Time and Location

Title

Computer Programming Language Panel

Abstract

Special Event: This month we will be hosting a joint meetup with the Rust User Group to discuss a breadth of programming languages with a panel of experts. In this talk we will compare and contrast: D, C++, Rust, Swift, Cpp2, C# and Mojo.

Panelist Bios

Brad Gibson: My name is Brad Gibson, U007D (pronounced “Curly”) in technical forums. I started programming in the early 1980’s. My first computer was a Commodore 64. Its limited built-in BASIC language quickly encouraged me to learn assembly language on the MOS 6510 (6502) at a blistering 1MHz. My next computer was the Amiga—running a 16/32 MC68000 at 7.16MHz, I felt like there was nothing it couldn’t do. Soon thereafter, in the early 90’s, I started business doing 3D animation, client/server database systems and more. Almost all my work was in C and shortly thereafter, in C++. Fast-forward a little over 20 years to late 2014 when I discovered a new, little-known systems programming language called Rust. It took me some time to become proficient in it, but for high-performance, complex, concurrent and/or low-level work, it introduced new paradigms (e.g. typestate, Result and Option monads, mutability XOR sharing, newtypes and more). To me, these concepts were both mind-blowing and game-changing. I’ve not yet come across anything more effective at building efficient, correct code in this mix of domains. I’m currently the Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at a state-regulated Trust Bank startup.

Walter Bright: Walter Bright is the creator and first implementer of the D programming language and has implemented compilers for several other languages. He’s an expert in all areas of compiler technology, including front ends, optimizers, code generation, interpreter engines, and runtime libraries. Walter regularly writes articles about compilers and programming, is known for engaging and informative presentations, and provides training in compiler development techniques. Many are surprised to discover that Walter is also the creator of the wargame Empire, which is still popular today over 40 years after its debut.

Donna Smith: Donna has been a programmer, software engineer for approx. 25 years. She has BS degrees in both CS and EE from Seattle University. She has worked as a software engineer for notable corporations such as Intel and Physio-ControlMedtronic. She has run her own Technology Services online business since 2019 - YourTechandMore utilizing engineering skills and design but not really as a programmer. But she indulges her computer programming and embedded systems love in Hobby Robotics and is an active member and part of the planning committee for the Seattle Robotics Society.

Peter Williamson: Like the man in black said: “No one of consequence”. Peter Williamson has been programming professionally for 30 years at companies like Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google. He’s been using C++ for most of that time, and attending NWCPP off and on since the 90’s. He has been known to talk about himself in third person.

Theodore Neward: Ted Neward currently labors on his own behalf, leveraging his speaking, writing, and coding experience to bring a technology-focused and -sharpened mindset to the mortgage industry. During his more code-focused years, he specialized in high-scale enterprise systems, working with clients ranging in size from Fortune 500 corporations to small 10-person shops. He is an authority in Java and .NET technologies, particularly in the areas of Java/.NET integration (both in-process and via integration tools like Web services), programming languages of all forms, back-end enterprise software systems, and virtual machine/execution engine plumbing. He is the author or co-author of several books, including Professional F# 2.0, Effective Enterprise Java, C# In a Nutshell, SSCLI Essentials, Server-Based Java Programming, and a contributor to several technology journals. All told, he has written well over a hundred articles in both print and online form. Ted has also been an “insider” of one form or another with a variety of the technology providers of the world: an IBM Champion of Cloud, a Microsoft F# MVP (having also been an Architect and C# MVP in prior years), an F# Insider, C# Insider, VB Insider, INETA speaker, DevelopMentor instructor, PluralSight course author, and a member of various Java JSRs. He lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife, two sons, three cats, twelve laptops, seven tablets, nine phones and a rather large utility bill.

Lloyd Moore: Lloyd Moore is the founder and owner of CyberData Corporation, which provides consulting services in the aerospace, robotics, machine vision and industrial automation fields. Lloyd has worked in software industry for 40 years. His formal training is in biological-based artificial intelligence, electronics, and psychology. Lloyd is also currently the president of the Northwest C++ User’s Group and an organizer of the Seattle Robotics Society Robothon event.

A Word From Our Sponsor

Please thank Microsoft for sponsoring our meeting room and Teams account!

Resources

Coming Soon!

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