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Tim Ewald - Clojure: Programming with Hand Tools

ClojureTV · talk · Watch on YouTube

Functional programmingSoftware practice, open source & careersWoodworking, metalworking & workshop skills

What it is

Tim Ewald's Clojure/conj talk uses furniture making with hand tools versus machine tools as an allegory for software. It explores how automation changes what we make and how we think about our work, and why Clojure's small set of simple tools matters.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN repeatedly names it among the best programming talks, loved for its craftsmanship message that complex tooling can hide simpler solutions.

  • 9 people recommended it
  • 10 different months
  • 2 strong recommendations
  • first 2014, last 2024

What HN commenters said

  1. “I also deeply enjoyed the allegory with woodworking tools.”

    Speaks to the value of craftsmanship via a woodworking allegory

    spacemanmatt, 2016-12 · Strong recommendation · in “Talks that changed the way I think about programming”

  2. “Must-see presentation (~1hour) for anyone interested in this topic”

    One-hour talk linking hand tools and programming

    ludwa6, 2020-06 · Strong recommendation · in “Woodworking for Engineers”

  3. “Lots of conference reviews nominated it in their favourite talks too.”

    Conference talk on programming with simple tools, widely praised

    mark_h, 2014-01 · Recommendation · in “Best development book I've read, has no code in it”

  4. “this great video where an enthusiast woodworking engineer makes a parallel between tools in the real world and tools in computing”

    Parallels between woodworking tools and software tools

    fmjrey, 2016-11 · Recommendation · in “Beginning Woodworking”

  5. “I loved this talk about how the tools you use determine how you look at problems”

    How the tools you use shape how you see problems

    aidos, 2017-01 · Recommendation · in “Ask HN: If you were to switch career, what would you do?”

  6. “Interesting presentation that explores your question.”

    Explores the intersection of woodworking and software

    datahead, 2020-11 · Recommendation · in “Cheap Router Table and Lift”

  7. “It's a very cool, entertaining talk with emphasis on the craftsmanship side of things”

    Entertaining talk on which parts to automate versus craft by hand

    dgb23, 2021-11 · Recommendation · in “Automation != Leverage”

  8. “is a very memorable talk on this theme”

    Memorable Clojure/conj talk on programming with hand tools

    refset, 2024-02 · Recommendation · in “Why software engineers like woodworking (2021)”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: clojure, woodworking, hand tools, automation, craftsmanship, simplicity

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