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s speir
3,991 PointsTechDegree student : not sure about being a Developer?
Hello!
I'm studying the Javascript TechDegree right now.
As I've worked through the program, I'm realizing some things about my interest in programming languages (Javascript at least).
My theoretical / conceptual understanding is far more advanced than my ability to write programs from scratch. I initially taught myself HTML , CSS , and Javascript. From that experience, I could detail to someone else the principles of what needed to be done in order to create a website or program that utilized Javascript. However, I'd get very bogged down in details if I had to write the code line-by-line myself. I did, however, excel at deciphering pre-existing code, integrated pre-existing code with what I had, and researching better ways to implement pre-existing code. I enjoy the researching, editing,, and piecing together pieces that already exist. Writing it from scratch is kind of a pain.
So, my main point and question :
I chose to study the TechDegree, because I wanted to increase my knowledge of Javascript in order to better work the process of researching, editing, and piecing together pre-existing code in terms of websites.
I like the idea of writing Javascript programs from scratch, but I don't have any real interest / drive to become a full-time, exclusive Javascript developer.
In light of that, does it make more sense to switch to the normal pro version of Javascript material? Or is what I'm thinking fairly common in the TechDegree program?
Thank you!
2 Answers
Eli Simmons
Courses Plus Student 4,148 PointsVery interesting question. I'm actually the exact opposite of you; the nitty gritty of JS, HTML and CSS confuses me and trying to explain it to someone inevitably confuses them more than when they didn't know a thing. Yet, when I sit down to write a program, I can see what I want to do and do it. In my opinion, neither of us work better than the other. I need to work on understanding concepts so my code doesn't end up being a "hacky" mess that just happens to work and you just need to get the code under your fingers a little more. Also, if you fail, that's good. We all fail and it only makes us better. The more you mess up the more you learn, especially when it comes to programming.
Keep in mind that I am no expert, this is just my opinion. I hope this has helped in some way and happy coding. Cheers!
Katriel Paige
9,260 PointsHonestly, I would go to the Pro version, because even in the Pro materials the emphasis is on becoming a full-time developer - I'm currently using the Pro version so I can read and piece together code as I need it (for example, JavaScript, Java, Ruby, even Swift) but I won't ever be a "developer" as a full time career. It just so happens that my career interests need some programming knowledge and experience, so there's definitely great reasons to learn, but not enough to hand out saying I'm a front-end dev or whathaveyou.
s speir
3,991 PointsThanks Katriel,
Yea, switching to Pro has started surfacing in my mind. I'm studying Javascript more so because of what you described, and less so because I need to say I'm a distinct 'Full-Stack Javascript Developer". Costs a lot less as well!
s speir
3,991 Pointss speir
3,991 PointsThanks for your answer Eli.
It's interesting how everyone's mind works, isn't it? I've had great working relationships with people who operate like you do ; I conceptualize and lean into their realm, and they receive that conceptualization and refine it with their nitty-gritty knowledge (while communicating back to me nitty-gritty information that helps develop my understanding).
And good point on the 'more you mess up the more you learn' ... easy to forget that. Thanks!