I have also re-discovered some great mobile apps to learn coding on the go. Sometimes you just want to get familiar with new language or principles, these apps are the best to do this! Check them out on your iOS / Android device.

My students really like using them!

many languages:
https://www.getpy.com/
https://www.sololearn.com/

javascript:
https://grasshopper.codes/

Working in Unix-based system for a developer is like speaking English in 21st century. If you want to succeed, you have to do this.

It's a general knowledge that Unix-based systems are much more friendly for developers. In my experience, you just get more things done with Linux / Mac OS systems, especially using terminals (ZSH is my personal favorite). I have no idea how to use common developer tools on Windows, but they are very straightforward on Linux / Mac OS.

ℹ️ You can experiment with Linux by installing it on your USB stick.
https://tutorials.ubuntu.com/tutorial/tutorial-create-a-usb-stick-on-windows#0

ℹ️ Or just through a virtual machine:
https://www.virtualbox.org/

This is one of the most valuable things you will learn in your career.

After you install Linux, you can become AMAZINGLY productive.
Here is a very good, and free course by Wes Bos that will teach you how to get things done ⚡️FAST⚡️

https://commandlinepoweruser.com/

🚀 Learning Full Stack Javascript in Depth

This is my absolute ❤️ FAVORITE ❤️ resource. This resource made it happen for me. It has everything you need to learn Full Stack Development in interactive, step-by-step tutorials. Right in your terminal.

❗️Yes, you will need to know how to use terminal to do these tutorials. If you do not know how, see the post above.

It mostly teaches you Node.js but there is also some React, MongoDB, Express, Koa, etc. And core JavaScript knowledge.

https://nodeschool.io/#workshoppers

If you do Core tutorials + 80% of Electives courses (should take about 2 months) you are already employable. I am serious.

🚀 Be So Good They Can’t Ignore You

Here is a good overview of skills that make a Web Developer stand out. Read this article, print it out, and put check marks ✅ after each skill you mastered.
When you hit ~60% you are already very good.

http://fullbit.ca/learning-web-development-stand-out/

Here is another great tutorial website. It uses a custom made solution where code changes in real time. The most interactive tutorials I have ever seen.

There are a bunch of courses like “introduction to CSS Grid” and flex box.

You can edit the code right during the tutorial.
Give it a try, I had quite a productive time learning there!

https://scrimba.com/

I am a big fan of Vim. If you know how to use it, you become INSANELY productive. You can at least become 2-3x times faster in working with code.
What is Vim ?
Vim is a powerful editor. It allows you to process and edit text in an ultra efficient way. Vim is difficult to learn, but once you learn it, it becomes indispensable.

Here are some ways to learn working with vim.

🚀 Command Line Game:
https://www.ostechnix.com/pacvim-a-cli-game-to-learn-vim-commands/

🚀 Paid, interactive game (first level is free):
https://vim-adventures.com

🚀 Built in tutor:
run :vimtutor in Vim

🚀 Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NUO4JEtkDw

💫 Finding a mentor

Finding a good mentor is the single most useful thing you can do for your career. If you find somebody that will correct your mistakes and teach you - consider yourself incredibly lucky. In my estimate, you can become at least 2x more productive when guided by a right person. When I was starting to learn how to code, I was spending incredible amounts of time on useless things. Then I met people that I could learn from, and things went much better. You need to find these people too!

How do you find a mentor ?

🔥 Ask lots of right questions
Approach people that you know are writing code and talk to them. Ask what they do. Ask whether they need help (even if you can’t help much, you can still do small things!). Some people will remain distant, but some will be enthusiastic. Use this!

🚀 Apply for internships
This is tricky, because you can end up in a place that has no available mentors. Or people will be too busy to help you learn. When you interview for a place, ask about how regular people do code review. Who is going to be responsible for your project besides you? Check if the place had an established internship program or they are just starting (a yellow flag). Ask how often will you have continuous feedback on your work. The tighter the feedback loop is, the better.

*Pro-Tip* ❗️
The people that will be willing to help the most are NEW senior engineers or managers. When they join a company, they do not know anybody, and are looking for friends. They will most likely want to help a junior person, while other seniors are busy with day-to-day tasks.

⚡️Participate in local code meetups and conferences.
Apply for a conference and socialize! Talk to the speakers. Reach out, and exchange contacts. People there are hungry for new connections and always want to help. You have much better chances to find somebody that will end up being your mentor!

Remember, being an engineer is also about being communicative. Great code is written with a team! Work your social skills up, and finding a good mentor will help you with this. Good luck 🍀

🅰️lways 🅱️ack Up Your Data.

Whenever you work on any kind of project, make sure there is an UPDATED copy stored somewhere else. Ideally it should be stored on other machine or disk. Here is an example of what can happen if you don’t have backups in place:

https://github.com/Microsoft/vscode/issues/32405

I think Git is a great tool for source control and code backup. Soon I will collect best learning resources for Git and share them with you 🙌🏻

Boost your career 🚀🔥

During your professional growth, you will often feel like there is lack of direction. Usually it’s very difficult to progress without clear path in mind, and these paths are hard to think of! You might have different questions about your job :

❓ What skills do I need to have to become a senior developer ?

❓What do I need to accomplish to get a promotion?

❓ How many years of experience do I need ?

❓ What experience and skills do I need to enter the workforce ?

I have found a great website that will help you see what it means to be at different stages in professional setting.

http://www.progression.fyi/

Here you will be able to discover clear definitions, created by successful companies. They define what it means to be a junior/senior/lead engineer, or product manager, or designer. It is incredibly helpful to understand the scopes of things to come in your professional future!

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