It’s been nearly twenty years since the creation of the Java Pet Store, and you should still be writing great sample apps. Why? Developers love them. Come learn from my mistakes and successes, and walk away ready to convince your boss that a sample app should be at the top of your priority list.

1. Building awesome sample apps
that actually provide value
@Lauren_Schaefer
Developer Advocate, SugarCRM

2. @Lauren_Schaefer 2

3. @Lauren_Schaefer 3

4. @Lauren_Schaefer 4

5. How do I apply this
simple example to
my bigger use
case?
@Lauren_Schaefer 5

6. How do i test
this?
@Lauren_Schaefer 6

7. How do I integrate
this example into
my app?
@Lauren_Schaefer 7

8. How do I
quickly build
a complete
application?
@Lauren_Schaefer 8

9. How do I
apply
DevOps best
practices?
@Lauren_Schaefer 9

10. How do I know if
I’m breaking
something really
important?
@Lauren_Schaefer 10

11. Sample code
Sample application
@Lauren_Schaefer 11

12. Today’s Goal
Empower you to convince
your boss that building an
awesome sample app should
be at the top of your
priority list
@Lauren_Schaefer 12

13. Today’s Goal
@Lauren_Schaefer 13

14. How are we going to do that?
● Case study: my sample app
● Steps to success
● Pitfalls
@Lauren_Schaefer 14

15. About Me
@Lauren_Schaefer 15
@Lauren_Schaefer

16. About Me
@Lauren_Schaefer 16
@Lauren_Schaefer

17. Case study
@Lauren_Schaefer 17

18. Quick info about our product
@Lauren_Schaefer 18
● Sugar (Customer relationship management software)
● Highly customizable
● Customizations = upgrade challenges

19. @Lauren_Schaefer 19

20. Step 1: Identify project goals
@Lauren_Schaefer 20
1. Be an authoritative example of how to customize the
product the best way.
2. Be an example of how to follow DevOps best practices
while customizing our product.
3. Be an example that our engineers can use to test they
aren’t breaking common customizations.

21. Step 2: Create the scenario
@Lauren_Schaefer 21

22. Step 3: Identify the requirements for the MVP
@Lauren_Schaefer 22

23. Step 3: Identify the requirements for the MVP
@Lauren_Schaefer 23

24. Step 3: Identify the requirements for the MVP
● Basic customizations for the scenario
○ Custom modules, fields, and layouts
● Basic test automation using PHPUnit and Jasmine
● DevOps pipeline using Travis CI
● Tests integrated into the product’s build process
● Documentation in GitHub
@Lauren_Schaefer 24

25. Step 4: Implement the MVP
@Lauren_Schaefer 25

26. Step 4: Implement the MVP
@Lauren_Schaefer 26

27. Step 4: Implement the MVP
@Lauren_Schaefer 27

28. Step 4: Implement the MVP
@Lauren_Schaefer 28

29. Step 4: Implement the MVP
@Lauren_Schaefer 29

30. Step 5: Continue building incrementally
@Lauren_Schaefer 30

31. Step 5: Continue building incrementally
@Lauren_Schaefer 31

32. Step 5: Continue building incrementally
@Lauren_Schaefer 32

33. Step 6: Engage your engineers and developer
community for help
@Lauren_Schaefer 33

34. Step 6: Engage your engineers and developer
community for help
@Lauren_Schaefer 34

35. Step 6: Engage your engineers and developer
community for help
@Lauren_Schaefer 35

36. Step 6: Engage your engineers and developer
community for help
@Lauren_Schaefer 36

37. Step 7: Measure success
● 4 features implemented
● Automated tests with PHPUnit, Jasmine, & Postman
● CI with Travis and Jenkins
@Lauren_Schaefer 37

38. Step 7: Measure success
1 bug found in the product
@Lauren_Schaefer 38

39. Step 7: Measure success
@Lauren_Schaefer 39

40. Steps to success
@Lauren_Schaefer 40

41. Step 1: Identify project goals
@Lauren_Schaefer 41
1. Be an authoritative example of how to…
2. Be an example of how to follow DevOps best practices
while…
3. Be an example that our engineers can use to test they
aren’t breaking common…

42. Step 2: Create the scenario
@Lauren_Schaefer 42

43. Step 3: Identify the requirements for the MVP
● Features
● Tests
● Infrastructure (CI)
● Documentation
@Lauren_Schaefer 43

44. Step 4: Implement the MVP
@Lauren_Schaefer 44

45. Step 5: Continue building incrementally
@Lauren_Schaefer 45
● Identify roles including product owner
● Build a full feature including test automation
● Build infrastructure as necessary

46. Step 6: Engage your engineers and developer
community for help
@Lauren_Schaefer 46
● Get manager buy-in
● Encourage external participation at all levels

47. Step 7: Measure success
● Identify what metrics matter to your stakeholders
● Build metrics infrastructure if necessary
● Gather informal feedback as well
@Lauren_Schaefer 47

48. Pitfalls
@Lauren_Schaefer 48

49. Not having coding standards
@Lauren_Schaefer 49

50. Developers don’t care
@Lauren_Schaefer 50

51. Failing to engage your developer community
@Lauren_Schaefer 51
● Slow PR response times
● Unclear requirements
● Uninteresting problems
● No incentives

52. Recap
@Lauren_Schaefer 52

53. Why build a sample
app instead of
separate sample
code snippets?
@Lauren_Schaefer 53
● Solves bigger problems
● Shows how to build a
complete solution
● Demonstrates best
practices related to
development and tooling
● Provides a testing
resource for your
product

54. How do you
successfully build
an awesome sample
app that actually
provides value?
@Lauren_Schaefer 54
1. Identify project goals
2. Create the scenario
3. Identify the
requirements for the
MVP
4. Implement the MVP
5. Continue building
incrementally in a
transparent way
6. Engage your engineers
and developer community
for help
7. Measure success

55. Today’s Goal
@Lauren_Schaefer 55

56. Follow up...
About Me
@Lauren_Schaefer
linkedin.com/in/laurenjane
ce
About the App
github.com/sugarcrm/school
community.sugarcrm.com/com
munity/developer/pages/dev
-blog
@Lauren_Schaefer 56