Build it Better - Advanced Web Development Topics

Build IT Better S01E30 - Observables vs. Signals: Debunking the Myths & Exploring the Future with Ben Lesh

In this episode of Build IT Better, we have a roundtable discussion with Tracy Lee, Ben Lesh, Adam Barrett, and Jesse Tomchak. They dive straight into an exciting development for web developers and enthusiasts—the integration of Observables into web browsers, with a special focus on Chrome. Join the conversation as they unwrap the technical intricacies behind this initiative.

Dive into the heart of the matter—the Observable Proposal. This proposal, in the works for years, aims to bring Observables to the forefront of web browsing. Spearheaded by the Chrome team, it promises to revolutionize web performance by enhancing speed and debuggability.

Gain insights into the technical landscape of this endeavor. Learn about the challenges that come with navigating the TC39 committee and the critical role played by browser vendors. Discover how the integration of Observables into the browser could usher in a new era of web development.

Understand how this change could impact popular libraries and frameworks. With Observables going native, libraries may adapt to harness this power, potentially leading to improved performance and streamlined maintenance.

Uncover the distinction between Observables and Signals. Delve into why Signals, although valuable, serve different purposes. The hosts debunk the idea that Signals are a one-size-fits-all replacement for Observables, elucidating their unique roles.

Sponsored by This Dot Labs

Build IT Better S01E29- Choosing the Right Web Framework: Navigating the Framework Landscape

In this podcast episode, Adam L. Barrett and Jesse Tomchak discuss choosing your tech stack and the relevance of frameworks. Does your tech stack matter? Does it not matter as long as you’re shipping your product? While they acknowledge the importance of delivering a product to users, they also highlight the benefits of choosing the right tools and frameworks. They argue that using established frameworks can help developers focus on creating a better user experience and unique features, rather than reinventing the wheel.

Follow along as they run tangents on their tangents like the adoption of ES modules, import maps, and the significance of clean code. While Jesse leans towards the belief that framework choices don't matter to end-users, Adam contends that the right framework can significantly impact a developer's productivity and ability to maintain clean, efficient code. They debate the significance of framework selection, especially for those just entering the field. While Jesse suggests that the specific framework may not matter much initially, Adam concurs and advises new developers to pick a framework that appeals to them.

They touch on development tools, code generation, TypeScript aliases, and their frustrations with certain code navigation experiences in various IDEs. Lastly, they briefly mention Deno, expressing their interest in its unique features and runtime capabilities, despite the initial challenges they faced in adapting to it.

Sponsored by This Dot Labs.

Build IT Better S01E28- Data Access Precision: Jay Phelps on GraphQL and Netflix’s Vision

Welcome back to another episode of Build IT Better! We have the whole group for this one with Tracy Lee, Ben Lesh, Adam Barrett, and Jesse Tomchak; joined by Jay Phelps, a software engineer at Netflix. He's a part of the shared client Foundation team at Netflix, a crew that's all about creating exceptional experiences across various platforms, including TV, web, iOS, and Android.

Jay and his team are currently working on a groundbreaking project known as the "discovery experience paid path" (DEP), which is set to redefine how Netflix APIs interact with the user's discovery journey. This project spans both server-side and client-side development, showcasing their full-stack prowess.

What's even more exciting is Netflix's transition to GraphQL, the industry-standard query language for APIs. This move not only streamlines their development process but also empowers clients to take charge of a part of the backend layer, making it more efficient and consistent.

Despite the challenges that come with adopting new technology like GraphQL, Jay believes it's the right choice for Netflix. It offers a standardized approach, aligning with industry best practices. While discussing GraphQL's potential limitations, the group talks about their clever use of data masking to ensure that components access only the data they need.

Tune in as Jay talks about how his dynamic team at Netflix are dedicated to delivering a superior streaming experience. Their work on the DEP project and transition to GraphQL showcases their commitment to innovation and improvement. Their story is a testament to Netflix's constant drive to stay at the forefront of technology and provide users with nothing less than exceptional entertainment.

