68. What is an API?

You’ve probably seen the headlines about AI replacing developers, but is AI really coming for our jobs, or is there more going on?In this episode, we break down what’s actually happening in the tech industry and how you can use AI to make sure you don’t get left behind. We talk about the role of AI in layoffs, how it’s changing software development, and why this shift is more evolution than extinction.We cover real-world examples, practical use cases for AI as a developer, and why companies are now hiring for AI skills. Plus, we explain key AI concepts like LLMs, prompts, agents, and tokenisation in classic Hot Girls Code fashion. We also share some of our hot tips on how to use AI as a tool so it can be your bestie instead of your enemy!Whether you’re curious, cautious, or fully on board with AI, this episode will help you understand how to work with it—not against it!Where to Find Us:⁠Instragam⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠The Hot Girls Code Website⁠Links mentioned in the episode:Check out our original AI episodes to hear about the basics and ethics behind AI: Episode 16 and Episode 17Learn more about APIs in Episode 68. What is an API?Learn more about some popular pre-trained models: Open AI's GPT, Google's Gemini, and DALL-E Learn more about popular frameworks and libraries: LangChain, LlamaIndex, and TensorFlowLearn more about AI coding assistants: GitHub Copilot, Windsurf (formerly Codeium), and ClineSponsored By: ⁠Trade Me

This week on Hot Girls Code, we are joined by Katie, an expert in all things Android. Katie a Google Developer Expert for Android, one of the organisers of the Google Developer Group Melbourne and a Women Techmakers Ambassador.In this episode, we speak to Katie about what the heck it means to be an Android Evangelist as well as how to get started developing in the Android space. Katie also shares her experience with the tech community in Melbourne and shares her tips for how to future proof yourself against shake ups in mobile development.New episodes come out fortnightly on Wednesday morning (NZT).Links from the EpCheck out Katie's websiteConnect with Katie on LinkedInCheck out Katie's posts on mediumCheck out Katie's Stitch Counter AppCheck out Google Developer Groups (GDGs)Where to Find Us:InstragamTik TokThe Hot Girls Code WebsiteSponsored By: Trade Me

Whether or not you work in a technical role, you’ve probably heard of APIs! But what exactly are APIs? In this episode, we explain what an API is, what they are used for, and how HTTP comes into it. Finally, we finish up by giving a brief overview of the different API protocols out there - from REST, to SOAP, to GraphQL! And in true Hot Girls Code style, we bring the tech to life with fun, relatable analogies featuring two of our favourite spots: restaurants and makeup stores.New episodes come out fortnightly on Wednesday morning (NZT).Where to Find Us: ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Tik Tok The Hot Girls Code Website⁠Sponsored by:Trade Me

This week on Hot Girls code, we are joined by Zelle, an expert on augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and extended reality (XR)! XR is an exciting area of tech that we’ve always found a bit intimidating and mysterious, so we are incredibly lucky to have Zelle on the show. Join us as she breaks down what XR really is, explains the fundamental building blocks of the technology, and shares how you can get started. We also dive into the future of XR and, of course, how we can help keep this space diverse and inclusive!New episodes come out fortnightly on Wednesday morning (NZT).Links mentioned in episode:Augment for AndroidAugment for iOSInkhunter for iOSGiphyworld for iOS, oculus & vive headsetsVirtual hair color tests powered by ModiFaceMake your own Google Cardboard - Easier instructions & Advanced, sturdier version. *These instructions both require biconvex lenses. You can make your own lenses out of plastic bottles if you can't find them on AliExpress/TradeMe! Cardboard app for iOS and AndroidMeta documentation for developers - options for Unity and Unreal game engines, web development, and more! Where to Find Us: ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠The Hot Girls Code Website⁠⁠Sponsored by:⁠Trade Me

At Hot Girls Code, we often talk about the many misconceptions that people have about tech! So in this episode, we’re diving into six common myths you might encounter in your coding journey. From the myth that there’s a "perfect" number of lines of code to the belief that a developer’s job ends once their code is released, we break down each myth and reveal the truth behind the misconception.New episodes come out fortnightly on Wednesday morning (NZT).Episode LinksTo hear more coding myths debunked, check out Episode 41. Learning to Code: Top 6 Coding Myths DebunkedTo learn more about the basics of coding, check out Episode 3. What is Coding: Understanding the Magic behind the Machine, Episode 4. Getting Started: The Fundamental Concepts of Coding, and Episode 5. Coding Languages: What They Are and Which You Should LearnTo learn about what makes code 'good', check out Episode 12. What is Good Code?To learn more about testing, check out Episode 47. Basics of Software TestingWhere to Find Us: ⁠Instagram⁠Tik TokThe Hot Girls Code Website⁠Sponsored by:Trade Me

