Jimmy Miller
@jimmyhmiller.bsky.social
Compiler engineer and co-host of the future of coding podcast
https://jimmyhmiller.com
https://futureofcoding.org/episodes/
https://jimmyhmiller.com
https://futureofcoding.org/episodes/
For the longest time I shied away from low level programming. I always found it intimidating. It turns out it isn’t any harder than other programming. It’s just that everything written about it assumes too much. So here’s my attempt at an intro to machine code
jimmyhmiller.com/machine-code...
jimmyhmiller.com/machine-code...
Machine Code Isn't Scary
Machine code isn't scary. If you can make sure your JSON conforms to a JSON schema, you can write machine code.
jimmyhmiller.com
June 6, 2025 at 5:53 PM
For the longest time I shied away from low level programming. I always found it intimidating. It turns out it isn’t any harder than other programming. It’s just that everything written about it assumes too much. So here’s my attempt at an intro to machine code
jimmyhmiller.com/machine-code...
jimmyhmiller.com/machine-code...
Reposted by Jimmy Miller
Can software express critical reflections on its own nature in the same way post-modern architecture does?
I don't have the answers, but I wrote a long text with some early thoughts: tomasp.net/architecture/
I don't have the answers, but I wrote a long text with some early thoughts: tomasp.net/architecture/
May 6, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Can software express critical reflections on its own nature in the same way post-modern architecture does?
I don't have the answers, but I wrote a long text with some early thoughts: tomasp.net/architecture/
I don't have the answers, but I wrote a long text with some early thoughts: tomasp.net/architecture/
Reposted by Jimmy Miller
New blog post: Five coding hats
→ dubroy.com/blog/five-c...
Yeah it's kinda goofy, but maybe also useful?
→ dubroy.com/blog/five-c...
Yeah it's kinda goofy, but maybe also useful?
February 3, 2025 at 1:05 PM
New blog post: Five coding hats
→ dubroy.com/blog/five-c...
Yeah it's kinda goofy, but maybe also useful?
→ dubroy.com/blog/five-c...
Yeah it's kinda goofy, but maybe also useful?
In writing, there is a distinction between those who love to outline and those who discover their story through writing. We seem lack that distinction in the programming world. So I wanted to introduce it.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/discovery-co...
jimmyhmiller.github.io/discovery-co...
Discovery Coding
Discovery coding is a practice of understanding a problem by writing code first, rather than attempting to do some design process or thinking beforehand.
jimmyhmiller.github.io
January 31, 2025 at 8:17 PM
In writing, there is a distinction between those who love to outline and those who discover their story through writing. We seem lack that distinction in the programming world. So I wanted to introduce it.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/discovery-co...
jimmyhmiller.github.io/discovery-co...
Reposted by Jimmy Miller
Interview | Future of Coding
Get more from Future of Coding on Patreon
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December 26, 2024 at 6:19 PM
Final Advent of Papers post: Against a Universal Definition of ‘type’.
This paper is fantastic. Both haters and fans of types should read it. If every paper in computer science were as good as this one, this series would have been way easier.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
This paper is fantastic. Both haters and fans of types should read it. If every paper in computer science were as good as this one, this series would have been way easier.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Against a universal definition of ‘type’
Is there a universal definition of 'type'? Do we need one?
jimmyhmiller.github.io
December 25, 2024 at 4:50 AM
Final Advent of Papers post: Against a Universal Definition of ‘type’.
This paper is fantastic. Both haters and fans of types should read it. If every paper in computer science were as good as this one, this series would have been way easier.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
This paper is fantastic. Both haters and fans of types should read it. If every paper in computer science were as good as this one, this series would have been way easier.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Advent of Papers day 23: Do Artifacts Have Politics?
I said no classics, but I made an exception for this one. It is undoubtably a classic, though one I don't think makes HN lists of papers, nor many CS curricula
Your code does in fact have politics.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
I said no classics, but I made an exception for this one. It is undoubtably a classic, though one I don't think makes HN lists of papers, nor many CS curricula
Your code does in fact have politics.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Do Artifacts Have Politics?
Do Artifacts Have Politics? Surprisingly, Betteridge's law does not hold here!
jimmyhmiller.github.io
December 24, 2024 at 5:00 AM
Advent of Papers day 23: Do Artifacts Have Politics?
I said no classics, but I made an exception for this one. It is undoubtably a classic, though one I don't think makes HN lists of papers, nor many CS curricula
Your code does in fact have politics.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
I said no classics, but I made an exception for this one. It is undoubtably a classic, though one I don't think makes HN lists of papers, nor many CS curricula
Your code does in fact have politics.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
What is Conceptual Engineering and What Should It Be?
