Elixir Wizards

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/ 

In Episode 7 of Elixir Wizards Office Hours, SmartLogic Engineers Joel Meador and Charles Suggs join host Owen Bickford to tackle the often tricky task of adding print functionality to web applications. They discuss their recent experiences with browser-based printing and the hurdles of cross-browser compatibility, consistent styling, and dynamic content generation, such as headers and footers. The trio delves into the limitations of current printing capabilities in browsers, the potential of server-side PDF generation, and the necessity of juggling separate templates for web and print. They also consider accessibility for printed content and the demands of delivering high-fidelity, pixel-perfect prints. Throughout the episode, Joel, Charles, and Owen offer up practical advice for developers grappling with similar issues, emphasizing the need for thorough research, proactive problem-solving, and the exploration of both in-browser and external PDF generation solutions. Key topics discussed in this episode: Real-world experiences with software project printing Navigating the limitations of browser-based printing Ensuring cross-browser compatibility and consistent layout Generating dynamic content for print versions Exploring server-side PDF generation and its advantages Balancing design consistency across web and print formats Addressing accessibility in printed outputs Overcoming the unique challenges of high-accuracy printing requirements Practical tips for researching and implementing printing solutions Handling complex data presentations like tables in print Evaluating the pros and cons of different printing APIs Understanding the distinction between web viewing and printing needs Innovating with mixed content in PDF generation Learning from past printing challenges and planning for future improvements Links mentioned: CSS3 https://css3.com/ WeasyPrint https://github.com/Kozea/WeasyPrint WebKit https://webkit.org/ Pdf.js https://github.com/mozilla/pdf.js YesLogic Prince 15 https://www.princexml.com/ PrintXML https://gist.github.com/craiga/2934093 PDF/A https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDF/A The PDF/A Family of Archiving Standards https://www.pdflib.com/pdf-knowledge-base/pdfa/the-pdfa-standards/ PDF/X https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDF/X Microsoft Encarta https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EncartaSpecial Guests: Charles Suggs and Joel Meador.

In Office Hours Episode 6, SmartLogic Developers Anna Dorigo and Bilal Hankins join Elixir Wizards Sundi and Dan to discuss their experiences maintaining a decade-old Ruby on Rails codebase. They delve into the critical importance of deeply understanding the codebase, keeping dependencies current, and adapting to the original application's evolving priorities and design choices. The conversation spans a range of topics, including accessibility, testing, monitoring, and the challenges of deploying database migrations in production environments. The guests share effective strategies for sustaining and enhancing older codebases, such as employing automated tools, performing code audits, and adhering to clean coding principles. Key topics discussed in this episode: Grasping the legacy codebase and its historical context Overcoming accessibility issues in older applications Safe dependency management and upgrades The effects of application scaling on database performance The critical role of comprehensive test suites in legacy systems Using tools like Sentry for error tracking and performance monitoring The benefits of automated security and dependency scans Juggling client needs with budget constraints Local simulation techniques for large datasets The value of iterative code reviews and maintaining clean code Utilizing git history for contextual understanding Onboarding strategies for legacy projects Removing obsolete code and avoiding "magic numbers" Importance of descriptive naming for better code clarity Leveraging a rich repository of example code for learning and reference Proactive code audits to anticipate issues Managing pull request sizes for smoother reviews Communicating effectively about upgrades and potential impacts Strategies for handling large databases efficiently Ensuring thorough test coverage Keeping open lines of communication with clients regarding ongoing maintenance Links mentioned: COBOL programming language https://developer.ibm.com/languages/cobol/ Ruby on Rails https://rubyonrails.org/ ARIA Rules (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) https://www.w3.org/TR/using-aria/ Shawn Vo on Elixir as a Competitive Advantage https://smartlogic.io/podcast/elixir-wizards/s5e5-vo/ Bundler Audit Ruby Gem https://rubygems.org/gems/bundler-audit/ Sentry application monitoring and error tracking software  https://sentry.io/ Dependabot Github automated dependency updates Mix hex.audit https://hexdocs.pm/hex/Mx.Tasks.Hex.Audit.html Git Blame https://git-scm.com/docs/git-blame Cow hoof trimming videos - The Hoof GP on YouTube (TW graphic imagery)Special Guests: Anna Dorigo and Bilal Hankins.

