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Coding Blocks

Coding Blocks

Allen Underwood, Michael Outlaw, Joe Zack

Education, Careers, Business, Technology, How To

51K Ratings

Overview

Pragmatic talk about software design best practices: design patterns, software architecture, coding for performance, object oriented programming, database design and implementation, tips, tricks and a whole lot more.

You'll be exposed to broad areas of information as well as deep dives into the guts of a programming language. Most topics discussed are relevant in any number of Object Oriented programming languages such as C#, Java, Ruby, PHP, etc.. All three of us are full stack web and database / software engineers so we discuss Javascript, HTML, SQL and a full spectrum of technologies and are open to any suggestions anyone might have for a topic. So please join us, subscribe, and invite your computer programming friends to come along for the ride.

242 Episodes

When to Log Out

Well, this is awkward. Coding Blocks is signing out for now, in this episode we’ll talk about what’s happening and why. We have had an amazing run, far better than we ever expected. Also, Joe recommends 50 games, Allen goes for the gold, and Outlaw is totally normal. (And we’re not crying you’re crying!) Thank […]

Transcribed - Published: 7 October 2024

Things to Know when Considering Multi-Tenant or Multi-Threaded Applications

It’s time to talk about the types of things you should consider when diving into multi-tenant applications and things to be especially aware of if you attempt to make things faster by going multi-threaded at the same time. Join us as Allen continues is non-winning / non-losing streak, JZ is taken out by a storm, […]

Transcribed - Published: 2 September 2024

Two Water Coolers Walk Into a Bar…

Grab your headphones because it’s water cooler time! This episode we’re catching up on feedback, putting our skills to the test, and wondering what we’re missing. Plus, Allen’s telling it how it is, Outlaw is putting it all together and Joe is minding the gaps! View the full show notes here:https://www.codingblocks.net/episode240 Reviews Thank you again […]

Transcribed - Published: 18 August 2024

How did We Even Arrive Here?

We were asked in one of our recent reviews in Apple Podcasts if we would share our career paths and how we got started and how we arrived where we are today. We took some of that info, threw it at Microsoft’s CoPilot / DALL E 3 and that’s the artwork for this episode – […]

Transcribed - Published: 4 August 2024

AI, Blank Pages, and Client Libraries…oh my!

It’s Water Cooler Time! We’ve got a variety of topics today, and also Outlaw’s lawyering up, Allen can read QR codes now, and Joe is looking at second careers. View the full show notes here:https://www.codingblocks.net/episode238 News As always, thank you for leaving us a review – we really appreciate them! Almazkun, vassilbakalov, DzikijSver Atlanta Dev […]

Transcribed - Published: 7 July 2024

Alternatives to Administering and Running Apache Kafka

In the past couple of episodes, we’d gone over what Apache Kafka is and along the way we mentioned some of the pains of managing and running Kafka clusters on your own. In this episode, we discuss some of the ways you can offload those responsibilities and focus on writing streaming applications. Along the way, […]

Transcribed - Published: 23 June 2024

Nuts and Bolts of Apache Kafka

Topics, Partitions, and APIs oh my! This episode we’re getting further into how Apache Kafka works and its use cases. Also, Allen is staying dry, Joe goes for broke, and Michael (eventually) gets on the right page. The full show notes are available on the website at https://www.codingblocks.net/episode236 News Kafka Topics Kafka APIS Use Cases Tip […]

Transcribed - Published: 9 June 2024

Intro to Apache Kafka

We finally start talking about Apache Kafka! Also, Allen is getting acquainted with Aesop, Outlaw is killing clusters, and Joe was paying attention in drama class. The full show notes are available on the website at https://www.codingblocks.net/episode235 News Intro to Apache Kafka What is it? Apache Kafka is an open-source distributed event streaming platform used […]

Transcribed - Published: 26 May 2024

StackOverflow AI Disagreements, Kotlin Coroutines and More

Joe Zack was on a brief holiday so Allen and Michael took over the helm for an episode. What would a new episode be without a little something regarding AI, some more love for Kotlin, and a number of excellent tips throughout (as well as at the end of) the episode. Reviews News Atlanta Dev […]

Transcribed - Published: 13 May 2024

Llama 3 is Here, Spending Time on Environmental Setup and More

In this episode Joe introduces us to more security items you should be aware of in the world of CWE’s, Michael bends to the will of Joe and Allen in his favorite portion of the show, and Allen pontificates on the time spent setting up IDE’s and environments. Reviews – Thank You! Upcoming Events Topics […]

