Dax Raad - SST

This podcast episode explores challenges and solutions in the realm of cloud computing and infrastructure-as-code. The speakers dive into the complexities of using AWS and highlight the unique structure that inhibits quick innovation. They discuss the differences between SST and CDK as infrastructure-as-code tools, emphasizing the limitations of CDK and the potential transition to Terraform or Pulumi. The benefits and drawbacks of various infrastructure-as-code tools, particularly Terraform and Pulumi, are explored, along with the significance of sustainable funding for these projects. The focus then shifts to SST and its seamless integration of serverless functions, event-driven architectures, and support for front-end frameworks. The challenges of using Vercel, high costs, and limited scalability options, are discussed, prompting the creation of open-source alternatives. The speakers stress the cost-effectiveness of serverless computing and the importance of product abstraction layers like SST for onboarding and learning AWS. They also delve into the complexity of navigating the landscape of AWS services and the ongoing efforts to make the platform more accessible. The unique approach of SST in local development, testing, and building meaningful tests for infrastructure code are discussed. The podcast concludes with an exploration of the open-source approach and monetization strategy, the significance of intentionality in business, and the future of cloud computing. The episode also touches on various software development topics, including local first browser technology, AI-powered tools, and a CLI tool for upgrading React Native. The introduction of Darkmatter for Astro content editing and HeatIt, a unique device for relieving mosquito bite itchiness, wraps up the episode.