We are pleased to announce the PHP North East event for May 2015, featuring two talks.

Electrify your Code with PHP Generators by Mark Baker

One of the new features that was introduced in PHP 5.5: Generators provide an iterable alternative to arrays, or to classes that implement the Iterator interface. At the simplest level, they don't add anything new to PHP that you couldn't already do before, simply returning values or key/value pairs to a loop; though they do give you options to perform certain iterative functions without the memory overheads of an array, or without the complexities of lots of boilerplate code that an Iterator class requires.

But look more closely at Generators, and they can be used for much more complex purposes: from simulating arrays with duplicate keys, or keys that aren't simple integer or string values, to accepting new data each iteration rather than simply returning it, so that you can actually modify their behaviour dynamically, or building Cooperative subroutines, even to simulating parallel processing.

Utilising backend practices and methodologies in frontend web development by Wade Penistone

Originally I started web development as backend developer, but over the past 2 years as JavaScript has grown, the emergence of many tools and libraries has grown tremendously. The amount of resources available to JavaScript developers now rivals PHP developers, but it is easier now more than ever to approach frontend development in ways that seem familiar to a backend person. In my talk I will share some of the ways I now work with JavaScript.

The event will take place at the Campus North, Sunco House, 5 Carliol Square, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 6UF (location map at bottom of Ignite site). Thanks to Campus North) for their sponsorship of a free venue and pre-event drinks.

As usual, special thanks to the generous sponsorship of Laura Sharpe of Sharpe Recruitment, there will once again be a stack of pizzas for you to enjoy before the talk. If you are looking for your next challenge, or need to expand you team, look no further! Also, thanks to Ignite and Campus North for use of the venue.

The event is free and open to all, but please sign up online so that we have an idea of numbers for the venue, and how much Laura needs to cough up for the pizzas. Feedback, suggestions and ideas for future topics are welcome on our Google Group.

Please promote this event via Twitter or your own website to help us spread the word. After the event, we will go to the pub round the corner for some informal discussions and some refreshing beverages.