For day 21 of advent of papers we are covering a topic completely ignored by software engineering, but crucial to it, Conceptual Engineering. How do we fix our broken concepts? How do we make new ones?
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
For day 21 of advent of papers we are covering a topic completely ignored by software engineering, but crucial to it, Conceptual Engineering. How do we fix our broken concepts? How do we make new ones?
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
What is Conceptual Engineering and What Should It Be?
How can we fix our deficient concepts? When should we create new ones?
jimmyhmiller.github.io
December 22, 2024 at 4:51 AM
What is Conceptual Engineering and What Should It Be?
For day 21 of advent of papers we are covering a topic completely ignored by software engineering, but crucial to it, Conceptual Engineering. How do we fix our broken concepts? How do we make new ones?
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
For day 21 of advent of papers we are covering a topic completely ignored by software engineering, but crucial to it, Conceptual Engineering. How do we fix our broken concepts? How do we make new ones?
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Advent of Papers day 20
Amnon H Eden argues that computer science is really three different paradigms. Rationalistic, Technocratic, and Scientific.
This paper argues that we should abandon the first two and "be scientific". Are they right?
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Amnon H Eden argues that computer science is really three different paradigms. Rationalistic, Technocratic, and Scientific.
This paper argues that we should abandon the first two and "be scientific". Are they right?
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Three Paradigms of Computer Science
What is computer science isn't one unified thing, but actually three distinct disciplines?
jimmyhmiller.github.io
December 21, 2024 at 4:57 AM
Advent of Papers day 20
Amnon H Eden argues that computer science is really three different paradigms. Rationalistic, Technocratic, and Scientific.
This paper argues that we should abandon the first two and "be scientific". Are they right?
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Amnon H Eden argues that computer science is really three different paradigms. Rationalistic, Technocratic, and Scientific.
This paper argues that we should abandon the first two and "be scientific". Are they right?
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
What are you favorite, most interested, weirdest papers?
Looking for papers I’m unfamiliar with as I’m finishing up my adventure of papers.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Looking for papers I’m unfamiliar with as I’m finishing up my adventure of papers.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Advent of Papers (2024)
Each day I read and summarize a weird or intersting paper related to computing.
jimmyhmiller.github.io
December 20, 2024 at 7:24 PM
What are you favorite, most interested, weirdest papers?
Looking for papers I’m unfamiliar with as I’m finishing up my adventure of papers.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Looking for papers I’m unfamiliar with as I’m finishing up my adventure of papers.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Advent of papers day 19
Now it's time to get funky
To the right now
To the left
Take it back now y'all
Twelve hops this time
Slide to the left
Slide to the left
Slide to the left
Slide to the left
Slide to the left
Slide to the left
Slide to the left
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Now it's time to get funky
To the right now
To the left
Take it back now y'all
Twelve hops this time
Slide to the left
Slide to the left
Slide to the left
Slide to the left
Slide to the left
Slide to the left
Slide to the left
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Everybody Clap Your Hands
The cha cha slide is actually turing complete.
jimmyhmiller.github.io
December 20, 2024 at 4:54 AM
Advent of papers day 19
Now it's time to get funky
To the right now
To the left
Take it back now y'all
Twelve hops this time
Slide to the left
Slide to the left
Slide to the left
Slide to the left
Slide to the left
Slide to the left
Slide to the left
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Now it's time to get funky
To the right now
To the left
Take it back now y'all
Twelve hops this time
Slide to the left
Slide to the left
Slide to the left
Slide to the left
Slide to the left
Slide to the left
Slide to the left
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
How can we understand the meaning of a program? James Grimmelmann gives us three ways. This is a fantastic paper, that I wish I had more time to summarize. Worth the read.
Day 18 of advent of papers.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Day 18 of advent of papers.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
The Structure and Legal Interpretation of Computer Programs
What do programs mean? Why does this matter for the law?
jimmyhmiller.github.io
December 19, 2024 at 4:44 AM
How can we understand the meaning of a program? James Grimmelmann gives us three ways. This is a fantastic paper, that I wish I had more time to summarize. Worth the read.
