DEV Community: Gloria Asuquo

The 5 online coding and development tools you need to know

Gloria Asuquo — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 17:05:13 +0000

Coding online has become one of the most exciting things about software development in our time. Yes, they are very convenient and super interesting. The ability to save your source code to the cloud, access your code, and collaborate on a project from anywhere around the world are all features possessed by online coding and development tools and these are mind-blowingly pleasing.

What are considered online tools?

Tools enabled on the browser that allows collaborative development, social coding, debugging, code sharing, and software development experiments are online coding tools for developers. Five years ago, using online coding tools raised many fears and misconceptions. Well, it turns out people are more receptive to this technology. Interestingly, more of these tools are being produced, giving developers a stream of choices when choosing which online coding tool to use.

You do not have to worry about your code, from collaborating to building online. Most online coding tools have a cloud storage platform that allows your code to be stored in the cloud.

Now your doubts have been cleared, you do not have to worry about carrying your laptop about, you no longer have to face time on google meet to be able to collaborate on a project, and you no longer have to worry about desktop storage or if your laptop supports specific developer tools.

There are several benefits to using online coding tools

Enabled pair programming
Ability to share snippets and interactive sections of code.
Very easy to setup
Affords one have access to an editor despite the immediate access to the workstation
Ability to code irrespective of the poor functionality of your workstation
Less to no need for more processing power.

However, note that online coding tools do not entirely replace offline installations as they are not robust and capable of handling a vast code base like offline ones.

These online tools enable pair programming, social coding, programming task automation and collaborative development.

Here is a list of the Tools

Codeanywhere: This is a cloud Integrated Development Environment that saves you time by deploying a development environment in seconds and enables you to code, learn, build and collaborate on your projects. This development environment can be connected to your Git.
CodeSandBox: CodeSandbox is an online development environment for rapid web development. This online editor is a closer approximation of a local development environment. This is considered helpful for teaching, prototyping and issue reproductions. This supports various programming languages, which is an excellent thing.
Online Visual Studio Code: Visual Studio Code for the Web is a free, web-based version of Microsoft Visual Studio Code that allows you to explore source code repositories and make changes rapidly.
Gitpod: Gitpod provides reproducible, robust, cloud-based developer environments or workspaces. This is best for small teams.
Denigma: This AI tool makes it easy to understand other people’s code by explaining the code and running an analysis of what the code means. So instead of spending 70% of your time reading code, try Denigma.

Conclusion

There is little to no limit to what you can do with your software development process. Use more online coding and development tools and enjoy the best of your software development journey. Are you going to subscribe to more online coding tools? Let me know on Twitter.

Async and Await Javascript

Gloria Asuquo — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 17:00:55 +0000

Promises have been a little bit tricky to write which has caused a lot of inconveniences both in learning and coding. Now, there’s a super cool way to deal with promises which is a lot easier to write and it’s the async/await. Javascript introduced keywords async and await as a revision to the EcmaScript2015. It’s not just easier to write, it’s easier to understand.

In this article, I will discuss handling promises and asynchronous operations better with async and await keywords.

Before we continue, you are meant to have

Basic knowledge of Javascript
Good understanding of promises in Javascript and how it works.

The async and await keywords were introduced in Javascript to enable the use of promises easier and more comfortable. In simpler words, Async ensures a function returns a promise while await makes a function wait for a promise.

Let’s dig deeper!

An Async function is identified with the async keyword which is placed before the function. An async function always ensures that a promise is returned and if it is not returned then javascript automatically wraps it in a promise which then gives a value. The Async function always returns a promise while other values are usually contained in the resolved promise, making it far different from a regular function.

Here is the syntax for the async function:

async function name(parameter1, parameter2, …..parameterN){//statement}

Example: Async function

async function f(){ console.log('async function'); return promise.resolve(1); } f();

This function returns a resolved promise with the result of async function

That means async returns a promise and carries non-promises in it. Pretty good.