We are back with another installment of our Exploring Tech Job Series where we dig into different technical roles to provide insight into what that role is all about. This week we are chatting about Cloud Engineering and we are joined by a real-life Cloud Engineer, Georgia! Join us as we chat about what a Cloud Engineer is, the day-to-day of the job, how you might get into Cloud Engineering, and so much more.New episodes come out fortnightly on Wednesday morning (NZT).Links mentioned in the episode:Check out free Splunk training coursesCheck out Google Cloud Skills BoostCheck out AWS Skills BuilderCheck out Episode 24 Basics of Infrastructure to learn more about software infrastructureWhere to Find Us: ⁠Instagram⁠ Tik Tok ⁠⁠The Hot Girls Code Website⁠Sponsored by:Trade Me

You've probably heard about the cloud before, but do you know what it actually is? Spoiler alert: It's not a literal cloud!In this episode, we dive into exactly what the cloud is, why it’s so important in tech, and how the cloud actually works. Because let's face it: the cloud can definitely be a broad, confusing topic. Even if you use the cloud everyday for storing your photos or documents, you might not know what’s going on under the hood. Like what is AWS? What is a SaaS application? Where does the stuff actually live? Well, we answer all these important questions in this episode!New episodes come out fortnightly on Wednesday morning (NZT).Links from the episode:If you’re wanting to learn more a bit more, check out Episode 24. Basics of InfrastructureIf you're wanting to learn more about Virtual Machines, check out Episode 52. Cloud Computing Fundamentals: Virtual Machines, Containers and Docker.Where to Find Us: ⁠Instagram⁠ Tik Tok ⁠⁠The Hot Girls Code Website⁠Sponsored by:Trade Me

This week on Hot Girls code, we are joined by indie mobile game developer Bria Sullivan.Bria is the founder of Honey B games and the creator of the viral mobile game Boba Story, which went viral on Tik Tok and has been downloaded over 16 million times across the globe!Join us with as we chat to Bria about mobile game development, the process of creating and launching an app, and of course, boba tea!New episodes come out fortnightly on Wednesday morning (NZT).Where to Find Bria & Boba Story:Bria's Tik TokDownload Boba Story on iOSDownload Boba Story on AndroidCheck out Boba Story's WebsiteWhere to Find Us: ⁠Instagram⁠Tik TokThe Hot Girls Code Website⁠Sponsored by:Trade Me

Web3 is in its early stages but it's growing fast as more and more companies and industries adopt to using the technologies associated with it. But it can be a bit of a mystery people - what is ‘the blockchain’? How does it work? How do cryptocurrencies and NFTs come into it?Well look no further, Hot Girls Code is demystifying Web3 and all the buzzwords that go along with it. We’ll be breaking down the key concepts of Web3 technologies and explaining those buzzwords you’ve probably heard of, but might not fully understand. And of course, you can’t talk Web3 without talking about some of the pitfalls of the technology, especially the environmental impact.New episodes come out fortnightly on Wednesday morning (NZT).Where to Find Us: ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Tik TokThe Hot Girls Code Website⁠Sponsored by:Trade Me

As we've spoken about before on Hot Girls Code, the retention rate of women in the tech industry is a big issue. Now more than ever, it's important to support women in tech through allyship. But what is allyship and how can you be an ally to women in tech?This episode includes something for everyone - tips for women in tech who want to support other women in tech, as well as tips for male allies because we shouldn’t be leaving this hard work to just women! We also cover how companies can build an inclusive culture to better support women in tech. Now, let’s improve outcomes for women in tech - together.New episodes come out fortnightly on Wednesday morning (NZT).Links Mentioned in Episode: SkillSoft's 2024 Women in Tech Report To learn more about unconscious bias, check out Episode 11 : Unpacking Unconscious BiasWhere to Find Us: ⁠ Instagram⁠ ⁠ Tik Tok The Hot Girls Code Website⁠ Sponsored by: Trade Me