Robby speaks with Ana Nelson, a software developer, writer, improv performer, and creator of Dexy — an open-source tool for writing any kind of technical document that incorporates code.Helpful LinksAna's websiteDexyFollow Ana on TwitterAna on GithubConnect with Ana on LinkedInWhat is Transclusion?The Modern Scholar by Professor Michael D. C. Drout[Book] On the Origin of Stories: Evolution, Cognition, and Fiction[Book] The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master StorytellerSubscribe to Maintainable on:Apple PodcastsOvercastOr search "Maintainable" wherever you stream your podcasts.Join the discussion in the Maintainable Discord Community Subscribe to Maintainable on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyOr search "Maintainable" wherever you stream your podcasts.Keep up to date with the Maintainable Podcast by joining the newsletter.

Robby speaks with Dave Aronson, Owner, Consultant (and T. Rex) at Codosaurus.Helpful LinksCodosaurusDave on GithubFollow Dave on Twitter[Video] The Six Key Aspects of Software Quality[Book] The Pragmatic ProgrammerSubscribe to Maintainable on:Apple PodcastsOvercastOr search "Maintainable" wherever you stream your podcasts.Join the discussion in the Maintainable Discord Community Subscribe to Maintainable on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyOr search "Maintainable" wherever you stream your podcasts.Keep up to date with the Maintainable Podcast by joining the newsletter.

In this episode of the Maintainable Software Podcast, Robby speaks with Michael Feathers, Director at R7K Research & Conveyance and author of "Working Effectively with Legacy Code." Michael shares his unique definition of legacy code, emphasizing that legacy code is essentially code without tests. This foundational idea highlights the critical role of automated testing in refactoring and maintaining codebases.Michael and Robby dive into common issues developers face, such as low test coverage and the perceived optionality of writing tests. They explore how ego and human nature often influence developers' decisions not to write tests, even when frameworks provide the tools to do so.One of the intriguing concepts discussed is a test-first IDE, which encourages writing tests before methods. Michael shares patterns and practices for integrating testing into existing projects, emphasizing the importance of social reinforcement and team collaboration in improving test coverage.The conversation also touches on the importance of code quality traits like understandability and simplicity. Michael stresses that empathy in code quality impacts co-workers and that objective measures for code quality often stem from solid design principles. They also discuss the role of code analysis tools in understanding code quality.Removing unused code from applications is another key topic, with Michael sharing insights on the relationship between business decisions and code maintenance. The discussion extends to Conway's Law and its effect on code design, providing valuable context for understanding how organizational structure influences software development.Michael shares lessons from his early career, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and deep systems thinking in software development. He also discusses his upcoming projects, including the second edition of "Working Effectively with Legacy Code."Key Takeaways:Legacy code is code without tests.Automated testing is crucial for refactoring and maintaining codebases.Developers often perceive writing tests as optional, impacting code quality.Social reinforcement and team collaboration are vital for improving test coverage.Empathy in code quality positively affects co-workers.Solid design principles help objectively measure code quality.Removing unused code is essential for maintaining a clean codebase.Conway's Law illustrates how organizational structure impacts code design.Curiosity and deep systems thinking are valuable traits for software developers.Resources Mentioned:[Book] Working Effectively with Legacy CodeMichael Feathers on LinkedInMichael Feathers on TwitterR7kr Research & ConveyanceR7kr Research & Conveyance on TwitterTurtles, Termites, and Traffic JamsConway's LawSocio-Technical Seeing: Modeling The Dynamics Of Code And AttentionMichael's blog Subscribe to Maintainable on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyOr search "Maintainable" wherever you stream your podcasts.Keep up to date with the Maintainable Podcast by joining the newsletter.

Robby speaks with Justin Searls, Co-Founder at Test Double. Hear Justin's experience digging into technical debt, learn why software is like a sedimentary rock, and more.Helpful LinksFollow Justin on TwitterTest DoubleRuby gem: SutureJustin's Legacy Code talk at Ruby KaigiJustin on GithubConnect with Justin on LinkedIn[Book] Growing Object-Oriented Software Guided by TestsSubscribe to Maintainable on:Apple PodcastsOvercastOr search "Maintainable" wherever you stream your podcasts.Join the discussion in the Maintainable Discord Community Subscribe to Maintainable on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyOr search "Maintainable" wherever you stream your podcasts.Keep up to date with the Maintainable Podcast by joining the newsletter.

Robby speaks with Patricia Aas, Programming CTO at TurtleSec AS about how programming and security are intertwined.Helpful LinksTurtlesecConnect with Patricia on LinkedInMore about PatriciaPatricia on TwitterSubscribe to Maintainable on:Apple PodcastsOvercastOr search "Maintainable" wherever you stream your podcasts.Join the discussion in the Maintainable Discord CommunityLoving Maintainable? Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts to help grow our reach.Brought to you by the team at Planet Argon. Subscribe to Maintainable on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyOr search "Maintainable" wherever you stream your podcasts.Keep up to date with the Maintainable Podcast by joining the newsletter.

