The Bike Shed

thoughtbot

4.9 (122)
TECHNOLOGY
UPDATED WEEKLY

On The Bike Shed, hosts Joël Quenneville and Stephanie Minn discuss development experiences and challenges at thoughtbot with Ruby, Rails, JavaScript, and whatever else is drawing their attention, admiration, or ire this week.

4 DAYS AGO

449: Evergreen skills for new-ish developers

One of the most challenging things about starting out as a developer is how much you need to master all at once. And with so much to learn, it can be difficult for experts to guide fresh developers and advise them on where to focus first. Luckily, some skills will always be useful, no matter what language you’re coding in. In today’s episode, Stephanie and Joël tackle this topic by unpacking several key evergreen skills that will always be valuable, from reading error messages to deciphering a stack trace. They break down how new-ish developers can start acquiring these skills, key obstacles they’re likely to encounter, and how to ask for help when you hit a block. Their conversation covers the ins and outs of debugging, how to feel comfortable in your editor as a new developer, the art of asking for help, and much more. They also share plenty of valuable tips to help you on your journey – including one that will help you commit more frequently. Tune in now to hear it all! Key Points From This Episode: Stephanie’s time at the Ruby Conference in Chicago. The challenges of advising new-ish developers as an expert. Broad evergreen skills that are always valuable to learn. Tips on mastering debugging as a core skill. How to improve your ability to read error messages. Our approach to resolving errors and isolating what is wrong. Advice for learning to read a stack trace (even though it’s intimidating). Strategies for fixing different types of bugs. The value of editor mastery and version history. Tips on how to commit more frequently as a new developer. Learning to ask for help when you hit a block. The art of structuring your questions when asking for help. Breaking down large tasks into smaller sections. Learning to find focus as a new developer. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: What technologies should I learn? Debugging blog post series Asking about solutions rather than problems The Bike Shed Joël Quenneville on LinkedIn Joël Quenneville on X Support The Bike Shed Mailtrap [WorkOS](workos.com/) Support The Bike Shed

38 min
NOV 26

448: Other Uses for Tests

How can tests serve beyond just catching bugs in code? In this episode, Stephanie and Joël dive into the various roles that tests can play in a developer's toolkit. Covering all the fundamentals, from aiding knowledge transfer and documentation to ensuring accountability in code reviews, they explore the unexpected ways that tests support developer workflows. They also explain the balance between writing detailed tests for documentation and managing complex code, and how effective testing practices can help developers become more confident and informed in their work. Gain insights about the impact of test suites on team collaboration, code readability, and project handoffs, and discover how tests can provide a “living specification” that evolves with your application. Join us to learn how to make the most of your tests and unlock new ways to elevate your development process. Tune in now! How test suites can act as living documentation that changes with the codebase. Using tests to document complex code before handing off a project. How backfilling tests can reveal critical edge cases in legacy code. The benefits of tests for developers working with complex code areas. Why a balance between comprehensive coverage and “good enough” testing is essential. Challenges associated with reading tests as documentation in certain codebases. Techniques for improving the readability of test suites for documentation. Advantages of using tests as a tool for accountability in code reviews. The concept of test-first code reviews to improve understanding of pull requests. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Mailtrap 'Unlock the value of tests in understanding your codebase' Good Enough Testing 'RailsConf 2024: So writing tests feels painful. What now? by Stephanie Minn' 'Algorithms we develop software by' [Exercism](exercism.io) WorkOS The Bike Shed Joël Quenneville on LinkedIn Joël Quenneville on X Support The Bike Shed Support The Bike Shed

