Hacking the Grepson

Matt: We should do a podcast episode about Improv, and the concept of "Yes, And".
Mike: No, that sounds bad.
Matt: ...
Mike: I mean, uh...yes! And it should be how it relates to programming!
Matt: Let's do it!

Matt and Mike start a new recurring segment about the similarities between creating music and creating code, starting with their shared usage of libraries.

Intelligence usually refers to the ability for humans to acquire new knowledge and apply it accordingly. Computers can do this, too, so...are they human-like? Maybe! Matt and Mike do the thing about that.

How programmers accomplish the task of finding answers in a database of text may have changed over the past quarter of a century, but it's still a valuable skill. Matt and Mike dig into the ins and outs of using the current method, Google, in today's episode.

There are many things you can do with code, such as make a web browser, photo editor, or even a tax, uh, doer. Lots of people, however, prefer to make games with their code, and Matt and Mike break down this huge and varied use on today's episode.
 
Displaced Gamers, which goes behind the code of old video games: https://www.youtube.com/c/DisplacedGamers
Sample episode on Zelda 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSSUrnIpcds

Spaghetti is a delicious pasta, but it's also a form of coding practice that we all fall prey to at some point. Matt and Mike talk about what it is, how it comes to be, and how to untangle the mess.

Hanselminutes Podcast - https://hanselminutes.com
Tania Rascia - https://tania.dev

Due to circumstances, there's no Matt this week, folks, but fear not! Mike enlists the help of another kind soul to discuss their respective careers in IT, be they programming or otherwise.

Sure, writing code is fun, but have you tried writing about code in your code? What about writing other words about that code outside of that code entirely? It can all help! Matt and Mike explain.

I need to write a short summary of this particular programming podcast episode, but...I just don't want to. Also, I have no ideas. Sigh. Hopefully, Matt and Mike have some advice for me.

Ever wonder how one even gets started in this programming/developing game? Matt and Mike have some answers for you.

Memes! Well, one meme. One little 3x3 meme, based on the tried-and-true Dungeons and Dragons alignment chart, except for code. Matt and Mike treat it with respect, humor, and occasional, mild derision.
Original tweet referencing chart: https://twitter.com/heyjulesfern/status/1516208050360631299?s=20&t=xIj0Q-Uf2E_uhiTBrlf5Cw
Direct link to chart: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FQqmk-sUYAAxaKC.jpg

All the applications on your computer started out as source code. Whether that source is open to the public or not is worth a discussion from Matt and Mike on today's episode.

Need to add or change some text for your application? You have a choice: a humble text editor or a proper IDE. How do you choose? Matt and Mike break it down.

Full-blown programs are great, but what of the lowly script? They're often short, dirty, and highly personal to the programmer, but they're also the true workhorses. Matt and Mike go over some of their favorites.

When you interview (or are interviewing) for a job, there's a certain je ne sais quoi about technical types. Matt and Mike explore their experiences and preferences when employment is on the line.

Today, group talks about Wordl(e). Convo great! Times spent worth money bunch.

Software is conceived, born, maintained, and retired much like other things. Matt and Mike explain how it works and what kind of SDLCs they've experienced.

Portrayal of programmers (and computer technology, in general) in media has not always been kind, let alone accurate, but it's getting better.

The podcast you thought you knew is not exactly the podcast you thought you knew, but also is basically the podcast you thought you knew. Also, we wrap up our coverage of the (now-completed) Advent of Code 2021.