u/Data-Panda

I am trying to assess the best approach to branching and releases, as we will soon be moving to Dataform and have the chance to improve things with our general development process. But I don’t have a lot of experience here.

Currently, we have 3 projects (dev, staging, and prod) in BigQuery. Each with its own associated branch in GitHub. People merge their feature code to dev, then eventually all changes are merged to staging and finally prod. GitHub actions deploys the code.

But I’m wondering if this can be simplified. My thoughts are:

- 1 protected branch - main (I don’t see the need for 3 branches)

- Devs work from the latest commit of main when developing in the dev project.

- The staging project is also based on the latest commit from main. This is where user acceptance testing happens.

- Prod is based on a git tag on main. When ready to release to prod, a new tag is created, and our Dataform production release configuration is updated with this new tag (still assessing whether this release config in Dataform can be updated automatically via a GitHub action when a new release tag is created, or if we would need to update it manually)

- For hotfixes, we branch from the latest prod tag and merge back into it with the fix. Then cherry picked onto main.

Just wondering if what I’m suggesting makes sense, or if I’m trying to simplify too much?

So I’m in CM right now. Been here over week. Working remotely for a couple weeks and then holiday (going back to the UK September 18th).

I had planned on maybe visiting an island + 1 week in BKK - but tbh I’ve just been really liking CM.

The food, the atmosphere, the weather (I like the rain mixed with warm weather), the nature. And admittedly I’ve met some great women here which probably plays a big part in me wanting to stay.

I’m just wondering if it’s common to stay here for this long as a traveller, and if anyone has done the same and later regretted not seeing more places.

I believe it peaks today or Thursday, but unsure if there is too much light pollution to be noticeable

Hello

I’m currently a junior DE building Python pipelines (Prefect/Airflow to BigQuery mainly). I’ve started using Cursor/Claude to assist in coding but try not to lean on them too hard.

On the side I’m self-studying data modelling, system design, and Leetcode (python & sql). But I feel a bit scattered, jumping between topics without a clear plan. I’m also increasingly wondering how AI is going to reshape this role, and want to make sure I’m building skills that keep me hireable.

With that in mind, does anyone have any advice on topics I should be prioritising?

Hello

I'll be there for 4 weeks total. First week I'll be working remotely, the rest is holiday. Planning to spend the first 2 weeks in Chiang Mai (don't know what I'll be doing the second 2 weeks. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know).

However I've got a bunch of questions and thought it would just be easier asking them in a single post.

Accommodation

* Should I book the full 2 weeks in Chiang Mai now, or just a few days first to make sure I like the hotel? Worried that waiting to rebook when I'm there could leave me scrambling if hotels are all fully booked up.
* Any general advice on booking direct with hotels vs. using [Booking.com](http://Booking.com) or similar sites? I'd usually just use [Booking.com](http://Booking.com) but if it's more reliable or cheaper to book direct I'll do that.

Activities

* Do I need to pre-book activities in Chiang Mai (e.g. national parks), or is availability usually easy to find on short notice?

Remote work / internet

* I'll be working off my laptop and I'm worried about connection reliability. I need solid access to things like Google Cloud and to be reachable for the occasional call, especially since the senior data engineer may be on paternity leave. Is it worth booking a coworking space for 2 weeks, and like above, does this need to be done well in advance?

Domestic flights

* I've got return flights booked to Bangkok from the UK, but nothing yet for Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Is booking a flight for \~2 hours after expected arrival in Bangkok too tight, or generally fine? Any recommended domestic airlines?

Hello

I'll be there for 4 weeks total. First week I'll be working remotely, the rest is holiday. Planning to spend the first 2 weeks in Chiang Mai (don't know what I'll be doing the second 2 weeks. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know).

However I've got a bunch of questions and thought it would just be easier asking them in a single post.

Accommodation

• Should I book the full 2 weeks in Chiang Mai now, or just a few days first to make sure I like the hotel? Worried that waiting to rebook when I'm there could leave me scrambling if hotels are all fully booked up.
• Any general advice on booking direct with hotels vs. using Booking.com or similar sites? I'd usually just use Booking.com but if it's more reliable or cheaper to book direct I'll do that.

Activities

• Do I need to pre-book activities in Chiang Mai (e.g. national parks), or is availability usually easy to find on short notice?

Remote work / internet

• I'll be working off my laptop and I'm worried about connection reliability. I need solid access to things like Google Cloud and to be reachable for the occasional call, especially since the senior data engineer may be on paternity leave. Is it worth booking a coworking space for 2 weeks, and like above, does this need to be done well in advance?

Domestic flights

• I've got return flights booked to Bangkok from the UK, but nothing yet for Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Is booking a flight for ~2 hours after expected arrival in Bangkok too tight, or generally fine? Any recommended domestic airlines?

Been looking for some good Thai food in Glasgow but there’s not much choice.

My ex-girlfriend was Thai and an amazing cook, and she said not to waste my time with Panang or Rosa’s Thai.

We both tried Chaophraya and agreed it was way overpriced. The fish also smelled like it was starting to go off.

Ting Thai Caravan is edible, but honestly disappointing overall - although may be the only place in Glasgow you can get a bowl of Khoi Soi.

I did however try Thairiffic and quite enjoyed their Pad Ka Prao, although I’ve only been once.

Anywhere else worth trying?

Going to Thailand in August for a month, and will be staying/working in Chiang Mai for the first couple weeks at least.

But I have analysis paralysis regarding accommodation.

Ideally looking for somewhere close to or in the old city, that doesn’t cost a fortune, and also one that allows guests (never know who I’ll meet).

I was looking at the “Mad Monkey” but bit put off that it’s a hostel and the doors look like they could easily be broken into.

And am I right in thinking booking.com would be the best place to book?

Edit: also need to find a workspace as I’ll be working remotely for first 2 weeks, but I assume they’ll be some in the old city I can book