DEV Community: Zedikiah Choo

Phase 1 at FlatIron School

Zedikiah Choo — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 18:23:35 +0000

My first phase of the software engineering program at FlatIron School was mostly not easy. Much of phase 1 entailed reviewing the prep course involving HTML, CSS, JavaScript, event listeners, and the Document Object Model (DOM). But that is as far as it goes. Few additional lessons were added to the previously mentioned, such as in-depth lessons in data structures, iterations, and methods.

The most "frustrating" lessons involved servers, APIs, and db.json databases, especially the fetch commands and asynchronous JavaScript. Understanding what an Application Program Interface (API) was—a sort of online database used to provide data to other apps and services—was a challenging concept for me at first. I thought of it as an outside repository full of detailed information that supplies data to your app or website. This understanding didn't come easily; it took me a while to grasp the full picture.

I started to look at the phase 1 guidelines, which made me even more confused. This confusion led me to mimic YouTubers who created simple websites using APIs and db.json. After a lot of research, tinkering, and experimenting, I began to understand APIs, db.json, fetch, and asynchronous JavaScript. I felt like a partial madman during this process, but I persevered.

Feelings aside, phase 1 focused primarily on building upon what was learned during the prep phase, cultivating in-depth knowledge and skills for HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (mostly JavaScript). The phase added new lessons on algorithms and servers (including APIs, db.json, fetch, and asynchronous JavaScript).

One of the key takeaways from phase 1 was understanding the importance of solidifying foundational knowledge before diving into more complex topics. The progression from HTML and CSS to JavaScript, and then to asynchronous operations and APIs, felt logical but required persistence and practice.

Detailed Lessons Learned
JavaScript Fundamentals: JavaScript was the star of phase 1. We delved deep into JavaScript's core concepts, including functions, variable scope, and data structures like arrays and objects. One of the key areas we explored was the Document Object Model (DOM), where we learned how to interact with and manipulate HTML elements programmatically. This phase also introduced us to JavaScript events and how to handle them effectively to create interactive web pages. Additionally, we covered essential topics such as asynchronous programming, working with APIs, and understanding the execution context in JavaScript. This comprehensive introduction laid a strong foundation for my journey into front-end development.

Event Listeners and DOM Manipulation: Learning to control the behavior of a web page in response to user interactions was fascinating. Event listeners opened up a world of possibilities, allowing me to create dynamic and interactive web pages. I spent hours experimenting with different events and DOM manipulation techniques, making my projects come alive.

Working with Data Structures in JavaScript: We focused extensively on understanding and manipulating data structures. Starting with arrays and their methods, we learned to efficiently handle data using functions like map, filter, and reduce. We also explored objects, covering creation, modification, and iteration techniques. These lessons were reinforced through various assignments and labs, including the Arrays Lab, Objects Lab, and Looping Lab. Additionally, we tackled advanced topics like traversing nested objects and object iteration, all of which were crucial for managing data in our projects.

APIs and Asynchronous JavaScript: This was the most challenging part of phase 1. Learning to fetch data from external sources and handle asynchronous operations required a significant shift in thinking. Understanding promises, async/await, and handling errors in asynchronous code were key skills I developed. By the end of the phase, I could confidently fetch data from APIs, process it, and display it on my web pages.

Project-Based Learning: The culmination of phase 1 was a project that brought together everything we had learned. I built a web application that fetched data from a db.json file and displayed it dynamically. This project was a test of my understanding and a chance to apply all the skills I had acquired. It was incredibly satisfying to see my hard work come to life in a functional web application.

Here's a repo link to phase 1 project:
https://github.com/xyzed3k1ah/phase-1-project

Breath fellow classmates, breath...

Zedikiah Choo — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 03:17:19 +0000

A lot of my fellow classmates have freaked out over the Flatiron School phase 1 final project (and chances are future students will freak out in future cohorts). Many were not aware that much of their stress and anxiety could have been immediately addressed by simply referring to guidelines and requirements provided in the course, and looking at additional resources on the Discord page under resources which covers far more proper expectations (like what the students are being "tested" on and asked to do) which are simple and basic at phase 1. Also, all students have 1-on-1 scheduling access to the phase instructors -so there's that.

Proper communication, rationality, and healthy perception are important for any student of any discipline.

Getting back on track, the smart way...

Zedikiah Choo — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 02:51:45 +0000

I'm needing to getting back in the game of learning software engineering at the level of a bootcamp student at first phase. Most of the key points include:

Javascript fundamentals: Variables, Comparisons, Conditionals, Logical Operators, Control Flow, and Arithmetic.

Javascript functions.

Scopes

Data Structures: Arrays, Objects, Modifying Objects, Debugging, Javascript Loops, Object Iterations, Traversing Nested Objects.

Array Iterations: Array Iterator Methods, Finding array Elements, Filtering Arrays, Mapping Arrays, forEach: The iterator of no return.

Javascript Advanced Syntax: Destructuring & Spread Operator

Javascript Events

And Communicating with the Server.

...the fact the I've analyzed and organized my first phase and the fact that a good chunk phase 1 is a review of my mandatory prep work gives me much hope and confidence.

I shall be working in many places including MDN and Leetcode.

Where the time flies...

Zedikiah Choo — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 02:35:19 +0000

I started my Software Engineering Journey back in August 7 of 2023 when I was accepted into Flatiron School for software engineering. Prior to that, I spent nearly 2 months prepping for what I thought at the time was one of most intense crash course in software engineering I've ever experienced -all while juggling a demanding work contract, and dealing with being an emergency transplant from Florida (struggling to adapt to a radically new environment, and other stuff). I was able to pass both Flatirons required aptitude test and the prep course, so I definitely am confident I have what it takes to do right by me and finish this cohort by the final date. That being said, I'm not proud of it, but I was the proverbial hero traveling "dark night of the soul" as so eloquently described in one of Flatiron's prep module... I had to get to get myself out of that dark pit of distraction starting with skills, good habits, and adaptions that I already had. One of which is writing... a few others include organization, attention to detail, time management, focus, communication, problem solving... the obvious grown-up skills... and then there are the uncommon skills like meditation, stillness, sound therapy, yoga nidra, kriya yoga (breath yoga).