the importance of simulating hardware components and testing assumptions before working with physical devices, as well as the value of literate programming and executable blog posts for documenting and sharing the process. Lucas encourages listeners to explore Nerves and build their own hardware projects. He also gives a shout-out to the Nerves core team for their incredible work. Topics discussed in this episode: Challenges in optimizing wiring and PCB design for the prototype Benefits of Elixir and Nerves for hardware projects Communicating with Arduinos using serial connections and pattern matching Leveraging binary pattern matching and construction in Elixir for hardware Balancing educational value and real-world usability Learning CID software and parametric design for 3D printing components Growing interest in Nerves and hardware projects within the Elixir community Simulating hardware components and testing assumptions before physical implementation Literate programming and executable blog posts for documenting hardware projects Using Elixir's interoperability with Rust for performance-critical tasks Elixir's low fragmentation and high-quality libraries for various domains Potential for using Livebook in hardware projects, with some limitations Encouraging listeners to explore Nerves and build their own hardware projects Links mentioned https://lucassifoni.info/ https://www.rust-lang.org/ https://go.dev/ https://lisp-lang.org/ https://ubuntu.com/ https://hexdocs.pm/iex/IEx.html https://nerves-project.org/ https://lucassifoni.info/blog/prototyping-elixir-telescope-code-beam/ https://github.com/Lucassifoni/oiseaux https://hexdocs.pm/phoenix_live_view/Phoenix.LiveView.html https://www.raspberrypi.com/ https://mangopi.org/ https://store.arduino.cc/products/arduino-nano https://elixir-circuits.github.io/ https://www.erlang.org/doc/apps/runtime_tools/scheduler.html Binary pattern matching in Elixir with PNG parsing example https://zohaib.me/binary-pattern-matching-in-elixir/ Lucas’ Code Beam Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7bleFzA11c https://github.com/membraneframework-labs https://github.com/talklittle/ffmpex https://studio.blender.org/training/3d-printing/ https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/personal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parametric_design https://www.exem.fr/ https://www.kikk.be/exhibitions/collectif-lab212-nicolas-guichard-beatrice-lartigue/ https://livebook.dev/ https://github.com/elixir-nx/bumblebee https://github.com/rusterlium/rustlerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7bleFzA11cSpecial Guest: Lucas Sifoni.

Tony Dang, a web developer and former mechanical engineer from the Bay Area, shares his fascinating journey into creating a local-first, offline-enabled to-do app using Phoenix LiveView and Svelte. He dives into the significance of offline functionality and CRDTs for seamless user experiences. Tony details his go-to tools like Inertia.js and highlights techniques for optimizing performance and managing state updates. His insights on balancing JavaScript and Elixir also inspire budding developers to contribute to open-source projects in the thriving Elixir community.

In this conversation, Bryan Green, a Senior Software Engineer at GridPoint, shares his innovative journey of transforming a 1930s rotary phone into a modern cell phone using Elixir and Nerves. He reveals the challenges of interpreting rotary dial signals and troubleshooting hardware with LED diagnostics. Bryan highlights the advantages of Nerves, like remote debugging and over-the-air updates, and explains how he utilized GenStateMachine to manage phone states. With advice for DIY enthusiasts, he inspires listeners to embrace the golden age of hardware tinkering.

