FreeCodeCamp VS. CodeAcademy VS. Hundrends, if not thousands of other resources to learn from; Where do I start? It's all too much! Please help me!
Should I go to a University instead of Bootcamp?
College, Self-Study, or Bootcamp
College vs. Self Taught vs. Coding Bootcamp
What is freeCodeCamp?
Is freeCodeCamp enough to get a job?
Is Udemy better than freeCodeCamp?
Videos
I realize this isn't a new question; but 2023, I begin my programming journey at last. The only problem is; there is so many different sources with which to get your knowledge from. I can't believe I'm saying this but I kind of wish there were LESS options - how dumb, right? I should be happy there's so many options.
Anywho, I'm signed up to a few coding learning sites and I'm sitting here in utter confusion. I have notepads and pens I bought ready. I'm an empty cup ready to be filled with Python-flavoured Lemonade.
FreeCodeCamp is, well, as the name suggests; free. Free is great. But the word 'free' should always be taken with caution. Free means there's compromise, correct? If something is free then it's not as good as it seems to be. is this the case with FreeCodeCamp? Does anyone here know if there are people really that kind and altruistic that they'd design a website and heavy curriculum of classes ABSOLUTELY free for other people to learn with ZERO hidden agenda or reimbursement?And the classes are really well-done and easy to follow?
I'm probably asking too many questions because it's free so I need to not complain about it. I'm just doing the most research I can because I need to pick SOMETHING to learn from.
Now, on the flip-side; there's Codecademy. While not free, looks promising. Plus, because it's paid, that means you get more content, right? More to learn? More promise of getting a job in the programming field? They would have to work extra hard since it's quite pricey so wouldn't they give customers their money's worth?
FreeCodeCamp mentions thousands of people who use it get their first software developer job. And Codecademy from what I've seen, uhhh...doesn't say anything about programming employers picking out Codecademy users who pique their interest and employing them.
BUT IT'S NOT FREE...so it must be good, right?The reason I'm harping on this "not free" thing is because they got a giant sale going on right now (as you can see from the link above) and if I feel like I pass this up, I'll miss a huge opportunity to get a huge deal on something potentially better than FCC.
But, on the flip side, they're a business, and businesses employ tactics like a "holiday deal" that seems huge but it's that price every other time of the year, so they up the price then make you think you're getting in on something good when you're paying regular price. Is this what they're doing? I don't know. Maybe I need to stop thinking about money and just go with FCC.
Truth is, I'm 31 now and I can't afford to not waste my own time with something that won't help me find a job in this field. So, whichever one has the highest success rate and employment rate is the one I'm going for.
ON THE OTHER HAND; I have some classes from CodeWithMosh. Mosh is great and has thorough and well-done classes on different languages. But since they're limited on a set of videos I downloaded (Sorry, Mosh) and not on a website where the learning is seemingly endless....will I learn just as much as I would on the aforementioned sites?
There's also the question if I need to use them at all. There's a wide ocean of knowledge on YouTube (the greatest video platform in the world). FreeCodeCamp even puts their classes on YouTube so I can just quickly search without even going to their websites.The problem with YouTube, however, is that I look up something like "Python for Beginners" and there's thousands of videos. Which one do I pick??! I mean, FCC's classes are HOURS long. So there's a lot I can learn, but who says this guy or girl from this channel has more effective strategies from his/her Python class with a nicely-sized playlist cut up in different parts? Like I said; there's too many options.
Maybe I'm over-thinking everything. Should I just go through different ones, pick one that catches my ears and stick with it? Or just go with FreeCodeCamp 100%?
BUT ON THE OTHER HAND; I'm also registered to sites like 42Heilbronn, w3Schools, GeneralAssembly, CodeNewbie, RealPython and Cisco Identity oh, God, it's too over-whelming!! I'm subscribed to over 100 programming people on YouTube, as well where does it end?!?!?
It's at this point of my thought process that I stop thinking about it and go back to watching stupid videos on YouTube because I get easily over-whelmed with all of this because the first jump is the hardest. It's best for me to not think about this. I'm writing an essay on it, you should see how my brain feels racing 5,000 miles per hour thinking about all of this and my life of laziness and remedial developmental delay-ness.
Ok, I'm out of hands. I'm sorry for this long post, I just needed to get all of this out. Thank you for reading or skimming through all of this, I appreciate it.
All responses are very, very very appreciated. I look forward to one day getting to know all of you.
With love,
Ralph
I've found FCC quite useful as I'm starting to learn to code. On the other hand, I started to check for job offers for front end, as junior, and most of them require a bachelor.
Saw from other sources that it's worth to continue and then, as soon as I feel comfortable enough, to start to create my own projects, so I can build a portfolio, to then forward together with my CV.
The question I have in my mind is - people that started with FCC managed to get somewhere? Do you really need to go for a bachelor to be able to work as a dev?
I'm enjoying the journey, and am aware that I have a lot to learn, but the curiosity thrives in me and wanted to know from people who are expert, who already went through this beginning journey at FCC, or even that can provide any insight on how it can look like, to understand if I need more to actually get a job, or if by developing my experience by myself together with FCC would be enough to get lucky with nowadays market.
Thank you all in advance :)
I know JavaScript, CSS and HTML which I learnt in my senior high school year and for a few months I have been doing basic problems and trying to get some knowledge about python before my CS major at actual university that I got an admission in starts.
Should I watch freecodecamp.org if not then which tutorials do you recommend? how will that benefit me in actually making projects early on in my college major?
And am I going the right direction in terms of learning all these languages?
Right how I’ve been stuck on one specific sector of beginners JavaScript on the Odin project, I’m considering supplementing it with FCC, but I see so many negative reviews that’s I’m hesitant to give it a shot. What’s your honest opinion of FCC?
Honest opinion is dont be afraid to give a resource a shot just because it didnt work for someone else. There are so many resources out there, and not everyone learns or likes to learn in the same way....one persons best of all time can be anothers worst experience.
That being said, Im a huge supporter of FCC, cause it was the first thing I came across that actually helped me learn and put me on the track that helped me get to where I am now. The reason I love it, is the same reason some people dont. FCC doesnt hold your hand and do everything for you. Its not like following a tutorial or just plugging in whatever code it tells you to. It gives you a goal problem to solve, and is layed out in a way you have to do read docs and do research so when you complete a task, you actually understand what it is youre doing.
Also, the community is engaging and super welcoming and helpful...I made a goal when I started to give back, because I got so much help along the way. And I felt amazing the first time I was able to help someone else out. Teaching is also a great way to learn, because I would often look things up to get a better understanding while trying to help someone else out with a problem.
Im now coming up on 3 years in the industry, and literally.....everyone who asks about my path gets an earful about FCC, cause it really made a huge impact and means so much to me. And doesnt bother me at all if someone else totally hates it. Thats why there are so many different resources, and also why FCC encourages people to get their hands on other resources too...no one source is going to make everything you need to learn click in place.
So yeah, thats my opinion....give it a try, either you will like it, or you wont. But just cause someone else loves something doesnt mean its your only hope and feel discouraged if youre struggling, and just cause someone else hates it doesnt mean you should feel awkward for thriving. But you wont know unless you try....and I kinda feel like its worth it to at least try.
I think their Youtube videos are some of the best and really nice for just getting some of the fundamental knowledge and such