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
Why PHP?
Kicking off our PHP for Beginners series, this video takes you on a deep dive into the world of PHP. From its origins to its modern-day relevance, we’ll explore how PHP has shaped the web—powering everything from WordPress to robust frameworks and libraries. But why do some developers swear by it while others steer clear? We’ll break down the pros, the cons, and why PHP continues to be a powerhouse in web development today. Whether you’re a complete beginner or just curious about PHP’s place in the tech world, this video is the perfect starting point!
php
8m:11s
Mar 17, 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! 🔗🚀
esp32
7m:28s
Apr 4, 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
package,pest,php
7m:5s
Mar 11, 2025