Short Bio:
Bob Cravens is a seasoned technology leader, software architect, and educator with a passion for empowering others through practical, real-world knowledge. As the founder of TekFoundry, Bob has dedicated his career to designing and delivering innovative software solutions that combine cutting-edge technology with elegant simplicity.
At TekCasts, Bob leverages over two decades of experience in software engineering, application architecture, and team leadership to create engaging, high-impact courses for developers and technology professionals. His instructional style is rooted in practical application, offering insights drawn from his extensive background in industries like medical devices and global technology consulting.
Bob’s expertise spans a variety of technologies and methodologies, including PHP/Laravel, FastAPI, and DevOps, as well as architecture best practices and team dynamics. Whether teaching foundational concepts or advanced strategies, he’s passionate about helping others turn complex challenges into streamlined solutions.
When not crafting elegant code or inspiring the next generation of tech innovators, Bob enjoys exploring the intersection of technology, business strategy, and creative problem-solving.
At TekCasts, Bob leverages over two decades of experience in software engineering, application architecture, and team leadership to create engaging, high-impact courses for developers and technology professionals. His instructional style is rooted in practical application, offering insights drawn from his extensive background in industries like medical devices and global technology consulting.
Bob’s expertise spans a variety of technologies and methodologies, including PHP/Laravel, FastAPI, and DevOps, as well as architecture best practices and team dynamics. Whether teaching foundational concepts or advanced strategies, he’s passionate about helping others turn complex challenges into streamlined solutions.
When not crafting elegant code or inspiring the next generation of tech innovators, Bob enjoys exploring the intersection of technology, business strategy, and creative problem-solving.
Videos
Checkout Videos By This Instructor
esp32
7m:28s
Apr 4, 2025
WiFi Configuration & Pairing
In the final episode of the series, we bring the Smart Garage Door into the real world! 🌎🚪I start by sharing photos from my personal installation — giving you a behind-the-scenes look at how the hardware fits into a real garage setup 🧰📸.
Then we dive into a smart and secure feature:
🔄 Using the Device Control Button, we toggle the ESP32 into WiFi Access Point mode — allowing you to configure your network’s SSID and password directly from your phone or laptop. No code changes. No hardcoded passwords. No re-flashing. 🔥
This makes the device portable, secure, and easy to set up on any WiFi network.
Finally, I walk through the Apple Home pairing process using HomeSpan and HomeKit. Once paired, your Smart Garage Door shows up in the Home app — fully functional, remotely accessible, and notification-ready 🏠🍏📱.
This is the last piece that turns a DIY project into a polished smart home device. Let’s connect it all! 🔗🚀
browser,javascript
24m:35s
Sep 16, 2025
Working with Forms and User Input
Forms are the heartbeat of the web—from login screens to checkout flows, they’re where users and apps truly connect. In this video, we’ll master how to capture, validate, and process user input like a pro.Here’s what you’ll unlock:
🔑 Accessing form elements (value, checked, selectedIndex) with ease
🚫 Preventing the dreaded page reload on submit
✅ Adding basic validation (required fields, patterns, matching passwords)
⚡ Real-time feedback with input and change events
🛠️ A full login form handler demo—from data collection ➡️ validation ➡️ simulated submission
Along the way you’ll see:
💡 How to use the FormData API for cleaner code
💡 How to provide instant, user-friendly error messages
💡 Why client-side validation is helpful—but server-side validation is essential
By the end, you won’t just build forms… you’ll craft smooth, resilient user experiences that your users will love ❤️
👉 Watch now and take your form handling skills to the next level!
package,pest,php
7m:5s
Mar 11, 2025
Writing Tests with PEST
Time to make sure our package works as expected! ✅ In this video, we introduce PEST, a powerful and elegant testing framework for PHP. We’ll write automated tests to ensure our package behaves correctly.📌 What you’ll learn:
✅ Installing and setting up PEST
✅ Writing unit tests for our package
✅ Running and analyzing test results
🚀 Why test? Because a well-tested package is a reliable package!
🔔 Subscribe for more PHP content!
🔗 Resources:
• PEST Documentation
javascript
7m:43s
Apr 22, 2025
Your First Script
It’s time to write your very first lines of JavaScript! In this episode, we’ll break the ice with coding by creating simple scripts and seeing instant results in the browser console. 🚀🎯 Here’s what we’ll cover:
• Learn what a script really is: a list of instructions that JavaScript will execute.
• Use console.log to display messages and values — one of the most important tools for developers!
• Write basic expressions like strings, numbers, and simple math operations.
• Complete a mini-challenge: log your name and age, and add two numbers together.
🎥 Visual Walkthroughs:
• Code everything live, step-by-step, and encourage you to code along.
• Show how each line appears instantly in the browser console.
• Build confidence by running simple, clear examples.
By the end of this episode, you’ll have officially written and executed your first real JavaScript code! 🎉