Runtime Arguments
Conversations about technology between two friends who disagree on plenty, and agree on plenty more.
Episodes
28 episodes
27: SSH and how we got here
From rsh to certificates: The story of how we learned to log in safely.SSH has been around for a long time, over 30 years in fact. In this episode we talk about what came before and why SSH is such a huge improvement. We talk abou...
26: Why You'll Never Switch Editors (And What You're Missing)
You already have an editor. You already love it. Nothing we say is going to change that — and we know it. But your editor shapes how you think about editing, which means there are problems it could solve for you that you've never even thought t...
25: The X Window System and Wayland
If you've been using Linux on the desktop you almost certainly have been using the X Window System.In this episode we dive into what that is, where it came from and what kinds of choices you have.We get into the toolkits like GTK ...
24: Bayes' Rule - The Formula For Learning Everything
If you've ever debugged a program, looked for lost socks or tried to figure out why red spots are developing on your skin, then Bayes' rule was almost certainly used to help you on your journey. Even if you don't know anything about it. Humans ...
23: Containers - What's in the box????
Containers have become the standard way for deploying applications on servers and the web and sometimes even on the desktop.In this episode we dive into what containers are, how they work, how to build them and what you can do with them....
22: With Claude, I'm doing the right things better and quicker
In episode 8, Wolf talks about using AI to write code; and a bit of the landscape around that. In this episode, he describes what he’s learned on his journey from just coding to using AI as a major tool in his toolbox for addressing friction in...
21: Everything Is A Database Problem
Jim brings his vast knowledge of Databases and dives into the history, some theory, some best practices and some choices you can make.Links:Claude best practices guide -
20: Git protects you
Git is an amazing tool for managing your source code. Lots of people use it every day but most people barely scratch the surface of what git can do.In this episode, we dive in and explain lots of features from the simple to the complex.<...
19: Data centers - Don't we have enough already?
Data centers are sprouting up every where. Do we really need more of them?In this episode, Jim and Wolf talk about what data centers are, how prevalent they are and what it takes to build them.We talk about the sizes and energy us...
18: The one where Jim asks Wolf questions
This episode is a little different from our normal format.When you listen to podcasts, watch Youtube videos or even sit in a conference room listening to a speaker, they almost always will mention things and assume you know what they are...
17: Does my key fob have more computing power than the Lunar lander?
When people talk about the power of their computers, we've heard all kinds of claims:I have more power on my desktop computer than the Apollo had to put a man on the moonThe phone in my pocket has more power than the Apollo...
16: Do you have all the right tools in your toolbox?
Wolf has lots of great information about the tools you should consider using when developing software projects. Jim chimes in with his own ideas.TakeawaysJust a few take-aways this episode and I hope by this point you have ...
15: POSIXLY_CORRECT - What it means to be POSIX Compliant
Listen in as Jim describes what POSIX is, what it means to be "POSIX Compliant" and why you should (or shouldn't) care.Hosts:Jim McQuillan can be reached at jam@RuntimeArguments.fmWolf can be reached at wolf@RuntimeArgumen...
14: You are NOT Google
Wolf surfaces five fundamentals to becoming a better developer (that you probably didn’t even know you didn’t know)! This is a fiery one! Jim asks questions, and also questions Wolf's choices.TakeawaysThe problem comes...
13: Terminals: Talking to the machine
Jim takes us on a walk down memory lane!Terminals have been around for a long time, probably much longer than you'd ever guess. Join us as we talk about the history of computer terminals and get a bit into how they work and how they've e...
12: GPUs - Can I, Should I, and How?
It's Wolf's turn this episode, and this one required research!GPUs obviously do tons of work. You see it every time you play a graphics intensive game. You know how crypto-miners are using them. You’ve heard AI companies using them for m...
11: IPv6 - Size really does matter
Jim demonstrates more of his networking knowledge, though this episode still required a lot research. Wolf, of course, has questions.The internet has been around for more than 40 years in some form. It's outgrown its ability to handle al...
10: Command-Line Superpowers: Connecting Simple Tools for Complex Solutions
Wolf hands you the keys to the old-world kingdom, which turn out to still be valuable, just much less used!Most programmers are comfortable in their IDE but still click through file managers and manually handle repetitive tasks outside o...
9: Looking at Data Types From Both Sides
We talk about data types and their importance in software development. Modern dynamic languages hide type information from you but it's still there, under the hood. Statically-typed languages, on the other hand, bring types right out in front o...
8: I’ve Been Using AI to Code for a Year. Here’s What I Learned
Wolf has a lot to say about AI and coding!If you’re expecting AI to write entire programs for you while you sit back and watch, we're going to disappoint you right up front—that’s not what these tools do well, and chasing that fantasy wi...
7: VPNs - Connecting Safely
If you need to connect to remote networks, or if you are outside of your network and would like to connect into it, then almost certainly you need a VPN. Jim has lots of real-world experience connecting networks together. In this episode we tal...
6: Code Performance - Where does the money go?
Wolf talks about making your programs better. There are lots of ways to make them better. It all starts with figuring out what matters and measuring it. Measuring it all the time. Measuring it more. This episode is about following that path.
5: Filesystems - So many choices
When setting up a new system there's many things to think about including choosing the filesystem. In this episode, Jim dives into all of the choices and describes the benefits of each. Wolf is here to ask the questions, and to fail at keeping ...
4: Functional Programming - You're probably already doing it
People throw around the term Functional Programming but it's not always clear what they mean. In this episode, Wolf explains what goes into FP, and together we build a clearer picture that reveals you might already be doing it.Show no...