To kick off Elixir Wizards Season 13, The Creator's Lab, we're joined by Zach Daniel, the creator of Igniter and the Ash framework. Zach joins hosts Owen Bickford and Charles Suggs to discuss the mechanics and aspirations of his latest brainchild, Igniter—a code generation and project patching framework designed to revolutionize the Elixir development experience. Igniter isn’t just about generating code; it’s about generating smarter code. By leveraging tools like Sourcerer and Rewrite, Igniter allows developers to modify source code and batch updates by directly interacting with Elixir's AST instead of regex patching. This approach streamlines new project setup and package installations and enhances overall workflow. They also discuss the strategic implications of Igniter for the broader Elixir community. Zach hopes Igniter will foster a more interconnected and efficient ecosystem that attracts new developers to Elixir and caters to the evolving needs of seasoned Elixir engineers. Topics discussed in this episode: Advanced package installation and code generation improve the developer experience Scripting and staging techniques streamline project updates Innovative methods for smoother installation processes in Elixir packages High-level tools apply direct patches to source code Progressive feature additions simplify the mix phx.new experience Chaining installers and composing tasks for more efficient project setup Continuous improvement in developer experiences to boost Elixir adoption Encourage listeners to collaborate by sharing code generation patterns Introduction of a new mix task aimed at removing the "unless" keyword in preparation for Elixir 1.18 You can learn more in the upcoming book "Building Web Applications with Ash Framework" by Zach and Rebecca Links mentioned: https://smartlogic.io/ https://alembic.com.au/blog/igniter-rethinking-code-generation-with-project-patching https://hexdocs.pm/igniter/readme.html https://github.com/ash-project/igniter https://www.zachdaniel.dev/p/serialization-is-the-secret https://www.zachdaniel.dev/p/welcome-to-my-substack https://ash-hq.org/ https://hexdocs.pm/sourceror/readme.html https://smartlogic.io/podcast/elixir-wizards/s10-e09-hugo-lucas-future-of-elixir-community/ https://github.com/hrzndhrn/rewrite https://github.com/zachdaniel https://github.com/liveshowy/webauthn_components https://hexdocs.pm/elixir/Regex.html https://github.com/msaraiva/vscode-surface https://github.com/swoosh/swoosh https://github.com/erlef/oidcc https://alembic.com.au/ https://www.zachdaniel.dev/Special Guest: Zach Daniel.

The Elixir Wizards and Thinking Elixir podcasts join forces to bring you a special hype-isode for ElixirConf 2024 in Orlando, Florida. Hosts Owen, Sundi, David, and Mark discuss their favorite moments from past conferences and offer a sneak peek into what this year's event has in store. From insightful training classes to thought-provoking talks on topics like LiveView, data processing, Nerves, and machine learning—there's something for every Elixirist and Elixir-curious software developer. In this episode, we share tips on making the most of the conference, whether you're there to network, learn, or just soak in the community vibes. Want to attend ElixirConf in Orlando from August 27th-30th, 2024? Use code ELIXIRPODCAST at checkout to get a $50 discount on your tickets here: https://ti.to/elixirconf/2024 Key topics discussed in this episode: Favorite moments and experiences from previous ElixirConf events How to network and make the most of your conference attendance Training classes and talks we're looking forward to this year Keynotes from prominent Elixir community figures Chris McCord's keynote: TBD (Could it be a LiveView 1.0 announcement?!) Benefits of attending ElixirConf: learning, networking, community immersion Virtual attendance options for those unable to attend in person Early bird ticket prices and special discount code "ELIXIRPODCAST" for $50 off Why you should step out of your comfort zone and engage with others Passion and energy of Elixir community members at ElixirConf Mentorship opportunities: connect with experienced Elixir developers Exploring Orlando attractions during ElixirConf 2024 downtime An invitation to join us at ElixirConf 2024 and immerse yourself in the Elixir community Links mentioned: https://2024.elixirconf.com/ https://hexdocs.pm/ecto/Ecto.html https://fly.io/ https://brainlid.org/ https://github.com/brainlid/ https://www.meetup.com/austin-elixir/ https://grox.io/ https://hexdocs.pm/phoenix_live_view/Phoenix.Component.html https://opentelemetry.io/docs/languages/erlang/ https://ash-hq.org/ https://alembic.com.au/ Functional IoT with Elixir and Nerves - Justin Schneck | Craft 2019 https://docs.nerves-hub.org/ https://nerves-project.org/ https://getoban.pro/ https://hexdocs.pm/broadway/Broadway.html https://developer.farm.bot/v15/docs/farmbot-os.html Leaving Everything Behind For Elixir - Theo’s video Phoenix LiveView Is Making Me Reconsider React... - Theo’s other video Podcast: Thinking Elixir 206: BeamOps - DevOps on the BEAMSpecial Guests: David Bernheisel and Mark Ericksen.

