# Paths into Systems Programming

- Show: [Oxide and Friends](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends)
- Published: 2022-06-21
- Length: 1h 47m
- Episode: 17
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2022-06-21-paths-into-systems-programming
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/7430f114

## Summary

Bryan Cantrill, Adam Leventhal, and other engineers from Oxide Computer Company discuss the nature of systems programming, defining it as software that runs, creates, or debugs other software. The group shares personal anecdotes about entering the field, highlighting the importance of curiosity, rigor, and contributing to open source communities like Joyent and KVM. They emphasize that breaking into systems programming often requires demonstrating deep technical interest through tangible artifacts, such as code contributions or reverse engineering projects, rather than relying solely on traditional credentials.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2022-06-21-paths-into-systems-programming#t=0) Introduction and Defining Systems Programming
- [10:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2022-06-21-paths-into-systems-programming#t=605) Attributes of Systems Programming: Rigor and Curiosity
- [23:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2022-06-21-paths-into-systems-programming#t=1435) Personal Stories: Brian, Dan, and Patrick's Paths
- [38:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2022-06-21-paths-into-systems-programming#t=2311) The Role of Open Source and Small Communities
- [57:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2022-06-21-paths-into-systems-programming#t=3473) Reverse Engineering and Experimental Approaches
- [1:22:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2022-06-21-paths-into-systems-programming#t=4922) Hiring Practices and Demonstrating Interest

## Topics

- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Oxide Computer Company (company)
- Joyent (company)
- SmartOS (product)
- LDAP JS (product)
- KVM (product)
- Hubris (product)
- Dropshot (product)
- Rust (other)
- Cloudera (company)
- Apple (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [141: Malevolent and Trying to Trick You](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-03-02-141-malevolent-and-trying-to-trick-you) (Embedded.fm)
- [351: Dextral or Sinistral](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-11-13-351-dextral-or-sinistral) (Embedded.fm)
- [211: 4 weeks, 3 days (Repeat)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-01-31-211-4-weeks-3-days-repeat) (Embedded.fm)
- [436: 20 GOTO 10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-12-02-436-20-goto-10) (Embedded.fm)
- [130: Criminal Training Camp (Repeat)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-05-25-130-criminal-training-camp-repeat) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2022-06-21-paths-into-systems-programming. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Oxide and Friends.