Transcribed - Published: 28 April 2024

Ktor, Logging Ideas, and Plugin Safety

Picture, if you will, a nondescript office space, where time seems to stand still as programmers gather around a water cooler. Here, in the twilight of the workday, they exchange eerie tales of programming glitches, security breaches, and asynchronous calls. Welcome to the Programming Zone, where reality blurs and (silent) keystrokes echo in the depths […]

Transcribed - Published: 14 April 2024

Importance of Data Structures, Bad Documentation and Comments and More

In this episode, Allen, Joe and Michael finally make it back to record together! Allen revisits the basics, Michael kicks off boomer hour nicely, and JZ let’s us know that the dream of an 8-bit looking keyboard is not dead. News Topics Tips

Transcribed - Published: 1 April 2024

Decorating your Home Office

This time we are missing the “ocks”, but we hope you enjoy this off…ice topic chat about personalizing our workspaces. Also, Joe had to put a quarter in the jar, and Outlaw needs a cookie. The full show notes are available on the website at https://www.codingblocks.net/episode230 News Thank you for the review Szymon! Want to leave […]

Transcribed - Published: 18 March 2024

Multi-Value, Spatial, and Event Store Databases

We are mixing it up on you again, no Outlaw this week, but we can offer you some talk of exotic databases. Also, Joe pronounces everything correctly and Allen leaves you with a riddle. The full show notes are available on the website at https://www.codingblocks.net/episode229 News Multivalue DBMS Spatial DBMS Event Stores Resources we like […]

Transcribed - Published: 4 March 2024

Overview of Object Oriented, Wide Column, and Vector Databases

We have a different combination of the hosts for this episode where we continue the series on the types of database systems available and why you might choose one over another. Michael continues impressing by recalling everything we’ve ever said on our 500+ hours of podcasts, Allen enjoys learning about a database system he’d never […]

Transcribed - Published: 19 February 2024

Picking the Right Database Type – Tougher than You Think

You asked, we listened! A request from one of our Slack channels was to go over the various types of databases and why you might choose one over another. Join us in another information filled episode where Joe won’t be attending the event he’s been promoting and Allen tries to keep his voice together for […]

Transcribed - Published: 5 February 2024

There is still cool stuff on the internet

This episode we are talking about keeping the internet interesting and making cool things by looking at PagedOut and Itch.io. Also, Allen won’t ever mark you down, Outlaw won’t ever give you up, and Joe took a note to say something about Barbie here but he can’t remember what it was. The full show notes […]

Transcribed - Published: 21 January 2024

Reflecting on 2023 and Looking Forward to 2024

It’s that time of year…the time we (reluctantly) look back at what we said we were going to do this past year and see if we actually did it. Then, we repeat history and set some goals we’ll likely look back and wish we’d accomplished this time next year. In addition, we continue with the […]

Transcribed - Published: 8 January 2024

Gartner Top Strategic Technology Trends 2024

This episode we are talking about the future of tech with the Gartner Top Strategic Technology Trends 2024. Also, Allen is looking into the crystal ball, Joe is getting lo, and Outlaw is getting into curling. The full show notes for this episode are available at https://www.codingblocks.net/episode224. News Gartner Top Strategic Technology Trends 2024 No surprise, […]

Transcribed - Published: 18 December 2023

2023 Holiday Season Developer Shopping List

It’s that time of year again when the three of us reflect on the things we’ve bought and loved, or the things we want to get…and want to love…So, come join us in this episode for our usual amount of fun while seeing if there’s anything that might make your shopping list! A small note […]

Transcribed - Published: 25 November 2023

Gartner and your Life Partners

Ever looked at a Gartner report? We talk about the Technology Adoption Roadmap for Midsize Enterprises 2022, and the cloud services you’re married to in this episode. Also, Joe’s drumming up business ideas, Allen’s laying down the law and Outlaw never forgets. See the full show notes a https://www.codingblocks.net/episode222 News Technology Adoption Roadmap for Midsize […]

Transcribed - Published: 13 November 2023

Open Telemetry – Instrumentation and Metrics

Join us as we get back into the world of Open Telemetry. Piggy-backing on previous conversations from the Google SRE series as well as DevOps, metrics and instrumentation is a key component of understanding what’s happening with your systems. Follow along as Michael, Allen and Joe dive into Open Telemetry’s Metric offerings. Reviews Huge thanks […]

Transcribed - Published: 30 October 2023

Keyboards, Cloud Costs, Static Analysis, and Philosophy

We’ve got a smorgasbord of delights for you this week, ranging from mechanical switches to the cloud and beyond. Also, Michael’s cosplaying as Megaman, Joe learns the difference between Clicks and Clacks, and Allen takes no prisoners. See the full show notes a https://www.codingblocks.net/episode220 News The Show Resources We Like Tip of the Week

