Best HackingTheGrepson Podcasts (2025)

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Hacking the Grepson 097: Troubleshooting 33:30

Play Pause

5d ago33:30

33:30

Systems and mechanisms usually work, but they don't always. When they don't, what to do? Shoot that trouble, chum! Matt and Mike talk about their magic problem seeking-and-destroying abilities in this episode's discussion.By HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 096: The Curse of Knowing 25:12

19d ago25:12

25:12

Gaining knowledge of anything is ostensibly good, but it also potentially brings with it a price to pay. Matt and Mike discuss a very intriguing blog post about the ethical and moral burden that knowledge can bring. * The Curse of Knowing How, or; Fixing EverythingBy HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 095: Forest vs Desert 23:04

1M ago23:04

23:04

Teams could be said to be working together in one of two different ways: a desert or forest. What do those terms mean, and what does it mean to move from one to the other? Matt and Mike discuss a series of blog posts from Kent Beck and Beth Andres-Beck that attempt to illuminate these nature metaphors. * Forest vs Desert…

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Hacking the Grepson 094: Whatcha Doing? 23:00

2M ago23:00

23:00

Matt and Mike are often working on things outside of preparing to record this podcast. On this episode, we explore the question: "What are you working on lately?"By HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 093: Blue Prince 27:04

2M ago27:04

27:04

An exciting new Roguelike deck-building puzzle game has taken the industry (and Mike (and possibly later Matt?)) by storm: Blue Prince. It's a very light take, development-wise, on the subject matter, but games are a huge inspiration and problem space for programming, so we think it's worth the praise and discussion. * Blue Prince * Roguelike * Dec…

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Hacking the Grepson 092: Frontend vs Backend 46:10

3M ago46:10

46:10

Software development loves the concept of binary. On/off, 1/0, true/false, and all that. The way users interact with a system vs the way it works in the code/data area is very similar. Matt and Mike discuss the differences between frontend and backend, and how it can apply to more than just web development.…

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Hacking the Grepson 091: Compilers vs Interpreters 36:59

3M ago36:59

36:59

In general, no one writes much assembly code (let alone raw zeros and ones) anymore, and apps that computers run usually fall into two camps: compiled and interpreted. Matt and Mike try to explain the distinction. Love this related blog post: https://ntietz.com/blog/python-is-an-interpreted-language-with-a-compiler/…

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Hacking the Grepson 090: Practicalities of AI 56:46

3M ago56:46

56:46

In 2025, LLMs, Machine Learning, and AI are being used in all manner of technology. But how can I, asks the average computer user, take advantage of it? Matt and Mike offer some guidance.By HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 089: Bottom-Up vs Top-Down 1:01:40

4M ago1:01:40

1:01:40

Do you process new information from the bottom-up, or from the top-down? The potential answer to this can be complicated. Matt and Mike use the usual software development to answer the question, but also branch off into everything from woodworking to ecological concerns.By HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 088: Abstractions 45:32

4M ago45:32

45:32

Facades, adapters, interfaces...these are all types of abstractions, a powerful tool in programming to hide a more complex system so that users or consumers can better utilize the power contained underneath them. Matt and Mike peel back the layers.By HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 087: Version Control 45:48

5M ago45:48

45:48

You could work on a software project without version control. It doesn't impede your ability to change things and deploy. But you'd be working without a net. Matt and Mike dive into the wonderful world of not having to keep both file1.js AND file1a.js.By HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 086: AOC 2024, Day 20-25 1:14:00

5M ago1:14:00

1:14:00

The final days of Advent of Code 2024 have finally concluded. Matt, Mike, and Richard finish up their discussion of Days 20-25. * Advent of Code * Richard's Day 21 notes * Richard's Day 24 notesBy HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 085: AOC 2024, Day 15-19 44:02

6M ago44:02

44:02

Our recounting of the trials and tribulations of Advent of Code 2024 continue apace, this time with returning special guest Richard, here to help Mike and Matt use intelligence, both human and artificial, to tackle Day 15 through 19. * https://adventofcode.comBy HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 084: AOC 2024, Day 8-14 1:14:08

6M ago1:14:08

1:14:08

More Advent of Code 2024, coming your way. Matt and Mike dig into Day 8 through Day 14, as the puzzles get harder and more complex.By HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 083: AOC 2024, Day 1-7 1:23:32

7M ago1:23:32

1:23:32

It's finally Advent of Code time again! Matt and Mike kick things off by going through the first 7 days of 2024's puzzles. * https://adventofcode.comBy HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 082: Everybody Codes 50:32