Please tune in to this enlightening episode of Maintainable, where we're joined by Nate Berkopec, Owner and Ruby on Rails consultant at Speedshop. This episode is a deep dive into the world of software performance, specifically honing in on Ruby on Rails.Nate kicks things off by walking us through the intricacies of measuring software performance. It's not just about numbers; it's an art and science, especially in the Ruby on Rails ecosystem. He shares his insights and experiences, making this complex topic accessible and engaging.But wait, there's more! We also delve into the murky waters of modern JavaScript frameworks. Nate uncovers some unanticipated problems that these frameworks can bring to the table. It's an eye-opener for anyone who's ever been dazzled by the latest and greatest in JavaScript land.One of the juiciest parts of our discussion revolves around how teams assess the value of performance optimization. It's not always about speed; sometimes, it's about the value it brings to the table. And here's a thought-provoking twist: Nate suggests we start looking at performance problems as bugs. Yep, you heard that right – not just glitches, but full-blown bugs!Helpful Links:SpeedshopFollow Nate on TwitterPatterns of Enterprise ArchitectureSmalltalk Best Practice PatternsSubscribe to Maintainable on:Apple PodcastsOvercastOr search "Maintainable" wherever you stream your podcasts.Loving Maintainable? Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts to help grow our reach. Subscribe to Maintainable on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyOr search "Maintainable" wherever you stream your podcasts.Keep up to date with the Maintainable Podcast by joining the newsletter.

Robby speaks with Victor Rentea, an independent technical trainer and Lead Architect at IBM based in Romania. Victor talks about teaching other engineers about legacy code, calling yourself an "expert", and what to do when you're rushed to deliver features but are dealing with refactoring challenges.Helpful Links:Victor's websiteFollow Victor on TwitterConnect with Victor on LinkedIn[Book] The Business of Expertise[Book] Apprenticeship Patterns: Guidance for the Aspiring Software Craftsman[Book] Extreme Programming Explained[Book] Refactoring (2nd Edition)[Book] The Software CraftsmanClean Coders Training VideosYoutube: Best Talks by Victor RenteaSubscribe to Maintainable on:Apple PodcastsOvercastOr search "Maintainable" wherever you stream your podcasts.Join the discussion in the Maintainable Discord CommunityLoving Maintainable? Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts to help grow our reach.Brought to you by the team at Planet Argon. Subscribe to Maintainable on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyOr search "Maintainable" wherever you stream your podcasts.Keep up to date with the Maintainable Podcast by joining the newsletter.

This week's guest on Maintainable is Sandro Mancuso, Software Craftsman & Co-Founder of Codurance. Robby and Sandro cover topics like how to avoid technical debt, what skills make for a successful software consultant, and more.Helpful Links:Follow Sandro on TwitterSandro's Book The Software Craftsman: Professionalism, Pragmatism, PrideKeyboard Katas A Case for Outside-In DevelopmentSubscribe to Maintainable on:Apple PodcastsOvercastOr search "Maintainable" wherever you stream your podcasts.Join the discussion in the Maintainable Discord CommunityLoving Maintainable? Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts to help grow our reach.Brought to you by the team at Planet Argon. Subscribe to Maintainable on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyOr search "Maintainable" wherever you stream your podcasts.Keep up to date with the Maintainable Podcast by joining the newsletter.

This week we're excited to have Bryan Liles, Senior Staff Engineer at VMWare, on Maintainable. Robby and Bryan chat about representation in the industry, how to use your job title to your advantage, and more.Helpful Links:Bryan on GitHubFollow Bryan on TwitterFollow VMWare on TwitterPragmatic Programmers BookSubscribe to Maintainable on:Apple PodcastsOvercastOr search "Maintainable" wherever you stream your podcasts.Join the discussion in the Maintainable Discord CommunityLoving Maintainable? Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts to help grow our reach.Brought to you by the team at Planet Argon. Subscribe to Maintainable on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyOr search "Maintainable" wherever you stream your podcasts.Keep up to date with the Maintainable Podcast by joining the newsletter.

This week's episode features Liz Keogh, Lean & Agile Coach and Trainer. Robby and Liz talk about behavior-driven development (BDD), what it's like to be a coach, and more!Helpful Links:Follow Liz on TwitterVisit Liz's websiteThe Phoenix Project by Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, and George SpaffordRefactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code by Martin FowlerSubscribe to Maintainable on:Apple PodcastsOvercastOr search "Maintainable" wherever you stream your podcasts.Join the discussion in the Maintainable Discord CommunityLoving Maintainable? Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts to help grow our reach.Brought to you by the team at Planet Argon. Subscribe to Maintainable on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyOr search "Maintainable" wherever you stream your podcasts.Keep up to date with the Maintainable Podcast by joining the newsletter.