Developers are generally reliant on tools and resources to help them create their projects effectively and efficiently. Resources vary, some being dependent on a developer’s level of expertise, and others are simple and general, which means they can be used by anyone regardless of their experience in software development.
As early developers (newbies), the more resources at your fingertips, the faster your rate of learning which translates to you becoming a better developer in a shorter amount of time, compared to when you’ve got only a handful.
In 2023, there are a lot more resources available to budding developers, and the better part is, these resources are free (except for expenses on Internet access, in case you don’t have that option).
Here are “all” (practically most) of the resources you can freely use at your disposal in your journey to becoming a world-class software developer.
Google Search
Google is the “ultimate” free resource all developers rely on! The Google search engine is created to point users in the right direction of their questions ninety-eight percent of the time (in my experience).
Did you know that most advanced software developers are simply excellent Google searchers?! — Anonymous
As a new developer, most of the problems you’ll certainly encounter have been tackled by someone else at some point and have certainly been answered by many others in a lot of different ways.
It takes a good amount of patience to effectively utilize Google Search, but it is the best free resource tool for every developer around the globe (except for the guys who first developed the search engine).
YouTube
Searching for a free tutor? Welcome to YouTube varsity! YouTube is a free resource that allows you to learn new concepts, and better understand others you’re having a hard time with.
Thanks to video content creators, there are a lot of tutorials from programming languages to concepts in Computer Science, from technologies to even coding patterns.
What most new developers find interesting about YouTube is them being able to find step-by-step tutorials to help them build their first projects as developers, courtesy of YouTube content creators!
With a lot of different creators, it isn’t difficult to find a video where the creator aligns with your particular style of learning. Although you should be sure to remain focused on one task at a time, and not get carried away with hilarious cat videos.
FaceBook developer groups
Developer groups are a big plus to every new developer, and finding the right group most times isn’t entirely difficult. While there can be a lot of local groups, a very resourceful place to find like-minded, and experienced developers in one place together is Facebook.
Facebook was created to connect people, which means every social developer is simply one search away, and you can connect with them personally and professionally.
Tech Communities
Millions of software developers around the world also rely on the expertise of each other, as this functions as a more efficient way to get around newly encountered challenges, as well as a support group for new and advanced developers.
Tech communities such as StackOverflow, Code Project, and Reddit, are awesome places to find multiple levels of developers, skilled in different or multiple programming languages, who can get your questions answered, discuss in simpler terms concepts you’re having a hard time with, and also tell you about upcoming tech events you can attend.
Most tech communities are free to sign up, so be sure to take advantage of this particular resource.
Software development courses
While these may take a little patience to search out, it is available! Several organizations are devoted to helping individuals learn how to write code for free!
A fine example is FreeCodeCamp.org, they provide you with a complete and updated Javascript curriculum, designed to take you from a beginner to a full-stack developer. Others include SoloLearn and CodeCademy.
Although with free courses, some perks available in a paid course could be unavailable to you, it is a great place to begin especially if you’re still unsure of what programming language to begin with.
Another thing to note is, with free courses, you should be willing to invest more time to make research (with the Google search engine obviously), because since they are free, a lot of time may not be invested into deeply explaining a concept, but are invested into creating more free contents for the course.
Podcasts
Podcasts allow you to listen to experienced developers in the software development ecosystem. Podcasts are a great way to stay current with the industry, learn about new tools to boost your productivity, and also enlighten you on multiple opportunities currently available.
Podcasts are also great resources to connect with senior developers and tech leaders, which can be a huge plus to your entire journey of becoming a world-class developer!
A few awesome tech podcasts (about software development) include:
Tech publications
Tech Catalyst is an example of a tech publication, that allows you free access to educative information on becoming a world-class software developer
Tech publications offer free access to a wide range of educative information, including industry advice which helps you stay in the loop and make smarter choices on your developer journey.
Tech publications such as FreeCodeCamp, Recode, and Linux Magazine, all offer free access to a lot more resources such as tools, discounted courses, updates on upcoming events and a lot more.
Conclusion
Everything free has a hidden price tag. — Tyrion Lannister(Personally I think that’s the kind of thing he’d say)
Which is true! These free resources do have a hidden cost, which is you investing your time and effort into them. Your conscious effort is important, so stay dedicated to the process of learning and finding more ways to improve your skills.