RxJS, the Reactive Extensions for JavaScript, is a set of libraries that give us powerful tools for managing concurrency in our applications. Using RxJS, we use Observables to represent asynchronous data streams and then query those streams using one or more of the many available operators. In this talk, we'll create some simple examples to explore what Observables are and how to use them. Along the way, we'll compare and contrast Observables to the other familiar tools in our JavaScript developer's toolbox: event listeners, callbacks, and promises. We'll also look at an Angular 2 example, which favors using Observables over promises.
James has worked extensively with a variety of technologies, including ASP.NET MVC, SQL Server, JavaScript, TypeScript, Knockout.js, and AngularJS. James, a self-confessed geek, enjoys talking about programming and learning new technologies. He recently joined the Treehouse team as a teacher and is excited to have the opportunity to help beginners become developers. James also enjoys participating in the greater Northwest developer community, presenting talks in Portland, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Boise, Eugene, Salem, and Hood River. Last April, James started and co-organized the Portland TypeScript Meetup (http://typescriptpdx.com/). When he is not working, he can be found skiing with his wife and kids, remodeling the house, playing music with his band, or hanging out in the yard with his chickens.