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 Kemp — Senior Frontend Developer, Codeweavers
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.
Staffs Web Meetup 