Hosts
Tracy Lee, CEO of This Dot Labs
Ben Lesh, Author of RxJS
Adam L Barrett, Software Engineer at This Dot Labs
Jesse Tomchak, Software Engineer at Mammoth

Guest
Jay Phelps, Software Engineer at Netflix

Build IT Better S01E27- Dev vs. User: Who Really Calls the Shots?

Hosts Adam L Barrett and Jesse Tomchak sit down with Amelia Graycen from OrthoFi to discuss her role as an architect and her diverse background in front-end development and other technical areas. She highlights the challenges of being an architectural "mercenary," someone who navigates various aspects of software development, from business requirements to technical implementations. The trio talk about the tendencies of tech professionals to focus on technology intricacies at the expense of the overall business goals. They emphasize the importance of aligning technical decisions with user needs and business objectives, citing examples like touchscreens in cars and over-engineering front-end systems.

Amelia points out that tech professionals can get caught up in their own preferences and technical solutions, losing sight of the bigger picture. She stresses the significance of understanding the problems being solved and collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams, including marketing, product, and business departments. The interview dives into the complexities of communication and trust within development teams and across departments. They explore how to strike a balance between allowing developers to explore technical solutions while ensuring those solutions align with user needs and business priorities.

The discussion also touches on the value of tools like Nx's generators in improving developer experience, as well as the benefits and challenges of adopting a mono repo architecture. The interview concludes with a reflection on the necessity of addressing human factors when making technical decisions, recognizing that both developers and end-users are human, and effective communication is key to avoiding silos and misunderstandings.

Host
Adam L Barrett- Software Engineer at This Dot Labs
Jesse Tomchak- Software Engineer at Mammoth

Guest
Amelia Graycen- Software Architect at OrthoFi

This episode is sponsored by This Dot Labs

Build IT Better S01E26- How Junior Developers Can Level Up in the Tech World!

In this episode of Build IT Better Tracy Lee talks with Jesse Tomchak, Adam Barrett, and Ben Lesh about the journey from a junior developer to achieving the coveted role of an architect. 

With a focus on work-life balance, the panel points out that while dedication and hard work are vital, a nuanced approach is key. They advocate for a rhythm of intense effort followed by well-deserved relaxation, emphasizing the value of quality over sheer quantity of work hours. This balanced perspective presents a refreshing outlook on professional growth.

They share practical advice for junior developers eager to excel, underscoring the importance of proactive learning by taking on challenging projects, and the significance of asking specific questions when seeking guidance from mentors. This insight-led approach to mentorship enhances the learning process and facilitates more meaningful interactions.

Jesse and Ben emphasize the power of learning from one's mistakes and struggles and encourage junior developers to take on tough coding challenges, reminding them that the process of trying, failing, and iterating is the true path to mastery. By sharing their personal experiences, they provide a relatable and motivational perspective on career progression.

With a blend of camaraderie, expert insights, and practical advice, this conversation stands as a beacon of guidance for junior developers aiming to rise through the ranks, making it a must-watch for any tech enthusiast seeking a roadmap to success in the software development world.

This Dot Labs is a development consultancy that is trusted by top industry companies, including Stripe, Xero, Wikimedia, Docusign, and Twilio. This Dot takes a hands-on approach by providing tailored development strategies to help you approach your most pressing challenges with clarity and confidence. Whether it's bridging the gap between business and technology or modernizing legacy systems, you’ll find a breadth of experience and knowledge you need. Check out how This Dot Labs can empower your tech journey at thisdot.co

Panel
Tracy Lee
Ben Lesh
Adam L Barrett
Jesse Tomchak

S01E25- Unraveling the Mystery Behind React’s Global Fetch Override: Devs Are Divided!

In this episode of the Build IT Better podcast, our hosts discuss two major topics in the React and Next.js ecosystem. Firstly, they delve into the app directory architecture in Next.js and the introduction of React server components. They explore the transition from a client-first to a server-components-first approach and the challenges faced in development, particularly in managing state and toggling between server and client modes for components.

The discussion then moves to the controversial decision of globally overriding the fetch function in React and Next.js. The hosts express frustration with this opinionated change to a fundamental standard and raise concerns about potential bugs and data leakage due to caching behavior. They also debate the best way to split server and client code, comparing file-based solutions with meta strings or decorators.

