The Pragmatic Engineer

Thomas Dohmke, CEO of GitHub and a devoted user for 16 years, dives into the fascinating evolution of GitHub. He discusses the company’s early architecture and how it transformed under Microsoft's acquisition. Dohmke highlights the importance of a remote-first culture and the innovative use of tools like GitHub Copilot, emphasizing AI as a complement, not a replacement, for engineers. He also shares insights on hiring junior developers and navigating security challenges, making this conversation a treasure trove for tech enthusiasts.

Kent Beck, the visionary behind Extreme Programming and co-author of the Agile Manifesto, joins the conversation to discuss the intersection of coding and AI tools. He shares why he sees AI as an 'unpredictable genie' that can make programming more enjoyable yet complex. Kent reflects on the evolution of Agile methodologies and his transition away from emotional ties to specific programming languages. With anecdotes from his time at Facebook, he emphasizes the importance of flexibility and iterative learning in modern software development.

Scott Guthrie, Executive VP of Cloud and AI at Microsoft, shares insights from his 28-year journey at the company. He discusses Microsoft’s evolution from early developer tools to its current cloud dominance. Scott explores the challenges and triumphs of Windows Phone, the transformative impact of .NET and Visual Studio, and the exciting future of AI in developer tools. He highlights the significance of VS Code and Microsoft's shift to open source, revealing how these changes helped win back the developer community.

Janvi Kalra, an AI Engineer at OpenAI with a rich background including roles at Google and Microsoft, shares her journey from software engineering to AI. She discusses the crucial skills needed to thrive in AI, her framework for evaluating AI startups, and how to approach tech internships effectively. Janvi highlights the importance of hands-on projects and hackathons in her self-learning path. She also emphasizes the role of safety in AI engineering and how OpenAI navigates the challenges of rapid technological advancements.

In this engaging discussion, Kat Cosgrove, a key contributor to Kubernetes and leader of its Release Team, shares her insights on the complexities of this open-source giant. She explains Kubernetes architecture, its evolution from Google’s Borg, and the importance of anti-burnout measures for contributors. Kat also touches on the significance of Kubernetes Enhancement Proposals (KEPs) and the challenges of documentation in the age of AI. Her perspective on how to get involved in the project offers valuable guidance for aspiring contributors.

Varun Mohan, the CEO and Co-Founder of Windsurf, shares his insights on creating an AI-native IDE after a background in autonomous vehicles. He discusses the unique challenges of coding with LLMs, including their lack of certain capabilities. Varun emphasizes how Windsurf improves developer productivity and fosters a culture of learning from failure. He also highlights innovative techniques for reducing latency in cloud performance and enabling non-developers to build custom SaaS applications, reshaping the future of software engineering.

In a captivating discussion, Ebi Atawodi, Director of Product Management at YouTube Studio, shares insights from her experiences at Netflix and Uber. She emphasizes the power of trust in building effective engineering-product partnerships. Ebi advocates for personal connections over mere work roles, highlighting how understanding team members as individuals fosters collaboration and innovation. She also discusses strategic communication practices like the 'business scorecard' to align goals and drive impactful solutions, unlocking agency within teams.

Join Lauren Darcey, Head of Mobile Platform at Reddit, along with iOS Platform Lead Brandon Kobilansky and Principal Android Engineer Eric Kuck, as they dive into the nitty-gritty of building Reddit’s mobile apps. They discuss the complexities of a 2.5 million line codebase, the architectural shift to MVVM, and the strategic decisions behind using Jetpack Compose and avoiding SwiftUI. The trio also shares insights on improving developer experience, enhancing testing infrastructure, and the challenges of scaling a remote-first engineering team.

Dave Anderson, a former Engineering Manager and Director at Amazon, offers a fascinating insider's perspective on the tech giant's engineering culture. He discusses the rigorous hiring processes, the role of bar raisers, and the unique promotion paths for software engineers. Dave elaborates on Amazon's extreme frugality and how teams enjoy significant autonomy in choosing their technology stacks. He also shares insights on navigating performance evaluations and maintaining strong relationships with managers, all while reflecting on his transition to writing creatively after retirement.

John Ousterhout, a Stanford professor and creator of the TCL scripting language, shares his insights on software design in the age of AI. He argues that as AI tools advance, strong design principles become even more crucial. The discussion covers the pitfalls of prioritizing speed over quality in coding, the value of deep modules, and the importance of empathy in design. Ousterhout also critiques common practices like TDD and emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to design. His 'design it twice' principle offers a fresh perspective for developers.