After working as software developer for five years, Aaron Larner decided it was time to take what he had learned and apply it to improve the process. As a result, he created DevJoist, version control for database schemas.
“All developers learn very quickly the importance and advantages of version control when it comes to their code,” Larner said. “What I’ve continued to struggle with is with how to apply version control to the structure of my databases. That’s why I started working on DevJoist.”
Prior to launching DevJoist, Larner studied astronomy and physics at Wesleyan University in Connecticut but says he always was interested in building software and programming. After gaining some experience in web developing, Larner decided to start working on DevJoist when he moved to Madison.
(This past summer, Larner won the “Business Services” category in the Governor’s Business Plan Contest for Style Shuffler.)
Larner explains DevJoist by comparing it to a floor plan. For every code a programmer writes, a floor plan exists for how data flows throughout the software. A database schema works the same way, and DevJoist assists the process of creating the plan by keeping track of any changes made to the plan.
“DevJoist is built to be used in teams,” Larner said. “This means that as your coworkers are making changes, you’re immediately aware of what is being changed, so that you can plan accordingly.”
Larner feels that DevJoist will simplify the process of building schemas and is essential for organizational purposes. DevJoist is free to use through April 2013.
Seems interesting but doesn’t make sense to me. Floor plans aren’t made out of code…
Michelle: Floor plans may not be. But just the same as their is a difference between architecting the Eiffel tower and hammering and nailing together a tree house there is a big difference between just hacking away or properly architecting a scaleable platform. Think about looking at a Frank Lloyd Wright building and your neighbors shed. One took time and used the right tools to plan out every detail the other probably got their plan from a DIY site online. Its tough to explain but there can be a beauty to well architected code.