Gulcin Yildirim Jelinek: Maintaining Postgres for Modern Workloads

In this episode of Maintainable, Robby speaks with Gulcin Yildirim Jelinek, a Staff Database Engineer at Xata. Joining from Prague, Czech Republic, Gulcin discusses her experiences working with legacy databases, the evolution of Postgres, and her passion for building accessible tech communities.

Gulcin shares practical insights into modern database management, including the rise of automation tools like YAML and Pgroll, as well as how extensions like pgvector are unlocking new possibilities for Postgres users. Her work with the Prague PostgreSQL Meetup and Diva Conference highlights her dedication to fostering inclusive and welcoming tech communities.

Episode Highlights

• [00:05:32] What Makes Databases Maintainable? Gulcin reflects on documentation, onboarding, and usability.
• [00:15:10] From Legacy to Modern: Challenges with legacy systems in hospitals and banks and the transition to Postgres.
• [00:22:18] Pgvector and Vector Search: Introducing Postgres extensions to enable vector-based queries.
• [00:28:12] Scaling Automation with YAML: How YAML transformed database management and DevOps workflows.
• [00:33:00] Fostering Community and Accessibility: Gulcin’s work with Postgres Europe and Diva Conference.
• [00:36:15] Mythology with a Twist: Book recommendations featuring Circe and Elektra.

Key Takeaways

• Documentation Matters: A well-documented system ensures effective onboarding for both developers and end-users.
• Automation is Key: Tools like YAML and Pgroll streamline database operations, minimizing downtime and manual intervention.
• Inclusivity in Tech: Conferences and communities should prioritize accessibility, from catering to translation services.
• Vector Databases in Postgres: Pgvector is making Postgres a viable option for AI-driven workloads, eliminating the need for separate systems.

Resources Mentioned

• Xata Blog
• Pgroll
• Prague PostgreSQL Meetup
• Diva: Dive into AI Conference
• Kadin Yazilimci (Women Developers of Turkey)
• Circe by Madeline Miller
• Elektra by Jennifer Saint

Connect with Gulcin

• LinkedIn
• Prague PostgreSQL Meetup
• Diva Conference

Book Recommendations:

• Circe
• Elektra

Links:

• Kadin Yazilimci (Women Developers of Turkey)
• Diva: Dive into AI Conference
• Prague PostgreSQL Meetup
• On X
• Xata Blog
• Pgroll

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