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Copy file name to clipboardexpand all lines: config.toml
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[params]
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description = "You don't need a CS degree to get hired, but you do need computer science skills. Prepare to land an entry-level role in tech by building real coding projects."
Copy file name to clipboardexpand all lines: content/about.md
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## The Story
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I originally built [Boot.dev](https://boot.dev) for my wife Breanna so she could transition from being an x-ray tech to a back-end developer, but we ran into a few problems:
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I originally built [Boot.dev](https://www.boot.dev) for my wife Breanna so she could transition from being an x-ray tech to a back-end developer, but we ran into a few problems:
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* We didn't have the time or money for a 4-year CS degree, but I felt a lot of the core CS concepts were important
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* As a hiring manager, I found that many resources don't focus enough on building projects
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* We found plenty of places to learn front-end development, but not back-end
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* Few people fail because coding is too hard, they fail because they lose motivation
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- We didn't have the time or money for a 4-year CS degree, but I felt a lot of the core CS concepts were important
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- As a hiring manager, I found that many resources don't focus enough on building projects
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- We found plenty of places to learn front-end development, but not back-end
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- Few people fail because coding is too hard, they fail because they lose motivation
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I decided it would be fun to build a course that incorporates a lot of the fun aspects of RPG games and started Boot.dev as a side project. My wife was my first student and loves the courses, so I hope you do too.
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## Socials
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* Subscribe to our [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@bootdotdev?sub_confirmation=1)
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* Listen to our [Podcast](https://www.backendbanter.fm)
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* Follow us on [Twitter/X](https://twitter.com/intent/follow?screen_name=bootdotdev)
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* Follow us on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/school/bootdotdev)
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- Subscribe to our [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@bootdotdev?sub_confirmation=1)
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- Listen to our [Podcast](https://www.backendbanter.fm)
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- Follow us on [Twitter/X](https://twitter.com/intent/follow?screen_name=bootdotdev)
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- Follow us on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/school/bootdotdev)
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## Our Beliefs
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> A game is a series of interesting choices
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>
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> -- [Sid Meier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sid_Meier), creator of the [Civilization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilization_(series)) series
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> -- [Sid Meier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sid_Meier), creator of the [Civilization](<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilization_(series)>) series
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Coding is *inherently* a game. There's a tight feedback loop, and you get to make interesting decisions about the code you write that moves you toward your goal: building a project that does something useful.
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Coding is _inherently_ a game. There's a tight feedback loop, and you get to make interesting decisions about the code you write that moves you toward your goal: building a project that does something useful.
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Coding, and in particular *learning to code*, can become dull if the magic is lost. We do everything we can to keep that magic alive. We think there are a few critical elements to this:
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Coding, and in particular _learning to code_, can become dull if the magic is lost. We do everything we can to keep that magic alive. We think there are a few critical elements to this:
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* Everything should be learned through hands-on coding lessons
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* All concepts should be taught within the context of a real-world software project
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* Game elements like achievements and quests can supply boosts of external motivation and sweet, sweet dopamine
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- Everything should be learned through hands-on coding lessons
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- All concepts should be taught within the context of a real-world software project
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- Game elements like achievements and quests can supply boosts of external motivation and sweet, sweet dopamine
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### 2. Computer science matters, degrees don't
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People are becoming more tech-literate every day, and that's a wonderful thing. Deploying a simple website doesn't require advanced programming knowledge anymore. That doesn't mean we no longer need smart engineers, *we do.* They just work on more interesting problems, and at a different scale.
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People are becoming more tech-literate every day, and that's a wonderful thing. Deploying a simple website doesn't require advanced programming knowledge anymore. That doesn't mean we no longer need smart engineers, _we do._ They just work on more interesting problems, and at a different scale.
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Mastering computer science concepts like algorithms, data structures, functional programming, and cryptography is a great way to differentiate yourself as a developer, and universities needn't be the gatekeepers of that knowledge.
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Sometimes "deploy" means to host a web app on the internet. Sometimes it just means packaging up your project with great documentation and pushing it to GitHub.
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The point is you need to *show your work*, and that work should be *interesting* if you want a better chance of landing a job.
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The point is you need to _show your work_, and that work should be _interesting_ if you want a better chance of landing a job.
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### 5. It's hard to find good resources
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The internet is estimated to host over 100 Zettabytes of data. That's about 100 *trillion* gigabytes of data. If you're learning to code, you don't need *more* information, you need a curated roadmap of the *most important* information packaged in a way that's easy to digest.
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The internet is estimated to host over 100 Zettabytes of data. That's about 100 _trillion_ gigabytes of data. If you're learning to code, you don't need _more_ information, you need a curated roadmap of the _most important_ information packaged in a way that's easy to digest.
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### 6. Learning to code is a depth-first algorithm
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So many learners jump from one shiny technology to the next, sometimes on a daily or weekly basis. The way tech news operates incentivizes this behavior, but it's *not* the best way to learn to code.
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So many learners jump from one shiny technology to the next, sometimes on a daily or weekly basis. The way tech news operates incentivizes this behavior, but it's _not_ the best way to learn to code.
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Err on the side of going deep into a topic or technology that interests you. There is a time to branch out, but I rarely see learners going *too* deep.
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Err on the side of going deep into a topic or technology that interests you. There is a time to branch out, but I rarely see learners going _too_ deep.
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### 7. It's a marathon, not a sprint
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Learning to code isn't easy. If it were, everyone would be doing it, and we wouldn't be paid as much as we are to write good code.
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You learn most effectively when you're in your [zone of proximal development](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zone_of_proximal_development), the place just *outside* of your comfort zone. There are just two rules for staying in the ZOPD:
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You learn most effectively when you're in your [zone of proximal development](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zone_of_proximal_development), the place just _outside_ of your comfort zone. There are just two rules for staying in the ZOPD:
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1. Don't waste your time solving problems that you already know how to solve
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2. Don't waste your time solving problems that are impossible for your skill level
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### 9. Get an on-site, full-time job first
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*We are from the US. The advice that follows may be less applicable in other countries.*
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_We are from the US. The advice that follows may be less applicable in other countries._
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Many developers think that landing, managing, and servicing freelancing clients is easier than passing a coding interview. That's almost always wrong.
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If your situation permits, try to *get an on-site full-time job as quickly as you can*.
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If your situation permits, try to _get an on-site full-time job as quickly as you can_.
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* You'll be physically around other developers who can mentor you
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* You'll get to focus on coding instead of landing clients and marketing yourself
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- You'll be physically around other developers who can mentor you
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- You'll get to focus on coding instead of landing clients and marketing yourself
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There are exceptions, and any paid development work is typically better than none, but hopefully, this helps provide some focus.
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## Let us know what you think
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We're always refining our ideas. If you have any thoughts on this stuff, tell us. The easiest ways are to join our [Discord community server](https://boot.dev/community/) or to [tweet at us](https://twitter.com/bootdotdev).
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We're always refining our ideas. If you have any thoughts on this stuff, tell us. The easiest ways are to join our [Discord community server](https://www.boot.dev/community/) or to [tweet at us](https://twitter.com/bootdotdev).
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