J on the Beach 2024: A Sunny Tech Retreat

J on the Beach is a premier event for tech enthusiasts, set in the beautiful coastal town of Torremolinos, Malaga. This year, two primehammer senior software engineers joined the party: Stefan returned for the second time, eager to dive back into the vibrant tech scene, while Blazej joined for his first experience, trusting Stefan’s enthusiasm. Both had visited Malaga before, but this event promised something special.

Hosted in a stunning beachfront hotel, the event included accommodations that quickly sold out during the first days. Spanning three days, the event featured one day dedicated to hands-on workshops and two days packed with insightful talks. Although workshops offered deep dives into specific topics, most attendees preferred the last two days for the diverse talks, highlighting the importance of early registration due to limited spots.

Engaging Workshops

Amongst the several workshops offered, here are the ones that tickled our engineers’ interest the most:

Performance Testing in the Cloud

One of the workshop highlights was the session on performance testing applications in the cloud using k6. Presented by the tool’s developers, this workshop provided invaluable insights, including a clever hack to use the tool for free. With a well-prepared 2.5-hour session, participants engaged in real-world scenarios, ensuring they left with practical examples and a deeper understanding of user behavior simulation for application testing.

Running Databases in Containers

Another fascinating workshop explored running databases in containers. Traditionally, databases are not containerized due to the need for stability, but this session introduced innovative methods to achieve stable performance by isolating databases from other applications. The concept of running databases in temporary containers while keeping data securely elsewhere was revolutionary, with insights from Oracle experts.

Thought-Provoking Talks

The talks spanned a broad range of topics, from DevOps to security, appealing to a diverse audience of developers and management. While the variety was impressive, some attendees felt the content was too theoretical and broad. Nevertheless, the presence of industry-leading speakers provided valuable perspectives on the future of technology.

The Extra Fun

The event wasn’t just about learning; evenings were filled with networking opportunities and parties at the hotel or nearby venues. While the catering received mixed reviews, with food quality being a slight letdown, the lively atmosphere, complete with tap beer and engaging conversations, made for memorable evenings.

Java on the Beach offers a unique blend of education, networking, and fun in a breathtaking setting. Whether you’re a returning participant like Stefan or a first-timer like Blazej, this event provides a wealth of knowledge and connections in the dynamic tech industry. If you are thinking of joining next year, remember to register early, as this popular event fills up quickly!