A top 5 finalist among 200 startups selected to compete
AppMap is a revolutionary new tool that is changing the way developers develop software. It provides a visual representation of a software application’s behavior and architecture, allowing developers to easily understand and improve the codebase. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2022, Elizabeth Lawler, CEO and co-founder, spoke about the power of AppMap and how it is transforming the software development process.
In her presentation, Lawler discussed the challenges that developers face when working with complex applications. These challenges include understanding the codebase, debugging issues and improving code quality. Traditional methods of documenting software architectures, such as UML diagrams and text-based documentation, can be difficult to maintain and are often out of date.
What was it like behind the scenes preparing for this presentation in front of thousands of attendees on stage in San Francisco?
Lawler says, “Backstage is actually very intense. It is described as a ‘performance pitch’ because of the high production quality of the event and the need for you to be ready to perform.
Movement out of the backstage is frowned upon, but it keeps you in the zone. It feel similar to what it must be like to be a stage performer who must hit your note, hit your mark at exactly the right times.It is the opposite of the way a panel discussion works which is narrative but freer flowing.”
The TechCrunch pitch was all about precision. The right words and the right visuals at the right moment. And with humans (and computers involved) anything can happen!”
AppMap provides a new way for developers to understand and improve software that is both intuitive and easy to use. The tool generates interactive diagrams that show the flow of data and function calls within an application. This is often used to understand and fix performance bottlenecks. This makes it easy for developers to see how different components of the application are connected and how data is being processed to improve application performance and reduce unnecessary infrastructure scaling costs.
Another key benefit of AppMap is that it can help developers identify security vulnerabilities in their code. By visualizing the flow of data within an application, developers can identify potential attack vectors and harden their defenses against cyber attacks.
During her presentation, Lawler demonstrated how AppMap can be used to identify a SQL injection vulnerability in a sample application. Using AppMap, she was able to quickly identify the vulnerable code and make the necessary changes to prevent the attack.
AppMap went on to be named among the top 5 finalists out of the final twenty.
What was it like prepping with the other finalists?
“I loved meeting all the top 20 companies. During the prep time everyone is in their own zone, running their own race. Upon arrival Neesha set up a WhatsApp chat and we all started getting to know each other. By the end we were no longer competing, we were ROOTING for each other. It really felt like a community.
We were laughing about stage fright, and trying to bolster one another up in the back stage. We were respectful of the need to focus and concentrate, but if someone needed a shot in the arm there were a lot of “you got this” comments. That was amazing.”
AppMap is also a useful tool for onboarding new developers to a project. By providing a visual representation of the codebase, new developers can quickly understand how different components of the application are connected and how data is being processed.
In addition to discussing the benefits of AppMap, Lawler also talked about the future of software development. She predicted that in the coming years, we will see a shift towards more collaborative and visual tools, such as AppMap, that enable developers to work more efficiently and effectively.
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