Gonzalo Álvarez de Aldecoa's CV

Hello, my name is Gonzalo.

I'm a telecommunications engineer and MBA, working from Madrid (Spain) as software developer and analyst in IT projects.

This is a text version of my interactive résumé. Visit https://cv.galdecoa.com/ to see it in action. Hopefully, it provides some respite from the tedious task of reading through endless CVs (I feel your pain, recruiter—there is a mini-game in the JavaScript section).

If you like my profile, get in touch at LinkedIn, or^* drop me a line at cv@galdecoa.com. A conventional résumé can be downloaded here.

^* Not XOR.

For less interactivity, switch to "Text mode" using the selector on the header.

⚠️ Coded from scratch, without libraries, as a fun project. Still a work in progress.

Technical skills

SQL

Flavours of relational databases

I work with SQL Server for C# services and applications, mostly, and MySQL for PHP-based projects. A bit more on these languages can be found in their respective sections, further ahead.

I have deployed and used PostgreSQL databases as well, and even migrated Informix servers and provided support for legacy 4GL code, but those were essentially one-off projects.

Expressed as code

SELECT * FROM Platform;

Id	Name	UsedIn	IsCurrentlyUsing
1	SQL Server	C# services and applications	True
2	MySQL	PHP-based projects	True
3	PostgreSQL	Deployment of Django application	False
4	Informix	Legacy 4GL code	False

Handled with the right utensils

When command-line interfaces are not enough I tend to favour HeidiSQL, although Visual Studio's tools and Visual Studio Code's extensions are quite convenient.

I have used SQL Server Management Studio regularly to manage databases and analyse execution plans, although lately I have shifted to using Azure Data Studio for the latter purpose.

Expressed as code

SELECT * FROM IDE;

Id	Name	Comments
1	HeidiSQL	NULL
2	Visual Studio	NULL
3	Visual Studio Code	Using extensions
4	SQL Server Management Studio	For server management
5	Azure Data Studio	Can estimate execution plans

SELECT
 
							r.PlatformId, p.Name AS PlatformName,
  
							r.IDEId, i.Name AS IDEName

						FROM
 
							Platform AS p
 
							INNER JOIN PlatformIDE AS r ON r.PlatformId = p.Id
 
							INNER JOIN IDE AS i ON i.Id = r.IDEId

						WHERE
 
							p.IsCurrentlyUsing = 1

						ORDER BY
 
							p.Name, i.Name

						;

PlatformId	PlatformName	IDEId	IDEName
2	MySQL	1	HeidiSQL
2	MySQL	2	Visual Studio Code
1	SQL Server	5	Azure Data Studio
1	SQL Server	1	HeidiSQL
1	SQL Server	4	SQL Server Management Studio
1	SQL Server	2	Visual Studio
1	SQL Server	3	Visual Studio Code

PHP

Made to measure: Custom web projects

I use PHP in a fair share of web services.

My current preference is PHP8, although I have a hand in a few legacy projects using older versions, mostly PHP7.

I draw a line at PHP5.4. I recall fondly my first contacts with web development using PHP3 but do not wish to revisit them.

Expressed as code


							/**

							 * A represtantion of my history using PHP.

							 * @version 8.3.2

							 * @since   3.0.0

							 */

							class CodingInPHP extends Coding {

							  

							  /** @var string Oldest version of PHP I handle. */

							  const OLDEST_VERSION = '5.4';

								

								  /**

								   * Check if I work with a certain PHP version.

								   * @param  string $php_version A PHP version.

								   * @return bool `true` if I will work with the given version.

								   */

								  static function will_work_with( string $php_version ): bool {

								    return version_compare(

									      $php_version, self::OLDEST_VERSION, '>='

								    );

								  }

								

							}

Prêt-à-porter: The world of CMS and e-commerce

A sizeble part of the work I have used PHP for involves Content Management Systems. Almost overwhelmingly, it is WordPress, although I have also worked with PrestaShop and, to a lesser extent, Joomla and Drupal.

