How the Idea Came About
In 2015, the world of Javascript Software was going through rapid change. It seemed like every year there was a new software framework. First, there was Backbone, AngularJS, React, then Angular. It felt like an impossible task at the time to keep up with everything. So, I got to work on a project that would allow users to compile code from one programming framework to another. This became Windfall architecture and you can see the medium article describing what Windfall architecture is here: windfall-architecture-road-map-part-4-5-of-everything.
How the Idea Progressed
As time went on, I created a company called Razroo in December of 2018. Razroo was actually a name I fell in love with in 2013 when my first software contract asked me what company they should bill to. I used Razroo as a company to place my consulting earnings under. However, I knew I wanted to take this Windfall idea, really discover what made me so passionate about this project, and delve deeper.
Naturally, as a purpose-driven, proactive individual, I really wanted to expand this idea into a larger arena. I really delved deeper into what this idea meant, as well as some personal soul searching. I took off time for the latter half of 2019 to really think about what sort of idea I wanted to work on. Approximately 6 months to be exact. A lot of back and forth during this time. I eventually came across the idea of Razroo, "Learn As You Work".
Learn As You Work - Limitations
"Learn As You Work" was the goal for quite some time. From 2020, until January of 2022, to be exact, it is what drove the product roadmap. However, when the MVP was complete in January 2022, we actually found this idea to be quite limiting. We found that many companies/potential customers weren't really willing to buy a subscription for a product that only helps their Junior Engineers.
So we re-visited our application to figure out how we can bring value while staying true to our mission of "Learn As You Work". What we found is that what we had built can really help everyone, on a novel large scale. You see, Learn As You Work, what that means is that you've actually created an application, that is so incredibly intuitive, that it creates structure and standardization across the entire life cycle of code creation.
In particular, the Code CMS we created, to allow people to upload code to the Razroo system, is something that was of interest to everyone we spoke to. So, we went back to the drawing board. We re-thought what is "Learn As You Work" at it's core, and how can we expand that to a general audience. What Razroo eventually evolved into, is Razroo, "Code Hive Mind".
Screenshot of the Razroo Code CMS
What is a "Code Hive Mind"
The idea of a Code Hive Mind is actually quite simple. Razroo divides each task into something called a "step". Razroo makes sure that the code uploaded is of the highest standards, and coordinates amongst those uploading code. Then the entire community can consume that code via the Razroo tooling. Users can also comment on the Razroo code via our commenting interface. So, with Razroo, the entire community is working together towards a common goal.
Screenshot of Razroo Homepage
Sample Use Case
An example of a sample use case/how Razroo works in a nutshell
- We have 15 community architects per each Razroo Path (a Razroo Path is synonymous with a programming language).
- Community architect is assigned a task/step e.g. "Create Data Table Component"
- Community architect then creates the code needed to create a data table component. (Razroo system makes sure community architect code is well written, and tested.)
- Community architect code is then peer-reviewed by other community architects
- Community architect then publishes and the general community can now use it.
- Community members can generate code directly to their local code editor.
- General community can comment on code and report an issue if one arises. General community members can also submit suggested edits for code.
- Based on community usage, the Community Architect gets paid per step uploaded.
Benefits of a Code Hive Mind
The benefits of a Code Hive Mind are many, but its numerous benefits translate to economies of scale.
Specifically, within the context of Razroo and code, this is:
Pre-Emptive Quality Assurance
All Razroo Community code must be unit tested, and integration tested by default. If the code is not unit tested and integration tested, Razroo will not allow it to be uploaded to the system. In addition, the community has full access to code and can comment/suggest code. Rest assured, between the Software Architects uploading code, Razroo standards, Razroo tooling, and the extra eyes put on each snippet of code by the community, Razroo's code is of the highest quality possible. People using Razroo code can save an entire day's worth of coding per each step because there's no more work for them to do, after using that code(i.e. it's best standards, unit tested, and integration tested).
Wide Variety
To get this point across, feel free to ask yourself the following question. If you want to integrate authentication with your current cloud provider and/or authentication provider, do you have the code you need to integrate that? The answer is most likely no.
Doesn't that seem odd that for this and other really common tasks, you don't have the code you need out of the box to make it work?
The answer is that it's actually a pretty nuanced use case. Due to the software framework(s), you are using, and the authentication provider you are using it's not worth the time of the general public to create a library solving this use case. Razroo solves that. With the idea of a Code Hive Mind, Razroo simplifies visibility and effort toward completing a specific task. You will find solutions like this one ready to go, well-documented, and ready to consume.
Cheaper
Your developers will be able to do more. For instance, what would have taken 1 month to set up a project, will take about 1 day with Razroo. What might take 1-week to set up a custom component, can take 2 hours with Razroo. This means that your organization can spend considerably less to get to its finished product.
Developers Still Needed/Prized
However, your developers are still needed/empowered. They need to oversee code to make sure it is all being hooked up appropriately. In addition, they will still need to code out nuanced use cases that are specific to your organization. This will always be the case, and Razroo looks forward to continuing to empower developers and making them more valuable.
Quicker Time To Market
Many of the common tasks that your company needs, are ready to go and available on a silver platter. Your team will usually be able to get to market about 6 months quicker using Razroo.
Final Thoughts - A Personal Note
When I was in my early 20's my parents couldn't afford to pay for my college. I decided to go to New York for college, outside of my hometown in Houston, Texas. That meant, I had to pay out of state for a year and a half. College was therefore incredibly expensive.
I didn't qualify for scholarships on merit. In addition, due to my large family(7 siblings), and my parent's relatively large income, I didn't qualify for loans/scholarships either. I had no choice. I had to work part-time jobs, sometimes 30-40 hours alongside college, as well as internships. It didn't make sense to me to still be in college, with my grades being affected so much. I just didn't have the time to dedicate myself to college. I dropped out of college and decided to self-study. Yes, that is correct. I did not go to college, I am self-taught.
I had no help, no one looking after me. I had to spend 8 months of doing kitchen work while developing software after hours to find an entry-level software position. Razroo is not only a tool meant for companies to boost productivity, it is a tool meant to help others like me. Those that the entire world said, you will have to pull yourself from your bootstraps and still persevere.
It might not seem like it from the outside, but Razroo has the ability to solve serious issues with inequality. It gives everyone a fighting chance, by giving them access to the best solutions the world has to offer and guides them via its intuitive UI.
Razroo is an application that I would personally use in my day to day. It is our hope that that is the case for you as well. Thank you.
All and Only the Best,
Charlie Greenman
#BeMore