Maintainable

Topics CoveredCharacteristics of Maintainable SoftwareDan emphasizes the importance of internal consistency in codebases, automated tests, and proper documentation to preserve decision-making context.[00:05:32] Internal consistency: Why it matters.[00:08:09] Lessons from maintaining legacy codebases.Working with Legacy SystemsDan shares stories of upgrading ORM frameworks, introducing caching systems, and transitioning to bug tracking tools.[00:09:52] Replacing custom ORM systems with Hibernate and Ehcache.[00:13:10] Tackling high-risk components with automated testing.Modern Authentication ChallengesAs part of FusionAuth, Dan discusses building developer-friendly tools that balance local flexibility with SaaS convenience.[00:21:05] FusionAuth’s role in secure authentication.[00:28:13] Testing authentication flows locally and in CI pipelines.Navigating Constraints in TeamsAdvice for managing technical debt, advocating for team priorities, and communicating with stakeholders during lean times.[00:16:39] Communicating the impact of resource constraints.[00:19:27] Tracing single requests to understand complex systems.Industry Trends and AI's RoleFrom managed services to the impact of AI on coding languages, Dan reflects on how the industry continues to evolve.[00:35:05] Managed services as accelerators for maintainability.[00:41:25] The potential and limits of AI in software development.Key TakeawaysConsistency and documentation in codebases reduce cognitive overhead for developers.Understand how your software fits into the business to prioritize effectively.AI might reshape the industry, but it won’t replace the need for thoughtful problem-solving.Opinionated frameworks like Ruby on Rails continue to offer exceptional developer ergonomics.Resources MentionedFusionAuth BlogDan's Personal BlogCIAM Weekly NewsletterDan’s Book: Letters to a New DeveloperZen and the Art of Motorcycle MaintenanceThe Asimov story mentionedTry FusionAuthDownload FusionAuth: Get started with the self-hosted version today.Free Trial of FusionAuth: Experience the FusionAuth cloud for free!Connect with DanLinkedInBlueSkyThanks to Our Sponsor!Turn hours of debugging into just minutes! AppSignal is a performance monitoring and error-tracking tool designed for Ruby, Elixir, Python, Node.js, Javascript, and other frameworks.It offers six powerful features with one simple interface, providing developers with real-time insights into the performance and health of web applications.Keep your coding cool and error-free, one line at a time! Use the code maintainable to get a 10% discount for your first year. Check them out! 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 Maintainable, Robby speaks with Tom Johnson, Co-Founder and CEO of Multiplayer. Tom shares his perspectives on the evolving landscape of distributed systems, the challenges of maintaining legacy software, and how innovative tools are transforming the way teams collaborate.Topics DiscussedCharacteristics of well-maintained software, from system-level documentation to effective workflows.The importance of debugging tools tailored for distributed systems.Anecdotes about managing technical debt, including cutting off a CEO’s database access.How auto-documentation and design branches in Multiplayer streamline team collaboration.Practical strategies for tackling technical debt and fostering developer morale.Key Takeaways[00:01:16] Defining Well-Maintained Software: Tom explains why documentation, tests, and collaborative workflows are essential.[00:06:14] The Case for Locking Down Production: Lessons learned from a humorous but cautionary tale.[00:18:11] Debugging Distributed Systems: How Multiplayer’s tools simplify the debugging process.[00:25:00] Design Branches and Team Collaboration: Enhancing communication through shared documentation.[00:31:39] Prioritizing Technical Debt: Identifying customer and developer pain points.Resources MentionedMultiplayerTom Johnson on LinkedInTom Johnson on TwitterBook Recommendation: Making Comics by Scott McCloudThanks to Our Sponsor!Turn hours of debugging into just minutes! AppSignal is a performance monitoring and error-tracking tool designed for Ruby, Elixir, Python, Node.js, Javascript, and other frameworks.It offers six powerful features with one simple interface, providing developers with real-time insights into the performance and health of web applications.Keep your coding cool and error-free, one line at a time! Use the code maintainable to get a 10% discount for your first year. Check them out! 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 Maintainable, Robby speaks with Gulcin Yildirim Jelinek, a Staff Database Engineer at Xata. Joining from Prague, Czech Republic, Gulcin discusses her experiences working with legacy databases, the evolution of Postgres, and her passion for building accessible tech communities.Gulcin shares practical insights into modern database management, including the rise of automation tools like YAML and Pgroll, as well as how extensions like pgvector are unlocking new possibilities for Postgres users. Her work with the Prague PostgreSQL Meetup and Diva Conference highlights her dedication to fostering inclusive and welcoming tech communities.Episode Highlights[00:05:32] What Makes Databases Maintainable? Gulcin reflects on documentation, onboarding, and usability.[00:15:10] From Legacy to Modern: Challenges with legacy systems in hospitals and banks and the transition to Postgres.[00:22:18] Pgvector and Vector Search: Introducing Postgres extensions to enable vector-based queries.