What We're Reading This Week

MongoDB
January 30, 2014 | Updated: May 22, 2015
#Company

Your weekly roundup of MongoDB news from the community:

MongoHQ: Saving Private Functions

Foursquare Blog: Mongo on Hadoop

MongoSoup: Introducing the MongoSoup MongoDB Podcast

MongoLab: Managing Disk Space in MongoDB

The MongoDB Blog: Meet Emily Stolfo: Ruby Engineer

JavaScript Jabber The MEAN Stack with Valeri Karpov and Ward Bell

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Meet Emily Stolfo: Ruby Engineer

Meet Emily Stolfo, a Ruby Engineer on the drivers team. What is your role at MongoDB? I’m a Ruby engineer on the drivers team. I also help build the Ruby community by speaking at meetups, conferences and hacker schools and teaching Rails at Columbia University. Where were you before MongoDB? Why did you choose to come to MongoDB? After getting degrees in Computer Science and Art History, I worked in the arts, technology and the crossroads of art/technology. While completing a Masters in museum studies at the Louvre a few years ago, I learned Ruby on Rails to build an application for researchers in the museum’s conservation institute. I then moved back to NYC and began working as a web developer at an online art seller in the same building as MongoDB. We used MongoDB for storing metadata on our artists and artwork. I made a lot of friends in the sluggish elevator, and then officially became one of the gang. What’s your hometown? I'm from northern New Jersey. Only the strong survive. Did you have previous experience using MongoDB before you arrived? If so, how are things different now that you work at MongoDB? If not, how did you learn MongoDB and how was the education process? The learning curve was pretty steep when I started working here because using MongoDB and contributing to the product itself are two totally different things. I made the most of both the great external resources and internal trainings, tech talks, experienced colleagues, and wiki. Everyone is very open and friendly so it’s easy to get answers if you have questions. Have you had any personal projects where you’ve used MongoDB? I built a movie-voting app for my friends because we could never agree on a film when I had them over for movie nights. This app allows people to propose films and then vote on the suggestions. Drama and 57 emails: averted. Bike or public transportation to work? Bike if it means I don't have to wear more layers than I would taking the subway. Biking in NYC is nothing short of exhilarating so it’s a great way to wake up in the morning. What’s a typical day (or week) for you? I get up with the sun, go for a run, and get to the office pretty early to enjoy the quiet. I catch up on emails from students in my Columbia class, answer various emails from driver users/colleagues, read about Ruby current events and then prioritize my to-do list. For the rest of the day I do code reviews, write specs, prototype parts of a new Ruby driver, and work on driver bugs or new features. Some days will be more devoted to presentation prep if I have a conference, meetup, or tech talk coming up. I also have a soft spot for extended afternoon coffee breaks with colleagues. I'll even sometimes mark them as meetings in my calendar. But don't tell my manager that. The Ruby driver team has been working over the last few months on version 1.10, which has all the new features of the next server release. We are pretty much done with all those tasks so are now focusing on building a new driver that Mongoid (the Ruby ODM for MongoDB) will be able to use. After work, I either go to Columbia to teach, meet friends for a drink, practice archery with my brother, or go to a concert. Though sometimes I just go home and do more work or read. What do you love most about MongoDB? I absolutely love working on open source. It's really cool to know that many people are using and looking at your code, and that they can potentially contribute to it. Of course, there is a lot of pressure to write bugless code that is well-documented so that community members can understand and contribute to the code base. In general, it's pretty exciting to be working on a product that requires people to change the way they've been doing things for decades. You get some resistance, but that's what makes it fun. What’s the most challenging project here at MongoDB that you’ve worked on, and how did you succeed? Working on the drivers team is pretty challenging because you have to be good at many different things; we have to be good communicators, project managers, and programmers. Driver code isn't trivial and the quality standards are extremely high. I recently gave a talk about how maintaining an open source project was like User Experience design in that understanding users' perspectives and how they use your product are as critical as code quality. I go to conferences and try to keep in constant communication with users in order to understand and improve their MongoDB experience. What’s the most rewarding experience you’ve had working here so far? One time the Ruby team had a really difficult bug that we were struggling with over a few days. At least four other driver engineers joined our day-night-day powwow until we resolved it. No manager told our teammates to help us out, they just did because we’ve got each others’ backs. I learned a ton and gained immense respect for my colleagues. What’s your favorite Seamless lunch order? Anything that doesn't have lots of garlic because then I’d have to keep my mouth shut for the rest of the day. Name one secret skill you have, unrelated to work. I always know exactly what time it is, without looking at a clock. Kindle or book? What’s your favorite book? A few years ago, a stranger at the Strand handed me The Master and Margarita (by Mikhail Bulgakov) and told me to read it. It’s an amazing book. I've also recently had my mind totally bent by Murakami's Kafka on the Shore. I got a Kindle for Christmas and have been trying it out, but it feels strange. What’s your favorite movie? I couldn’t possibly choose one so I’ll share the three movies I own: Park Chan-wook’s Oldeuboi, Le Roi des Coeurs, Jackie Brown. Where do you like to run? Have you run any races recently? I’m lucky enough to be within running distance of the Hudson River Park so I run down along the river through Battery Park City. I’m not so much into races, except for the one the day before the NYC marathon. You run the last 5k of the marathon but all the mileage signs are up already so you can pretend you actually ran the full 26 miles. If you're interested in joining the MongoDB Team there many open positions available in Engineering, Sales, Marketing, and Business Development. To learn more about open roles at MongoDB, please visit the MongoDB Careers Page .

