isLoop 2026 Program
isLoop has two parallel tracks. Use the buttons below to view the program for each track.
Track A: Beginners
This track is for absolute beginners in Pharo (and beginners in OO who want a solid foundation). It is structured like the Pharo MOOC: short explanations followed by lots of guided practice.
Guided exercises
We will provide exercise PDFs and repositories. The list below reflects the typical path (final links will be published soon).
- Counter: packages, classes, tests, debugger workflow
- Dice / small embedded DSL: messages as a domain language
- Rock-Paper-Scissors: move from if/else to message sending (double dispatch)
- Mini project: a small interactive app or simulation (in pairs or small groups)
Day 1: Introduction to Pharo and live programming
- Welcome and installation check (Pharo Launcher, image, tools)
- First look at Playground, Inspector, System Browser, Debugger
- Objects and messages: explore by inspecting and changing code while it runs
- Start the Counter exercise (tests + debugging)
Day 2: Object modeling, collections, and dispatch thinking
- Collections and blocks: the everyday toolbox
- Finish / extend the Counter exercise
- Rock-Paper-Scissors kata: refactor from conditionals to message sending
- Start the mini project
Day 3: Design basics and finishing a complete small project
- Refactoring clinic: smaller methods, clearer responsibilities
- Testing and debugging habits: repeatable workflow
- Finish the mini project with mentor feedback
- Prepare a short demo for the daily demo session
Recommended resources
Track B: Advanced and collaborative
This track is for experienced programmers who want to deepen their Pharo practice and learn from each other. It is less lecture-driven and more sprint-oriented: peer sessions, katas, code reviews, and open source contributions.
Core activities
- Micro-talks: short experience sharing (tools, idioms, workflows)
- Coding katas: TDD and refactoring in pairs, rotating partners
- Open source sprint: pick issues, pair, submit PRs, review
- Deep dives: Inspector/Debugger workflows, profiling, reflection
Day 1: Align on practices and pick sprint targets
- Lightning round: participant micro-talks
- Tool-focused peer session (debugger workflows, inspectors, profiling)
- Sprint setup: choose repositories, issues, and small teams
- Warm-up kata + shared code review checklist
Day 2: Open source sprint
- Pair programming on real issues (bugfixes, features, docs)
- PRs and reviews across teams
- Short checkpoints to unblock and rescope
Day 3: Kata, architecture jam, and wrapping contributions
- Kata rotations: TDD and refactoring under time pressure
- Architecture jam: small design challenge and discussion of tradeoffs
- Wrap up PRs, documentation, and next steps
- Prepare a short demo for the daily demo session