[00:28:12] Scaling Automation with YAML: How YAML transformed database management and DevOps workflows.[00:33:00] Fostering Community and Accessibility: Gulcin’s work with Postgres Europe and Diva Conference.[00:36:15] Mythology with a Twist: Book recommendations featuring Circe and Elektra.Key TakeawaysDocumentation Matters: A well-documented system ensures effective onboarding for both developers and end-users.Automation is Key: Tools like YAML and Pgroll streamline database operations, minimizing downtime and manual intervention.Inclusivity in Tech: Conferences and communities should prioritize accessibility, from catering to translation services.Vector Databases in Postgres: Pgvector is making Postgres a viable option for AI-driven workloads, eliminating the need for separate systems.Resources MentionedXata BlogPgrollPrague PostgreSQL MeetupDiva: Dive into AI ConferenceKadin Yazilimci (Women Developers of Turkey)Circe by Madeline MillerElektra by Jennifer SaintConnect with GulcinLinkedInPrague PostgreSQL MeetupDiva ConferenceBook Recommendations:CirceElektraLinks:Kadin Yazilimci (Women Developers of Turkey)Diva: Dive into AI ConferencePrague PostgreSQL MeetupOn XXata BlogPgrollThanks to Our Sponsor!Turn hours of debugging into just minutes! AppSignal is a performance monitoring and error-tracking tool designed for Ruby, Elixir, Python, Node.js, Javascript, and other frameworks.It offers six powerful features with one simple interface, providing developers with real-time insights into the performance and health of web applications.Keep your coding cool and error-free, one line at a time! Use the code maintainable to get a 10% discount for your first year. Check them out! 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 sits down with Justine Gehring, an AI Research Engineer at Moderne, to explore how AI tools are transforming code maintenance and scalability. They dive into the unique ways AI can support refactoring for massive and legacy codebases, from retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) to lossless semantic trees, and discuss how developers can benefit from AI-assisted planning and refactoring.Justine shares her background transitioning from academia to industry and reflects on the essential role of reproducibility in AI, why maintainable code is often overlooked in research, and the challenges of balancing innovation with real-world reliability in software projects.Topics DiscussedWhat Makes Software Maintainable: Justine’s take on good documentation, reusable code, and ensuring new team members can quickly navigate a codebase. [00:00:42]Academia vs. Industry in Code Maintainability: Why reproducibility and code maintenance often diverge in research settings, and how industry standards address this gap. [00:01:14]From Academia to AI Engineering: Justine shares her journey and how her background in machine learning led to a career in AI-focused software maintenance. [00:04:48]Scaling Refactoring with OpenRewrite: An introduction to OpenRewrite, the open-source tool that facilitates large-scale code transformations, developed by Moderne. [00:12:15]Lossless Semantic Trees: The benefits of LSTs for detailed code analysis, retaining essential syntax and type information critical for reliable AI refactoring. [00:20:24]Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG): Justine explains RAG’s significance in allowing AI models to provide context-specific responses without heavy re-training. [00:26:00]Trust and Validation in AI-Generated Code: The importance of robust test cases and human oversight when leveraging AI-generated code to avoid cascading errors. [00:31:36]AI as a Planning Tool for Refactoring Projects: Justine’s insights on using AI as a collaborative coding assistant, offering developers suggestions for planning refactoring and maintenance tasks. [00:35:24]Real-World Example of Scaling Refactoring: Justine recounts a case study where Moderne used OpenRewrite to facilitate large-scale code migration involving multiple frameworks. [00:42:00]Advocating for AI Tools in Code Maintenance: Tips for developers interested in introducing AI tools and approaches within their teams or organizations. [00:42:31]Key TakeawaysAI Supports Reproducibility and Reliability: Ensuring reproducibility in AI-driven tools can enhance both credibility and usability for complex codebases.Prioritize Planning Before Refactoring: Understanding code dependencies and structure is key to successful refactoring; AI tools like OpenRewrite can automate targeted changes.Human Expertise Remains Essential: AI can be an effective coding assistant, but human oversight is necessary to ensure accuracy and quality.Experiment and Scale: Start with small, impactful AI-assisted refactoring recipes and scale up once the process is reliable, saving significant development hours over time.ResourcesModerneJustine Gehring’s LinkedInOpenRewrite DocumentationGetting to Yes by Roger Fisher and William UryThanks to Our Sponsor!Turn hours of debugging into just minutes! AppSignal is a performance monitoring and error-tracking tool designed for Ruby, Elixir, Python, Node.js, Javascript, and other frameworks.It offers six powerful features with one simple interface, providing developers with real-time insights into the performance and health of web applications.Keep your coding cool and error-free, one line at a time! Use the code maintainable to get a 10% discount for your first year. Check them out! 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.