34 min
NOV 19

447: How to (not) implement impersonation

For developers, impersonation can be a powerful tool, but with great power comes great responsibility. In today’s episode, hosts Stephanie and Joël explore the complexities of implementing impersonation features in software development, giving you the ability to take over someone’s account and act as the user. They delve into the pros and cons of impersonation, from how it can help with debugging and customer support to its prime drawbacks regarding security and auditing issues. Discover why the need for impersonation is often a sign of poor admin tooling, alternative solutions to true impersonation, and the scenarios where impersonation might be the most pragmatic approach. You’ll also learn why they advocate for understanding the root problem and considering alternative solutions before implementing impersonation. Tune in today for a deep dive into impersonation and the best ways to use it (or not use it)!  Key Points From This Episode: What’s new in Stephanie’s world: how Notion Calendar is helping her manage her schedule. Joël’s quest to find a health plan: how he used a spreadsheet to compare his options. A client request to build an impersonation feature, and why Joël has mixed feelings about it. What an impersonation tool does: it allows you to take over someone’s account. When it’s useful to use implementation as a feature, like for debugging and support. Potential risks and responsibilities associated with impersonation. Why the need for impersonation often indicates poor admin tooling. Technical and security implications of impersonation. Solutions for logging the audit trail when you’re doing impersonation. Differentiating between the logged-in user and the user you’re rendering views for. Building an app that isn’t as tightly coupled to the “current user.” Suggested alternatives to true impersonation. The value of cross-functional teams and collaborative problem-solving. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Mailtrap Notion Calendar 'Implementing Impersonation' Sustainable Web Development with Ruby on Rails The Bike Shed Joël Quenneville on LinkedIn Joël Quenneville on X Support The Bike Shed WorkOS Support The Bike Shed

38 min
NOV 12

446: All about rewrites

When is it time for a rewrite? How do you justify it? If you’re tasked with one, how do you approach it? In today’s episode of The Bike Shed, we dive into the tough question of software rewrites, sharing firsthand experiences that reveal why these projects are often more complicated and risky than they first appear. We unpack critical factors that make or break a rewrite, from balancing developer satisfaction with business value to managing stakeholder expectations when costs and timelines stretch unexpectedly. You’ll hear about real-world rewrite pitfalls like downtime and reintroducing bugs, as well as strategies for achieving similar improvements through incremental changes or refactoring instead. If you’re a developer or team lead considering a rewrite, this conversation offers a pragmatic perspective that could save your team time, effort, and potential setbacks. Tune in to learn how to make the best call for your codebase and find out when a rewrite might actually be necessary! Key Points From This Episode: Accessible selectors versus test IDs: best practices in Capybara and React Testing Library. Balancing test coverage with pragmatism and risk tolerance with Good Enough Testing. Software rewrites and the tough questions around deciding when they're necessary. The importance of prioritizing business value over frustrations with the current codebase. Drawbacks of rewrites, such as downtime, data loss, and reintroducing past bugs. Risks of “grass is greener” thinking and using mocked data in demos. Unrealistic expectations of full feature parity and why an MVP approach is better. How incremental refactoring can achieve similar goals to a complete rewrite. The appeal and hubris of a “fresh start” and why it’s much more complex than that. Balancing innovation with practicality: ways to introduce new elements without rewriting. An example that illustrates when a rewrite might actually be necessary. Reasons that early prototypes and test builds are the best candidates for rewrites. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Mailtrap WorkOS Matt Brictson: ‘Simplify your Capybara selectors’ React Testing Library Guidelines Capybara Accessibility Selectors Good Enough Testing ‘RailsConf 2023: The Math Every Programmer Needs by Joël Quenneville’ ‘Testing Your Edge Cases’ 'Working Iteratively' 'Technical Considerations to Help Scale Your Product' Dan McKinley: ‘Choose Boring Technology' The Bike Shed Joël Quenneville on LinkedIn Joël Quenneville on X Support The Bike Shed Support The Bike Shed