Expressed as code


							/** An enumeration of CMS I have worked with. */

							enum CMS: int {

							

							  case WordPress  = 1; // Since version 1.5

							  case PrestaShop = 2; // Versions 1.6, 1.7 and 8.1

							  case Joomla     = 4; // I have not used it in a while

							  case Drupal     = 8; // Only in isolated cases

							

							  /** @var int A bit mask of the CMS I am familiar with. */

							  private const FAMILIARITY = 0

    					    | self::WordPress->value

							    | self::PrestaShop->value

							  ;
							

							

							  /**

							   * Check if I have familiar knowledge of a CMS.

							   * @param  CMS  $cms A CMS I have worked with.

							   * @return bool `true` if I am familiar with the given CMS.

							   */

							  public static function check_familiarity( CMS $cms ): bool {

							    $masked_result = static::FAMILIARTY & $cms->value;

							    return ( $masked_result === $cms->value );

							  }

							

							}

Complements: Git and Docker

While the only requirement I have to start coding is opening Vim and access to the documentation, nowadays I would not write a line of code or documentation without using Git.

Expressed as code

$ git init Initialized empty Git repository in /home/galdecoa/php-project/.git

It is also not unusual to find myself running Docker containers for a multitude of purposes: to run through a web server ( Apache, preferably), to use Xdebug, to test a different environment, to experiment with a new feature, etc.

Expressed as code

$ cat docker-compose.yml version: "3.9"
services:
  web:
    image: 8-apache
    container_name: php-project
    ports:
      - 8080:80
    volumes:
      - .:/var/www/html/

These and other tools are mentioned further down.

JavaScript

Interactive fun!

This CV's "game mode" is coded in JavaScript although, admitedly, the gimmick falls short on the gaming aspect. I did use the same base code to implement a more conventional paddle and ball mini-game —I even wrote about its design.

Talking about writing, looking at the source code might also give a soupçon of my continuous effort to write readable code, following a consistent standard, including providing comments with documentation using JSDoc.

You are missing out!It seems JavaScript is not enabled in your browser. While I commend such policy, you will need JS in order to enjoy this page's "full experience" (i.e., gimmick) and see an example of what I can do with it.If you feel uncertain, feel free to look around the code to verify there is nothing nefarious in it. I try to write code that is as readable as reasonably possible.

Available practically everywhere in a convenient bundle!

I like being able to run the same code on different platforms. I like even more tools like webpack (and, by extension, Node.js) that help reduce the file size, use less bandwith and load faster, whilst producing the amazingly useful source maps.

3D! AI!! More exclamation marks!!!

For a moment, I considered using three.js to present this résumé as a 3D game and revise WebGL to boot. I also planned implementing a neural network similar to one I had already deployed, for some NPCs, but this time learning how to efficiently use WebAssembly for the calculations.

However, the best-laid schemes o' mice an' men… and all that, so I found myself with less time than I would require. Hence, I had to keep it simple. Nevertheless, I am not above including the previous paragraph to name a couple more things I know about.

Something is missing…

Yes, I know. Where are the popular libraries and frameworks?

I used to use jQuery extensively (and, before that, Protoype and MooTools), and I have worked with Angular and React (with Vite) a couple of times. Currently, I try to keep the codebase as dependency free and lean as possible.

C#

A natural choice for Microsoft solutions

Even though .NET has been cross-platform for a while now, I have "only" used C# for Microsoft-based projects: web services deployed on IIS servers, integrations with Azure Cloud Services and other products via Microsoft Graph, and developing Windows programs.

Expressed as code


							namespace ProgrammingWithCSharp;

							

							// FIXME: Add documentation

							

							public interface IProduct {

							  public string Name { get; }

							  public string Provider { get; }

							}

							

							public class MicrosoftProduct : IProduct {

							  public string Name { get; } = "";

							  public string Provider { get; } = "Microsoft";

							}

							

							public class IIS : MicrosoftProduct {

							  new public string Name { get; } = "Internet Information Services";

							}

							public class Azure : MicrosoftProduct {

							  new public string Name { get; } = "Azure Cloud Services";

							}

							public class Graph : MicrosoftProduct {

							  new public string Name { get; } = "Microsoft Graph";

							}

							public class Windows : MicrosoftProduct {

							  new public string Name { get; } = "Windows";

							}

							

							// TODO: Add a factory class

Other tools

Linux

Linux is my main OS at home, and an invaluable tool at work. It is incredibly useful to have a bash at hand, with all the wonderful utilities the command line has to offer: grep, sed, awk…

Git

Initialising a repository is the first thing I do when starting a project. It is a de facto condicio sine qua non, if you pardon my latin.

