Videos
A collection of 26 posts
Creating an MCP Server Using Node
I gave two in-person workshops recently at NDC Porto where we built out an MCP server for Claude... using Claude. Here's a recap.
· Rob Conery
Checking Your Docs with Claude
I did a short stint at a startup over the last month and one of the things they asked me to do was verify the steps on one of their quick start pages. Super exciting stuff 🙄 but that's exactly the kind of thing Claude is good for.
· Rob Conery
Creating a Markdown Compiler
One of the most powerful things that AI can do for you is to create a script that does a thing you don't want to do. Mind-numbing, boring tasks, like compiling markdown documents into a format for a documentation site, or, in my case, a course template.
· Rob Conery
Using Gemini CLI to Learn Something New
Another week, another groovy tool to play with. This time it's Gemini CLI from Google, and it's impressive.
· Rob Conery
Using Claude Code to Learn Something New
Using an LLM to learn something new is a fun process that comes with a few caveats, such as "how can I trust what I'm seeing isn't complete crap?" I'll address all of this in today's video.
· Rob Conery
Turning a Markdown Spec Into a Database - With Test Data!
Working with AI coding tools takes repetition, and sometimes have a simple task to perform will unlock the process in your mind, and you'll start seeing patterns you never thought possible. Here's a fun task that will hopefully do just that.
· Rob Conery
Test-driven Development In Action
TDD is one of those things that people talk about, argue about, and think is interesting. I'm one of those people, so I asked Brad Wilson to clear it all up for me.
· Rob Conery
Meet Playwright
Curious about Playwright, the frontend testing framework? Well hang out for the next hour and I'll show it to you!
· Rob Conery
🤖 Does Functional Programming Matter To You?
Learning Elixir changed me as a programmer, and learning functional concepts changed the way I think about writing software. How about you? Is functional proogramming a useful thing to learn?
· Rob Conery
Surviving the Structured Interview
The tech industry is slowly changing over to structured interviews, but most people don't know what they are and that they have a formula!
· Rob Conery
🤖 A Real World Approach to Playwright
Writing tests can be tricky, especially using a more complex tool like Playwright. I took some time and dug in over the last year and I'm happy I did.
· Rob Conery
Everyone Has a Plan, Until They Get Hit in the Face
I spent almost 3 hours last weekend trying to figure out one of the most vexing problems I've ever faced, and I recorded all of it.
· Rob Conery
How Elixir's Concurrency Changed Me as a Programmer
This is an excerpt for a talk I gave in 2016 at NDC London, featuring Elixir and the concurrency features it has, built in. It's easily the most annoying demo I've ever done...
· Rob Conery
Using Constraints to Protect Calendar Data in PostgreSQL
Think about the lines of code you would have to write in order to manage a scheduling system. Duration checks, start and end time requirements as well as checking for overlap! You could spend a few days writing all that code or you could let PostgreSQL do it better with 5 lines of SQL.
· Rob Conery
Weird Brazil Date Bug with Jon Skeet
Digging through my archives once again and found this wonderful video with Jon Skeet doing what he loves to do: sleuthing date bugs and answering questions on StackOverflow!
· Rob Conery
Data Structures and Algorithms
Many people are interviewing these days and you really, really should know the basics if you expect to do well. You'll find that here with common data structures and algorithms.
· Rob Conery
Handling Dates and Times Properly in Postgres
Handling dates properly is delicate business and, thankfully, Postgres gives you many tools to help make sure you store date information correctly. But that only works if you know what's going on!
· Rob Conery
Fast and Simple Web Apps with Nitro
Nitro is an exciting web server created by the unjs team, who are also the people behind Nuxt. Nitro is a study in simplicity and a wonderful tool for your JS belt.
· Rob Conery
Hello PostgreSQL
In this production, a SQL Server DBA (Rob Sullivan) and a developer (Rob Conery) take a deep dive into PostGreSQL (v9.1) and are surprised by just how capable, intelligent and *fast* PostGreSQL is.
· Rob Conery
Get Involved!
In this feature-length production, Scott Hanselman and Rob Conery offer suggestions and advice on how you can get out there, and get involved. Blogging, Twitter, Github, StackOverflow, User Groups and Conferences: get out there!
· Rob Conery
Creating a Full Text Search Engine in PostgreSQL, 2022
Writing a full text index in PostgreSQL is an art form. You need to know what your users are looking so you can build the right index AND you need to understand how they write their search terms. Thankfully, Postgres is here to help.
· Rob Conery
The Fabulous Linked List
It’s always fun to study the basics, and in this video we dive into the linked list and how to create one from scratch. Sounds ridiculous, but it can rescue an interview!
· Rob Conery
What's the Difference Between Vue 2.0 and Vue 3.0?
The third version of a framework, library or tool generally sucks, at least in my experience. Will this be the case with Vue 3? Let’s find out!
· Rob Conery
Importing a CSV Into PostgreSQL Like a Pro
Importing data into PostgreSQL can be time consuming and painful – unless you toss the GUI tools and use scripts.
· Rob Conery
LAB: Setting Up a Project
Getting a project off the ground can be a simple process. Too simple. It's incredibly easy overlook the simple things that will get us in to hot water later on.
· Rob Conery
LAB: How Do I…?
As programmers, we have learned how to expertly search Google for any given problem. We've even learned how to "ask the right question" to maximize the search results.
· Rob Conery