Aaron Holbrook
Chief Technical Officer, PHP Enthusiast, and Mentor in Web Development.
Chicago, Illinois, United States
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I am Aaron Holbrook, Chief Technical Officer at Zeek, where I blend technical acumen with a passion for crafting practical, powerful web solutions. My expertise in PHP, Laravel and WordPress is complemented by a commitment to developing robust, efficient solutions and a knack for iterative problem-solving. Beyond coding, I am deeply involved in building processes that enhance team efficiency and project success.
Alongside my role at Zeek, I am also an active speaker at various web development conferences and WordCamps across the United States. In these forums, I bring a combination of deep technical knowledge and real-world experience, delivering talks that are both insightful and engaging. My presentations are known for their clarity, relevance, and the practical value they offer to audiences, whether they're seasoned professionals or those just starting their journey in technology. This aspect of my career underscores my dedication to sharing knowledge, fostering community engagement, and contributing to the collective growth of the web development field.
In my approach to engineering, I emphasize four key values: respect, ownership, clarity, and iteration. These principles guide me in unraveling complex challenges and in fostering a collaborative, empowering environment at Zeek. I believe in building solutions that are not only functional but also continually evolving to meet the dynamic needs of our industry.
Beyond the digital realm, my passion for creation extends to hands-on projects in electronics, woodworking, and home improvement. This love for building and inventing is a reflection of my broader approach to problem-solving – whether it's a line of code or a piece of furniture, the joy is in crafting something meaningful and enduring.
My expertise is deeply rooted in PHP and Laravel. I relish developing tools that are not just innovative but genuinely useful, making a tangible difference in people’s lives and businesses. At Zeek, I apply this enthusiasm to create solutions that aren't just about meeting the needs of today but anticipating and shaping the future of web technology.
Always keen to explore new developments in technology, I stay abreast of trends and advancements, ensuring my contributions are both relevant and forward-thinking. In any role, whether leading a team or engaging in community events, my focus is on empowering others, fostering growth, and driving meaningful progress in the world of web development.
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Building a PHP Safety Net
Discover how to bulletproof your PHP projects by mastering essential developer tools and automating pre-commit checks.
You'll learn how to:
Seamlessly integrate Make, PHPStan, PHPCS, and PHPMD to streamline your coding tasks.
Write versatile Makefile rules to automate PHP-related workflows.
Set up pre-commit hooks that act as your code quality safety net.
Dive into real-world examples, tweak advanced configurations, and troubleshoot common issues. Walk away with a robust pre-commit workflow that enhances your code quality and catches issues before they reach the repository.
Debugging PHP Applications: Techniques and Tools for Efficient Troubleshooting
Discover the art of debugging PHP applications with finesse in this dynamic session. Debugging is a vital skill for developers, enabling efficient issue identification and resolution. Join us as we explore proven techniques and powerful tools that will empower you to become a master troubleshooter.
During this session, we will start by discussing the fundamental principles of problem-solving. We will explore strategies for dissecting complex issues and narrowing down the problem space effectively. Discover how to ask the right questions, analyze symptoms, and perform systematic investigations that lead you closer to the root cause.
Next, we will explore the indispensable role of tools in the debugging process. Explore how to leverage the capabilities of integrated development environments (IDEs) to streamline your debugging workflow. Learn how to set breakpoints, inspect variables, and step through code execution for precise analysis.
One of the most powerful tools at your disposal is xDebug. Dive into its advanced features and gain practical insights on utilizing it effectively. Discover how to set up xDebug, capture stack traces, and leverage its remote debugging capabilities to solve even the trickiest bugs.
Key Takeaways:
* Fundamental techniques for efficient debugging and problem-solving
* Strategies for narrowing down the problem space and identifying root causes
Harnessing the power of integrated development environments (IDEs) for effective debugging
* Deep dive into xDebug: setup, advanced features, and remote debugging
* Practical tips and best practices for troubleshooting PHP applications
Join me for an enlightening session where we will unravel the secrets of debugging PHP applications. Equip yourself with the skills, techniques, and tools necessary to become an adept troubleshooter confidently untangling even the most intricate bugs. Elevate your debugging prowess and master the art of efficient troubleshooting in PHP!
Safe and Happy Deployments Using Automation
Here at Zeek Interactive, I’ve put together a system that allows us to deploy code worry-free. The system automatically brings in PHP dependencies, WordPress plugins, builds assets, runs security scans, deploys the files quickly and performs automated visual regression tests, all while keeping the team informed via Slack on the status of the deploy.
This talk is recommended for anyone who has ever had to get code from their local machine and push it to a server. If you have ever been frustrated or annoyed at deploying code and wondered if there was a better way, don’t miss this talk.
Stand Out and Get Hired at your Dream Job
I will empower web engineers with practical insights and actionable strategies to excel in the hiring process while helping them define their ideal work environment.
Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting your web engineering career, this talk will provide you with valuable techniques to market yourself effectively, create a standout resume, and navigate interviews with confidence. Additionally, we will explore the process of identifying your dream job by evaluating factors such as work-life balance, a friendly and supportive culture, interesting problems to solve, intelligent and supportive teammates and having the autonomy to drive change.
By mastering these strategies, you can enhance your candidacy and secure a role that aligns with both your technical expertise and your desired company culture.
