Online: Saying what you mean & The Art of Developer Testing with Generative AI

Talk 1: Saying what you mean: how precise language can eliminate bugs

Have you ever stopped to think about language? How does the specific language we use affect our ability to communicate, or even to think about certain concepts? Programming languages offer a lot of nuance in how we express programs; it's not just what we say, but also how we say it. I'd like to demonstrate how we can represent real-world details more precisely in programming languages, and how that can literally eliminate certain classes of errors.

Talk 1 Facilitator: Phlippie Bosman

If you delve deep enough into music theory, your brain starts to hear music more like a natural language; this is something I realised after many years of focusing on music, which was what I wanted to do with my life before I discovered my passions for software engineering. Today I'm still fascinated by the abstract, linguistic aspects of programming, such as software design, architecture, and different paradigms. I love computer science — I have a masters degree in computational intelligence — but prefer the challenges of working on real problems in the industry, and have been a (primarily) mobile developer at Retro Rabbit for 8 years. I also dabble in German on Duolingo, because I just can't stay away from learning a new language.

Talk 2: The Art of Developer Testing with Generative AI

Discover how Generative AI can help you create more effective developer tests, reducing manual effort while improving test coverage. Learn strategies for optimising your testing approach and avoiding common pitfalls in software development.

Talk 2 Facilitator: Christopher Brunsdon

Christopher Brunsdon is a seasoned software engineer with extensive experience in e-commerce, fintech, and mobile message aggregators. Passionate about software testing and apply thorough testing strategies at the developer level to ensure product quality and reliability. Known for problem-solving skills, Christopher excels at automating manual processes to improve cost centre operations.
Christopher played a key role in successful server migrations, streamlined deployment workflows, and refactored systems for efficiency and scalability. Christopher is also a strong proponent of teamwork, regularly giving tech talks and promoting continuous learning among colleagues.
Before entering software engineering, Christopher had a unique 15-year journey in retail. This background adds an interesting dimension to his expertise in technology, offering a broader perspective on business and operations.

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