Kent Beck, the creator of the eXtreme programming (XP) set of software development principles that take into account the individuality and experience of developers, is in SA for a two-week visit.
"My visit to SA has given me the opportunity to listen as clearly as I can to the concerns and experiences of the local software development community and share what I know by speaking my truth about software development and see where that takes us," says Beck.
The Johannesburg Centre for Software Engineering (JCSE) and software development company, Psybergate, are hosting Beck, who will conduct master classes, give lectures and meet representatives of local companies in Johannesburg and Cape Town in the next two weeks.
JCSE academic director and Wits professor, Barry Dwolatzky, says XP leads to fewer defects, more predictability and greater flexibility in software, as well as a closer conformity between the delivered features and the needs of the client.
"Beck`s lectures and master classes will be the first in a series planned by the JCSE to expose the local software development community to a range of innovative ideas and leading personalities in the world of software engineering," says Dwolatzky.
Fazel Mayet, Psybergate CEO, says the public lectures will focus on how implementing XP principles can make businesses more competitive, and the master classes are aimed at giving senior local software developers the chance to interact with Beck and work on assignments under his supervision.
Beck`s first lecture will be at the War Museum in Johannesburg tomorrow (Tuesday 28 June) from 4pm to 6pm. There will be a R100 admission charge. The Johannesburg master class will take place at Wits University on 29 June from 9am to 5pm.
The Cape Town master class will be on 5 July at Blaauwklippen Vineyards in Stellenbosch from 9am to 5pm, with the lecture schedule to be held at the University of Cape Town on 6 July from 4pm to 6pm.
To make reservations for the lectures and master classes, visit the JCSE Web site, or e-mail info@jcse.org.za for more information.
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