Transcribed - Published: 15 October 2023

Code Confidence using NASA’s Ten Simple Rules

We’ve mentioned in the past that the code we write isn’t maintaining heartbeats or being used in life-critical settings, but what if your code is? NASA happens to be a company who has code that is life and mission critical and it’s very possible it won’t even be accessible once it leaves earth. In this […]

Transcribed - Published: 2 October 2023

GitHub Actions

In this episode, we are talking all about GitHub Actions. What are they, and why should you consider learning more about them? Also, Allen terminates the terminators, Outlaw remembers the good ol’ days, and Joe tries his hand at sales. See the full show notes at https://www.codingblocks.net/episode218 News What are GitHub Actions? Workflows Jobs Steps Actions […]

Transcribed - Published: 17 September 2023

Tracing Specifics – Know your System with OpenTelmetry

Get a behind the scenes intro to some of the interesting conversations we have before we even get into the content. We’ll be jumping into the meat of this episode and looking at the specifics of tracing using OpenTelemetry. Before we do that though, we should probably find out what special 2-liter containers Outlaw uses […]

Transcribed - Published: 5 September 2023

What is OpenTelemetry?

In this episode, we’re talking all about OpenTelemetry. Also, Allen lays down some knowledge, Joe plays director and Outlaw stumps the chumps. See the full show notes at https://www.codingblocks.net/episode216 News What is OpenTelemetry? It’s all about Observability Reliability and Metrics Distributed Tracing To truly understand what distributed tracing is, there’s a few parts we have to […]

Transcribed - Published: 21 August 2023

Software in Audio and How to Lead

In this episode, Allen, Michael and Joe discuss the latest update with the Reddit saga, software for designing audio and reproducing analog sounds, an open-ended interview question and tips on how to be a great leader. Reviews Huge thank you for that! News Episode If you were going to create a web service / api […]

Transcribed - Published: 7 August 2023

Team Leadership, TUIs, and AI Lawsuits

In this episode, we’re talking about the history of “man” pages, console apps, team leadership, and Artificial Intelligence liability. Also, Allen’s downloading the internet, Outlaw has fallen in love with the sound of a morrvair, and Joe says TUI like two hundred times as if it were a real word. See all the show notes […]

Transcribed - Published: 23 July 2023

Better Application Management with Custom Apps

Last episode, it might have been said that you can become a senior engineer in just one short year. Our amazing slack community spoke up and had some thoughts on that as well…we revisit that, and what does senior even mean?! Join us for that and much more as Allen plays more with ChatGPT, Michael […]

Transcribed - Published: 10 July 2023

Errors vs Exceptions, Reddit Rebels, and the 2023 StackOverflow Survey

In this episode, we’re talking about lessons learned and the lessons we still need to learn. Also, Michael shares some anti-monetization strategies, Allen wins by default, and Joe keeps it real 59/60 days a year! The full show notes for this episode are available at https://www.codingblocks.net/episode212. News Exceptions vs Errors in Java Question from Twitter: (thanks […]

Transcribed - Published: 25 June 2023

Easy and Cheap AI for Developers, Reddit API Changes and Sherlocking

We’re back after a brief break for a busy month of May, and we’re here to talk about some pretty cool stuff happening in the developer world. Outlaw took vacation and can remember nothing, Joe introduces us to Sherlocking, and Allen discovered what all the fuss was about with Chat GPT as a software developer. […]

Transcribed - Published: 11 June 2023

Gitlab vs Github, AI vs Microservices

In this sequence of sound, we compute Joe’s unexpected pleasure in commercial-viewing algorithms, Michael’s intricate process of slicing up the pizza, and Allen’s persistent request for more cheese data augmentation. Will you engage in this data streaming session? The full show notes for this episode are available at https://www.codingblocks.net/episode210. Resources we like Tip of the week

Transcribed - Published: 15 May 2023

Supporting Your Code, README vs Wiki and Test Coverage

In this episode we talk about several things that have been on our mind. We find that Joe has been taken over by AI’s, Michael now understands our love of Kotlin, and Allen wants to know how to escape supporting code you wrote forever. News Visited with Jamie Taylor from the .NET Core Podcast, Tabs […]

Transcribed - Published: 1 May 2023

Water Cooler GPT

We’re doing a water cooler talk today. Also, Allen can tell you how not to leak secrets, Michael knows how to work a spreadsheet, and Joe has been replaced by an AGI. The full show notes for this episode are available at https://www.codingblocks.net/episode208. Topics Resources we like

