Computer Science: Just the Useful Bits

Latest Episodes:

With Alain Mauri: to be a Great Developer, Learn Sport Instead of Computer Science Sep 22, 2020

Show notes

Alain and I talk about the old days; about jumping into a first job in PHP because Commodore 64 coding was probably close enough; about how, to be really great on a development team you can skip most of the university education, but learning sport should probably be mandatory.

For show notes, links, comments and transcripts see https://justtheusefulbits.com/alain-mauri-to-be-a-great-developer-learn-sport-instead-of-computer-science

With Jake Yesbeck: On Getting Lucky, Mastery and the Fundamentals Sep 14, 2020

Show notes

Jake and I talk about basically just getting lucky... And also about mastery and understanding the fundamentals of computer science. We talk about university and how it works well for some things (theory, longer-term understanding) and poorly for others (basic how-to-build understanding.)

We also talk about the semi-lost art of whiteboard interviewing and how to prep for it if you have way too much time on your hands. And the idea that there are only so many approaches to problems in the world. And maybe a bit about how much better it would be to be a coding recluse in a cave in Norway.

For show notes, links, comments and transcripts see https://justtheusefulbits.com/jake-yesbeck-on-getting-lucky-mastery-and-the-fundamentals

With Mike Perham: Sidekiq and Whitepapers, and What Success is For Sep 07, 2020

Show notes

Mike, of course, is most famous in the Ruby community for Sidekiq. Outside Ruby, you're more likely to know him for Faktory. Mike and I talk a lot about his education in and out of university and how it's served him. We also talk about how that's changed over the years as his career has continued.

For show notes, links, comments and transcripts: http://justtheusefulbits.com/jtub/mike-perham-sidekiq-and-whitepapers-and-what-success-is-for/

With Tyler Williams: Hands-On Teaching Between Students; Formal and Informal Teaching Aug 31, 2020

Show notes

Tyler Williams talks about what made his education good. He's actually going back after years of development to finish his degree and get a master's degree. Not everything was perfect, not everything was good, but he thinks there are parts you can't easily replace in a formal education.

For show notes, links, comments and transcripts see: http://justtheusefulbits.com/jtub/tyler-williams-hands-on-teaching-formal-and-informal/

With Jason Swett: when data structures, big-O notation and algorithms were completely useless... Aug 19, 2020

Show notes

Jason Swett and I talk about his education as a programmer and the classes he took in university. I also explain big-O notation in a simple way that (Jason thinks) is useful, and we wander onto topics like philosophy, as Jason and I tend to...

For show notes, links, comments and transcripts see: http://justtheusefulbits.com/jtub/jason-swett-when-data-structures-big-o-notation-and-algorithms-were-completely-useless/

BigCo New Employee Training - Inside Voice Dec 27, 2019

Show notes

This isn't actually an episode. More of a test upload, and a vocal rendition of an old blog post.

From https://codefol.io/posts/BigCo-New-Employee-Training-Inside-Voice/