January 27, 2014

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Five Languages, One Goal: A Developer's Path to Certification Mastery

MongoDB Community Creator Markandey Pathak has become a certified developer in five different programming languages: C#, Java, Node.JS, PHP, and Python. Pursuing multiple certifications equips developers with a diverse skill set, making them invaluable team members. Fluency across different programming languages enables them to foster platform-agnostic solutions and promote adaptability, collaboration, and informed decision-making, which are crucial for success in the global tech landscape. To understand what led Markandey to take on so many certifications while managing a busy and successful career, we spoke with him to gain insights into the challenges and triumphs he faced. What motivated you to pursue certification in multiple programming languages, and how has achieving such a diverse set of skills impacted your career? C was the first programming language I learned, followed by C# and the .NET ecosystem a few years later. Transitioning to a new language like C# after knowing one was straightforward. I then delved into ASP.NET, JAVA, and subsequently PHP. Despite the differing syntax of these languages, I found that fundamental programming concepts remained consistent. This enlightening realization led me to explore JavaScript and, later, Python. Such a diverse skill set made me a go-to resource for many senior leaders seeking insights. This versatility allowed me to transcend categorization based on programming ecosystems in the workplace, evolving my mindset to develop platform-agnostic solutions. I believe in the adage of being a jack of all trades while still mastering one or more. I took on the challenge of discovering MongoDB drivers available for various platforms. I created sample applications to practice basic MongoDB concepts using specific drivers, and soon, everything fell into place effortlessly. What tips or advice would you share with someone who looks up to your achievement and aspires to become a certified developer in multiple languages like C#, Java, Node.JS, PHP, and Python? How can they effectively approach learning and mastering these languages? Before attempting proficiency in MongoDB across multiple languages, it's crucial to prioritize understanding fundamental concepts such as data modeling practices, CRUD operations, and indexes. Mastering MongoDB's shell, MongoSh, is essential to grasp the workings of MongoDB's read and write operations. Following this, individuals should select a programming environment they're most adept in and practice executing MongoDB operations within that ecosystem. Constructing a personal project can aid in practically observing various MongoDB concepts in action. Utilizing resources such as MongoDB Certification Learning Paths , practice tests, and MongoDB Documentation is vital for excelling in certification exams. Additionally, it's advisable to undertake the initial certification in the programming language one feels most comfortable with. Reflection is key; saving or emailing exam scores enables individuals to identify areas needing improvement for future attempts. With proficiency in C#, Java, Node.JS, PHP, and Python, how do you perceive the role of versatility in today's tech industry, especially regarding job opportunities and project flexibility? Programming languages, very much like spoken languages, are merely a medium. The most important thing is knowing what to say. The tech industry depends on problems, and developers seek solutions to them. Once they have a solution, programming languages help make those solutions a reality. It’s not hard to learn different programming languages or even to master them. Knowing the basics of different programming ecosystems can give developers an edge regarding job opportunities. It makes them flexible and enables them to make crucial and informed decisions in choosing the correct tech stack or defining good architecture for solutions. In your experience, how does fluency in multiple languages enhance collaboration and innovation within development teams, particularly in today's globalized tech landscape? Fluency or even practical awareness about programming languages or ecosystems promotes versatility in problem-solving, facilitates cross-functional collaboration, supports agile development, enables integration with legacy systems, fosters global collaboration, reduces dependency, and empowers informed decision-making, all of which are crucial for staying competitive in today's globalized tech landscape. As a MongoDB Community Creator, how do you leverage your expertise in these five languages to contribute to and engage with the broader tech community? What advice would you offer aspiring developers seeking to expand their skill set? I aim to open-source my MongoDB-focused projects across various ecosystems, accompanied by detailed articles outlining their construction. Since these projects were designed with exams in mind, they serve as skill-testing tools for developers and comprehensive guides to the various components comprising certification exams. I advocate for developers to choose a favorite language and compare others to it, as this approach facilitates a quicker and more efficient understanding of concepts. Relating new information to familiar concepts makes learning easier and more effective. The MongoDB Community Advocacy Program is a vibrant global community designed for MongoDB enthusiasts who are passionate about advocating for the platform. Our Community Creators Program welcomes members of all skill levels eager to deepen their involvement in advancing MongoDB's community and technology. We empower our members to expand their expertise, visibility, and leadership by actively engaging with and advocating for MongoDB technologies among users worldwide. Join us and amplify your impact within the MongoDB community! Elevate your career with MongoDB University 's 1,000+ learning assets. Access free courses and hands-on labs, and earn certifications to boost your skills and stand out in tech.

April 24, 2024