Transcribed - Published: 16 April 2023

Understanding Serial Transactions for Databases like Redis

We’ve got a new / old opening…Allen goes off / on script? Michael denies Joe the “swing” vote, and Joe is all in on AI assistance Testing for concurrency issues is hard because it’s non-deterministic – basically you get unlucky due to the timing of things Serializability Common Implementations Actual Serial Execution Encapsulating transactions in […]

Transcribed - Published: 3 April 2023

Designing Data-Intensive Applications – Lost Updates and Write Skew

What are lost updates, and what can we do about them? Maybe we don’t do anything and accept the write skew? Also, Allen has sharp ears, Outlaw’s gort blah spotterfiles, and Joe is just thinking about breakfast. The full show notes for this episode are available at https://www.codingblocks.net/episode206. News Preventing Lost Updates Detecting Lost Updates […]

Transcribed - Published: 20 March 2023

ChatGPT and the Future of Everything

There’s this thing called ChatGPT you may have heard of. Is it the end for all software developers? Have we reached the epitome of mankind? Also, should you write your own or find a FOSS solution? That and much more as Allen gets redemption, Joe has a beautiful monologue, and Outlaw debates a monitor that […]

Transcribed - Published: 6 March 2023

Designing Data-Intensive Applications – Weak Isolation and Snapshotting

Ever wonder how database backups work if new data is coming in while the backup is running? Hang with us while we talk about that, while Allen doesn’t stand a chance, Outlaw is in love, and Joe forgets his radio voice. The full show notes for this episode are available at https://www.codingblocks.net/episode204. News Thanks for […]

Transcribed - Published: 20 February 2023

Designing Data-Intensive Applications – Multi-Object Transactions

It's time we learn about multi-object transactions as we continue our journey into Designing Data-Intensive Applications, while Allen didn't specifically have that thought, Joe took a marketing class, and Michael promised he wouldn't cry.

Transcribed - Published: 6 February 2023

Designing Data-Intensive Applications – Transactions

We decided to knock the dust off our copies of Designing Data-Intensive Applications to learn about transactions while Michael is full of solutions, Allen isn't deterred by Cheater McCheaterton, and Joe realizes wurds iz hard.

Transcribed - Published: 23 January 2023

2023 Resolutions

Michael spends the holidays changing his passwords, Joe forgot to cancel his subscriptions, and Allen's busy playing Call of Duty: Modern Healthcare as we discuss the our 2023 resolutions.

Transcribed - Published: 2 January 2023

200th Episode Extravaganza!

We step back and look at how things have changed since we first started the show while Outlaw is dancing on tables, Allen really knows his movie monsters, and Joe’s math is on point. The full show notes for this episode are available at https://www.codingblocks.net/episode200. News Thanks for the review nickname222Apple<3! Want to help us […]

Transcribed - Published: 19 December 2022

Job Hopping and Favorite Dev Books

We talk about career management and interview tips, pushing data contracts “left”, and our favorite dev books while Outlaw is [redacted], Joe’s trying to figure out how to hire junior devs, and Allen’s trying to screw some nails in. The full show notes for this episode are available at https://www.codingblocks.net/episode199. News Thanks for the reviews […]

Transcribed - Published: 5 December 2022

Technical Challenges of Scale at Twitter

We take a peak into some of the challenges Twitter has faced while solving data problems at large scale, while Michael challenges the audience, Joe speaks from experience, and Allen blindsides them both.

Transcribed - Published: 21 November 2022

The 2022 Shopping Spree

It's that time of year where we've got money burning a hole in our pockets. That's right, it's time for the annual shopping spree. Meanwhile, Fiona Allen is being gross, Joe throws shade at Burger King, and Michael has a new character encoding method.

Transcribed - Published: 7 November 2022

As the Watercooler Turns

We gather around the watercooler to discuss the latest gossip and shenanigans have been called while Coach Allen is not wrong, Michael gets called out, and Joe gets it right the first time.

Transcribed - Published: 24 October 2022

Git from the Bottom Up – Reset, Stash, and Reflog

We wrap up Git from the Bottom Up by John Wiegley while Joe has a convenient excuse, Allen gets thrown under the bus, and Michael somehow made it worse.

Transcribed - Published: 10 October 2022

Git from the Bottom Up – The Index

This episode, we learn more about Git's Index and compare it to other version control systems while Joe is throwing shade, Michael learns a new command, and Allen makes it gross.

Transcribed - Published: 26 September 2022

Git from the Bottom Up – Rebasing

It's time to understand the full power of Git's rebase capabilities while Allen takes a call from Doc Brown, Michael is breaking stuff all day long, and Joe must be punished.

Transcribed - Published: 12 September 2022

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