Now await makes a function execution wait till the promise is settled which could either be resolved or rejected. Await is used inside an async function.

Syntax for await function:

let value = await promise; //works inside async function

The await keyword causes async function execution to pause until the promise executes and also resume execution after the fulfilment of the promise. Like the literal meaning, it causes a function to a-wait the fulfilment of the promise.

Example: Await syntax

async function f(){ let promise = new Promise((resolve, reject) => { setTimeout(() => resolve("resolved!"), 1000) }); let result = await promise; //wait for the promise to be fulfilled console.log(result); // "resolved!" } f( );

Explanation: Here the execution is paused by line * and resumes when the promised is resolved with line //resolved becoming its result. The code is suspended while awaiting the promise to be fulfilled and then resumes when it has been fulfilled.

If the promise is rejected, the await expression returns the rejected value;

If the value of the syntax following await is not a promise, it is converted to a resolved promise.

It is a lot prettier using this than promise.then.

Await cannot be used in regular functions as it would throw a syntax error. It only works inside an async function.

For example:

function f(){ let promise = Promise.resolve(1); let result = await promise; //syntax error }

If we used async before the function, it would not have thrown an error.

This is practical proof that async is required to survive, much as ink is required for a pen to function.

Conclusion

Async and await enable a cleaner promise and ensure a flow in the chain of promise configuration. I hope you understand Await and Async, its function and how to write it. If you have any questions, kindly comment in the section below and I’ll reply to every comment.

Empowering Blockchain Technologies through Open Source

Gloria Asuquo — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 13:07:46 +0000

The adoption of blockchain on such a vast scale would not have been possible without the open-source system. Oh yes! The contribution of developers from 450 regions across the globe has helped Blockchain technology thrive past its infancy in such a short period. Not too fast. Let’s start from somewhere.

By the end of this article, you would know:

a. What Blockchain is

b. What Open source is

c. The impact of Open Source on Blockchain Technology

d. Reasons Blockchain should be Open Source

e. Blockchain Technologies that are Open Source

f. Who can contribute to Blockchain through Open source

What is Blockchain?

Blockchain is a form of distributed records spread out across participating devices known as nodes which are not owned by any single person/entity. In simple terms, blockchain is a live record system that distributes information across different networks which are readily accessible to anyone but cannot be manipulated by anyone.

These blockchain technologies are developed through source code, and these codes are either open or closed. For Blockchain technologies being run on open source, the source code is being made available to the public to modify, change and contribute. This is mainly done with the approval from the moderators of the technology.

Before we continue, What is Open Source?

Open source is the source code of computer software accessible to the public to change, redo, and remake only when permission is granted.

Open source is a perfect illustration of the adage, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Multiple minds and abilities are required to perfect a product’s usability in different aspects of its functionality. Platforms that are developed and constructed with user input perform better and have fewer issues

Impact of Open Source on Blockchain

The emergence of open source technology, in my opinion, has had a direct impact on the massive adoption of blockchain. Both technologies aim to transfer power from a small group of individuals to a large group. Both aim to improve product safety and transparency while also encouraging fairness and collaboration.

Arguments have been made about blockchain technologies being open-sourced. Some argue that the fast-adopted technology is not open source, while others argue that blockchain technologies are open-sourced. In the same vein, both parties have given reasons to prove their points, but these reasons both have exceptions making their points invalid.

Open source plays a vital role in the inception of blockchain technologies. Both technologies share similar characteristics and use a concept that embodies an open culture centred on giving power and control to the masses, thereby discouraging every form of control by the Big Tech companies.

Blockchain technology would not have been possible if not for the pool of developers that contributed to its innovation. The decentralized app(DApp), which being in competition with the centralized apps, needed to prove its relevance and benefits. This was a massive competition as the centralized apps already had grounds with thousands of users instead of hundreds of Dapps users. Though blockchain has gone past its infancy level, there is still more. It would only require different developers from various regions who understand the necessity of the population to meet their demands. The ever-increasing need and improvement prove the necessity to make more blockchain technologies open source.

