Alexander Beesley

Full Stack Developer specialising in .NET, Sitecore/Umbraco, JavaScript based frameworks and DevOps.

Overview

This is a Single-Page Application (SPA) that I built using React.js and TypeScript. With Visual Studio Code as my IDE, I have built this application from scratch, using the latest React version and TypeScript features with Webpack, Bable and ESLint integration.

React was chosen as it is a popular framework for building web applications, developed by Facebook, it has since been made open-source and is used by many other companies. The Facebook software engineer who built the platform, Jordan Walke, was influenced by XHP, an HTML component library for PHP. It was first developed for Facebook's News Feed, in 2011.

Typescript is a superset of JavaScript and is used to write more robust, maintainable code. As it allows for strongly typed variable declarations, it is a powerful tool for building large-scale applications. Note, all TypeScript code is transpiled to JavaScript before it is then compiled and run, perfect for traditional C# Developers used to work with strong types, which brings inherent validation across board.

About me

I am a 23-year-old Junior .NET Developer at The Pensions Regulator. As a self-taught programmer, I have a passion for new and emerging technologies. My interest in computing began at the age of 12 when my parents gifted me one of the very first editions of the Raspberry Pi, which came out in February 2012. The Raspberry Pi was signed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation's CEO and founder, David Breben. At that time, there was limited support for the device, and even getting it to boot off an SD Card preloaded with Raspbian, a Linux flavor for the Pi based on the Debian distro, was a challenge for a 12-year-old. However, I embraced the challenge and enjoyed delving into the basics of Linux to make the most out of my Pi. This experience deeply inspired the direction of my academic career in the following years.

In 2016, I taught myself basic Python and dabbled in HTML, CSS, and basic web development. I achieved an A grade in GCSE Computer Science and decided to fully focus on my passion. The following year, I pursued a BTEC in IT, during which I developed a strong interest in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. The seemingly infinite potential of these cutting-edge technologies captivated me, and I decided to pursue a degree in Computer Science with AI at Brighton University. Over the course of my two years at university, I deepened my understanding of fundamental computing principles such as Binary Logic, Data Representation, Networking, the Software Development Cycle, and Cybersecurity. I also gained hands-on experience with technologies like Java, TensorFlow, and SQL.

Before returning for my final year, I embarked on a year-long placement with The Pensions Regulator as a .NET Developer and DevOps Specialist. During this placement, I have honed my skills and gained proficiency in widely-used industry technologies such as .NET APIs and MVCs, C# unit and integration testing, JavaScript/TypeScript, and React. I have also familiarised myself with both Sitecore and Umbraco. While following an Agile workflow within my team, using Azure DevOps to track work items using Kanban, covering Git extensively with peer-reviewed Pull Requests, touching on Azure Pipelines, CI/CD Deployments, and Docker containers. I look forward to applying my skills and knowledge gained from my academic journey and industry experience to contribute to the growth and success of The Pensions Regulator as I continue to develop as a professional .NET Developer.

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