User Group

**What You'll Build** A fully working Employee Management REST API with: * **CRUD endpoints** (POST, GET, PATCH, DELETE /employees) * **Pagination**, sorting, and filtering on the list endpoint * **Strong runtime validation** via *zod* * A typed, schema-first database layer via *Drizzle ORM* * **Environment-aware configuration** (development / production) * A multi-database PostgreSQL setup orchestrated via *Docker Compose* * A seed script to populate sample data * A **REST Client** app.http file to exercise every endpoint **What You'll Learn** By the end of this workshop you'll be able to: * Scaffold a NestJS application from scratch with `@nestjs/cli`. * Containerize a Node.js API using a multi-stage Dockerfile and *Docker Compose*. * Run PostgreSQL in Docker with auto-created databases via init scripts. * Load environment variables dynamically from `.env.${NODE_ENV}` files. * Wire up *Drizzle ORM* as a global NestJS module with proper lifecycle hooks. * Define a database schema in TypeScript and generate SQL migrations. * Validate request bodies and query params with *zod* using custom decorators (no class-validator). * Implement pagination, sorting, and filtering the right way. * Translate database errors (e.g. unique_violation) into proper HTTP responses (**409 Conflict**). * Write a seed script that works across environments. * Test the API end-to-end using the **VS Code REST Client**. **Prerequisites** Please install before the event: * Node.js : ≥ 22 [Download here](https://nodejs.org) * pnpm: ≥ 9 * `corepack enable && corepack prepare pnpm@latest --activate` * Docker Engine: ≥ 20.10 (With the Compose v2 plugin, `docker compose`, not `docker-compose`) * Git: latest [Download here](https://git-scm.com) * VS Code: latest [Download here](https://code.visualstudio.com) * VS Code extensions: * REST Client, ESLint, Prettier A working internet connection is required to download Docker images and npm packages.

**What You'll Build** A fully working Employee Management REST API with: * **CRUD endpoints** (POST, GET, PATCH, DELETE /employees) * **Pagination**, sorting, and filtering on the list endpoint * **Strong runtime validation** via *zod* * A typed, schema-first database layer via *Drizzle ORM* * **Environment-aware configuration** (development / production) * A multi-database PostgreSQL setup orchestrated via *Docker Compose* * A seed script to populate sample data * A **REST Client** app.http file to exercise every endpoint **What You'll Learn** By the end of this workshop you'll be able to: * Scaffold a NestJS application from scratch with `@nestjs/cli`. * Containerize a Node.js API using a multi-stage Dockerfile and *Docker Compose*. * Run PostgreSQL in Docker with auto-created databases via init scripts. * Load environment variables dynamically from `.env.${NODE_ENV}` files. * Wire up *Drizzle ORM* as a global NestJS module with proper lifecycle hooks. * Define a database schema in TypeScript and generate SQL migrations. * Validate request bodies and query params with *zod* using custom decorators (no class-validator). * Implement pagination, sorting, and filtering the right way. * Translate database errors (e.g. unique_violation) into proper HTTP responses (**409 Conflict**). * Write a seed script that works across environments. * Test the API end-to-end using the **VS Code REST Client**. **Prerequisites** Please install before the event: * Node.js : ≥ 22 [Download here](https://nodejs.org) * pnpm: ≥ 9 * `corepack enable && corepack prepare pnpm@latest --activate` * Docker Engine: ≥ 20.10 (With the Compose v2 plugin, `docker compose`, not `docker-compose`) * Git: latest [Download here](https://git-scm.com) * VS Code: latest [Download here](https://code.visualstudio.com) * VS Code extensions: * REST Client, ESLint, Prettier A working internet connection is required to download Docker images and npm packages.

**Improving Office in Franklinton** Physical location: Improving Office 330 Rush Alley Suite #150 Columbus, OH 43215 Schedule: 6:00 p.m.: Socialize, eat, and drink. Improving will be providing pizza and beverages. 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Main meeting and presentation(s). Topic: This month John Lairson will share a notebook describing the Alpaca (Paper) Trading API and discuss different algorithms for evaluating stock trades. We meet on the last Monday of each Month. Presentations are given by members and friends of this group. If you would like to do a presentation (small or large) on a python topic, please contact Central OH Python at centralohpython@gmail.com

**Latest Dojo Location!** **Knotty Pine Brewing** 1765 W 3rd Ave, Columbus, OH 43212 We're going to try a new dojo location for a few weeks and see how it works Dojos are informal Python group study sessions where everyone interested in Python gathers to learn about Python, help others with Python, or just hang out. Everyone is welcome from Python beginners to experts. Bringing a laptop is encouraged (we'll have extension cords and power strips). If there's something you want to learn leave a comment on this invite so we can plan ahead. We're looking for speakers for our Monthly Meetups! Fill out the form if you are interested in presenting to the Python Community. https://forms.gle/ehSfUAC2WgR34Crq9

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge. **Abstract** TBD **YouTube Link** TBD

Join the Columbus AI community for our quarterly gathering — a casual, community-focused evening where everyone has a chance to share, learn, and connect. These open mic–style events give anyone in the community up to **5 minutes** to present a project, share a tool, pose a question, or offer a perspective on the evolving AI space. No slides required — just a welcoming space to exchange ideas and keep the local AI conversation moving. If you’d like to take the stage, message \*\*Chris (the organizer)\*\*with a **title and short description** of what you’d like to share. Whether you’re deep in the field or just getting curious, come connect with others building and exploring AI in Columbus. Sponsored by [Transform Labs](https://www.linkedin.com/company/transformlabs/) Sign up also accessible via [Transform Labs Luma](https://luma.com/transformlabshq)

**Building a great product is one thing—building momentum behind it is another.** Join **Senior Product Manager Adam Solaiman** and **User Experience Manager Tyson Smith** for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to turn complex ideas into scalable products inside large organizations. In this session, they’ll share how teams move from ambiguity to execution—navigating organizational complexity, aligning stakeholders, and continuously evolving products after launch. You’ll walk away with insights on how to: * Build and sustain momentum across teams * Adapt to changing priorities without losing direction * Scale products thoughtfully in complex environments Whether you're driving a new initiative or growing an existing product, this conversation will give you practical strategies to keep things moving forward. Come connect, learn, and swap stories with fellow product professionals. \-\-\- Food and drinks will be provided by Switchbox, our generous host. Free parking will be available at the front and back sides of the Switchbox Office.

Columbus Code & Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. People of all skill levels attend, and we love it that way. Many people (optionally) bring projects to work on, and many other people (optionally) socialize the entire time. It's entirely up to you! **What to Expect at the Intro Circle** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Near the beginning of the event (1:30 pm), we do a standup: * Organizer announcements, updates, and logistics Round 1 - (7 secs max): * Your name * What you're working on * What you can help others with Round 2: * Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. Round 3: * Job opportunities you're hiring for OR announce that you are looking for one. If none, that's cool. After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized! Feel free to work alone, pair up, attend one of our workshops/presentations, or mingle!