Docker

Docker has become my go-to solution for isolating my development environments, after many years of relying on virtual machines, mostly.

Ollama

It is unusual that I am required to run LLMs locally, but I try to leverage all the resources I may have available.

HTML + CSS

I make a conscious effort to periodically revisit and keep up-to-date with these specifications. It is easy to loose touch with them through the use of libraries and frameworks.

Python

A few personal projects with the Raspberry Pi provided the motivation to delve into Python. I have also looked into Django . I would love to learn more.

Jira

I have used Jira Service Management, although I will be the first to point out that I am no expert.

Image editing

If a situation requires some image manipulation, either in vector format or raster graphics, I know my way around Inkscape and GIMP.

Future wares

Boring Technology™

As all the other sections might indicate, I tend to prefer proven, well understood, solutions. When looking into an unfamiliar resource that might be put in the production pipeline, I want to find a generous degree of certainty.

That does not mean I am satisfied with the tools I am familiar with. There are so many options I know very little about, I would welcome learning more.

The Next Big Thing™

It is difficult to tell wether something is a "Frivolous Fad" or the "Forthcoming Future". Some trends over-promise and/or under-deliver, others are premature, and others become part of the norm. All kinds have had their fair share of examples in the last decades: Cloud Computing, Big Data, Consumer-Grade Virtual Reality, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing…

Whatever comes next, I want to be able to use it to build better, stable, and long-lasting solutions.

Experience, by employer

Software engineer

Employer
Duration: 2006—ongoing
Main tasks and competencies: Developing custom software, standalone or supplementing existing infrastructure.; Deploying and enhancing web services, pages and applications.; Requirement analysis and contract-oriented requirement documentation. Consulting and data mining.

Selected clients and projects

Naturgy Engineering

Activity: Nuclear engineering
Duration: 2008—ongoing
Tasks and competencies: Data modeling, processing and analysis for nuclear waste management services, including full technical specification, validation tools and reports.; Support for the development of a human-machine interface for the simulation kernel developed between GNFe and Tecnatom of the Jules Horowitz's Reactor.
Project references: GECYRE: Spent fuel and special waste management database and application for ENRESA.; AVI-CNAT & HCC-CNAT: Fuel and inventory management, and spent fuel containers load simulator, for Almaraz-Trillo nuclear power plants.; Jules Horowitz Reactor: A high-performance material test reactor designed to generate up to 100 Mwth, as well as producing radioisotopes, mainly for the medical industry.

El Deseo

Activity: Pedro Almodóvar's film production co.
Duration: 2008—ongoing
Tasks and competencies: Building multi-language custom web services and pages with geographical restrictions, HTML5 animations, AV content, ticket sales services integration, credentials management…; Creating HTML5 ads for on-line campaigns distributed by Sizmek, Initiative, MagnaGlobal… based on designs by different studios, mainly Mariscal, Gatti, and Barfutura.
Project references: Films and TV shows:

The room next door (Pedro Almodóvar, 2024)

Mentiras pasajeras (Blanca Andrés Gómez, Nerea Castro, 2023)

Strange way of life (Pedro Almodóvar, 2023)

Parallel mothers (Pedro Almodóvar, 2021)

It snows in Benidorm (Isabel Coixet, 2020)

Pain and glory (Pedro Almodóvar, 2019)

Julieta (Pedro Almodóvar, 2016)

I'm so excited! (Pedro Almodóvar, 2013)

The skin I live in (Pedro Almodóvar, 2011)

Broken embraces (Pedro Almodóvar, 2009)

El patio de mi cárcel (Belén Macías, 2008); 9to5: Time control service and progressive web application, with offline functionality, cryptographic features and geolocation.; Kinematic: Proprietary web service for reviewing production dailies, integrated with Azure Media Services.; expressa: Virtual press office.