It’s the season finale of Elixir Wizards Office Hours! SmartLogic’s Project Manager Alicia Brindisi and VP of Delivery Bri LaVorgna join host Dan to delve into the agile ceremony of retrospectives. They explore the vital role of retrospectives in Agile project management and unveil practical strategies for enhancing their effectiveness. Alicia and Bri break down the elements of a successful retrospective. They cover everything from meticulous preparation to facilitation techniques, and how to choose the best format for fostering open dialogue and actionable results. Learn how to navigate common obstacles and guide discussions toward productive, solution-focused outcomes. Throughout the episode, they emphasize the transformative potential of retrospectives within the Agile framework, portraying them not just as a procedural activity, but as a catalyst for continuous team growth and project success. Key topics discussed in this episode: Mastering the full potential of retrospectives in Agile environments Best practices for effective preparation and facilitation Choosing the right format to suit your team's dynamics Strategies for overcoming typical challenges during retrospectives Techniques for addressing and resolving interpersonal conflicts constructively The critical importance of valuing each team member’s perspective Practical advice on applying insights from retrospectives to enact organizational changes Tailoring and refining retrospectives to meet your team’s unique requirements Links mentioned: SmartLogic https://smartlogic.io/ SmartLogic LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/smartlogic-io Contact Bri Bri@smartlogic.io Retrium Retrospectives for Scrum & Agile Teams https://www.retrium.com/ 4Ls Retrospective Template https://www.retrium.com/retrospective-techniques/4ls Start Stop Continue Retrospective https://www.retrium.com/retrospective-techniques/start-stop-continue Sailboat Retrospective https://www.retrium.com/retrospective-techniques/sailboat Starfish Retrospective https://www.retrium.com/retrospective-techniques/starfish ClickUp Project Management Platform https://clickup.com/teams/project-management Asana Task Manager http://www.asana.com Jira Project Management Tool https://www.atlassian.com/software/jira Special Guests: Alicia Brindisi and Bri LaVorgna.

In Office Hours Episode 10, SmartLogic’s newest developers, Emma Whamond and Micaela Cunha, join Elixir Wizard Owen Bickford to discuss their onboarding experiences, joining a new engineering team, and navigating an unfamiliar codebase. They share tips and challenges on learning new programming languages like Ruby and Elixir while ramping up for active client projects. Emma and Micaela emphasize the value of starting with tests and seeking guidance from teammates when diving into unfamiliar projects. Our guests provide valuable guidance for anyone navigating the transition into a new software development team, highlighting the importance of collaboration, continuous learning, and community support in the tech industry. Key topics discussed in this episode: What to expect when joining a new engineering team Navigating existing codebases as a new hire in Elixir and Ruby Applying previous work experience to software development The importance of tests and team communication in unfamiliar projects Learning Ruby as a C++ and JavaScript developer Differences between dynamic and static typing Building team camaraderie and intentionality in remote work environments The steep learning curve of the onboarding process, including documentation, codebases, and client meetings Relying on teammates for guidance and overcoming the fear of asking too many questions Updating documentation within project repositories Learning team dynamics and identifying domain experts for targeted assistance Domain-specific knowledge: being a senior developer in one language vs. another Building friendships and connections within local tech communities The welcoming and supportive nature of the tech industry for newcomers Links mentioned: Elixir Programming Language https://elixir-lang.org/ Ruby on Rails https://www.ruby-lang.org/en/ Ruby Koans - Learn Ruby language, syntax, structure https://www.rubykoans.com/ Elixir Language Learning Exercises (Elixir Koans) https://github.com/elixirkoans/elixir-koans The PETAL Stack in Elixir https://thinkingelixir.com/petal-stack-in-elixir/ Alpine JS Lightweight JavaScript Framework https://alpinejs.dev/ Phoenix LiveView https://hexdocs.pm/phoenix_live_view/Phoenix.LiveView.html WebAuthn Components passwordless authentication to LiveView applications https://github.com/liveshowy/webauthn_components Gleam functional language for building type-safe, scalable systems https://gleam.run/ The Future of Types in Elixir with José Valim, Guillaume Duboc, and Giuseppe Castagna https://smartlogic.io/podcast/elixir-wizards/s10-e12-jose-guillaume-giuseppe-types-elixir/ Git-Blame https://git-scm.com/docs/git-blame nix store https://nixos.org/manual/nix/stable/command-ref/nix-store Code and Coffee https://codeandcoffee.org/Special Guests: Emma Whamond and Micaela Cunha.

