Software should work, and talking about it needn't be boring

In an era where DVD technology dominated for a short time yet left an indelible cultural impact, the rise of streaming and ample storage has rendered optical media largely irrelevant. However, the culture of binge-watching persists, and we still devour vast amounts of information in a single sitting. This paradigm shift has inspired a new concept: the bingeable tech conference.

Streaming conferences are not novel, but they often lack cohesion, with too many niche talks, excessive marketing, and inconsistent quality. The Goldilocks zone of high-quality, well-rounded content is hard to find, but Software Should Work 2026 (SSW 2026) offers just that. Held in July, this conference delivered a nearly flawless example of the type of conference that rewards focused viewing.

SSW 2026 sought to explore the concept of software reliability in its broadest sense, encompassing aspects like abstraction, formal methods, managing complexity, optimizing tools and processes, personal innovation, team culture, and the practicalities of instructing computers. In just 13 succinct videos, the conference paints a comprehensive picture of the field today.

The talks you find engaging will depend on your individual interests and experiences. For instance, Richard Feldman's talk compares web stacks from 1996, 2006, and 2026, revealing the proliferation of abstractions and dependencies. Meanwhile, Richard Hipp, creator of SQLite, shares a personal journey illustrating how a codebase evolves in response to changing test methods, highlighting the importance of human motivation, creativity, flexibility, and perseverance.

SSW 2026 offers a diverse mix of technical expertise, ranging from formal analysis to the importance of daydreaming and the dangers of superhero engineers. The conference also delves into language wars, AI advancements, and discussions surrounding the merits of Nix partisanship, all presented by industry professionals. Moreover, the conference examines the culture of reliability and what it means for software to work effectively.

It feels like a genuine symposium, fostering an exchange of ideas about a subject that touches every aspect of the digital world yet is seldom considered as a whole.

In a world where commercial pressures and the absence of a unified language and agreed standards can hinder the defense of good practice, SSW 2026 provides a much-needed focus on these critical aspects. The conference's blend of narratives and subjects ensures that there is always something new and enlightening to discover, accompanied by a satisfying sense of time well spent.

If you view software reliability as an ongoing drama – and if you're not, how are you still here? – set aside a binge-worthy evening. Software should work, and so should conferences, and this one is undoubtedly worth the popcorn.