In today's episode, Elixir Wizards Owen and Dan delve into the complexities of building advanced reporting features within software applications. They share personal insights and challenges encountered while developing reporting solutions for user-generated data, leveraging both Elixir/Phoenix and Ruby on Rails. The discussion zeroes in on crucial data modeling and architectural decisions that enhance reporting efficiency and flexibility. Owen and Dan explore tactics like materialized views, event sourcing, and database triggers to optimize data handling while being mindful of UX elements like progress indicators and background job management. They share insights on leveraging the Elixir/Beam ecosystem’s strengths—like concurrency and streamlined deployment—to tackle common reporting, caching, and integration challenges. The episode highlights the impact of reporting features across all aspects of a software application’s design and architecture. Key topics discussed in this episode: Reporting on assessment data, survey results, and user metrics Differences between reporting and performance/error monitoring Implementing reporting in Elixir/Phoenix vs. Ruby on Rails Displaying reports in web, printable, PDF, SVG, and CSV formats Challenges of generating PDFs for large data sets Streaming CSV data directly to the client Handling long-running report generation tasks Providing progress indicators and user notifications Strategies for canceling or abandoning incomplete reports Tradeoffs of pre-calculating report data vs. real-time generation Materializing views and denormalizing data for reporting Exploring event sourcing patterns for reporting needs Using database triggers and stored procedures for reporting Balancing data structure optimization for reports vs. day-to-day usage Caching report data for faster retrieval and rendering Charting and visualization integration in reporting systems Links mentioned: Prometheus monitoring system & time series database https://prometheus.io/ Thinking Elixir "FLAME with Chris McCord" https://podcast.thinkingelixir.com/181 Phoenix LiveView Uploads https://hexdocs.pm/phoenix/file_uploads.html https://hexdocs.pm/phoenix_live_view/Phoenix.LiveView.UploadWriter.html Postgrex PostgreSQL driver for Elixir https://hexdocs.pm/postgrex/Postgrex.html Ecto https://hexdocs.pm/ecto/Ecto.html Heroku cloud application platform  https://www.heroku.com/ Elixir Wizards S9E12 Marcelo Dominguez on Command and Query Responsibility Segregation https://smartlogic.io/podcast/elixir-wizards/s9-e12-marcelo-dominguez-cqrs/ Commanded Elixir CQRS/ES applications https://github.com/commanded/commanded Tailwind CSS Framework https://github.com/tailwindlabs Memcached https://memcached.org/ Redis https://redis.io/ Oban https://hexdocs.pm/oban/Oban.html ETS https://hexdocs.pm/ets/ETS.html Capistrano remote server automation and deployment tool https://capistranorb.com/

In Elixir Wizards Office Hours Episode 4, SmartLogic Product Designer Ava Slivkoff joins hosts Sundi Myint and Owen Bickford to discuss the product designer's role in software development. Ava shares her experience navigating client expectations, software design principles, and technical constraints. They explore the integration of design and development workflows and how designers and engineers can collaborate to meet a project's specific needs. The conversation emphasizes the value of cross-functional teams and the synergy that can arise when all team members work in harmony to bring a product to life. Key concepts discussed in the episode: The broad scope of the designer role in web app development The value of an MVP in the iterative software design process Challenges of aligning client expectations with design best practices Pros and cons of leveraging pre-built Tailwind CSS styled components Trends and evolution in web design aesthetics and patterns Leveraging open-source design systems like Tailwind UI Balancing technical constraints with design aspirations Communication and trust-building between designers and engineers Workflows for design handoffs and feedback loops Importance of user flows and mapping the product experience Challenges around the implementation of complex UI elements Benefits of regular design review meetings and syncs Fostering empathy and collaboration across disciplines Links mentioned Figma Dev Mode https://www.figma.com/dev-mode/ Tailwind CSS utility-first CSS framework https://tailwindcss.com/ Tailwind UI https://tailwindui.com/ https://devinai.ai/Special Guest: Ava Slivkoff.