Day 18 of advent of papers.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Day 18 of advent of papers.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Advent of papers day 17:
Are the things we learn from culture like programs? Are this programs at all like computer programs? Does this paper have substance? Am I just missing something? From the massive number of citations the paper has, I'm guessing so.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Are the things we learn from culture like programs? Are this programs at all like computer programs? Does this paper have substance? Am I just missing something? From the massive number of citations the paper has, I'm guessing so.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
The Cultural Part of Cognition
Are the things we learn in life programs? Can culture explain the brain?
jimmyhmiller.github.io
December 18, 2024 at 4:46 AM
Advent of papers day 17:
Are the things we learn from culture like programs? Are this programs at all like computer programs? Does this paper have substance? Am I just missing something? From the massive number of citations the paper has, I'm guessing so.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Are the things we learn from culture like programs? Are this programs at all like computer programs? Does this paper have substance? Am I just missing something? From the massive number of citations the paper has, I'm guessing so.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Day 16 of advent of papers:
Will Computers Ever Become Easy to Use? by Jef Raskin. Raskin believes that apps stand in the way of computers being easy. But in the nearly 20 years since, alternatives haven't really been explored. Will they ever be?
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Will Computers Ever Become Easy to Use? by Jef Raskin. Raskin believes that apps stand in the way of computers being easy. But in the nearly 20 years since, alternatives haven't really been explored. Will they ever be?
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Will Computers Ever Become Easy to Use?
Jef Raskin explores how computers could become easier to use. It's really not that great.
jimmyhmiller.github.io
December 17, 2024 at 4:23 AM
Day 16 of advent of papers:
Will Computers Ever Become Easy to Use? by Jef Raskin. Raskin believes that apps stand in the way of computers being easy. But in the nearly 20 years since, alternatives haven't really been explored. Will they ever be?
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Will Computers Ever Become Easy to Use? by Jef Raskin. Raskin believes that apps stand in the way of computers being easy. But in the nearly 20 years since, alternatives haven't really been explored. Will they ever be?
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
On day 2 of advent of papers, we asked about the ontology of software. On day 15 we ask about the ontology of programming languages. Aren't these the same? According to our paper, no.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Programming Languages as Technical Artifacts
How do programming langauges get their meanings? How are these meanings related to the phyiscal implementations of them?
jimmyhmiller.github.io
December 15, 2024 at 9:36 PM
On day 2 of advent of papers, we asked about the ontology of software. On day 15 we ask about the ontology of programming languages. Aren't these the same? According to our paper, no.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Advent of Papers 15:
This tutorial on bidirectional type checking really makes the whole seem way less magical. I was amazed at how easy writing a basic type checker with this setup was.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
This tutorial on bidirectional type checking really makes the whole seem way less magical. I was amazed at how easy writing a basic type checker with this setup was.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Bidirectional Type Checking
A super readable paper on how to implement a bidirectional type checker
jimmyhmiller.github.io
December 15, 2024 at 4:55 AM
Advent of Papers 15:
This tutorial on bidirectional type checking really makes the whole seem way less magical. I was amazed at how easy writing a basic type checker with this setup was.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
This tutorial on bidirectional type checking really makes the whole seem way less magical. I was amazed at how easy writing a basic type checker with this setup was.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Advent of Papers day 13.
What is knowledge? In this 3 page paper, Edmund Gettier over-turned a tradition reaching back to Plato which told us that it was "Justified True Belief". Turns out, that was wrong.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
What is knowledge? In this 3 page paper, Edmund Gettier over-turned a tradition reaching back to Plato which told us that it was "Justified True Belief". Turns out, that was wrong.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
What Knowledge Isn't
A three page paper overturned 2000 years of philosophy.
jimmyhmiller.github.io
December 14, 2024 at 1:15 AM
Advent of Papers day 13.
What is knowledge? In this 3 page paper, Edmund Gettier over-turned a tradition reaching back to Plato which told us that it was "Justified True Belief". Turns out, that was wrong.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
What is knowledge? In this 3 page paper, Edmund Gettier over-turned a tradition reaching back to Plato which told us that it was "Justified True Belief". Turns out, that was wrong.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
What if your database didn't actually have to do all that work to write transactions, but could just promise you it would do it later? It turns out lazy evaluation in databases is just as interesting as it is in languages!
Advent of papers day 12:
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Advent of papers day 12:
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Lazy Evaluation of Transactions in Database Systems
We discuss a fascinating paper that shows the benefits of only pretending to commit a transaction.
jimmyhmiller.github.io
December 13, 2024 at 4:39 AM
What if your database didn't actually have to do all that work to write transactions, but could just promise you it would do it later? It turns out lazy evaluation in databases is just as interesting as it is in languages!
Advent of papers day 12:
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Advent of papers day 12:
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Can OO and FP be reconciled? Probably not.