The limitations of server components are examined, with the hosts expressing disappointment over the inability to use essential React paradigms like state on the server. They advocate for more open discussions and RFCs before implementing significant changes.

Throughout the segment, the hosts stress the importance of thoughtful planning in dealing with server components and the need to make intentional decisions to ensure smooth development and prevent performance issues. They also call for transparency and collaboration in the development of these technologies.

Panel
Adam L. Barrett @adamlbarrett
Jesse Tomchak @jtomchak
Dane Grant @danecando
Dustin Goodman @dustinsgoodman

This episode is sponsored by This Dot Labs

Seamless User Experiences: Insights from Maggie Johnson-Pint (StanzaSystems) | Build IT Better S01E24

In this episode of Build IT Better, Tracy Lee and Ben Lesh talk with Maggie Johnson-Pint, co-founder of Stanza. Stanza is a game-changer in the software development world, offering innovative solutions to build more reliable software with responsive UIs.

Maggie's journey from being a front-end developer to transitioning into the world of reliability is truly inspiring. She shares her passion for transforming the front-end landscape by making it more robust and user-centric. Notably, she played a pivotal role in the development of Temporal, a groundbreaking project set to revolutionize date and time handling in JavaScript, giving users a seamless experience.

Reliability is a key challenge in software development, and Maggie sheds light on the critical issue of cascading failures caused by high user traffic. She emphasizes the need to prioritize the most crucial requests, ensuring smooth performance even during peak times. Through Stanza, her team has pioneered a two-way communication system, empowering developers to take control of their systems and optimize user experience.

This episode also touches on the startup ecosystem, where adaptability is essential. Maggie shares invaluable insights into leveraging machine learning models to preemptively detect system downtime and create a smoother user journey.

Maggie's vision of a more human-centered approach to software development truly resonates. By focusing on users' needs and mitigating potential failures, Stanza is leading the way in reshaping the industry. Reliability is not just a number of "nines"; it's about creating a seamless, frustration-free experience for users.

Don't miss out on this exciting conversation with Maggie Johnson-Pint, a trailblazer in the tech world. Follow her on Twitter (@MaggiePint) and explore the innovative solutions of Stanza at www.stanza.systems. Join the journey of redefining reliability and user experience in software development with Stanza!

Guest:
Maggie Johnsons-Ping, Co-Founder/Head of Product at StanzaSystems @MaggiePint

Hosts:
Tracy Lee, CEO of This Dot Labs @ladyleet
Ben Lesh, Author of RxJS @BenLesh

Code Alchemy: Transpilation, Compilation, and Bundling Decoded | Build IT Better S01E23

Transpilation, Compilation, Bundling…? Jesse Tomchak and Adam Barret demystify these technical concepts in the latest episode of Build IT Better. Revealing their significance in modern web development, they trace the evolution from the days of task runners like Grunt and Gulp, which offered basic bundling and concatenation, to the sophisticated capabilities of today's tools.

The conversation highlights the importance of transpilation, which involves converting code from one language version to another for compatibility purposes. They discuss how tools like Babel and TypeScript enable developers to write code in newer language versions while ensuring it runs on older browsers. Furthermore, they explore the role of compilers, which transform code into a machine-readable format, making it executable by the computer.

They emphasize the role of bundlers, such as Webpack and Rollup, which not only transpile code but also provide advanced features like code splitting and tree shaking. These optimizations enhance performance and facilitate efficient delivery of web applications. The duo touches on the significance of ES Build, a lightning-fast bundler, and Vite, a comprehensive development server that incorporates ES Build, rollup, and other tools.

Throughout the conversation, they stress the value of these tools in the web development ecosystem, making code more modular, reusable, and maintainable. They also acknowledge the challenges of working with JavaScript, a language that has evolved from humble origins to become one of the most widely used and versatile programming languages today. By shedding light on the technical intricacies of these tools, the interview offers developers a deeper understanding of the processes that power modern web applications.

Panel
Adam L Barrett- @adamlbarrett 
Jesse Tomchak- @jtomchak

Build IT Better is presented by This Dot: https://www.thisdot.co/ 
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