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Michelle Rosenstock
Courses Plus Student 3,256 PointsMost proactive approach to gaining/ mastering programming languages and developing a solid portfolio?
Hey guys,
Perhaps you guys can help me with determining a more proactive and effective approach to advancing my skill set with programming. At this point, I feel like I am circling the same topics and concepts without making much headway. How do you recommend I approach this in the most effective way? What has helped you with gaining and mastering several programming language? How do I go about creating a diverse and solid portfolio of projects?
I am currently studying HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. I would like to have master over these and also other languages (that may or may not be connected with the types of projects that can be created with these). To learn these three languages, I'm doing the tutorials and videos here and I'm using some other resources like W3schools.com. I am also creating some mini-projects in the notepad to test out concepts using my own ideas.
In addition to using this platform, does it make sense to also invest in an advanced degree? if so, which one? Anyone know of the difference between the MCA and Master of Computer Science or another degree I may not have mentioned?
Thank you for all of your help. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
2 Answers
tobiaskrause
9,160 PointsFirst of all...html and css are not programming languages. JavaScript is one yes but the other ones are for formatig and designing etc. Just pick a programming languages that "could be usesd" the next x years and try to master it... Thats what I actually just want to do. Of course you can know hundreds of languages to be an "Allrounder" but most of the time it is more usefull to be an expert in one thing (also you get paid better here when you worked for x years with language xy (because of experience)). But that might not be the case in your area. Also you can learn soooo much...with tutorials and so on ... But real word projects matter...not some videos or other stuff. For example you can show your skills a lot more when you helped at a open source project, than watching hundreds videos or doing a lot of tutorials.
Michelle Rosenstock
Courses Plus Student 3,256 Pointsthank you very much for your help, Tobias. I'll amend my question since I am incorrect about html and css. What language and open source projects do you recommend?
Jacob Mishkin
23,118 PointsMost programming languages have a very robust community, I think you should do some research and find a programming language that you feel works with what you want to build, some languages are better than others at certain things. Maybe they are better now, I don't know, but I would not recommend using w3schools for anything outside of html markup help. They have been known to provide a lot of misinformation. I would use MDN personally. If you are having trouble figuring out what to build, a great place to go is theme forest, and find a theme and use that as a mock up and try to build it. It's a good place to start. If you live in/near a city look for a meet up and sit in on a talk. Meeting people is a great way to learn more.
Michelle Rosenstock
Courses Plus Student 3,256 PointsJacob, Thank you so much for your help. I'll check that out. I really appreciate it.
Michelle Rosenstock
Courses Plus Student 3,256 PointsMichelle Rosenstock
Courses Plus Student 3,256 Pointssince html and css might not be considered programming languages, could you guys recommend what programming languages and open source projects I can contribute to?