How I’d Learn to Code in 2024 (if I could start over)

Summary

In this video, a software engineer with almost 4 years of experience shares a roadmap for aspiring engineers to secure a job at a top tech company in 2024. The key focus is on learning front-end (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React), back-end (Node.js, SQL), and DevOps (Cloud, Docker, Kubernetes). The advice emphasizes hands-on learning, resilience, and consistent practice. The video also introduces an online software development course that covers these skills and prepares individuals for coding interviews. The ultimate goal is to build a strong portfolio and ace interviews with top tech firms.

Takeaways

• 😀 All you need to become a software engineer in 2024 is a laptop and a clear roadmap to follow.
• 😀 As a software engineer, you'll need knowledge of front-end, back-end, and DevOps. Mastery of one area is expected, but you should have basic knowledge in all three.
• 😀 Front-end development involves HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, with React being the most popular framework to learn for building user interfaces.
• 😀 For back-end development, learning Node.js and understanding HTTP and APIs is essential. SQL is also important for handling databases.
• 😀 DevOps basics include learning cloud platforms like AWS or Microsoft Azure, containers (Docker), and container orchestration (Kubernetes).
• 😀 Learning by doing is key—don't just watch tutorials, but actively practice and build projects to really learn the concepts.
• 😀 Google is your best friend—embrace it as part of the learning process. You'll continuously look up things, and that's a sign of progress.
• 😀 Resilience, patience, and a love for the craft are necessary to succeed as a software engineer. It's not an easy path, but it's worth the effort.
• 😀 Consider taking a comprehensive course, like the software development course by Course Careers, which can take you from zero to landing your first job in 3 to 9 months.
• 😀 Building a portfolio is crucial. GitHub is the primary platform for showcasing your code, allowing recruiters to evaluate your skills.
• 😀 Prepare for interviews by practicing coding problems out loud and studying books like 'Cracking the Coding Interview' to master algorithms and data structures.

Q & A

What are the three main areas a software engineer should be knowledgeable in?

A software engineer should have knowledge in three main areas: front-end, back-end, and DevOps. While you may become an expert in one, having basic knowledge in all three is important.

What is the first step to learning front-end development?

The first step to learning front-end development is to learn HTML, which helps you understand how the structure of a website works.

Which framework is recommended for building user interfaces in JavaScript?

React is recommended for building user interfaces in JavaScript, as it is the most popular framework, although there are others to choose from.

What is the purpose of learning Node.js in back-end development?

Learning Node.js is essential in back-end development to understand how HTTP and APIs work on the internet, enabling you to create server-side applications.

What database technology is important for back-end development?

SQL is important for back-end development because it is used to retrieve and insert data from databases.

What is DevOps, and why is it important in software development?

DevOps is a set of practices that focuses on managing infrastructure, deploying, and maintaining applications. It is crucial for making software available in production environments, especially in big tech companies.

What are containers, and why are they important in DevOps?

Containers are a way to package application code along with its dependencies, allowing the code to run anywhere. They are important in DevOps because they ensure consistency and ease of deployment across different environments.

What tools are used to manage and run containers in DevOps?

Docker is used to create containers, and Kubernetes is used to run and manage them.

How important is learning by doing in the journey to becoming a software engineer?

Learning by doing is critical because you need to practice a lot and face challenges that will teach you. Just watching videos or reading won't make you proficient; active practice and problem-solving are key.

What should a software engineer include in their portfolio to land a job?

A software engineer should have a portfolio of work to show to potential employers, demonstrating their ability to code. This portfolio should be hosted on platforms like GitHub, where recruiters can assess the quality of your code.