In Episode 9 of Elixir Wizards Office Hours, we dive into task writing and backlog grooming, transforming ideas from the discovery phase into actionable tickets. Join SmartLogic Developer Camber Griffin and hosts Dan Ivovich and Owen Bickford as they explore the intricacies of task writing, ticket grooming, estimation, and backlog management in the software development lifecycle. They emphasize crafting clear, detailed tickets that act as comprehensive guides for development teams. A well-written ticket does more than outline what needs to be built—it facilitates collaboration by including entry points, linking to essential documentation, defining acceptance criteria, detailing QA steps, and identifying potential risks and future hurdles. Key topics discussed in this episode: Crafting actionable development tickets from inspiration Achieving the optimal level of detail in tickets Tailoring ticket content for developers, QA, and stakeholders Standardizing ticket format with templates Structurally breaking down tasks into manageable sections Ensuring flexibility in implementation while maintaining clear specifications Proactively discussing architectural and design approaches Incorporating related documentation within tickets Clarifying acceptance criteria and QA procedures Accurately estimating task effort and complexity Collaboratively grooming tasks with cross-functional teams Adjusting tickets to evolving requirements Strategically planning for uncertainties and out-of-scope concerns Managing and versioning ongoing documentation Keeping the backlog clean, prioritized, and relevant Mapping dependencies among interconnected tasks Links mentioned: Jira Work Management https://www.atlassian.com/software/jira ClickUp Project Management Platform https://clickup.com/teams/project-management GitHub Projects https://docs.github.com/en/issues/planning-and-tracking-with-projects Zube Agile Project Management https://zube.io/ Pivotal Tracker Agile Project Management Tool https://www.pivotaltracker.com/ Trak Portfolio Management System https://pd-trak.com/ ClearCase Software Configuration Mgmt www.ibm.com/products/devops-code-clearcase Oban Job Processing in Elixir https://github.com/sorentwo/obanSpecial Guest: Camber Griffin.

In Elixir Wizards Office Hours Episode 8, hosts Sundi Myint and Owen Bickford lead an engaging Q&A session with co-host Dan Ivovich, diving deep into the nuances of DevOps. Drawing from his extensive experience, Dan navigates topics from the early days before Docker to managing diverse polyglot environments and optimizing observability. This episode offers insights for developers of all levels looking to sharpen their DevOps skills. Explore the realms of Docker, containerization, DevOps workflows, and the deployment intricacies of Elixir applications. Key topics discussed in this episode: Understanding DevOps and starting points for beginners Best practices for deploying applications to the cloud Using Docker for containerization Managing multiple programming environments with microservices Strategies for geographic distribution and ensuring redundancy Localization considerations involving latency and device specs Using Prometheus and OpenTelemetry for observability Adjusting scaling based on application metrics Approaching failure scenarios, including database migrations and managing dependencies Tackling challenges in monitoring setups and alert configurations Implementing incremental, zero-downtime deployment strategies The intricacies of hot code upgrades and effective state management Recommended learning paths, including Linux and CI/CD workflows Tools for visualizing system health and monitoring Identifying actionable metrics and setting effective alerts Links mentioned: Ansible open source IT automation engine https://www.ansible.com/ Wikimedia engine https://doc.wikimedia.org/ Drupal content management software https://www.drupal.org/ Capistrano remote server automation and deployment https://capistranorb.com/ Docker  https://www.docker.com/ Circle CI CI/CD Tool https://circleci.com/ DNS Cluster https://hex.pm/packages/dns_cluster ElixirConf 2023 Chris McCord Phoenix Field Notes https://youtu.be/Ckgl9KO4E4M Nerves https://nerves-project.org/ Oban job processing in Elixir https://getoban.pro/ Sidekiq background jobs for Ruby https://sidekiq.org/ Prometheus https://prometheus.io/ PromEx https://hexdocs.pm/prom_ex/PromEx.html GitHub Actions - Setup BEAM: https://github.com/erlef/setup-beam Jenkins open source automation server https://www.jenkins.io/ DataDog Cloud Monitoring https://www.datadoghq.com/