REST Easy With These API Consumption Patterns

Consuming data from an API can generate a lot of boilerplate on the client side that can be hard to manage. Jason will build up the templates he uses in React apps to remove that boilerplate.

Food and drinks will be provided. First 15 minutes will be eating, socializing and settling in.

Read about our meetup format here (https://bit.ly/2TI8q3C).

[Additional Info About Talk]
Talk will provide a solution by showing a series of abstractions that build on each other. We’ll start with XHR requests, then introduce AJAX, and then REST conventions. We’ll also include solutions for common challenges such as accounting for resources that use different keys for unique IDs (_id, id, username, etc), have different metadata wrappers (e.g. pagination data), and breaking API changes (like attributes being renamed in the API).

The patterns demonstrated will have more direct value REST APIs, but mentality can be applied to GraphQL as well, and a version of this talk targeted at GraphQL could be provided at a future date if there’s enough interest.

[Lightning pitches]
We have a process for selecting which pitches become talks now. We’ll introduce it!

1. Your pitch here?

[Storytime (removed)]
Storytime (product development section) is no more. There was an intention behind it, but the execution wasn’t realizing it so we’re repurposing the time for group conversation (see below).

[Main talk]
Demonstration of patterns for reducing boilerplate in apps consuming a REST API by integrating common challenges into a set of reusable templates.

[Group Conversation]
We’re trying something new! Many developers feel isolated, especially those who work alone. Other developers sometimes just want to hear what people think or deal without outside their own team or environment. We want to integrate a way for people to ask questions of others in group, and support creating connections and conversations beyond the main talk.

During the socializing part of the meetup people will be provided the chance to write down questions they’d like to ask the group. Near the end of the meetup we’ll take these questions and have a semi-structured conversation round-robin style, giving people a chance to respond (who want to) and possibly identifying some useful dialogues that could expand into the after-meetup social hour.

[Spin-offs Meetups]
Discuss them! See if anyone is interested!

[Directions]
Getting to the meetup by car: Pioneer is in downtown Tucson, so if you are not biking, taking the bus, streetcar, or dirigible you are probably coming by automobile. Downtown street parking in metered spots is free after 5pm, but may be limited.

Your best bet may be the Pennington Street Garage (110 E Pennington St). Check out the city’s parking guide (https://www.tucsonaz.gov/park-tucson/where-can-i-park-downtown) for more info.