7M ago50:32

50:32

Advent of Code is not the only periodic programming puzzle game in town. Matt and Mike discuss Everybody Codes, a similar development challenge that is inspired by it. Note: we spoil the first 2 of 20 quests with our approaches and answers. * Everybody Codes * Advent of CodeBy HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 081: Factorio 41:18

8M ago41:18

41:18

Ever wanted to automate industry on an alien world? Factorio has got you covered. Matt and Mike finally dig into this fascinating factory simulator that features familiar programming challenges. * Factorio * The Planet Crafter * PlateUp! * Don't StarveBy HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 080: The Big Notation 32:50

8M ago32:50

32:50

Matt explains the computer science behind Big O notation. Mike mainly listens. Big O notation Previous related episode: P v NPBy HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 079: Deckdle 34:12

9M ago34:12

34:12

Matt and Mike talk about Mike's latest web game: Deckdle. Try your hand (oof, sorry) at a new solitaire setup each day, as you attempt to move all the cards in the tableau to your base before your stock runs out! * Deckdle, a daily solitaire card game * Solitaire (Wikipedia) * Golf variant (Wikipedia)…

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Hacking the Grepson 078: Rubberducking 24:14

9M ago24:14

24:14

Rubber duckies may make bath time lots of fun, but they can also make debugging easier. Matt and Mike discuss this curiosity of the development world.By HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 077: Dev Blogging 34:04

10M ago34:04

34:04

Blogging is a way to share your thoughts about something in a long-form way, and doing so about development or programming can be helpful to others, as well as yourself. Matt and Mike chat about it.By HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 076: Scoring the Grepson 10:14

10M ago10:14

10:14

What's with all the sound in this podcast that isn't talking? Mike explains.By HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 075: Code Reviews 41:10

10M ago41:10

41:10

You write code, you run it through linting, you run it through tests, it gets built somewhere and gives you a report. But did you have another human being look at it, regardless? Code reviews can have benefits and drawbacks, and Matt and Mike discuss them.By HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 074: Data Formats 39:18

11M ago39:18

39:18

While we probably spend just as much, if not more, time on file formats, the crux of this episode is data formats. What are they? Why so many? Matt and Mike discuss.By HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 073: Refactoring 23:44

11M ago23:44

23:44

Sure, you wrote some code. But have you considered...rewriting it? Actually, just refactor it a little, for the sake of Future You. Matt and Mike talk about a man who once tried some IRL "refactoring" and the realizations that came from it. * How refactoring almost ruined my marriageBy HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 072: The Twelve-Factor App: VI - XII 49:40

12M ago49:40

49:40

The Twelve-Factor App is a methodology for building web apps, especially those referred to as SaaS (Software as a Service). Matt and Mike continue diving into this intriguing concept and go over factors 6 to 12. * 12factor.net * Github source for 12factor.netBy HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 071: The Twelve-Factor App: I - V 35:06

1y ago35:06

35:06

The Twelve-Factor App is a methodology for building web apps, especially those referred to as SaaS (Software as a Service). Matt and Mike introduce this intriguing concept and go over factors 1 to 5. * 12factor.net * Github source for 12factor.netBy HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 070: Data Analytics 35:58

1y ago35:58

35:58

All the software we use these days is much better at getting, retaining, and deciphering user data than it was in the past. How that's done and whether it's a net positive is a good discussion topic, and Matt and Mike are here to do some analysis.By HackingTheGrepson

1
Hacking the Grepson 069: Pair Programming 29:48

1y ago29:48

29:48

Sometimes a job that is done well solo can be done even better with a compatriot. Matt and Mike discuss the pros and cons of reciprocal development.By HackingTheGrepson

1
Hacking the Grepson 068: APIs 32:24

1y ago32:24

32:24

Programs you interact with, especially on the Internet, usually have some kind of Application Programming Interface. Matt and Mike query this episode's API and let you know the results.By HackingTheGrepson

1
Hacking the Grepson 067: Solo vs Team Development 30:10

1y ago30:10

30:10

There are both pros and cons to developing alone or with others. Matt and Mike discuss what those are, unsurprisingly, as that is the point of our podcast.By HackingTheGrepson

1
Hacking the Grepson 066: SPAs 37:30

1y ago37:30

37:30

They may not be as relaxing to experience as the lowercase version, but SPAs, or Single Page Applications, are just as, if not more, important to our modern world wide web. Matt and Mike book an appointment and tell you how it goes.By HackingTheGrepson

1
Hacking the Grepson 065: Job Changes 44:26

1y ago44:26

44:26

One or more of the hosts of Hacking the Grepson is changing their job! Matt and Mike discuss the ups and downs of moving from one work establishment to another.By HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 064: Dailies 48:22

