Crazy Wisdom

On this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, host Stewart Alsop is joined by Yury Selivanov, the CEO and co-founder of EdgeDB, for a fascinating discussion about the reinvention of relational databases. Yury explains how EdgeDB addresses modern application development challenges by improving developer experience and rethinking decades-old database paradigms. They explore how foundational technologies evolve, the parallels between software and real-world systems like the electrical grid, and the emerging role of AI in coding and system design. You can connect with Yury through his personal Twitter account @1st1 (https://twitter.com/1st1) and EdgeDB’s official Twitter @EdgeDatabase (https://twitter.com/edgedatabase).

Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation!

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast
00:27 What is EdgeDB?
00:58 The Evolution of Databases
04:36 Understanding SQL and Relational Databases
07:48 The Importance of Database Relationships
09:27 Schema vs. No-Schema Databases
14:14 EdgeDB: SQL 2.0 and Developer Experience
23:09 The Future of Databases and AI Integration
26:43 AI's Role in Software Development
27:20 Challenges with AI-Generated Code
29:56 Human-AI Collaboration in Coding
34:00 Future of Programming Languages
44:28 Junior Developers and AI Tools
50:02 EdgeDB's Vision and Future Plans

Key Insights
  1. Reimagining Relational Databases: Yury Selivanov explains how EdgeDB represents a modern rethinking of relational databases. Unlike traditional databases designed with 1970s paradigms, EdgeDB focuses on improving developer experience by introducing object-oriented schemas and hierarchical query capabilities, bridging the gap between modern programming needs and legacy systems.
  2. Bridging Data Models and Code: A key challenge in software development is the object-relational impedance mismatch, where relational database tables do not naturally map to object-based data models in programming languages. EdgeDB addresses this by providing a high-level data model and query language that aligns with how developers think and work, eliminating the need for complex ORMs.
  3. Advancing Query Language Design: Traditional SQL, while powerful, can be cumbersome for application development. EdgeDB introduces EdgeQL, a modern query language designed for readability, hierarchical data handling, and developer productivity. This new language reduces the friction of working with relational data in real-world software projects.
  4. AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement: While AI has transformed coding productivity, Yury emphasizes that it is a tool to assist, not replace, developers. LLMs like GPT can generate code, but the resulting systems still require human oversight for debugging, optimization, and long-term maintenance, highlighting the enduring importance of experienced engineers.
  5. The Role of Schema in Data Integrity: Schema-defined databases like EdgeDB allow developers to codify business logic and enforce data integrity directly within the database. This reduces the need for application-level checks, simplifying the codebase while ensuring robust data consistency—a feature that remains critical even in the era of AI.
  6. Integrating AI into Databases: EdgeDB is exploring innovative integrations of AI, such as automatic embedding generation and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) endpoints, to enhance data usability and simplify complex workflows. These capabilities position EdgeDB as a forward-thinking tool in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI-enhanced software.
  7. Balancing Adoption and Usability: To encourage adoption, EdgeDB is incorporating familiar tools like SQL alongside its advanced features, lowering the learning curve for new users. This approach combines innovation with accessibility, ensuring that developers can transition seamlessly to the platform while benefiting from its modern capabilities.

What is Crazy Wisdom?

In his series "Crazy Wisdom," Stewart Alsop explores cutting-edge topics, particularly in the realm of technology, such as Urbit and artificial intelligence. Alsop embarks on a quest for meaning, engaging with others to expand his own understanding of reality and that of his audience. The topics covered in "Crazy Wisdom" are diverse, ranging from emerging technologies to spirituality, philosophy, and general life experiences. Alsop's unique approach aims to make connections between seemingly unrelated subjects, tying together ideas in unconventional ways.