Educational gaps

So, you want to be a front-end developer? Good luck! Just kidding, it's not that bad. But seriously, there's a ton of stuff to learn. HTML, CSS, JavaScript—sure, those are the basics. But there's so much more. In particular, you really need a basic understanding of back-end development. 

Yeah, I know, it's not as exciting as making things look pretty on the front-end. But trust me, it's important. You have to understand how the front-end interfaces with the back-end. That means knowing your way around databases, server-side programming languages, and APIs. Don't worry, it's not as scary as it sounds. Or maybe it is. But hey, you got this.

Know your way around databases, server-side programming languages, and APIs.

Now let's talk about mobile development—because let's face it, we're all addicted to our phones. If you want to stay relevant in today's world, you have to know how to create apps that people can use on the go. What's the point of having a website if it's not mobile-friendly? Ain't nobody got time to squint at tiny text on their phone screens.

While we're on the topic of creating relevant and useful websites, let's talk about performance optimization. You know what's worse than a slow website? Nothing. Literally nothing. Nobody has the patience for that. So, do yourself a favour and learn how to optimize images, use browser caching, and reduce the number of HTTP requests. Your users (and your sanity) will thank you.

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Essential tools

As a front-end developer, you'll need a wide variety of tools. I had very little knowledge about these before becoming an actual developer, and they’re absolute essentials for me now. 

Drupal

This content management system (CMS) is a favourite among web developers. If you're looking to build a website, Drupal's got you covered with its impressive features and customizability. Plus, it's got a massive community of developers working hard to make it even better. And if you're worried about security (as you should be), Drupal's got your back. Its community of vigilant developers is constantly on the lookout for potential security issues, and they're always working to fix any problems that come up. Drupal's also got some pretty nifty security features like user permission controls and data encryption, so you can rest easy knowing your website is locked up tight.

Slack

This messaging app is used by development teams for communication. It's a great tool for collaboration and keeping track of conversations. It has become popular among software development companies for its user-friendly interface, real-time communication capabilities, and seamless integration with various tools used in software development workflows. Most importantly, you can create customized gifs to spice up company group chats.

Git

Listen up, fellow coders! This one may seem obvious, but you know how it feels to be lost in a maze of code changes, not knowing which version is the latest or who made those last-minute updates.  That's where a solid understanding of Git comes in handy.

Become a master of version control and impress coworkers with your smooth Git Flow.

With Git, you can track changes, collaborate with your team, and avoid the hair-pulling. You'll also be able to strut your stuff as a master of version control and impress coworkers with your smooth Git Flow. So up your Git game, and make your life as a developer so much easier!

TypeScript

This JS superset is useful because it provides strong typing, better IDE support, improved readability, improved scalability, and compatibility with JavaScript. Learn more about why you should use TypeScript and how to get started right now.

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Mindset matters

As we all know, success is a mental game. Development in general takes a lot of patience and persistence, not to mention problem-solving. Frustration is a big part of it, and if you can get your head right from the start, you’ll be a better programmer.

Curiosity

The world of software development moves fast and is ever-changing. If you don't stay curious and hungry to learn, you'll get left behind. Be diligent about keeping up with the latest and greatest technologies and approaches to stay on top of your game.

Attention to detail

Let's face it, details are everything. A single misplaced comma can ruin your whole day, so pay attention and get it right the first time. Once upon a time, I was working on some JavaScript code to generate random passwords for a website. I was feeling pretty confident until I made a dumb mistake. I was using the Math.random() function to generate a random number, and I accidentally left out one of the parentheses:

var randomNum = Math.random;

Of course, this caused my code to break hilariously. Instead of generating a random number, my code was just assigning the Math.random function to the randomNum variable. So every time my code ran, it would just output the text of the function definition. I spent way too long trying to figure out why my passwords kept coming out as the same string of text: "function random() { [native code] }".

Eventually, after hours of questioning my career path and debugging, I realized my mistake and added the missing parentheses:

var randomNum = Math.random();

Positive attitude

Coding will drive you up the wall at times, but don't let it get you down. Maintaining a sunny disposition can do wonders for your mental health and productivity. When I'm struggling with a tough coding problem, I've found that the best solution is to just give my brain a break. Sure, it might seem counterintuitive to step away from a problem that's driving you crazy, but trust me—it works. I've had times where I stared at my screen for hours, convinced that the solution was right in front of me, only to realize later that I was completely off base.

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So now, whenever I hit a wall, I take a page from Dave Chapelle’s playbook and just walk away. Maybe I'll take a walk around the block, or spend some quality time with my fridge. Or maybe I'll do some push-ups, because nothing says "brain break" like intense physical activity. The important thing is to give my brain a chance to rest and reset.

And you know what? It works. When I come back to my code with fresh eyes, I'm often able to see the problem in a new light and find a solution that was hiding in plain sight. So next time you're stuck on a problem, try stepping away for a bit.

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Hot Takes

CSS is harder than it looks

CSS may seem simple at first, but it can quickly become complicated when dealing with cross-browser compatibility issues and complex layouts.

Everything takes longer than you think

Even simple tasks can take longer than expected, and unexpected issues can cause delays. I was building a website that worked like a charm on Google Chrome. Feeling pretty smug, I decided to test it on Safari. But instead of getting a pat on the back for being thorough, I got a face full of frustration when one of the video elements refused to play.

I tried everything I could think of and scoured the internet for solutions. But the stubborn video remained unplayable on Safari. Was it the video format? Was it the server? Was it a glitch in the Matrix?

After what felt like an eternity, I finally found out that Safari has a strict policy about media autoplay. Apparently, it won't start playing until the user interacts with the site in some way. Who knew Safari was so needy? All I did was add a play button to the video element, and just like that, the website worked perfectly on both Chrome and Safari.

Moral of the story? Don't get too cocky about your code working on one browser, and always be prepared for Safari to be a total diva.

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Asking for help is essential

No matter how experienced you are, you'll inevitably run into problems that you can't solve on your own. Asking for help is how you grow as a developer.

Versatility beats specialization

While it's important to have expertise in at least one language or technology, having tunnel vision on one area can limit your career. Being versatile and willing to learn new technologies can lead to a wider range of job opportunities and skills growth.

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Communication

You might think that all you need to do is sit in front of your computer and code away. But that's like saying all a chef needs to do is cook, right?

You need to communicate with your team to make sure your code doesn't crash and burn.

Just like a chef needs to communicate with their team in the kitchen to make sure the soufflé doesn't fall flat, you need to communicate effectively with your team to make sure your code doesn't crash and burn. Don't be that one developer who didn't speak up when they were unsure and accidentally deleted the entire database. You know, the one they call "the code-killer".

Keep your team updated, listen to feedback, and hang on to your sense of humour when things get rough. If there's one thing that can solve even the most stubborn coding bug, it's a good laugh. And maybe a cup of coffee. Or five.

Your first year as a front-end developer will probably be overwhelming. The good news is that it’s also exciting and rewarding. Focus on learning and developing a strong knowledge base, explore new tools, stay positive, and embrace the importance of collaboration. Ask for help. And remember, you're doing great.