1+ y ago48:22

48:22

Everyone's got their daily routine. Ours just happens to involve a lot of web games. Matt and Mike go over their gotta-dos each day.By HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 063: Containerization 36:02

1+ y ago36:02

36:02

Matt and Mike discuss how our concept of what a "computer" is has always been a box -- it's just that nowadays those boxes are much smaller and digital.By HackingTheGrepson

1
Hacking the Grepson 062: Problematic Tech Talk 46:44

1+ y ago46:44

46:44

Matt and Mike discuss the ongoing debate over certain tech terms that don't always sound right to modern day ears.By HackingTheGrepson

1
Hacking the Grepson 061: Multi-Lingualism 37:48

1+ y ago37:48

37:48

Much like the many written/spoken human languages that exist, there are quite a lot of programming languages, too. As a result of Advent of Code 2023, Mike and Matt discuss how diving into the backlogs and trying to create a project that talks Python, Ruby, and more, all at once, can be both challenging and fun.…

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Hacking the Grepson 060: Advent of Code 2023 Wrapup - Part 2 1:16:15

1+ y ago1:16:15

1:16:15

Our final discussion on the Advent of Code 2023, covering days 17 through 25, is upon your ears. Will Santa's elves successfully fix snow production and save Christmas? Erm, sorta?By HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 059: Advent of Code 2023 Wrapup - Part 1 57:09

1+ y ago57:09

57:09

Matt, Mike, and a special guest discuss day 11-16 of the Advent of Code 2023. Join us as we expand the cosmos, roll rocks on platforms, and drive an unreliable crucible. * Advent of Code 2023By HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 058: Advent of Code 2023 - Day 4 to 10 1:08:18

1+ y ago1:08:18

1:08:18

It may be 2024, so Advent of Code 2023 is done, but our minds are still catching up, trying to solve its puzzles. On this episode, Matt and Mike discuss days 4 through 10, and even a meta idea to figure out the difficulty curve for future problems.By HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 057: Advent of Code 2023 - Day 1 to 3 55:44

1+ y ago55:44

55:44

While the awesome programming challenge known as the Advent of Code has officially ended for 2023, the discussion can now begin. Matt and Mike discuss the first three days and their successes and difficulties with them.By HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 056: Advent of Code - Preamble 37:06

1+ y ago37:06

37:06

The current month is December, and you know what that means. It means the Advent of Code is afoot again! Matt and Mike yet again share their thoughts on this annual programming challenge after a few days of solving. * Advent of Code 2023 * Advent of TypeScriptBy HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 055: ImprovDev - Teams and Trust 44:34

1+ y ago44:34

44:34

It's time for another installment of ImprovDev, the first since the, uh, only other one thus far! Matt explains the importance of trust when working with a team, and Mike listens and nods sagely while occasionally interjecting other, related words.By HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 054: Web Accessibility 48:20

1+ y ago48:20

48:20

It's important to make software as accessible as possible, because diversity of experience is valuable. The web is a gigantic system of communication in our society, and on this episode Matt and Mike discuss some ways you can make it more accessible and inclusive. * ARIA * WCAG Standard * Inclusive Microsoft Design…

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Hacking the Grepson 053: Tech Interviews, Part Deux 42:10

1+ y ago42:10

42:10

Matt and Mike share more insight into the sometimes complex world of technical interviews. We also thoroughly discuss a timely new potential interview question.By HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 052: Slay the Spire 44:22

1+ y ago44:22

44:22

Matt and Mike attempt to break down the roguelike deckbuilder known as Slay the Spire into its component game development parts.By HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 051: Hacking the Grepson Check-In 7:34

2y ago7:34

7:34

It's been a while since we started this podcast. Let's do a check-in.By HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 050: Hackers 49:26

2y ago49:26

49:26

For our 50th episode, Matt and Mike finally discuss the movie, and its iconic quip "Hack the Gibson", that inspired this whole podcast business. Yes, we jack into cyberspace and get psychedelic by giving our thoughts on the mid-90s sci-fi film, Hackers.By HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 049: Improv of Code (AoC 2019.1) 48:26

2y ago48:26

48:26

As a bit of an experiment on this episode, Matt and Mike decide to look at an Advent of Code problem from the archives, one never seen before, and then solve it together. Spoiler alert for AOC 2019, Day 1! * Advent of CodeBy HackingTheGrepson

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Hacking the Grepson 048: P vs NP 35:08

2y ago35:08

35:08

Matt and Mike dive into a rather heavy problem that has been confounding computer scientists for decades: P vs NP. Find out whether it's peanut-related or not, and what the ramifications of it being either about peanuts or not about peanuts actually are.By HackingTheGrepson