For the past couple of years, I have been fully focused on learning as much as possible about DevOps tooling. In doing so, my first love in software (programming) has atrophied a bit. Recently, I've started relearning backend software development using the boot.dev platform. The purpose of this series is to document what this process is like for someone already in the industry.
But why?
I've been working as a software professional since early 2016, starting first as a software developer and transitioning to DevOps/Platform officially in 2020. I did so mainly because I realized I care more about developer experience than user experience. In doing this, I moved away from development completely and have started to miss that side of the process. So mainly, I want to do this for fun and to learn more about backend development specifically. Not only because it's fun, but also because it will help me become a more well-rounded software professional.
How?
This seems like the easiest part to get to but has been painful to start. I found that the sheer number of courses available makes it difficult to choose which path to take. The first one that has consistently worked for me has been boot.dev. I think this comes down to the motivations of the people who started boot.dev. I've found that the content is really engaging and challenging enough for beginners as well as experienced developers. Hence, I'm looking forward to doing more courses and learning things in more depth. On top of this, I'll be looking into completing 1-2 longer-term projects that I have been wanting to do to supplement other learning goals.
Starting off, I'm not following any specific study plan or allocating a set amount of time per week to any topic or course. When I have some free time, I will work on it as long as I can. For this, boot.dev has already been a good choice with small chunks that can be completed in about 10 minutes. Outside of the main courses, I will dedicate some time to YouTube videos and general documentation reviews. I'm relying on these articles to keep me accountable and maintain steady progress. What has worked well at the start is picking up some tasks when I find myself feeling bored outside of work hours. In short, I'm trying to keep it casual.
What's next?
I'm documenting the process. It might take 1-2 years in total, but I'm hoping to complete the core boot.dev courses within 12 months. By documenting this journey, I aim to reflect on what works for me and learn more. Maybe I can even help others find processes that work for them too. With the added bonus of sharpening up my writing skills. Any thoughts, constructive criticism, or requests for more details are most welcome.