36 min
OCT 29

445: Working Iteratively

Does having smaller, more frequent iterations help to ease your cognitive load? During this episode, we discuss the benefits and challenges of working iteratively and whether or not it can prevent costly errors. You’ll hear about juggling individual pieces effectively, factors that incentivize and de-incentivize working iteratively, and how Joël gauges whether or not a project should be broken up into smaller tasks. It can be hard to adopt small iterations, and this conversation also touches on the idea of ‘good enough code’ and discusses how agility can reduce the cost of making changes. Tuning in, you’ll hear about some of the challenges of keeping up with changes as they evolve and why it is beneficial to do so. You will also be equipped with a thought experiment involving elephant carpaccio to build your understanding of working iteratively, explore the challenge of keeping up with evolving changes, and more. Thanks for listening. Key Points From This Episode: Stephanie shares a recent mishap that happened at work and what she learned from it. Unpacking pressures and other aspects that may have contributed to the error. Joël’s recent travels and his fresh appreciation for fall. The cost of an incident occurring, how this increases, and the role of code review. Benefits and pitfalls of more regular code review. Why working with smaller chunks of work is helpful for Joël’s focus. Juggling individual pieces effectively. Factors that de-incentivize working iteratively such as waiting on 24-hour quality control processes. How working iteratively can facilitate better communication. Why Joël feels that work that spans a few days should be broken up into smaller chunks. The idea of ‘good enough code’. How agility can reduce the cost of making changes. Using the elephant carpaccio exercise to bolster your understanding of working iteratively. The challenge of keeping up with changes as they evolve and why it is beneficial to do so. Involvement from the team and the capacity to change course. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: WorkOS Working Incrementally Working Iteratively Elephant Carpaccio Exercise The Bike Shed Joël Quenneville on LinkedIn Joël Quenneville on X Support The Bike Shed Support The Bike Shed

40 min
OCT 15

444: From Solutions To Patterns

What’s the difference between solving problems and recognizing patterns, and why does it matter for developers? In this episode, Stephanie and Joël discuss transitioning from collecting solutions to identifying patterns applicable to broader contexts in software development. They explore the role of heuristics, common misconceptions among junior and intermediate developers, and strategies for leveling up from a solution-focused mindset to thinking in patterns. They also discuss their experiences of moving through this transition during their careers and share advice for upcoming software developers to navigate it successfully. They explore how learning abstraction, engaging in code reviews, and developing a strong intuition for code quality help developers grow. Uncover the issue of over-applying patterns and gain insights into the benefits of broader, reusable approaches in code development. Join us to discover how to build your own set of coding heuristics, the pitfalls of pattern misuse, and how to become a more thoughtful developer. Tune in now! Key Points From This Episode: Stephanie unpacks the differences between patterns and solutions. The role of software development experience in recognizing patterns. Why transitioning from solving problems to recognizing patterns is crucial. Joël and Stephanie talk about the challenges of learning abstraction. Hear pragmatic strategies for implementing patterns effectively. How junior developers can build their own set of heuristics for code quality. Discover valuable tools and techniques to identify patterns in your work. Find out about approaches to documenting, learning, and sharing patterns. Gain insights into the process of refactoring a solution into a pattern. Outlining the common mistakes developers make and the pitfalls to avoid. Steps for navigating disagreements and feedback in a team environment. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: WorkOS RubyConf 2021 - The Intro to Abstraction I Wish I'd Received 'Ruby Science' Refactoring.Guru Thoughtbot code review guide The Bike Shed Joël Quenneville on LinkedIn Joël Quenneville on X Support The Bike Shed Support The Bike Shed

35 min
OCT 8

443: Rails World and Open Source with Stefanni Brasil

Learning from other developers is an important ingredient to your success. During this episode, Joël Quenneville is joined by Stefanni Brasil, Senior Developer at Thoughtbot, and core maintainer of faker-ruby. To open our conversation, she shares the details of her experience at the Rails World conference in Toronto and the projects she enjoyed seeing most. Next, we explore the challenge of Mac versus Windows and how these programs interact with Ruby on Rails and dive into Stefanni’s involvement in Open Source for Thoughtbot and beyond; what she loves about it, and how she is working to educate others and expand the current limitations that people experience. This episode is also dedicated to the upcoming Open Source Summit that Stefanni is planning on 25 October 2024, what to expect, and how you can get involved. Thanks for listening! Key Points From This Episode: Introducing and catching up with Thoughtbot Senior Developer and maintainer of faker-ruby, Stefanni Brasil. Her experience at the Rails World conference in Toronto and the projects she found most inspiring. Why accessibility remains a key topic. How Ruby on Rails translates on Mac and Windows. Stefanni’s involvement in Open Source and why she enjoys it. Her experience as core maintainer at faker-ruby. Ideas she is exploring around Jeremy Evans’ book Polished Ruby Programming and the direction of Faker. Involvement in Thoughtbot’s Open Source and how it drew her in initially. The coaching series on Open Source that she participated in earlier this year. What motivated her to create a public Google doc on Open Source maintenance. An upcoming event: the Open Source Summit. The time commitment expected from attendees. How Stefanni intends to interact with guests and the talk that she will give at the event. Why everyone is welcome to engage at any level they are comfortable with. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Stefanni Brasil Stefanni Brasil on X Thoughtbot Open Summit Open Source Issues doc Open Source at Thoughtbot Polished Ruby Programming Faker Gem Rails World  The Bike Shed Joël Quenneville on LinkedIn Support The Bike Shed

32 min
OCT 1

442: Paradigms - What is a Program?

