Compilers & Teamwork

Goal: Hear how Holly Borla grew as a developer and how clear communication helps teams (and beginners) make progress.

Choose one

Please listen to one of the following interviews:

  1. ATP — “Interview: Holly Borla & Ben Cohen” — Holly talks about working on Swift, learning from others, and how teams decide what to build.
  2. Swift by Sundell #69 — “Swift Playgrounds” (with Holly Borla & Grace Kendall) — A hopeful discussion about learning with Playgrounds and how helpful error messages can guide you.

Before you listen

  • In one sentence, write something you’re curious about (learning from mistakes, reading other people’s code, etc.):

While you listen

  • Write 3 short notes you want to remember:
    1.
    2.
    3.

Afterwards

  1. Reading code first: What’s one benefit of looking at existing code or examples before you start typing?
  2. Mindset: What attitude did Holly model that you want to emulate? Explain why.
  3. Teachback: In 3–4 bullets, explain “what a compiler does” using an analogy (kitchen, assembly line, etc.).

Extension

  • Make a teamwork checklist for our class. How can someone be a good member of a team?

Curriculum alignment

  • A4 — read existing code before changes; use compiler messages to diagnose and validate fixes.
  • B2 — communicate clearly in teams (simple summaries, named intentions) to align design decisions.
  • B4 — practice status updates and reflective notes that explain the problem, approach, and tests.
  • C3 — understand tools: how IDEs, compilers, and interpreters work together to run your code.
  • D2/D3 — glimpse compiler work and real developer roles; connect interests to post‑secondary paths.