Even though blockchain is not entirely open-source, most prominent technologies are open-sourced, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. Similarly, other blockchain technologies such as hyperledger, status, storj, high fidelity, and so many others are also open-source blockchain technologies.

Bitcoin is a beautiful example of how open source is beneficial to advancing blockchain technologies. Bitcoin being the first blockchain technology, was open source right from the time of inception, and this has encouraged developers to play around and study the bitcoin technology. This has enabled the emergence of other blockchain technologies and made bitcoin succeed as the most robust technology. The technology has over 15 000 contributions from over 450 developers in different regions across the globe.

Contributing to blockchain through open source has enhanced developers’ skills to build more awesome blockchain projects.

Why should Blockchain Technologies be Open Sourced?

Improve the potential of the technology: Whatever technology is made open to the open-source community eventually becomes the best of its type. This is because various experts, developers, and designers can improve the technology based on different perspectives. It is beautiful that the open-source community is very generous. Allowing them to improve blockchain technology for free would mean fewer bugs, better performance, better security, less complexity and reliable technology.
Transparency and Security: Tesla was announced to have opened up its patent to anyone who wanted them, making the product very transparent to the public. This gives the users of that technology enough trust in the technology, improving the adoption of the technology.
Open Source software enables developers to establish these platforms as decentralized applications (Dapps), which are critical to the blockchain’s safety, security, and flexibility. The tight security, which is being appreciated, resulted from the inclusion of various developers globally in a project. As more developers can test the platform, it would be easier to eliminate all bugs as different developers have different approaches and methods of removing bugs.
Cost Savings: The open-source innovation is an excellent way of building great technologies despite the world’s economic status. In some cases, technology may not be able to get investors to invest the amount of money needed in hiring experts; hence the open-source innovation has found a way to create world-changing solutions at a meagre cost from intelligent experts from all over the world.

Blockchain Technologies that are Open Source

Bitcoin
Ethereum
Hyperledger
Status
Storj
High Fidelity
Cosmos
Augur
Trust Wallet
Original Protocol
Corda
Quorum

Who can contribute to blockchain technologies through open source?

There are no restrictions as to who can contribute to blockchain technologies. For as long as certain areas are relevant for the development of blockchain technology, anyone can contribute. Developers, Designers, Writers, Project Managers etc., can all contribute to the advancement of blockchain through open source.

However, more opportunities should be made open by owners/moderators of blockchain technologies to enable people of various fields to contribute to the advancement of blockchain technologies.

Conclusion

That was a long read. Phew. In this article, we went through what blockchain is and what Open source is as well, the impact Open Source has on blockchain technology, Reasons Blockchain should be Open Source, the different blockchain technologies that are open source, and who can contribute to blockchain technology through open source. I hope you join the contributors across the globe to empower blockchain technology through open source.

Common mistakes junior developers make - Don't do this:

Gloria Asuquo — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 09:20:21 +0000

❎ Not asking enough questions
❎ Not believing in yourself
❎ Not building projects
❎ Comparing yourself with others
❎ Not joining Communities
❎ Not reading documentations

Are you a Javascript Developer if you don't have these VS Code Extensions?

Gloria Asuquo — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 08:33:41 +0000

VS Code Extensions every Javascript Developer should have

ESLint: This extension is great for running ESLint rules on your code and integrating the results within the editor. It enables you to detect and quickly fix rule invalidations.
Prettier: This is an opinionated code formatter that integrates with VS Code and other IDEs. It is really handy for ensuring code is formatted and properly indented and presents coloured keywords for more readable code.
REST Client: This is a VS Code extension that allows you to send an HTTP request and view the response directly in VS Code.
Javascript Boosted: Javascript Boosters suggests actions to enhance your code by analyzing your code action cause it solves it all from the declaration, refactoring conditions, functions, typescript, promises and much more.
Mocha Sidebar: If you test your JS, this is for you. This provides support for testing using the Mocha Library. This extension helps you run tests directly on the code and shows errors as decorators.

