Coding Chats

Coding Chats episode 67 - Matt Boyle discusses the innovative AI software engineering platform, Ona, which aims to enhance productivity by automating coding tasks and managing multiple AI agents. The discussion covers the importance of planning, security, user experience, and the future of software development with AI. Matt emphasises the need for good specifications and the role of feedback in improving AI-driven development processes.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Ona and AI Software Engineering
03:24 Parallelising AI Agents for Enhanced Productivity
06:16 Enterprise Solutions and Security in AI
09:21 User Experience and Unique Features of Ona
11:53 Feedback and Growth Initiatives at Ona
14:45 The Ralph Loop and Its Implications for AI Development
25:20 Understanding Context Management in AI Models
27:48 Optimising Task Management with Context Windows
31:45 The Importance of Clear Specifications
36:07 Enhancing Software Development with AI Tools
39:26 Demonstrating AI-Driven Development Environments
46:11 The Future of AI in Software Engineering

Matt's Links:
Ona: https://ona.com/Matt's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjamesboyle/Matt's Twitter: https://twitter.com/MattJamesBoyleMatt's Website: https://www.bytesizego.com/

John's Links:
John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/
John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickett
John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett
John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.social

Check out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.

Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.

Takeaways
Ona is focused on building AI software engineers to enhance productivity.
Human attention is treated as the most valuable resource in AI development.
The platform aims to provide a calm user experience by managing multiple AI agents effectively.
Ona allows for parallelisation of tasks across different environments to improve efficiency.
Security is a priority, with AI agents operating within the customer's cloud environment.
The integration with tools like Jira and Linear enhances the planning process.
Good specifications are crucial for successful AI-driven development.
The Ralph Loop encourages deeper thinking in AI task completion.
Ona is targeting both enterprise and individual developers to broaden its user base.
The future of software development will involve AI managing entire backlogs and driving changes autonomously.

Coding Chats episode 66 - Alex Garella discusses the current state of the Rust job market, highlighting its mixed nature amidst broader software development trends. He emphasizes the importance of specific skills and industry experience, particularly in emerging technologies like data infrastructure. The impact of AI tools on software development and hiring practices is explored, along with strategies for breaking into the Rust market, including open source contributions and leveraging LinkedIn effectively.

Chapters
00:00 The Current State of the Rust Job Market
03:15 Skills in Demand for Rust Developers
05:46 Emerging Domains for Rust Applications
08:44 Rust's Role in AI and Machine Learning
11:38 The Evolution of Interview Processes
14:30 Challenges in Hiring Rust Developers
17:28 Navigating the Job Market as a New Rust Developer
20:27 Leveraging LinkedIn for Job Opportunities
23:21 Final Tips for Aspiring Rust Developers

Alex's Links:
https://rustjobs.dev/
https://scalajobs.com/

John's Links:
John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/
John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickett
John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett
John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.social

Check out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.

Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.

Takeaways
The Rust job market is currently mixed, with both opportunities and challenges.
Experience in specific industries is often more valuable than tool-specific knowledge.
Emerging technologies, especially in data infrastructure, are driving demand for Rust.
AI tools are changing the landscape of software development and hiring.
Hiring managers need to adapt their interview processes to account for AI usage.
Open source contributions can significantly enhance a developer's profile.
Tailoring CVs too specifically can raise red flags for recruiters.
Remote work options can broaden the talent pool for Rust developers.
Developers should not limit themselves to Rust when seeking jobs.
Persistence and passion for Rust can lead to job opportunities.

Coding Chats episode 65 - Mike Rispoli discusses his experience of building a Loom replacement through vibe coding, the economic implications of AI for small agencies, and the evolving landscape of software engineering. He emphasizes the importance of hand coding, the challenges of interviewing in the age of AI, and the necessity of clear requirements when working with AI tools. The discussion also touches on the future demand for software engineers and the role of UX in AI-generated code.

Chapters
00:00 Building a Loom Replacement in 30 Minutes
03:40 The Challenges of SaaS Pricing Models
06:29 AI's Impact on Small Businesses and Enterprises
09:19 Interviewing in the Age of AI
11:59 The Future of Coding and AI Integration
26:45 The Importance of Clear Requirements
28:31 Navigating AI in Development
31:31 Feature Creep and Planning
32:30 The Evolving Role of Engineers
34:34 Workflow and Planning with AI
38:45 Iterative Development and Feedback
42:28 Leveraging AI for UX and Design
45:59 The Future of Software Engineering

Mike's Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-rispoli-cto
https://x.com/michael_rispoli
https://www.instagram.com/mike_rispoli_cto
https://michaelrispoli.com/

John's Links:
John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/
John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickett
John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett
John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.social

Check out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.

Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.

Takeaways
Mike built a Loom replacement in just 30 minutes using vibe coding.
AI tools can significantly enhance productivity for software engineers.
The SaaS pricing model can be complicated for small agencies.
It's acceptable to pass on good candidates but not to hire the wrong ones.AI is likely to amplify the demand for software engineers rather than replace them.
Feature creep is a common challenge in software development.
Clear requirements are essential when working with AI tools.
The future of software engineering is promising and exciting.
AI can help engineers improve their design capabilities.
Navigating the evolving landscape of software engineering requires adaptability.

Coding Chats episode 64 - Jakob Sagatowski discusses his unique collaboration with YouTuber Mark Rober to build a robot goalie that plays against Cristiano Ronaldo. He delves into the technical challenges of motion control and computer vision, the role of software engineers in industrial automation, and the importance of real-time systems. Jakob emphasizes the need for better software development practices in the industrial automation sector and shares insights on how aspiring engineers can break into this field.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the YouTube Collaboration Project
03:22 Challenges in Motion Control and Computer Vision06:29 Trial and Error in Robotics Development
09:15 Understanding Industrial Automation
12:05 Programming Languages in Industrial Automation
14:31 The Role of Real-Time Systems17:49 Constraints in Real-Time Programming
21:22 Understanding Hardware Constraints in Industrial Automation
24:46 The Role of PLCs in Industrial Control Systems
28:45 Challenges in Software Development Practices
35:32 Breaking into Industrial Automation Careers

Jakob's Links:
Website: www.sagatowski.com
PLC-programming course: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLimaF0nZKYHz3I3kFP4myaAYjmYk1SowO
Unit testing framework for Beckhoff PLC’s (the course talks about this), if you want to apply TDD in industrial automation:www.tcunit.orghttps://github.com/tcunit

John's Links:
John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/
John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickett
John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett
John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.social

Check out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.

Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.

Takeaways
Jakob collaborated with Mark Rober on a robot goalie project.
The project involved significant motion control and computer vision challenges.
Real-time systems require deterministic execution within strict time frames.
Industrial automation is evolving, integrating more software engineering practices.
Software engineers are increasingly needed in industrial automation roles.
The development environment in industrial automation is often proprietary and closed.
AI's impact on industrial automation is still developing, with challenges in integration.
Real-time programming constraints differ significantly from web development.
PLCs are essential for controlling industrial processes and machinery.
Aspiring engineers can learn about industrial automation through online resources and experimentation.

Coding Chats episode 63 - John Crickett and Rob Bowley discuss the evolving role of the CTO, emphasizing the importance of strategic leadership that integrates people, process, and technology. They explore the challenges and opportunities presented by AI and other technological trends, highlighting the need for adaptability and effective communication within leadership teams. The discussion also touches on the significance of assessing technology teams and strategies to ensure successful outcomes in software development and organizational growth.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the CTO Role
02:49 The Misconceptions of the CTO Position
05:05 The Importance of Feedback and Adaptability
11:50 Navigating AI and Emerging Technologies
19:08 Testing Hypotheses in Technology Implementation
22:19 The Transformative Potential of AI in Software Engineering
27:09 The Economic Impact of Generative AI
29:24 Concerns Over AI Subscription Costs
31:32 Adoption Challenges in Software Development
35:14 Assessing Technology and Team Effectiveness
38:44 The Future of Software Engineering and AI
50:12 Exploring Related Content

Rob's Links:
Blog: https://blog.robbowley.net/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertbowley/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/robbowley.net
Company URL: https://www.pragmaticpartners.co.uk/

John's Links:
John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/
John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickett
John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett
John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.social

Check out John's software engineering related newsletters:
Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.

Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.

Takeaways
The role of a CTO is a strategic leadership position that intersects people, process, and technology.
CTOs should focus on understanding their strengths and how to leverage them within their organization.
Effective communication and collaboration with the senior leadership team are crucial for a CTO's success.
Many misconceptions about the CTO role stem from a focus on technical skills rather than strategic business outcomes.
Adaptability and awareness of one's strengths are key attributes of good leadership.
Feedback from peers and team members is essential for recognizing gaps in skills and performance.
Learning from failure is a critical aspect of leadership growth.
The integration of AI into products should be approached with caution and thorough exploration.
Organizations must focus on proven, common technologies rather than chasing every new trend.
The assessment of technology teams should prioritize people and their capabilities over just the technology itself.