I need some advice...
In June, I plan on applying for FrontEnd-Devoloper jobs. Right now I am learning Basic Algorithm Scripting on Freecodecamp which is kicking my butt right now. It takes me more than three hours to work on one problem on my own. Eventually, I would give up and have to look at the given solutions.
I'd much rather focus more on building projects but I am worried that I will be asked to solve coding problems that uses algorithms during an interview.
My question is, since I want to work as a frontend developer, should I focus 100% on building front end projects? Or, should I focus 50% on building projects and 50% algorithms? Which is what I am doing right now.
P.S. I know I will not know everything by June. But I need to set a time frame for me to start applying. I honestly feel that I can learn more while working on the job with the right team. I just want to get the basics out of the way and start job prepping from now.
Top comments (29)
It really depends on the position and the scale of the company you apply to. A small company that wants you to build them a front end for a private api probably doesn't care about what data-sci their junior dev knows, ya know?
But maybe a larger company with a web-app that handles tons of data, might care a lot more about an efficient & performant app which demands some knowledge of data-sci.
If you're unsure, I would just focus on whichever you are more passionate about 👍
Yeah I actually prefer building projects. I have more fun doing that than learning about algorithms or complex code.
Learning is something you will always be doing as a programmer. Many forget about having fun. This path is not for everyone, it is for those who really like it and enjoy it. That said, I think that you are feeling overwhelmed and that is normal at your stage, the reality is that tech is continously evolving and getting more complex, and every year there is more to learn than the previews one. My suggestion is to not put so much pressure in your timelines, this is something that is going to take time, you need to know that reality. Don't fall into the trap of wishful thinking.
The pressure on your timelines will prevent you from building a strong foundation. Is very important to learn very well A to go to B to go to C and so on.. But that takes time. At the same time if this is your thing it can be an enjoyable experience.
Don't focus to much on algorithms. Yes, do one of them from time to time. I recommend been active on Stack Overflow, studying fundamentals of HTML, CSS and when you feel strong with those, study the fundamentals of JS and start using frameworks. Also play around with them and YES build stuff.
I wrote a fun coding JS session here in dev.to.. Explained in detail, I would say is for begginers.. check it dev.to/gass/fun-coding-start-multi...
Yes you are absolutely right I do kind of feel overwhelmed because there is a whole lot to learn. Thats why I created this post to get a better understanding of what it is I should be focusing more on. And thankfully, the majority of the answers says to work on building projects and getting the fundamentals of HTML and CSS. So that is what I will do.
And I actually do use GitHub. I have built a few projects. The only thing I need to learn more about is using git.
Never forget to have fun with what you are learning, for me that is the key that keeps me going after years of coding.
Try to use as much git while your developing projects. Also, projects don't need to be massive, they can just be a component, a small npm package, a one page static website with some JS features like this one I built about a year ago --> gass-git.github.io/minimis/ and you can find the repo here --> github.com/gass-git/minimis if you want to see the code.
You are a smart person I can see that, you'll do great.
Thank you so much ☺️ and WOW! I like your web page. The projects I've been building aren't massive at all. I build projects on frontendmentor.io. I'm actually learning more that way even though it's a bit challenging sometimes.
I've spent quite a lot time on solving problems, not only interview problems but also competitive programming problems (which is much harder). The result is I can easily pass coding challenges in most of companies and secure the position but later I feel myself far behind my colleagues in the actual job and the thing is I've never used any of my problem solving skills in the job :))). My suggestion is focusing on building project and find a company that values your skills.
The most valuable things to know as a frontend engineer is not writing algorithms.
Focus on:
Those three points really inter-depend on eachother. To have an accessible and fast page gives you a SEO boost as well as good and clean markup. And having a performant website both user and SEO wise makes it much more valuable for your client.
So I personally would recommend working on "real website projects", not algorithms. But as others noted, it highly depends on where you want to apply.
Thank you for your input. I will definitely focus more on building projects. Right now I'm practicing by completing the frontendmentor challenges. I want to learn enough so that way, I can create a decent portfolio.
Wow! Now this is very helpful. I'll definitely look into learning more about Wordpress. And that is exactly why I can't wait to start working. I think learning on the job WHILE getting paid is a win-win situation. Doesn't matter what job I start with. As long as someone is willing to give me a chance to learn and grow, I'll be happy.
Learning HTML,CSS and JavaScript to learn about frontend web development. Eventually I would like to learn other technologies like mobile development and python. I just want to get my foot in the door and becoming a web developer is a bit "easier".
What I mean by front end projects are projects that mostly consist of using HTML, CSS JavaScript and a framework. I actually like to build projects but learning Javascript is making things a bit harder for me.
spend only one hour maximum on a problem, then check solution. no matter what people say, our imagination is not beyond this unverse, so whatever you see creative has already been produced by nature or somebody else.
just try for 1 hour check solution after 100 problems, 1 may repeat, then you can enjoy, that you make it your own, after 1000 problems, you may start getting solution from what you have learn't from these many problems.
learn basics of all then start building projects.
first learn javascript , then html then css then react js. learning javascript is not huge chalenge, learn most required javascript for react and then you are good to go.
Yeah I think I'll do that. I'll work on one problem a day and focus most of my time learning JavaScript and practice my CSS skills more. I am comfortable using HTML though.
start with javascript. learn only important concept good enough for reactjs.
then css little bit,rest you can learn while creating many project.
That is very true. I am learning more by building actual projects.
I think, build logic is good for you life and dessision, but for a career build a real project is good
yeah that makes sense.
Okay cool. I'll look into that as well.