Exploring the Next Frontier : Beyond CI/CD
Presentation Overview
At the recent Bangalore Java User Group(JUG) Meetup hosted by Sahaj Software, I had the unique honor of being the first student presenter. My talk focused on maintaining a robust, secure, and up-to-date codebase, highlighting the importance of proactive dependency management and addressing technical debt using tools like Maven Versions and Enforcer plugins.
Insights and Learnings
I presented alongside Rajadurai Krishnamoorthy, where we discussed challenges faced when working with legacy versions of frameworks and dependencies, especially in long-term projects like Gurukulams. I shared insights into the mindset shift needed for developers to adopt an “upgrade-by-default” approach, which reduces long-term costs and security risks, much like regular updates we perform on personal devices. I also explained practical techniques for tracking updates and enforcing standards in CI/CD workflows, focusing on cost-effective, continuous upgrades over major disruptive changes.
Impact and Recognition
This presentation wasn’t just about sharing technical insights—it also marked a significant moment for the Bangalore JUG as a step toward integrating student voices into the professional Java community. The event drew an engaged audience, sparking quality discussions on handling deprecated APIs, upgrade pre-requisites, and best practices. The positive feedback reinforced the value of building a bridge between academic communities and the professional Java world.
Acknowledgments
Gratitude to the Bangalore JUG for this wonderful opportunity, as well as to Sathish Kumar Thiyagarajan sir and Rajadurai Krishnamoorthy sir. Their support and encouragement provided a platform for my growth and reinforced the role of students in the open-source and Java education ecosystems.
For more insights from the event, check out the Bangalore JUG LinkedIn post about my presentation!