Junior Go Developer Portfolio Projects

Summary

This video from the Golang Dojo offers practical advice for junior developers feeling like imposters. It suggests building sophisticated yet simple applications like APIs, integrating SQL and NoSQL databases, and creating secure authentication systems to showcase on resumes. The host also discusses the importance of learning deployment techniques with tools like Docker, Kubernetes, and CI/CD technologies. The aim is to enhance employability by demonstrating skills relevant to real-world job requirements.

Takeaways

• 🚀 Building sophisticated yet simple applications can help junior developers land their next position and showcase their skills.
• 🌐 Creating APIs is a valuable project for a junior developer's portfolio, as Go is well-suited for back-end web development and RESTful APIs.
• 🔌 Learning to build RPC endpoints in addition to RESTful APIs can broaden a developer's skill set and is useful for internal network communication.
• 🔍 Integrating databases into applications is crucial; understanding the differences between SQL and NoSQL databases is key for a junior developer.
• 🏆 PostgreSQL and MongoDB are currently popular databases, and learning to work with them can be beneficial for job applications.
• 🔒 Developing authentication systems is important for most web projects, and understanding secure practices is essential for handling user data.
• 🛡️ Using third-party libraries for authentication can reduce the burden of handling sensitive information and improve security.
• 🚀 Learning to build and deploy Go applications with technologies like Docker, Kubernetes, and CI/CD pipelines is vital for modern software development.
• 🎮 While games and web technologies like WebAssembly are interesting, they may not be as valued by employers as practical business-oriented projects.
• 📚 The video suggests focusing on projects that are likely to be of direct interest to employers, rather than just personal interests.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video script?

The main purpose of the video script is to discuss sophisticated yet simple applications that junior developers can build to enhance their resumes and increase their chances of landing a job.

What is the first type of project recommended for junior developers to include in their portfolio?

The first type of project recommended is building APIs, particularly RESTful APIs, which are an entry point to web backend applications and a popular use case for the Go programming language.

Why are RESTful APIs considered a good starting point for junior developers in web backend development?

RESTful APIs are considered a good starting point because Go has a very extensive HTTP package for building web applications, making it easier for developers to learn and implement without relying on third-party web frameworks.

What alternative to RESTful APIs are mentioned in the script?

RPC (Remote Procedure Call) endpoints are mentioned as an alternative to RESTful APIs, which are typically used within a network rather than being available to the general public.

What does the script suggest for those interested in learning more about gRPC?

The script suggests that the author is considering making a tutorial on gRPC and encourages viewers to express their interest in the comments section if they would like to see such content.

What are the two primary categories of databases mentioned in the script?

The two primary categories of databases mentioned are SQL databases and NoSQL databases, which differ mainly in their data models being relational or not and how they are typically queried.

Why are PostgreSQL and MongoDB highlighted as databases of interest in the script?

PostgreSQL and MongoDB are highlighted because they are the most popular databases in their respective categories (SQL and NoSQL) at the time of the script, and they have been recommended by many viewers in polls conducted by the author.

What is the third type of project recommended for a junior developer's portfolio?

The third type of project recommended is building authentication systems, which are crucial for most websites and projects that require user identification and secure password storage.

What advice does the script give regarding handling sensitive user information like passwords?

The script advises learning the basic concepts of secure handling of sensitive information but recommends using well-recognized third-party libraries for actual implementation to avoid the responsibility of managing user logins.

What technologies are mentioned for deploying Go applications?

The technologies mentioned for deploying Go applications include Docker for containerization and Kubernetes for managing these containers, as well as CI/CD technologies like Jenkins and GitHub Actions.

Why might games or webassembly technologies not be the best choice for a junior developer's portfolio from an employer's perspective?

From an employer's perspective, games or webassembly technologies might not be the best choice for a portfolio because they may not directly contribute to the business needs of the company, unlike practical projects that solve real-world problems.