Coding Challenge Sites

Gloria Asuquo — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 16:54:20 +0000

Taking up programming challenges validates your skills as a developer. It also improves your confidence in writing code.
Here is a list of sites to check out to take up coding challenges that will build you up as a developer

Codewars
https://www.codewars.com/__
Leetcode
https://leetcode.com/
CodinGame
https://www.codingame.com/
Exercism
https://exercism.org/
Frontend Mentor
https://www.frontendmentor.io/home

Github Repositories to learn Javascript

Gloria Asuquo — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 01:03:26 +0000

Here are few Github Repositories to indulge in if you're looking to learn Javascript:

🐾https://github.com/trekhleb/javascript-algorithms
Algorithms and data structures implemented in JavaScript with explanations and links to further readings
143k stars
🐾https://github.com/ryanmcdermott/clean-code-javascript
Clean Code concepts adapted for JavaScript
68.4 stars
🐾https://github.com/leonardomso/33-js-concepts
33 JavaScript concepts every developer should know.
49.3k stars
🐾https://github.com/getify/You-Dont-Know-JS
A book series on JavaScript
154k stars
🐾https://github.com/lydiahallie/javascript-questions
A long list of (advanced) JavaScript questions, and their explanations
44.3k stars
🐾https://github.com/wesbos/JavaScript30
A long list of (advanced) JavaScript questions, and their explanations
19.8k stars
🐾https://github.com/verekia/js-stack-from-scratch
Step-by-step tutorial to build a modern JavaScript stack.
19.1k stars
🐾https://github.com/sorrycc/awesome-javascript
A collection of awesome browser-side JavaScript libraries, resources and shiny things
27.9k stars
🐾https://github.com/Asabeneh/30-Days-Of-JavaScript
30 days of JavaScript programming challenge is a step-by-step guide to learn JavaScript programming language in 30 days
22.3k stars
🐾https://github.com/denysdovhan/wtfjs
A list of funny and tricky JavaScript examples
26.6k stars

Javascript Style Guides

Gloria Asuquo — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 23:38:16 +0000

A style guide contains general rules about how to write code. They could include a better way to indent, where to place a function etc.

Here is a list of JavaScript Style Guides to checkout:

●Google JavaScript Style Guide
🔗https://google.github.io/styleguide/jsguide.html
●Airbnb JavaScript Style Guide
🔗https://github.com/airbnb/javascript
●Idiomatic.JS
🔗https://github.com/rwaldron/idiomatic.js
●StandardJS
🔗 https://standardjs.com/

PRACTICE - The memory bridge

Gloria Asuquo — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 14:22:45 +0000

A lot of times, while learning, information consumption isn't enough. The way the brain is wired, whatever you learn stays in the short term memory.

So when you watch a tutorial/read a book, it's seems you totally get what is being explained but give yourself 1 min max... Poof.... Everything is gone.
This is because you have to convert the information from the short term memory to the long term memory and the gap between the two memories is PRACTICE.

Practicing what you just learnt would strengthens the information you took in. The more you practice, the more it sticks.
This is a hack a lot of senior dev use and that's why they pick up project based learning when they want to learn a new technology.

Which Open Source Javascript Project can one contribute to?

Gloria Asuquo — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 10:00:12 +0000

The 5 online coding and development tools you need to know

Gloria Asuquo — Fri, 10 Jun 2022 08:50:58 +0000

Online Coding and development tools make our experience with development a lot fun and easier.

In this article, I outlined 5 online coding and development tools I find super cool.

What are yours? Let me know in the comment section of the article☺️

https://medium.com/@gloriaasuquo/the-5-online-coding-and-development-tools-you-need-to-know-20b6e13329dd

Dear Junior Developer

Gloria Asuquo — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 11:26:54 +0000

Dear Junior Developer,
Show your work. If you do not speak for your work, your work would not speak for itself. Talk about what you are learning. Don't be ashamed. After all, everyone is in a learning phase.