Practical CRDTs by Schalk Venter
Details
As part of our ongoing series exploring local-first architecture, this session explores how Conflict-free Replicated Data Types (CRDT) not only enable the decentralised data-architecture required by local-first software, but also dramatically simplify data management and storage.
We will cover:
- What CRDTs are and why they matter in a local-first world
- How they differ from traditional client-server sync models
- Real-world applications in collaborative and offline-first software
We’ll also look at practical examples and discuss trade-offs, limitations, and when CRDTs are the right fit/not a good fit.
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Design the official FEDSA T-shirt for DevConf 2026 (Competition)
🔗 Rules and instructions here
The brief: "Celebrating South African Product Design & Development"... Interpret that however you want. The diversity of our community. The open-source spirit. The energy of building something from nothing in a country that constantly surprises.
The deal:
→ R500 Takealot voucher up for grabs
→ Winning design gets printed on the official FEDSA team shirts
→ Worn at DevConf (14 & 16 May) in front of 1,000+ developers
→ The designer gets a shirt too — your design, your shirt
→ Designer credit across our channels
Submissions open now. Deadline: 17 April 2026.
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Khanyisa Real Systems (KRS) has been shaping Cape Town’s tech landscape since 1987, delivering smart software for startups, corporates, and government. With nearly 40 years of coding experience, KRS helps clients turn complex challenges into elegant, effective solutions. As a proud Microsoft Gold Partner, the team specialises in web app development, data management, and cloud solutions, and is deeply passionate about growing the SA developer community. Learn more at krs.co.za
NML is a software development partner to leading businesses in financial services. We design and build secure, scalable platforms tailored to asset management, lending, and insurance. With a focus on seamless user experiences, robust architecture, and long-term adaptability, NML helps clients turn complex challenges into elegant digital solutions. You can learn more at nml.co.za.
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What is FEDSA?
Front-end & Design South Africa (FEDSA) is a registered non-profit organisation that serves as an administrative umbrella for various projects that advance knowledge-sharing between practitioners and aspiring practitioners within the industry.
Fineprint
FEDSA's Code of Conduct is here: FEDSA Code of Conduct. We're serious about offering a warm, inclusive, safe space to learn.