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

• Convex

[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