Vanessa Otto is a seasoned frontend developer with over nine years of experience under her belt. Prior to her upcoming talk at Frontend Nation, she shared some insights into her background, preferences, and thoughts on the future of web development. With roles at both a startup that saw a successful acquisition and tech giant GitLab, Vanessa brings a diverse perspective to the conversation.

Ana Marija Majkić (AMM): Tell us a bit about your background.

Vanessa Otto (VN): I have over nine years of experience in frontend development, most recently as a senior frontend engineer at GitLab. Prior to that, I held the position of head of front end at a startup that was successfully acquired earlier this year. I've got a master's in media informatics, a field that combines computer science and human-computer interaction principles. Since 2018, I've been actively participating in meetups and conferences, currently serving on the jury of Vue.js Germany in Bonn. Additionally, I co-host the German-speaking web development podcast Working Draft.

AMM: What is your preferred frontend framework and why?

VO: My preferred frontend framework is the one that gets the job done. I find Vue.js offers a balance of simplicity and power that suits a wide range of projects. Its ease of learning and ability to handle projects of varying complexities make it a good choice for me. Additionally, Vue.js has a supportive community.

AMM: JavaScript or TypeScript?

VO: When it comes to JavaScript versus TypeScript, my definite answer is TypeScript. For larger projects and professional environments, TypeScript is my choice. For personal projects like portfolios or blogs, JavaScript works well too.

AMM: How do you see AI shaping the future of developers?

VO: AI has become my constant companion in learning and problem-solving. While it can speed up learning and provide insights, it's not a replacement for developers. Developers play diverse roles beyond coding, such as product engineering, design, testing, and understanding stakeholders.

AMM: What is your largest passion as a developer?

VO: My biggest passion as an engineer is building websites that surpass Excel spreadsheets in functionality for the future of app development.

AMM: How do you envision the future of web development?

VO: I envision a future with a balance between innovation and stability. Embracing groundbreaking ideas while maintaining stable environments and best practices for seamless website delivery.

Unleash the Power of AI with Vanessa at Frontend Nation!

We're thrilled to have Vanessa share her expertise at the upcoming Frontend Nation online event! In her session titled “Unleashing the Power of AI: Write Your Own AI Extension for Tiptap," she'll guide you through implementing an AI extension using the Rich Text Editor Tiptap. Together, you'll explore crafting a toolkit for precise text manipulation, including translation, tone modification, and seamless adjustments. Get ready to delve into the fascinating world of Prompt Engineering with OpenAI's API and navigate Token Limits.

Secure your free spot today and join a global community of passionate frontend devs.

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