Architecture & Design Conference Coverage

Between Dr. Dobb's coverage of the Ruby RailsConf 2006 conference and the Dr. Dobb's Architecture and Design world, we have Chicago covered like the dew in Dixie.

As its name suggests, Dr. Dobb's Architecture and Design conference, which kicked off July 17 at McCormick Place in Chicago, is designed with software architects, senior developers, modeling professionals, and usability experts in mind. All in all, the conference will have more than 70 sessions, taught by some of the industry's foremost experts.

I recently had a chance to sit down with conference manager Tamara Carter to find out more about the event.

DDJ: Tami, what's new this year?
TC: For starters, we've revamped the tracks. The UML track has transformed into Modeling, covering the entire process of transforming requirements into a roadmap that developers can use to build software. The track is jam-packed with sessions. For instance, Bran Selic, IBM distinguished engineer and OMG chair for UML 2.0, is teaching a tutorial on the modeling language's latest evolution; Stephen Mellor's offering several classes on MDA and embedded development; and Scott Ambler's teaching a tutorial on Agile Model-Driven Development.

Another new track is Usability: Hugh Beyer, Jeff Patton, Larry Constantine, and James Hobart will be speaking in panels, keynotes, classes, and half-day tutorials.

We also have more than 30 sessions in the Process & Methods and Architecture & Design tracks, focusing on issues such as SOA, object-oriented design, software factories, test-driven development, architecture best practices for Ruby development, and much more.

DDJ: Who's keynoting?
TC: Okay, Hugh Beyer, co-inventor of the contextual design process, kicks off the keynotes on Monday, July 17, speaking on architecting usability. IBM distinguished engineer Murray Cantor will speak on modeling and governance ("Good Modeling, Good Governance"), and security expert Herbert Thompson will talk about securing software architecture.

DDJ: Herb Thompson, eh? He's a great guy and has written some great security articles for Dr. Dobb's Journal. Who else is speaking?
TC: Well, Ed Yourdon rounds out the week, giving a keynote speech on the changes the next decade will bring to modeling ("Beyond UML, ERDs and DFDs"). Ed's always controversial and compelling; it's one keynote I wouldn't miss.

DDJ: What other speakers and courses come to mind?
TC: Robert Martin's half-day tutorial on test-driven development is filling up fast; Terry Quatrani's intro to UML is always popular; and Elliotte Rusty Harold's "Human Factors in API Design" class consistently gets high marks. There are also sessions on aspects, embedded systems, SysML, peer-to-peer technology, and the like.

DDJ: What else?
TC: We have two great panels this year. "The Model-Driven Development Face-Off" was a heated debate at last year's conference, and promises to generate controversy again this year. Also, Scott Ambler, Hugh Beyer, Larry Constantine, and Michael Rosen will be joining Jeff Patton on the Usability panel: "Software Design, Interaction Design: The View Across the User Interface Divide."

DDJ: For more information, what's that URL again?
TC: That's www.sdexpo.com/2006/archdesign/

DDJ: Thanks for your time, and I'll see you there.
TC: Thanks.

Posted by Jon Erickson at 03:52 PM  Permalink