Semaphore Uncut

We are continuing our series of episodes - Technical Tips - to give you bite-sized advice on the best practices of software engineering so your coding life is easier and more efficient. In this episode, Tommy will discuss how replacing ChatGPT or Bard with open-source models enhances privacy and enables their use with sensitive or proprietary data.  Listen to the full episode or read the transcrip...

The rise of microservices, cloud platforms, containerization, and distributed systems has made computer systems incredibly powerful, but also increasingly intricate. Ensuring high availability in these complex environments requires innovative solutions.  Enter Coroot, an open-source observability tool designed to simplify monitoring and prevent chaos in production. Coroot co-founders Peter Zaitsev...

We are continuing our series of episodes - Technical Tips - to give you bite-sized advice on the best practices of software engineering so your coding life is easier and more efficient. Today, Olga will explain what a CI/CD pipeline is, how to set one up, and the benefits it brings to your software development process. Let’s dive in! Listen to the full episode or read the transcript on the Semapho...

Forget fancy titles and complex frameworks. The secret to an organization’s success might lie in a surprisingly simple act: two people moving a couch. This seemingly mundane task, according to Gene Kim (Author, Researcher, and Multiple award-winning CTO), holds profound lessons about communication, problem-solving, and creating a frictionless work environment. Listen to the full episode or read th...

We are continuing our series of episodes - Technical Tips - to give you bite-sized advice on the best practices of software engineering so your coding life is easier and more efficient. Today, we'll learn how to apply TDD (Test-Driven Development) to Large Language Models (LLMs) powered applications. Tommy, our technical writer, will be guiding us through today's topic. Listen to the ful...

By challenging assumptions and embracing experimentation, individuals and teams can unlock fresh ideas. To this end, collaboration fueled by diverse perspectives further strengthens this innovation cycle.  In this episode, Kelsey Hightower shares his experiences, from challenging the status quo in large organizations to embracing the collaborative spirit of open-source communities. Discover how Ke...

We are kicking off a new series of episodes - Technical Tips - to give you bit-sized advice on the best practices of software engineering so your coding life is easier and more efficient.  Today, we''ll answer 30 most popular questions about CI/CD.  How many can you answer? Want to explore CI? Check out Semaphore—going open-source soon! https://semaphoreci.com/blog/semaphore-is-going-ope...

Testing safeguards the quality and reliability of products. And while there might be occasional misunderstandings, as in any collaborative environment, developers and testers are not inherently at odds. On this subject, veteran tester Maaret Pyhäjärvi believes in delivering feedback constructively.   In this episode, she will share her thoughts on the role of testers, how they can provide "th...

Speed and agility reign supreme in software development. However, this drive can sideline the role of testing: Bugs slip through the cracks, security vulnerabilities go unnoticed, and user frustrations mount. Amidst this turmoil, James Bach stands as the voice of reason—and dissent. From his unconventional beginnings as a computer salesman to his rise as an authority in the testing field, James sh...

From the outbreak of cloud services to the growing complexity of development infrastructure, developers are increasingly burdened with managing technical hurdles instead of focusing on innovation. Internal platform engineering emerges as a potential solution. However, traditional platform engineering often falls short, focusing on technology implementation rather than the actual needs of developer...

Leading engineer teams through technical complexities requires creating an environment where technical expertise thrives alongside strong team spirit: empowering developers, sparking innovation, and bridging communication gaps. At WeTransfer, iOS mobile lead developer Antoine van der Lee has cultivated a culture where ideas flourish.  In this episode, he will share his secrets for boosting product...

Fueled by the urgency of staying ahead of the competition, hype cycles swirling around new technologies often overshadow actual business applications. Buzzwords like "AI" and "LLMs" swirl around promising revolution, but how do you untangle their potential from the hype? And if the cloud is the future, how do you avoid getting trapped in its vendor ecosystems?  In this episode,...

Despite their common subject matter, the software industry and computer science often operate on divergent assumptions and priorities, making collaboration difficult.  In this episode, Maximiliano Contieri helps us understand the longstanding tension between academia and industry from an insider's perspective. Listen on for an insightful discussion on strengthening bridges, applying rigorous...

With community and Developer Experience taking on greater priority across the technology sector, Developer Relations (DevRel) has had to adapt and connect with developers beyond technical expertise. Besides as DevRel continues to change shape across companies, it also serves as a springboard to diverse career paths given the transferable skills built in areas like communicating complex concepts, u...

Companies differing motivations and resources determine their priorities and impact how they develop their products. In this way, not all companies base their business model on building a product to solve a real problem. Still, some of them do. In the case of Flagsmith, a commercial open-source feature flagging software, its developers focus on features that are valuable to its users instead of ga...

Education is one of developers’ most precious assets. Education makes the difference in adapting to changing tech trends and industry perspectives. What’s more, quality educational environments can also help developers network and find jobs. With this end in mind, Major League Hacking provides unique and intensive learning experiences that allow participants to rapidly progress from novices to con...

Keeping up with the latest trends and technologies, dealing with imposter syndrome, and finding your place in the community are just a few of the challenges developers face. Withal, for those who are passionate about technology, it can also be a rewarding and exciting career.  In this episode, This Dot Labs Co-Founder and Web Developer Tracy Lee shares how to stay ahead of the curve and thrive in...

API developers must navigate evolving standards, design intuitive interfaces, ensure security, and address the ever-changing needs of clients. With diverse data formats, authentication methods, and scalability requirements, API design demands a delicate balance between simplicity and robustness, making it a dynamic field that requires constant adaptation and innovation. In this episode, Developer...

DevOps emerged to break down the silos between development and operations teams, speeding up release cycles, reducing errors, and improving communication. For developers, this meant the opportunity to play a more central role in the software development process.  In this regard, Mey Beisaron’s broad experience with programming languages and technologies motivated her to transition from backend dev...

In this episode, we delve into the experiences and insights of Peter Zaitsev, an advocate for the open-source community, as he sheds light on the complex terrain of open source, the evolving software development landscape, and the implications for developers and businesses alike. Listen to the full episode or read the transcript on the Semaphore blog . Like this episode? Be sure to leave a ⭐️⭐️...

The ability to adapt, collaborate, and continuously improve has become paramount in keeping pace with ever-changing technologies, customer demands, and market trends. In this episode, we discover how Michael Feathers, chief architect of Globant and renowned software expert, addresses the challenges of onboarding teams to complex systems and scaling software development. In his upcoming book, &quot...

In this episode, Stack Overflow and Discourse co-founder Jeff Atwood reveals his thoughts on the platforms that have left an indelible mark on the programming community.  We delve into his achievements, reflections, and perspectives on communities, the role of AI, and the future of programming. Listen to the full episode or read the transcript at https://semaphoreci.com/blog/jeff-atwood Like this...

Refactoring has become an integral part of software development practices and has gained widespread recognition and adoption in the industry. In this episode, we explore code refactoring through the perspective of Kevlin Henney, an experienced consultant, trainer, and co-author of renowned programming books. Learn how his insights shed light on the importance of refactoring as a design practice an...

Richard Seroter, Google Cloud’s director of product management and DevRel, shares his perspectives on the importance of learning, the disconnect between technology and business goals, and building customer-oriented teams. In this episode, we will explore his insights on career strategy, the significance of clear goals, the balance between business and tech strategies, and what’s next in Google Clo...

Beginners might be intimate by the amount of knowledge and available resources when getting into software development. Finding the right direction and discerning what’s most important can be challenging. On this basis, Tech Writer and DevRel Fernando Doglio shares his insights on the essential skills of a successful software engineer. We'll delve into his two decades of experience in software...