Supler: complex web forms, not so complex - Adam Warski

Let’s face it. Creating websites with complex forms is a pain, and usually ends in lots of code duplication and frustration. And even though it's the age of big data and microservices, form-based applications still take a large share of our development time.

That’s why we have decided to create Supler (https://github.com/softwaremill/supler), a Rapid Form Development library. Supler has a very focused set of functionality:

* a Scala DSL for defining forms, generating JSON form description, applying values to backing objects and running actions & validations on the backend

* a Javascript HTML form renderer, automatically-generated client-side validations, form templating and automatic reloading

You can use Supler with any Javascript frontend and Scala/Java backend framework, ORM layer, etc. The software stack is left up to the developer.

The presentation will be entirely live coding. We will create a simple form-based application from scratch and gradually introduce various Supler features. At the same time, we will explain what approach Supler takes and how Supler solves some of the problems faced when creating a form-based applications.

Who should attend:

I think the talk will be of most interest to developers who write back-office software and web applications, at all levels of experience, from junior to senior. However anybody who wrote both the frontend and the backend of a web application should find the topic interesting.

As the subject is on how to write form-based applications easier, it would be great if people with experience in the area would contribute their point of view!

Please note that having Scala experience is not a requirement, anybody with Java knowledge should be able to understand the examples, we won't be using advanced Scala language features, and even if, I'll be happy to explain how things work.

Bio - Adam Warski:

I am one of the co-founders of SoftwareMill (http://www.softwaremill.com?), where I code mainly using Scala and other interesting technologies. I am involved in open-source projects, such as Supler, MacWire, Hibernate Envers and ElasticMQ. I have been a speaker at major conferences, such as JavaOne, Devoxx, JavaZone or JFokus.

Apart from writing closed- and open-source software, in my free time I try to read the Internet on various programming-related subjects, any ideas or insights end up on my blog: http://www.warski.org/blog

Agenda:

18:15: Doors open

18:30/45: Main presentation (approx. 45/60 mins)

We'll then be heading to the pub for drinks after the main talk.

Please Note:

Nearest tube: Barbican
Nearest Coffee Shop: Sun Coffee Shop, 55-63 Goswell Road, London, EC1V 7EN for if you arrive early

*Please note this is an LJC event. Skills Matter are hosting this event and are handling the attendance - it is essential that you confirm your place at this link: https://skillsmatter.com/meetups/7128-supler-complex-web-forms-not-so-complex

Event organised by the awesome folk at RecWorks - check out the blog here: http://blog.recworks.co.uk/ (http://recworks.co.uk/)