CIASA

Activity: Document digitalisation and archival
Duration: 2021—ongoing
Tasks and competencies: Integrating and deploying services for financial entities.
Project references: Minsait (Indra) × Deutsche Bank: Upgrade of local legacy services to a remote environment.; Cecabank CKBvault: Repositories and lookup services for digitalised cash letters and processed UCC compliant documents.

Signet Armorlite Ibérica / Essilor

Activity: Ophthalmic lenses manufacturing
Duration: 2006—2016
Tasks and competencies: Lead developer for Kodakonnect's web services and front-end.; Support for third party applications: legacy code maintenance and update for an application with a 30-year-old C core and 4GL over Informix, deployment and maintenance of a Navision database.; Data mining for the generation of Standard Audit File for Tax (PT) compliant documents.
Project reference: Kodakonnect: Web ecosystem for optometrists that enabled on-line calculus, ordering, manufacturing and tracking of ophthalmic lenses integrated with third party CRM, ERP, and POS. Multi-national deployment (Spain, Portugal, Germany), over 2,000,000 units processed.

Analyst/Programmer

GIO UPM

Employer
Activity: e-Learning
Duration: 2000—2006
Tasks and competencies: Development of an on-line real-time collaboration tool for teams: a web team chat client synchronized with an IRC server with support for private and shared spaces.; Study and development of a testing module and test building tools for multiple test configurations.
Project reference: ARFO: Custom and propietary e-learning platform used in Spain and Latin America.

Training

Degrees and certificates

In reverse chronological order:

Masters’ Degree in Business Administration (MBA)

GIO UPM, 2007.
Masters’ Degree in Telecommunication Engineering, major in Telematics

ETSIT UPM, 2006.
Zertifikat Deutsch (ZD)

Goethe Institut, 2005.
Ciclo Superior, Inglés

Escuela Oficial de Idiomas, 1995.
Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

CELA, University of Cambridge, 1994.

Languages

Spanish: Native language.; Es el idioma que utilizo en mi día a día.
English: Bilingual (Certificate of Proficiency in English).; As a child, I spent some time in England. After that, I obtained my CPE. I make a habit of regularly reading and writing in English.
French: Basic (Studies at Lycée Français de Madrid).; Je n'ai pas parlé français depuis un moment. J'ai étudié pendant quelques années au Lycée Français, même si je n'ai pas obtenu de diplôme.
German: Basic (Zertifikat Deutsch).; Leider kann ich nur ein bisschen Deutsch. Ich möchte mehr lernen.

Other studies and interests

Member of , LC Madrid, from 1997 to 2022.

Casual user of Duolingo. My profile.

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There are three areas of interest:

The stalls of Skills Market provide references of the tools I am familiar with.
The houses in Experience Village contain information about selected clients, tasks and competencies, and projects.
The Training Garden lists my relevant studies, so far.

Use w/a/s/d keys to move.
Mouse control is a bit finicky.

Technical skills

Flavours of relational databases

Handled with the right utensils

Made to measure: Custom web projects

Prêt-à-porter: The world of CMS and e-commerce

Complements: Git and Docker

Interactive fun!

Available practically everywhere in a convenient bundle!

3D! AI!! More exclamation marks!!!

Something is missing…

A natural choice for Microsoft solutions

Linux

Git

Docker

Ollama

HTML + CSS

Python

Jira

Image editing

Boring Technology™

The Next Big Thing™

Experience, by employer

Software engineer

Selected clients and projects

Analyst/Programmer

Training

Degrees and certificates

Masters’ Degree in Business Administration (MBA)

Masters’ Degree in Telecommunication Engineering, major in Telematics

Zertifikat Deutsch (ZD)

Ciclo Superior, Inglés

Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

Languages

Spanish

English

French

German

Other studies and interests

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