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RubyConf 2018 - Running a Government Department on Ruby for over 13 Years by Jeremy Evans In this presentation, I will be sharing my experiences running the programming unit for a government department for the over 15 years, using Ruby almost exclusively for the last 13. I will discuss our approach of having developers working directly with stakeholders to determine requirements, how we prioritize requests for new features, how we use Ruby for all types of applications, and our unique web application stack and how it uses defense-in-depth approaches to prevent and contain attacks.
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In the presentation 'Running a Government Department on Ruby for over 13 Years' by Jeremy Evans at RubyConf 2018, the speaker shares insights from his extensive experience managing the software development unit at the California State Auditor's office, where Ruby has been the primary programming language. Key points discussed include: - **Software Development Approach**: Jeremy contrasts traditional government software development practices, characterized by lengthy approval processes and dependency on contractors, with his department's agile approach, focusing on smaller projects developed internally. - **Gall's Law**: Emphasizing the importance of starting with simple, working systems over complex, unwieldy projects, he cites Gall’s Law as a guiding principle to avoid pitfalls in software development. - **Direct Stakeholder Engagement**: Developers engage directly with stakeholders to identify essential requirements, which enables the creation of user-friendly systems designed for maintainability. - **Project Completion and Testing**: The department aims to complete projects in under a month with robust automated testing, ensuring high code coverage and reliability. - **Use of Ruby**: All software development is conducted in Ruby, which is deemed suitable for government applications due to its ease of learning, quick development capabilities, and maintenance simplicity. - **Security Measures**: Jeremy discusses the security strategies employed, including handling authentication through a custom Ruby proxy and implementing defense-in-depth approaches to mitigate vulnerabilities. - **Web Applications Developed**: Several key applications are built, such as an intranet site, a recruiting system, and a recommendation system for audit findings. These applications feature unique workflow capabilities. In conclusion, Evans advocates for exploring innovative approaches to government IT projects, emphasizing the importance of adopting adaptable frameworks that prioritize stakeholder needs and apply lessons from past experiences. He asserts that Ruby remains an excellent choice for government software development due to its accessibility and fun atmosphere, which helps retain talent amidst lower compensation in the public sector.
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