3 Learning Tools for Aspiring Web Developers
Three tools that are proven to make you a better developer
FreeCodeCamp
If you are interested in Web Development, you should start with FreeCodeCamp (FCC). They have plenty of content on front end and back end technologies, that will allow you to level up your skills. The best part about the FCC curriculum are the projects that you build after each section which help you solidify your knowledge. The platform also has a good reward system, so you are always driven to get to that next level. After every level you complete, there’s a check mark and some motivational words, which can mean a lot after you have struggled through a problem. The best part of FreeCodeCamp is that it is completely free! FCC also just recently announced that they are planning on building a data science curriculum. You can tell they are constantly working on updating their platform and ensuring that Computer Science knowledge is accessible to every individual.
Codecademy
Codecademy shines because of its diversity and simplicity. There are a number of free courses on the platform but the newer and more advanced courses are paid. Codecademy is a great place to start if you’re just getting into Computer Science and you don’t know which path you want to take. You can try out all the basics and pick the path that feels right for you. They offer courses in many different programming languages and even have data science courses. The platform makes learning the basics of programming simple and easy. You may hear reviews about Codecademy saying that it’s too easy and that they hold your hand through the material. But that’s what some people need when they’re learning something completely new. Either way, the site is worth checking out because of its wide range of courses.
JavaScript 30
If you are looking to learn JavaScript while building projects, JavaScript30 is the course for you. JavaScript30 is a coding challenge created by Wes Bos, which allows you to practice vanilla JavaScript by building projects for 30 days. These aren’t just your typical projects though, he takes you through building some pretty unique things without using frameworks. If you want to strengthen your fundamentals, and learn your way around the DOM, this is the course for you. He even takes a few lessons to discuss array methods that you commonly see while coding. After learning the basics of JavaScript, this course is a good next step. If you take one of these builds and continue to work on the application, it could be a strong portfolio project. Continuing to use vanilla JavaScript could show an employer that you have strong fundamentals.
These are all great resources but the way to truly grow as a developer is to build good habits and practice every day. Pace yourself through these learning tools and when you encounter an obstacle there is plenty of information out there to help you overcome your issues. Make sure you’re utilizing Google, Stack Overflow, Quora, Reddit or any other online website that may have developer communities. Learning how to explore and find answers will help you become a better developer. Keep in mind that coding is for everyone and keeping a positive mindset is part of the recipe for success!
Thanks for reading and I hope you can utilize some of the resources during your coding journey. If you enjoyed this or learned anything from it, leave claps and a comment. If there are additional resources that helped you, please leave a comment. Stay safe and happy coding!
