Issue 46 - Software is Now Content
Vibe, which stems from vibrare in Latin
Last Sunday I vibe-coded. Jeez, that word... Sounds like an expression we will all forget in a few weeks.
For me, it was a simple single-page app to plan my remaining PTO over the coming months1. I built, deployed, and bought the domain in less than forty-five minutes.
Instead, I could have used the good old spreadsheet. But I'm tired of this interface. I prefer ones designed for the specific. And we can build anything, so...
As many have already discussed, a background in software engineering gives us an advantage over those who are only here for the vibe. I mean, my prompt explicitly asked to use React and Tailwind under a specific folder structure constraint. This way, I can understand what's going on, use Git properly, and potentially maintain this longer than just for a vibe.
I acknowledge I vibrated when I saw the result of the first prompt. It felt like reading a great article from a niche blog.
Software might be content now. But is it good? What's good content anyway?
As for good content, good software makes us vibrate. And in the end, I don't think my app gives me the same buzz after the rush and excitement I felt from that coding session.
Those last years reduced the value of content - blogs - but it didn't reduce the value of content makers - writers. And it’s the same for software and software engineers:
[...] reducing the value of software is not the same as reducing the value of software engineers. Vibe coded software, when built by a skilled engineer, isn’t really vibe coded; it begins to feel like where an EM has overseen software built by a team of junior to mid-level engineers.2
The vibe-coding charm strikes our sight. But the merit of thoughtful design and engineering contents our soul. As it has always been.
📡 Expected Contents
The creators of SQL
All information must be represented explicitly at the logical level, and in exactly on way: by values in tables.
That's one of the twelve rules of E.F. (Ted) Codd - creator of the relational model in database management - whose research ultimately led to SQL. It does resonate with the limitations exposed by Lloyd Tabb.
I recently came across this awesome conference from Don Chamberlain, one of the co-creator of SQL.
Beyond the great story of SQL and interesting historical facts, I'll keep two things:
"SQL Philosophy: provide flexible tools. Trust the user". I think we shouldn't trust the user. Especially when it try to map non-linear, business relationship, with a tool not designed for such. I trust that users will find innovative ways to use the tool beyond what I could have imagined though…
SQL++. With AsterixDB as the open-source project, partially sponsored by CouchBase. It's 10 years old, and it's interesting that even with one of the creators of SQL in the background, this project didn't grow - as far as I know - that much.
How to build an Activity Layer
I recently been involved in some activity modeling and I can feel that classic OBT or Kimball-like modeling doesn't fit perfectly. It works, but thinking and reading more about Activity modeling, my opinion starts to shift.
Here is a great post looking at most of the question I faced and unfolding the value of choosing such pattern.
Vibe Coding with Cursor
That will be the first and last link around vibe-coding in this newsletter. If like me you want to try Cursor within an afternoon, these ones are great:
Data Stack Templates
I'm quite excited about Julien's news: he just announced the public opening of BoringData, a set of Terraform templates designed to help you kickstart your data stack quickly.
As an early beta-tester and following my discussion with Julien on this subject, I can't wait to see it out there!
I start to think of the same pattern for data analysis. Imagine templates for standard analysis: LTV, churn, cohort based analysis, etc.
With BI as Code and new tools around the corner, I feel we're close to better automation and faster data-to-insight-to-action.
More on this subject later, but for now:
📰 The Blog Post
No new blog post this month. Have been busy by trips and work recently. But definitely coming back with more soon.
Instead a funny one (am I the only one having issues with Google Meet recently?)
🎨 Beyond The Bracket
I currently can't stop to read Recursion by Blake Crouch.
Our ancestors lived in the oceans. Because of how light travels through water versus air, their sensory volume-the region in which they could scan for prey-was limited to their motor volume—the region they could actually reach and interact with. What do you think the result of that might be?"
She considers the question. "They could only react to immediate stimuli."
"OK. Now, what do you think happened when those fish finally crawled out of the ocean four hundred million years ago?*
"Their sensory volume increased, since light travels farther in air than in seawater."
"Some evolutionary biologists believe this terrestrial disparity between motor and sensory volume set the stage for the evolution of consciousness. If we can see ahead, then we can think ahead; we can plan. And then we can envision the future, even if it doesn't exist."
"So what's your point?"
"That consciousness is a result of environment. Our cognitions— our idea of reality-are shaped by what we can perceive, by the limitations of our senses. We think were seeing the world as it really is, but you of all people know...it's all just shadows on the cave's wall.
I won't spoil it, but the story explores time travel and memory alteration in classic sci-fi fashion3.
This weirdly resonates with the unexpected loss of my favorite artist Kartell, taking a piece of me with him as his music deeply shaped my identity. I find comfort in knowing his music remains—both as nostalgia and as part of my future.
And April hits! It has been a sturdy month but for the best. I'm glad to have coordinated work around the Kestra 0.22 release, messed around with Cursor and MCPs, wrote this newsletter, taken time with relatives, and had the chance to see the sun shining again ☀️
Next month is mainly about new horizons and good times: a weekend to celebrate my love relationship, heading to Germany for another weekend, then the UK for 10 days.
I'm also planning my upcoming trip to the US this summer: if you're in the Seattle/Portland area, please reach out! 🇺🇸
it's a very niche - French version - one, but I couldn't find any simple tool to plan and foresee my PTO.
I also highly recommend checking out the show based on one of his other book, Dark Matter.