Ask the Programmer

James King and Steve Greenblatt discuss highlights from the past four years of the Ask The Programmer episodes. including the value of programmers, the different types of programmers, coding vs. configuration, and AI. Since the beginning, we have focused on building community and helping programmers find their voice in the industry.

To join the conversation or have your question answered on a future episode, join the Ask The Programmer group on LinkedIn and post a message, leave a comment, or reach out to us @AV_JamesKing or @stevegreenblatt on X/Twitter or Bluesky and be sure to include #AskTheProgrammer.

The Ask The Programmer podcast can be found at @AVProgrammerPod on X/Twitter or on Bluesky as @asktheprogrammer.

James King and Steve Greenblatt discuss options for learning AV programming. While there is no tried-and-true path to becoming an AV programmer, there are many informal and formal approaches to learning, building a skill set, and solving specific challenges online, in a classroom, and through communities.

To join the conversation or have your question answered on a future episode, join the Ask The Programmer group on LinkedIn and post a message, leave a comment, or reach out to us @AV_JamesKing or @stevegreenblatt on X/Twitter or Bluesky and be sure to include #AskTheProgrammer.

The Ask The Programmer podcast can be found at @AVProgrammerPod on X/Twitter or Bluesky as @asktheprogrammer.

James King and Steve Greenblatt discuss how to learn and grow as programmers. Some programmers establish their own approach to writing code, while others adopt a coding style defined by their employer, organization, or mentor. Working with a team and participating in code reviews can raise the bar for all involved.

To join the conversation or have your question answered on a future episode, join the Ask The Programmer group on LinkedIn and post a message, leave a comment, or reach out to us @AV_JamesKing or @stevegreenblatt on X/Twitter or Bluesky and be sure to include #AskTheProgrammer.

The Ask The Programmer podcast can be found at @AVProgrammerPod on X/Twitter or Bluesky as @asktheprogrammer.

James King and Steve Greenblatt discuss the impact that potential trade tariffs can have on integrated systems, programming, programmers, and clients.

To join the conversation or have your question answered on a future episode, join the Ask The Programmer group on LinkedIn and post a message, leave a comment, or reach out to us @AV_JamesKing or @stevegreenblatt on X/Twitter or Bluesky and be sure to include #AskTheProgrammer.

The Ask The Programmer podcast can be found at @AVProgrammerPod on X/witter and @asktheprogrammer on Bluesky.

James King and Steve Greenblatt discuss the renewed conversation around building control, which stems from Acuity Brands' acquisition of Q-SYS in October 2024.

To join the conversation or have your question answered on a future episode, join the Ask The Programmer group on LinkedIn and post a message, leave a comment, or reach out to us @AV_JamesKing or @stevegreenblatt on X/Twitter or Bluesky and be sure to include #AskTheProgrammer.

The Ask The Programmer podcast can be found at @AVProgrammerPod on X/Twitter or @asktheprogrammer on Bluesky.

Steve Greenblatt sits down with Brittany DiCesare, Director of Sales and Operations at Control Concepts, Inc., to discuss how manufacturers are helping programmers by making controlling their products easier.

Brittany DiCesare can be found on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittdice/ and on X/Twitter @brittdice https://twitter.com/brittdice.

Control Concepts can be found at controlconcepts.net. Manufacturers looking to learn more about API integration can visit controlmyavproduct.com.

This episode was recorded live at ISE2025.

To join the conversation or have your question answered on a future episode, join the Ask The Programmer group on LinkedIn and post a message, leave a comment, or reach out to us @AV_JamesKing or @stevegreenblatt on X/Twitter or Bluesky and be sure to include #AskTheProgrammer.

The Ask The Programmer podcast can be found at @AVProgrammerPod on X/Twitter and @asktheprogrammer on Bluesky.

James King and Steve Greenblatt discuss how timely and effective technical support impacts the performance of AV programmers. What makes good technical support and how should it be best utilized?

To join the conversation or have your question answered on a future episode, join the Ask The Programmer group on LinkedIn and post a message, leave a comment, or reach out to us @AV_JamesKing or @stevegreenblatt on X/Twitter or Bluesky and be sure to include #AskTheProgrammer.

The Ask The Programmer podcast can be found at @AVProgrammerPod on X/Twitter and @asktheprogrammer on Bluesky,

James King and Steve Greenblatt discuss how modern software applications and mobile apps can change user operation without notice. With the AV being change-averse, how will this impact users and support teams? What can be done to limit surprises and issues?

To join the conversation or have your question answered on a future episode, join the Ask The Programmer group on LinkedIn and post a message, leave a comment, or reach out to us @AV_JamesKing or @stevegreenblatt on X/Twitter and Bluesky and be sure to include #AskTheProgrammer.

The Ask The Programmer podcast can be found at @AVProgrammerPod on Twitter and @asktheprogrammer on Bluesky.

James King and Steve Greenblatt welcome back Dan Ferrisi, Group Editor, Commercial and Security with Emerald, to discuss if there will come a time when AV programmers are better represented and recognized in the industry.

Dan Ferrisi can be reached at @danferrisiedit on X/Twitter and Bluesky, LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-ferrisi-55675a7/, and at CommercialIntegrator.com and Securitysales.com.

Be sure to also check out Dan's previous appearances in episodes 199, 181 , 182, 173, 174, 124, and 125.

To join the conversation or have your question answered on a future episode, join the Ask The Programmer group on LinkedIn and post a message, leave a comment, or reach out to us @AV_JamesKing or @stevegreenblatt on X/Twitter or Bluesky and be sure to include #AskTheProgrammer.

The Ask The Programmer podcast can be found at @AVProgrammerPod on Twitter and @asktheprogrammer on Bluesky.

James King and Steve Greenblatt welcome back Dan Ferrisi, Group Editor, Commercial and Security with Emerald, to discuss his question about whether programmers need to know how to code or whether all the other skills that contribute to their success can overshadow this need as long as coding can be outsourced or addressed with a no-code tool.

Dan Ferrisi can be reached at @danferrisiedit on X/Twitter and Bluesky, LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-ferrisi-55675a7/, and at CommercialIntegrator.com and Securitysales.com.

Be sure to also check out Dan's previous appearances in episodes 182, 181, 173, 174, 124, and 125.

To join the conversation or have your question answered on a future episode, join the Ask The Programmer group on LinkedIn and post a message, leave a comment, or reach out to us @AV_JamesKing or @stevegreenblatt on X/Twitter and Bluesky and be sure to include #AskTheProgrammer.

The Ask The Programmer podcast can be found at @AVProgrammerPod on X/Twitter and @asktheprogrammer on Bluesky.