Learning to code byfailing safely
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What’s the plan?
1. Groundwork
1. Groundwork2. Process
1. Groundwork2. Process3. Resources
Lucas Cherkewski
What is code?
Code is…
Code is… scary?
Code is… scary?Code is… hard?
Code is… scary?Code is… hard?Code is… worthwhile?
Is code scary?
Powerful stuff
Movie portrayals ofcode
It’s reasonable to feelthat code is scary
Is code hard?
Code is (literally) anunfamiliar language
We try hard to learn,but walk awayconfused
Even with practice, itcan be difficult
I struggle with code, too
Is code worthwhile?
Yes!
Major industriesembracing tech
Thinking technically isvaluable
We can solve our ownproblems
We can work withbetter coders
Knowing code enablesus to work in atechnical world
What is code, really?
VSThe ProductThe Process
Process > Product
What is code?A problem solvingprocess
Who can code?
Only nerds, definitely.
Only people giftedwith awesome codingpower, definitely.
BAH.
Anyone can code.
Anyone can code. (If you can problem solve.)
Anyone can code. This is a good thing.
What are somepractical examples ofcode?
Google search
Formatting text
=
Building spreadsheets
Why so manyquestions?
Socrates
Socrates:Not just anold dead guy.
Questions are key tolearning to code.
Socrates died for yourquestions.
How do we code?
The Process
1. Identify
1. Identify2. Research
1. Identify2. Research3. Try
The key is iteration.
Iterate, Iterate, Iterate.
Where should I start?
Personal projectsFun failure
Client projectsAlways an imposter
Who can help me learnto code?
In-person
In-person• Ladies Learning Code
In-person• Ladies Learning Code• Camp Tech
In-person• Ladies Learning Code• Camp Tech• Lighthouse Labs
Online courses
Online courses• Treehouse
Online courses• Treehouse• Codecademy
Online courses• Treehouse• Codecademy• Lynda
Online resources
Online resources• CSS-Tricks
Online resources• CSS-Tricks• MDN
Online resources• CSS-Tricks• MDN• Stack Overflow
Tools
Tools• Code editors
Tools• Code editors• Codepen
Tools• Code editors• Codepen• Glitch
WordPress specific
WordPress specific• Codex
WordPress specific• Codex• Facebook groups
WordPress specific• Codex• Facebook groups• WordCamps and meetups
Why bother with code?
Code is scary and hard,but worthwhile
Code through research,exploration, andcreation
Do it again and again
Thanks!Thanks![email protected]@lchski