But day 11 of advent of papers provides a super interesting take on a version of OO that is completely compatible with immutability and purity. On Understanding Data Abstraction, Revisited by William Cook.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
But day 11 of advent of papers provides a super interesting take on a version of OO that is completely compatible with immutability and purity. On Understanding Data Abstraction, Revisited by William Cook.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
On Understanding Data Abstraction, Revisited
What if you could have your beautiful immutability, but keep object oriented programming?
jimmyhmiller.github.io
December 12, 2024 at 4:18 AM
Can OO and FP be reconciled? Probably not.
But day 11 of advent of papers provides a super interesting take on a version of OO that is completely compatible with immutability and purity. On Understanding Data Abstraction, Revisited by William Cook.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
But day 11 of advent of papers provides a super interesting take on a version of OO that is completely compatible with immutability and purity. On Understanding Data Abstraction, Revisited by William Cook.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Large Models of What?
Do LLMs actually model language? Not if we properly consider language in its full human context. In day 10 of advent of papers, we look at ways in which LLMs fall short.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Do LLMs actually model language? Not if we properly consider language in its full human context. In day 10 of advent of papers, we look at ways in which LLMs fall short.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Large Models of What?
Do large language models actually model language? Not if we think about language as it is actually used by humans
jimmyhmiller.github.io
December 11, 2024 at 3:54 AM
Large Models of What?
Do LLMs actually model language? Not if we properly consider language in its full human context. In day 10 of advent of papers, we look at ways in which LLMs fall short.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Do LLMs actually model language? Not if we properly consider language in its full human context. In day 10 of advent of papers, we look at ways in which LLMs fall short.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
What is a game? Wittgenstein famously asserted there was no way to define "games". Bernard Suits took that personally.
Day 9 of advent of papers, I may have cheated because this isn't a computing paper. But it has completely changed the way I write my code.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Day 9 of advent of papers, I may have cheated because this isn't a computing paper. But it has completely changed the way I write my code.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
What is a Game?
Can we provide a definition of a game? How might it change the way we look at programming?
jimmyhmiller.github.io
December 10, 2024 at 4:09 AM
What is a game? Wittgenstein famously asserted there was no way to define "games". Bernard Suits took that personally.
Day 9 of advent of papers, I may have cheated because this isn't a computing paper. But it has completely changed the way I write my code.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Day 9 of advent of papers, I may have cheated because this isn't a computing paper. But it has completely changed the way I write my code.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Reposted by Jimmy Miller
This has been a wonderful series to read!
Rather than trying to do advent of code, I'm doing advent of papers!
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Hopefully I can read and share some of weirder computer related papers.
First paper is Elephant 2000 by John McCarthy. Did you know he didn't just make lisp? Wonderful paper, worth a read.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Hopefully I can read and share some of weirder computer related papers.
First paper is Elephant 2000 by John McCarthy. Did you know he didn't just make lisp? Wonderful paper, worth a read.
Advent of Papers (2024)
jimmyhmiller.github.io
December 8, 2024 at 8:27 PM
This has been a wonderful series to read!
Why do all tools for remote work suck? Because they all keep trying to replicate the feeling of "being there".
For advent of papers day 8 we look at a 1992 paper that gives us a better alternative.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
For advent of papers day 8 we look at a 1992 paper that gives us a better alternative.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Beyond Being There: Making Remote Work Better
What if instead of trying to recreate being in person, we embraced what remote work gives us?
jimmyhmiller.github.io
December 8, 2024 at 6:46 PM
Why do all tools for remote work suck? Because they all keep trying to replicate the feeling of "being there".
For advent of papers day 8 we look at a 1992 paper that gives us a better alternative.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
For advent of papers day 8 we look at a 1992 paper that gives us a better alternative.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Advent of papers day 7. What is implementation?
Well according to Rapaport the answer is "Semantic interpretation". But what does that mean? Well, it kind of sounds like the stuff haskellers say when they tell you about monads.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Well according to Rapaport the answer is "Semantic interpretation". But what does that mean? Well, it kind of sounds like the stuff haskellers say when they tell you about monads.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Implementation is Semantic Interpretation
What is implementation? Why does this paper not give us a good answer?
jimmyhmiller.github.io
December 8, 2024 at 4:14 AM
Advent of papers day 7. What is implementation?
Well according to Rapaport the answer is "Semantic interpretation". But what does that mean? Well, it kind of sounds like the stuff haskellers say when they tell you about monads.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...
Well according to Rapaport the answer is "Semantic interpretation". But what does that mean? Well, it kind of sounds like the stuff haskellers say when they tell you about monads.
jimmyhmiller.github.io/advent-of-pa...