Are you curious about tech, software, web design, or development? We’re a Stafford-based, friendly and inclusive meetup group that gathers every last Thursday of the month (taking a break in December) for an evening of engaging discussions. Whether you’re new or experienced—please do come along and connect with fellow enthusiasts.
Upon your arrival, you will receive a warm welcome and a “Hello, my name is” sticker for easy introductions. There’s food, drink and opportunity to engage with fellow enthusiasts, followed by a mix of talks and discussions.
And the best part? It’s absolutely free! Simply RSVP on Meetup and join us on the day. If you have any questions before the event, feel free to reach out. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you there!
Thanks to all those who joined us at the April meetup. A massive thanks is also in order for Codeweavers for graciously hosting our event once again. Their continued support is genuinely appreciated!
Our speaker, Matthew delivered his talk discussing the complexities of managing a large codebase, likening it to tending a garden. He showcased ts-morph for mass refactoring and explored how AI could play a role in crafting code transformations.
We wrapped up with our open discussion session led by Natasha. The topics of conversation followed on from Matthew’s talk, covering AI and its role in higher education—as well as whether we should thank machines for their help during interactions (and if so, will our polite gestures be remembered during the machine uprising?).
Talk
Accelerating Code Evolution – Transforming Your Codebase with TsMorph and ChatGPT
Matthew’s talk highlighted the challenges involved in managing a large and intricate codebase. With the backdrop of a new version of Angular, Matthew likened the codebase to a garden in need of consistent upkeep. Updating code to accommodate new syntax and methodologies is time-consuming, and the business case for doing so can be difficult to justify. While acknowledging the challenges of codebase evolution, Matthew emphasised its necessity and benefits.
Matthew demonstrated a method for mass refactoring code using ts-morph. This library offers an API that allows you to access, traverse and modify code by working with Abstract Syntax Trees (AST). This automation of code transformation can lead to substantial reductions in time and effort.
Matthew then explained how ChatGPT can be used to write the refactoring formula, offering insight into how best to generate code with ChatGPT. He also discussed common pitfalls and tips for using this tool effectively.
Matthew’s vision for the future of codebase maintenance is one in which efficiency and innovation go hand-in-hand. He showed how leveraging artificial intelligence alongside automated tooling offers developers a faster route to solutions while minimising menial tasks.
Are you curious about tech, software, web design, or development? We’re a Stafford-based, friendly and inclusive meetup group that gathers every last Thursday of the month (taking a break in December) for an evening of engaging discussions. Whether you’re new or experienced—please do come along and connect with fellow enthusiasts.
Upon your arrival, you will receive a warm welcome and a “Hello, my name is” sticker for easy introductions. There’s food, drink and opportunity to engage with fellow enthusiasts, followed by a mix of talks and discussions.
And the best part? It’s absolutely free! Simply RSVP on Meetup and join us on the day. If you have any questions before the event, feel free to reach out. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you there!
We hope you’ve had a fantastic start to the year! With January’s meetup behind us, it feels like we’re back in the swing of things. First and foremost, we’d like to express our gratitude to all who attended. Once again, we’re grateful to Codeweavers for hosting us in their office.
A member of our group recently suggested we trial run a series of social events in addition to our regular meetings. We started off in December with a trip to the bowling alley—it was great to see old friends and make new ones while having fun!
We’re excited to announce that we’ll be organising more socials throughout the year, providing plenty of opportunities to get involved.
In January, we were fortunate to have James Brooks, a Core Laravel Developer, speak at our meetup. Originally, he was slated to present at our March 2020 gathering. Unfortunately, this was canceled due to the escalation of the COVID pandemic. It was a delight to finally host James at our event.
Writing a third-party integration would be impossible without API documentation and yet we continue to push it down our list of priorities or we create half-baked solutions that become immediately out of date.
Thanks, Ian Knight, for photographing the event for us.
We’d like to thank everyone who attended our November meetup—the last one of 2023. We would also like to thank Codeweavers for graciously hosting our event once again. Your continued support is genuinely appreciated!
Elliot Evans gave a talk this month entitled “What can we learn from eSports when developing software?”. Just as in the world of eSports, success in software development comes from a well-coordinated team pursuing a common goal. Elliot’s talk drew parallels between the fast-paced, challenging world of professional gaming and software development.
This year marked our comeback from a break brought about by the widely known disturbance to face-to-face events. As we put a wrap on this year’s meetups, we would like to extend our gratitude for the support received from all the attendees and speakers.
Stay tuned for exciting announcements about our upcoming 2024 meetups.
Talk
What can we learn from eSports when developing software?
Elliot Evans — Senior Consultant – Front End, Ensono
A 45-minute talk about how software teams can look beyond our industry to create better processes and embrace different ways of development.
Staffs Web Meetup 