Beyond Listening: Proactive Communication Strategies with Clients
"Beyond Listening: Proactive Communication Strategies with Clients" unveils the transformative approaches that turn passive client interactions into dynamic exchanges. In this session, we'll explore the nuances of proactive communication, teaching you to anticipate client needs, address unspoken concerns, and guide conversations toward mutually beneficial outcomes. By mastering the art of assertive listening and strategic dialogue, you will learn how to foster a collaborative environment that not only resonates with clients but also sets the stage for sustained partnerships and business growth. Whether you’re aiming to refine your communication toolkit or revolutionize the way you engage with clients, this talk is your stepping stone to building more meaningful, effective, and productive client relationships.
Simplifying the Complex: The Clean Code Methodology
Dive into the art and science of crafting streamlined and sustainable code with our talk, "Simplifying the Complex: The Clean Code Methodology." In this session, we'll explore pragmatic approaches to writing software that stands the test of time—software that is not only functional but also clean, clear, and easy to maintain. We'll dissect the essence of clean code, break down the principles that guide seasoned developers, and provide actionable strategies to transform your coding practices from convoluted to crystal clear.
Attendees will take away:
* Key principles of writing clean code that any developer, from junior to senior, can apply immediately.
* Techniques for refactoring that reduce complexity without sacrificing functionality.
* Best practices for code reviews that focus on maintaining a high standard of code hygiene.
* Strategies to foster a development culture that prioritizes clear and maintainable code within their teams.
Climbing the IDE Ladder: Steps to Elevated Coding
"Climbing the IDE Ladder: Steps to Elevated Coding" is your guided ascent into the world of Integrated Development Environments. This talk will provide a structured approach to understanding the fundamental features of IDEs, their benefits for boosting productivity, and best practices for harnessing their full potential. As we scale the rungs together, you'll discover how to customize your IDE to fit your unique coding style, use intelligent code completion to speed up development, and employ debugging tools to swiftly identify and fix issues. Whether you're taking your first steps or looking to reach new heights in your coding journey, this session will equip you with the knowledge to elevate your craft efficiently and effectively.
Longhorn PHP 2023
A 3-day conference to help PHP developers level up their craft and connect with the larger PHP community.
WordCamp Orange County 2018
Session: Safe and Happy Deployments using Automation
Description:
Here at Zeek Interactive, I’ve put together a system that allows us to deploy code worry-free. The system automatically brings in PHP dependencies, WordPress plugins, builds assets, runs security scans, deploys the files quickly and performs automated visual regression tests, all while keeping the team informed via Slack on the status of the deploy.
This talk is recommended for anyone who has ever had to get code from their local machine and push it to a server. If you have ever been frustrated or annoyed at deploying code and wondered if there was a better way, don’t miss this talk.
WordCamp Orange County 2017
Session: Refactoring Legacy Applications
Description: We’ll discuss some of the higher level ideals of how to build a maintainable code base and then we’ll get right down to specific examples of refactoring an old legacy application.
Discussion is welcome and even encouraged! Challenge assumptions, ask specifics – let’s learn something!
WordCamp Orange County 2016
Session: Development Discussion: Improving WordPress Search
Description: A discussion focusing on WordPress search and ways to improve it.
WordCamp Orlando 2013
Session: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE INTERACTIVE DEBUGGING
Description: For a long time I thought using a simple text editor like Sublime or Textmate was all a web developer needed.
However, using var_dump interjected in your code is not always the best solution.
We’ll walk through just how powerful using an IDE really is and what truly amazing things using a debugger can do for you.
Just imagine, being able to stop at any point of execution in your code, walk line-by-line through it and at any point see what variables are alive and what values they hold. It truly is like opening your eyes after being doing development blindfolded.
WordCamp Milwaukee 2013
Session: WordPress is a CMS, Dammit!
Description: If you think that WordPress is just a blogging engine or you’re trying to convince your boss or a stakeholder otherwise you need to hear this talk!
WordPress isn’t just a blogging engine anymore, it’s an extremely capable application framework capable of running a website with different types of content, taxonomies, meta-data and relationships between objects.
Aaron Holbrook (@aaronjholbrook) will demonstrate the core concepts needed to handle any type of content management. You will learn why for most websites WordPress is a great solution.
CMS Expo 2013
Session: WordPress is a CMS Dammit!
Description:
Problem: Overcoming the preconcieved notion that WordPress is just for blogs.
Solution: Show examples of some pretty complex sites that use different content types. Will also look at how to use WordPress to handle whatever content you can think up.
If you think that WordPress is just a blogging engine or you're trying to convince your boss or a stakeholder otherwise you need to hear this talk!
WordPress isn't just a blogging engine anymore, it's an extremely capable application framework capable of running a website with different types of content, taxonomies, meta-data and relationships between objects.
Aaron Holbrook will demonstrate the core concepts needed to handle any type of content management. You will learn why for most websites WordPress is a great solution.
WordCamp Providence 2012
Session: WordPress and Version Control
Description: Version Control lets you track your files over time. Why should you care? So when you mess up you can easily get back to a previous working version! I will take you through what version control is, why it’s important and how to start using it today on projects you’re already working on.
WordCamp Milwaukee 2012
Session: WordPress & Version Control: A Workflow
Aaron Holbrook
Chief Technical Officer, PHP Enthusiast, and Mentor in Web Development.
Chicago, Illinois, United States
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