In this episode, James Quick and Amy Dutton chat with James Cowling, co-founder of Convex, about designing infrastructure for product engineers. James explains the innovative features of Convex, including its JavaScript-based queries and real-time data subscriptions, and compares it to Firebase. They also discuss the challenges of edge computing, the importance of user state, and the role of AI in modern development.
[00:00:00] - Introduction to the Episode
[00:01:00] - James Cowling’s Background and Convex Overview
[00:01:52] - Deep Dive into Convex
[00:05:29] - User State and Application Development
[00:07:05] - Challenges of Edge Computing
[00:09:53] - Automatic Caching and Real-Time Updates
[00:13:22] - AI and Backend Integration
[00:17:01] - Leveraging AI in Applications
[00:21:11] - Convex’s Infrastructure and Technology
[00:25:28] - Comparisons with Other Platforms
[00:30:03] - Server Rendering and Data Storage
[00:33:19] - Physical Challenges in Data Centers
[00:37:04] - Cost Efficiency and Cloud Platforms
[00:40:56] - Final Thoughts on Infrastructure
[00:43:30] - Picks and Plugs Introduction
[00:44:11] - James Cowling’s Picks and Plugs
[00:45:41] - Amy Dutton’s Picks and Plugs
[00:48:28] - James Quick’s Picks and Plugs
