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Tue, Jun 11, 2024 • Niall Maher

# Why I'm Focusing on Beginner Content (for a few weeks)

If you are in Amsterdam this week, let me know! I'll be there for JS Nation and React Summit. It's my first time MC'ing a conference, so I'm very excited.

_If you aren't interested in my slightly long blurb about why I'm working on beginner content, you can skip to the usual links below._

Over the next few weeks (or potentially months), I'll dedicate my efforts to creating content specifically for beginners.

I write articles daily, and this new initiative is part of a broader goal to build a comprehensive draft curriculum that will form the basis of a free course on our website.

Codú is committed to making learning accessible and enjoyable for everyone, and this new series is a testament to that mission. Let me share why this focus on beginner content is so important and what you can expect from our upcoming materials.

### **Strong Foundations**

Foundational knowledge is the bedrock of any learning journey. Whether you're learning to code, picking up a new language, or diving into a new hobby, having a solid grasp of the basics is crucial.

It enables you to understand more complex concepts, solve problems more efficiently, and build a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Just like constructing a building, without a strong foundation, the structure will eventually falter.

This principle applies universally across disciplines and is why I'm so passionate about starting from the ground up.

With AI tools and search engines making it easy to solve problems, I want to ensure that learners remember to really understand core concepts.

### **Identifying the Need for Beginner Content**

There are some fantastic resources out there for beginners.

Some of my favorite free resources are **[freeCodeCamp](https://freecodecamp.org/)** and **[The Odin Project](https://www.theodinproject.com/)**.

**So** **_why_** **am I creating something else?**

Because we are building a platform and have experience making content, we think we can blend learning with video, interactive elements, and text that are currently only available via paid platforms. So, we are hoping to take a major step forward in the quality of the content for our learners.

This will take time, but we will start with our text-based content.

We want to not only build the largest coding community in the world but also to be a place where people can develop the skills to thrive in their tech careers.

### **Goals for the New Content Series**

The primary objective of this new content series is to provide a robust foundation for beginners. We'll cover essential topics and skills that are often overlooked or underexplained. The series will include:

- Computing fundamentals
- HTML, CSS, JavaScript
- Step-by-step tutorials on setting up your development environment.
- Introduction to key tools and technologies.
- Simple projects to practice and apply new skills.

By laying this groundwork, we aim to prepare learners for more advanced topics and projects in the future.

**We would also love feedback**, so either on our Discord or via email, let me know what topics you hope we focus on.

### **Personal Journey and Experience**

When I first began exploring new subjects, I often found myself overwhelmed by the complexity of advanced materials.

However, by revisiting foundational concepts and building my knowledge step-by-step, I was able to achieve a much deeper understanding.

I'm a self-thought developer, so I know how easy it is to miss some of the core knowledge needed when building your skillset. I'm hoping my experience will help shape a learning journey that you both enjoy and that will stay with you for the rest of your career.

**To all the new learners out there**, I want to offer a few words of encouragement.

The beginning of any learning journey can be scary, but remember that every expert was once a beginner. Nobody was born with the ability to code. Everyone had to take their first steps at some point.

Stay motivated by setting small, achievable goals and celebrate your progress.

Be bold, ask questions, and get help when needed. At Codú, **we're here to support you every step of the way**, and our community is filled with individuals who have walked the same path and are eager to help.

## My picks from Codú

**[Choosing Between SQL and NoSQL (3 min)](https://www.codu.co/articles/choosing-between-sql-and-nosql-k7vb98xf)**\
Databases are essential for storing and managing data in modern applications. There are two major categories: SQL and NoSQL.

**[Understanding the Basics of Secure Coding Practices (3 min)](https://www.codu.co/articles/understanding-the-basics-of-secure-coding-practices-xfylu11e)**\
Learn the essentials of secure coding practices in this comprehensive guide. Discover how to protect your apps from vulnerabilities through input validation

**[How to Setup a React Project from Scratch in 2024 (7 min)](https://www.codu.co/articles/how-to-setup-a-react-project-from-scratch-in-2024-lsxdhv3_)**\
This article will guide you on how to set up a react project in 2024 to a professional standard that is fast and easy to run.

## WIP - My new Beginner series on Codú

**[What is an Operating System? (4 min) New Beginner Series](https://www.codu.co/articles/what-is-an-operating-system-kwofkhay)**\
An operating system (or, as you'll often see it called, an "OS") is a software program that manages a computer's hardware and software resources.

**[An Introduction to HTML - Tags (3 min)](https://www.codu.co/articles/an-introduction-to-html-tags-0wykhhju)**\
Welcome to your first steps in learning HTML! In this article, we'll focus on understanding the fundamental concept of HTML: tags.

**[Beginner HTML - Types of Tags (4 min)](https://www.codu.co/articles/beginner-html-types-of-tags-jpdhop1h)**\
Let's explore some of the most commonly used HTML tags. These tags will help you structure and format your content effectively.

By the end of the week, I should have finished all of the HTML lessons! 🎉

## Other Articles/Resources

**[Exactly How to Deploy Local Files to Make a Live Website (5 min)](https://frontendmasters.com/blog/exactly-how-to-deploy-local-files-to-make-a-live-website/)**\
Deploy your first website using local files with this great article by Frontend Masters.

**[How Deep is Your DOM? (7 min)](https://frontendatscale.com/blog/how-deep-is-your-dom/)**\
A dive into the DOM and the DOM tree so you can understand how the depth of your DOM can affect performance.

**[Promises From The Ground Up (14 min)](https://getpocket.com/read/502A7g95d8cQ3T0696p275bioDT2dSK23fux77Rby3a6e8DN103c6G23jKNhE841_99836210b973d6f4f575c2efeab3eecc)**\
Josh shares all of the critical bits of context that took him years to understand. And by the end, hopefully, you'll have a much deeper understanding of what Promises are and how to use them effectively.

**[The Map Is Not the Territory - Mental Model (12 min)](https://fs.blog/map-and-territory/)**\
The map-territory mental model is about understanding the difference between perceptions (the 'map') and the actual reality (the 'territory').

**[SVG Viewer (Site)](https://www.svgviewer.dev/)**\
An online SVG editor and converter that lets you optimize and edit your SVG images.

**[Google Indexing Script (Repo)](https://github.com/goenning/google-indexing-script)**\
Use this script to get your entire site indexed on Google in less than 48 hours. No tricks, no hacks, just a simple script and a Google API.

## Something I've been enjoying

**[Sage - The Barista Express](https://amzn.to/3XoTirw)**\
I've been using the Sage Barista Express for **years**, and it's been a game-changer for my coffee routine.

This all-in-one espresso machine grinds beans fresh and has a built-in steam wand that froths milk to perfection, making it ideal for my Flat White addiction. It's user-friendly, reliable, and offers a professional coffee experience at home. I highly recommend it for any coffee lover.

Until I got this, I used to visit a coffee shop once or twice a day, so it's definitely made its money back over the years.

That's it for this week!

**If you have any ideas or feedback, reply to this email.**

Thanks, and stay awesome,

Niall
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