In this episode of Technical Tips, Tommy breaks down smoke testing—a fast way to catch major software flaws early. Learn how it fits into your CI/CD pipeline, with tips, examples, and practical advice to get started. Listen to the full episode or read the transcript on the Semaphore blog. Like this episode? Be sure to leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review on t…

Web applications are increasingly transforming browsers into the primary interface for our digital lives. As we rely more on web applications for everything from work to entertainment, the responsiveness of these applications becomes paramount. Rich Harris, a former journalist and the mind behind Svelte, shares his insights into web development tec…

In this new episode of Technical Tips, Tommy explains how Continuous Integration (CI) helps developers merge code changes frequently, with automated builds and fast feedback loops. Learn how CI keeps your main branch stable and ready for faster releases, all while making your coding life easier. Listen to the full episode or read the transcript on …

Open-source software is the building materials of the vast majority of digital technology as we know it. Anyone can access and contribute to it, which is great for flexibility and cost, but also means there's a risk of hidden flaws. In this episode, Kubernetes Co-founder and Stacklok’s CEO Craig McLuckie shares his tools to check the quality and se…

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 breaks down the essential question: What makes a good test? While there is no single answer, he explores six key principles that can guide yo…

In terms of creativity, diversity, and evolution pace, generative AI seems boundless. However, its enterprise implementation remains significantly limited. Businesses are uncertain about making the right choices around AI and struggle to familiarize themselves with the potential of this technology amid cutting through the fragmented offerings from …

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, Olga explores the best ways to deploy microservices, covering options like single vs. multiple machines, containers, orchestrators like Kubernetes,…

As organizations increasingly rely on cloud technologies, open-source software, and explore the potential of AI, the importance of robust security practices has never been greater. Still, each of these technologies has its own distinct domain, and it is easy to overlook best practices. In this episode, ControlPlane CEO Andrew Martin helps us connec…

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, Olga discusses canary deployment, explaining its benefits like real-world feedback and no-downtime upgrades, planning tips, user migration strategi…

Flaky tests—those intermittent failures that undermine confidence in test suites—are a persistent thorn in the side of development teams. As software complexity grows, so does the challenge of ensuring test reliability. In this episode, Srivishnu Ayyagari, a senior product manager at LambdaTest, offers valuable insights into the root causes of flak…

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 LocalAI as an Open-Source replacement for the OpenAI API, covering its cost-effectiveness, privacy benefits, customizable models…

Testing remains a critical yet often misunderstood and undervalued component of software development. What's more, as artificial intelligence threatens to reshape the role of testers, questions of job security and demonstrating value become increasingly pressing. From the struggle for recognition and early involvement in the development process to …

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.…

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 chao…

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 s…

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? Listen to the full episode or read the transcript on the Semaphore blog. Like…

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 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 r…

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 implem…

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 episod…

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…

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 …

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 bui…

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 fea…

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 pa…

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 sha…

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 adap…

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 technolo…

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 bl…

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…

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 ht…

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…

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 …

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 i…

How companies move during changes can determine their success, but also nurture eventual failure. In this episode, we will explore how Software Consultant Susanne Kaiser uses Wardley mapping and Domain-Driven Design to identify the core domain of businesses and apply the appropriate method per evolution stage, how to improve team organization, and …

Github has pushed the limits of collaboration in coding as a platform for discussing, sharing, and participating in code and projects. Yet, new tools are looking to push the limit even forward. Zed is a collaborative code editor that offers real-time interaction among teammates inside a code development environment. Its creator, Nathan Sobo, envisi…

The evolution of distributed systems has normalized the benefits of cloud systems. From an end-user perspective, collaborating in real time has to feel smooth and organic. Still, developing one of these applications isn’t as clear-cut. In this episode, we hear from Adam Wulf, one of the developers behind the whiteboard application Muse, on the many…

In the tech industry, diversity and inclusivity have been long-standing challenges. Head of Engineering Florence Chabanois understands the importance of creating a work environment that celebrates differences and the role of management in addressing inclusion issues. With over a decade of experience in tech, Florence shares her insights on team man…

Building resilient systems is crucial in ensuring that applications can keep functioning even while facing unexpected failures and disruptions. In fact, designing systems that can bounce back quickly and effectively is essential for long-term success. In this episode, we speak with Software Developer Bart de Water, who will share his expertise on t…

Software testing has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. It has evolved from being an isolated, time-consuming activity performed at the end of the development cycle, to an integrated and ongoing process tied to customer success. Various factors have driven this shift, including the rise of agile development methodologies and th…

Continuous Integration (CI) pipelines enable software development teams to build and test code quickly and efficiently. However, the need for robust security measures becomes increasingly important. On this episode, we interview Solutions Engineer Adib Saikali about his experience with CI pipeline security. From protecting sensitive data to detecti…

The availability and quality of documentation are perhaps the most valuable assets for helping developers do their job. Likewise, good documentation will make the difference for users in choosing one product instead of another. However, finding the right tooling for managing and hosting documentation it’s a whole task on its own. It is even harder …

The complexity of business and business processes can pull us away from the big picture. Internal documents, graphs, and other visual representations are there to aid us, but they might not be detailed enough, intuitive, or easy to read. In this regard, Wardley maps are business management tools that help organizations visualize their processes by …

The prominence of venture capital in the software industry continues to shape how companies grow, set their budget and goals, and model their teams. It even affects how developers perceive their abilities. Nevertheless, Ruby on Rails creator and CTO of 37signals (Basecamp & HEY) David Heinemeier Hansson invites those looking to start a company in t…

As the code base of a company grows, it becomes more complex. This complexity can lead to different sorts of communication problems capable of affecting both monolith and microservice architectures. In this regard, domain driven design is a tool for enhancing and clearing communication and putting together cohesive software development teams. In th…

Over the years, the software development community has created several tools for making their work easier and more efficient. As a result, building applications has become simpler than ever. But with so many options to choose from, which one would be the best for your project? In terms of flexibility and cost-effectiveness, hybrid apps are the futu…

With so much sensitive data going on through software applications, software products need to be robust enough to protect its users from malicious actors. VP of Engineering Ken Kantzer believes successful code audits combine the efforts of management, software engineers, and cybersecurity to create a safer web environment. In this episode, Ken shar…