July 2019 Summaries

The blog post introduces core changefeeds as a new feature in CockroachDB 19.1, designed to enhance event-driven applications by allowing SQL clients to monitor database tables for changes in real-time. Utilizing the CHANGEFEED FOR statement, it enables the database to stream records of all table writes to a client until the connection is closed, facilitating tasks like event-driven app development and data integration. The functionality is demonstrated through SQL commands that create a table, enable rangefeeds, and show the real-time tracking of data insertions and deletions. Core changefeeds offer the same ordering and correctness guarantees as their enterprise counterparts but are limited to delivering data over a SQL connection, unlike enterprise changefeeds that can distribute data via Kafka or cloud storage. The post encourages readers to explore this feature through the change data capture documentation and stay updated with Cockroach Labs' offerings through their newsletter and social media.

ESCAPE/19 is a newly announced conference dedicated to exploring the complexities and best practices of multi-cloud and hybrid cloud strategies, responding to a growing need for a forum that is not biased toward a single cloud provider. Set to take place in New York City on October 16-17, 2019, this event seeks to address the challenges faced by many organizations as they navigate multi-cloud environments, such as orchestration, data management, cost control, and security. Unlike traditional cloud conferences which are often hosted by specific providers and avoid discussing multi-cloud solutions, ESCAPE/19 provides an unopinionated platform for industry leaders, system engineers, and application developers to exchange insights and strategies. The conference is spearheaded by Cockroach Labs, in partnership with Slower, and will feature a range of presentations from global companies and startups, as well as a call for papers to encourage participation from those dealing with real-world multi-cloud issues. Early bird tickets are available, and updates can be followed on the conference's official website and social media channels.

Flowable, a workflow and Business Process Management (BPM) platform, has integrated support for the distributed and scalable CockroachDB as of version 6.4.2, simplifying the deployment process for developers, system administrators, and business users. The collaboration between Cockroach Labs and Flowable engineers has facilitated this integration, highlighting the importance of atomicity and data correctness in process management. The provided guide details steps for setting up Flowable with CockroachDB, starting with downloading CockroachDB binaries, creating a database and user, and setting up a Spring Boot application with necessary dependencies. The application connects to CockroachDB using the PostgreSQL JDBC driver, allowing users to start process instances through a REST endpoint, demonstrating that using CockroachDB with Flowable is akin to using any other relational database.

Interviewing at Cockroach Labs presents a unique approach, particularly for non-engineering roles, by employing exercise-based assessments instead of traditional resume-based evaluations to mitigate unconscious bias and determine candidate suitability. This method involves practical, real-world tasks that allow candidates to demonstrate their abilities and experience firsthand, offering both the company and candidates an opportunity to assess mutual fit. The process includes multiple stages such as phone interviews, take-home exercises, and in-person interviews that involve cross-functional interactions with various team members. Candidates participate in activities like creating live documents and collaborating with engineers to craft documentation, providing a realistic preview of working at Cockroach Labs. The unconventional nature of the process, which excludes resumes and focuses on real-time problem-solving and collaboration, aims to ensure a more authentic representation of a candidate's skills and compatibility with the company culture.