The Pragmatic Engineer

Grady Booch, Chief Scientist for Software Engineering at IBM, discusses his pioneering role in software development, including his creation of UML and insights into the evolving architecture landscape. He reflects on his decision to decline the Chief Architect position at Microsoft and shares pivotal moments in software history. Grady also dives into the challenges of legacy systems, the rise of large language models, and offers invaluable advice for budding software engineers navigating today's tech environment.

In this conversation, Sabin Roman, the first engineering manager at Linear, shares insights from his journey at Uber to Linear, a dynamic project management platform. He discusses Linear’s shift from email to real-time communication tools for efficiency. Sabin reveals the ‘goalie’ program designed to enhance customer support and the zero bug policy that sets the company apart. The focus on quality over speed and nurturing creativity amidst minimal processes provide a fresh perspective on successful team dynamics in a remote environment.

In this discussion, Irina Stanescu, a seasoned engineer formerly with Google and Uber, shares her insights as an engineering leadership coach. She provides a behind-the-scenes look at Google’s rigorous engineering culture and emphasizes the importance of design documents. Irina offers tactical tips for new engineers on building credibility and advancing careers, detailing her own promotion journey and challenges faced. Additionally, she differentiates between influence and merely having influence, outlining essential skills that engineers need to develop for success in large tech organizations.

Luca Ferrari, the co-founder and CEO of Bending Spoons, leads a profitable tech company known for products like Evernote and Meetup. Alongside Francesco Mancone, the CTO, and Federico Simionato, product lead for Evernote, they discuss their distinctive acquisition strategies. They delve into the controversial process of acquiring tech companies, the simplicity that's integral to their culture, and innovative hiring practices favoring junior talent. The trio also shares insights on engineering transformations, rapid software updates, and maintaining empathy in corporate acquisitions.

Quinn Slack, CEO and co-founder of Sourcegraph, shares his insights on tech scale-ups and the evolution of coding practices. He discusses the shift from location-independent pay to zone-based compensation and the significance of delivering business value for software engineers. Quinn emphasizes his daily coding routine, even in his leadership role. The conversation also covers the integration of AI in software development and its impact on workflow, as well as the complexities of managing software updates in an AI-driven landscape.

Simon Willison, co-creator of Django and expert in large language models, dives into the world of AI tools for developers. He shares his initial experiments with coding tools like GPT-3 and ChatGPT, emphasizing practicality over hype. Simon discusses misconceptions around AI, the role of fine-tuning, and the innovative concept of Retrieval Augmented Generation. He also explores ethical dilemmas in software engineering, the evolution of coding tools, and the transformative potential of generative AI, making it clear that mastering these technologies is key to staying relevant in the field.

Delve into the dynamic world of software engineering with expert insights on team scaling and leadership. Seasoned engineers share valuable lessons and real-world advice for navigating the tech landscape. This engaging podcast promises to equip listeners with practical knowledge to elevate their engineering careers. Get ready for interactive discussions that inspire and inform.