What is a program? Your answer to this question will determine the paradigm through which you view programming. During this episode, you’ll come to understand how things change once you develop an awareness of your paradigm, and what. To kick off this episode, Stephanie shares key insights she took from Planet Argon’s 2024 Ruby on Rails survey and dives deeper into her history with Ruby on Rails. Next, we dive into the definition of a paradigm and unpack three different paradigms you might hold as a developer: procedural, object-oriented, and functional. Considering how each of these impacts the way that you might approach your work as a developer, and what you can learn from the ones that are less familiar to you. Joël describes his scripting style and evaluates the concept of pure functions and their place in development, and we close by digging deeper into how your paradigm might impact the code that you write. Tune in to hear all this and more. Key Points From This Episode: The EPI feature that Joël has started to build out for his client. Why Stephanie is excited about the results of Planet Argon’s 2024 Ruby on Rails community survey. What a procedural program is: programming envisions a program as a series of instructions to a computer. Defining an object-oriented paradigm: programming envisions a program as the behavior that emerges from objects talking to each other. How a functional paradigm envisions a program as a series of data transformations. Alan Turing and Alonzo Church’s approach to understanding this. How a lot of the foundations of computer science came to be built before we had computers. Using Ruby to make judgments and assessing whether or not this is a procedural habit. Why Joël describes his scripting style as being very procedural. Unpacking the meaning of functional programming. Evaluating the concept of pure functions. Considering how your paradigm may impact the Ruby code that you write. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: 2024 Ruby on Rails Community Survey Church-Turing Thesis Dynamic type systems are not inherently more open What is Functional Programming? Blocks as an abstraction vs for loops Functional core imperative shell Testing objects with a functional mindset  The Bike Shed Joël Quenneville on LinkedIn Support The Bike Shed Support The Bike Shed

42 min

See All (449)

4.9

out of 5

122 Ratings

Valuable for All Developers

04/11/2023

Rintel

I am a Python developer and derive a lot of value and enjoyment from the podcast despite the fact that the hosts are Ruby developers. The podcast does an excellent job in presenting topics of interest to all software developer, so don’t be put off by the hosts “day jobs.”
Informative and just plain good radio

05/19/2022

zman603

The two co-hosts have chemistry and the show is also well edited. It wouldn't surprise me if somebody on the team has radio experience. The show sounds like a bubbly chat ar the coffee machine between two senior engineers. On the technical side it definitely leans toward Ruby on Rails subjects. It doesn't dive deep into any particular topic, so I in that sense can't say I've "learned" anything from it. It's a good way to stay aware of current software trends. It's where I first heard about Tailwind CSS or that Cypress tests help you write more accessible websites. I often leave an episode with the thought, "Oh, that sounds cool. Let me check this out." From the topics covered it sounds like the hosts are in their 30s. They're drifting away from technical questions and more toward project management and leadership. For example "How do we mentor junior devs in a remote office?" or "How do I balance my time between managing and building?" One final kudos: so many people talk a big game about accessibility. They walk the walk. Each episode has a full transcript.
2 yrs of listening

04/13/2021

bnmounir

One of the best tech podcasts. Highly recommend!
Great podcast! I always learn something new.

06/05/2020

Dr. Oktober

Despite being a side project of Thoughtbot, this podcast is surprisingly well produced and always has interesting guests and topics. Even though it might seem a bit lazy, I actually like that they source a lot of their guests internally because it seems like all the guests and hosts are automatically a lot more comfortable with each other and can dive right into deeper topics. I also like that they bounce around different ecosystems and don't only talk about Ruby or Elixir or JS or whatever. A really unique and fun podcast.