The tools, tips, and resources that helped me learn to code

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Last week, someone asked me for advice on learning to code. It got me thinking about the tools and resources I’ve used, the ones I still rely on, and what has helped me along the way. I also started reflecting on what I might have done differently, knowing what I know now.
Most of what I know, I learned on my own. So I’ve compiled a list of resources that have helped me for anyone who may find it useful.

On choosing a language

This is an important choice, but don’t overthink it. The idea is to pick something and start learning or building as soon as possible. If you like frontend, go with JavaScript. If you prefer backend, Python or Java are good options. Aim to become proficient—or at least comfortable—using a single language before moving on to frameworks (React and Next.js can wait). I started with Python, then moved on to JavaScript, and I’ve also dabbled in C and Java along the way.

On fundamentals

I believe this is a crucial step. Once you’ve picked a language, focus on mastering the basics: code flow, variables and data types, loops, conditionals, input/output, and so on.

Data Structures & Algorithms

Linked lists, queues, trees, quicksort, bubble sort, etc. Big O notation too. It’s helpful to know each of these, I would have loved to start with them from the beginning.

Currently, I’m following this course: The Last Algorithms Course You'll Need

Git

Learn to version-control your code. Get used to staging and committing changes. Practise pushing and pulling from a remote repository, creating pull requests, and merging. Also, get comfortable fixing merge conflicts. It’s extremely useful both for working alone and when collaborating on projects. Try using it from the terminal—it’s simpler than most UI clients once you get the hang of it.

I’ll recommend this course: Everything You'll Need to Know About Git

This is an article I wrote with some common commands: A list of useful Git commands

Terminal

Don’t be afraid of using the terminal. Once you become familiar with it and learn some core commands, everything becomes much easier.

On AI

Should we use AI to learn? Absolutely, but with caution. It’s much more helpful when you already have a clear idea of what you’re trying to do. If not, you’re basically lying to yourself. For instance, if you encounter an error, for example, first try searching for it on Google or StackOverflow. Learn to read the error log. Then, if you’re still stuck, you can copy and paste the error log and see if AI tools can help. Sometimes the old way works best!

I’ve currently disabled Copilot and mostly use ChatGPT for brainstorming, generating quick snippets of code, and debugging. I turned off Copilot because I found myself passively waiting for suggestions instead of actually writing code.

Resources

YouTube

Here are some of my favourite channels:

  • ThePrimeagen - my favourite channel at the moment. Not a lot of tutorials but more of commentary videos. Got me into Vim and other tools. His background story is really inspiring too.
  • Fireship - Great for staying up to date on tech news, and very funny. Quick tutorials too.
  • Traversy Media - One of the all-time greats for tutorials and educational content.
  • TodoCode - Luisina covers a lot of Java content. (She’s from Argentina too! 🇦🇷)
  • Low Level - Fantastic videos on low-level coding, pointers, etc.
  • Alex Ziskind - Hardware comparisons and tech setups.
  • Web Dev Simplified - One of my go-to channels for anything React-related.
  • Corey Schafer - Lots of great videos on Python and other topics.
  • Kevin Powell - The king of CSS. If you’re on the frontend route, this channel is a gem for styling.
  • typecraft - Awesome if you’re into Neovim, Tmux, or Rails.
  • Dreams of Code - High-quality tutorials. Found the channel thanks to a VPS set up video.
  • TechPrep - Nicely visualised videos on system design and related topics.
  • Deanin and GoRails - Great for anything related to Ruby on Rails.
  • Boris Meinardus - ML researcher with excellent content for getting started in machine learning.
  • Code with Antonio - Full clones of popular applications using Next.js and TypeScript.
  • EO - Interviews with founders of all kinds of businesses.
  • Startupeable - Similar to EO but in Spanish.

Courses

There are a lot of complete classes from Harvard and MIT published on YouTube too.

People to follow

Mostly from X

Tools

  • Neovim - My default code editor for everything except Java. Here’s my config: nvim.config repo
  • JetBrains IDEs - The best I’ve tried aside neovim.
  • Tmux - A game-changer when using the terminal for splitting windows and organising sessions.
  • Ghostty - Chosen over iTerm2 as my preferred Terminal replacement on macOS.
  • 1Password - My password manager. I also use its CLI for managing SSH keys.

Misc

GitHub Student Developer Pack

If you’re a student, you absolutely should apply for this: GitHub Student Developer Pack

Among the many certifications and benefits, here are the ones I’m using:

  • 1Password (saves me $4 per month)
  • DigitalOcean ($200 in credit)
  • Frontend Masters (6 months free)
  • GoRails (12 months free)
  • JetBrains (all IDEs free)

Conclusion

Here’s a quick summary of recommended steps, based on everything above:

  1. Choose a Language: Pick one (e.g., JavaScript, Python, Java or C) and learn its basics thoroughly.
  2. Master the Fundamentals: Focus on core concepts, data structures, and algorithms.
  3. Use Git: Get comfortable with version control to manage and collaborate on code.
  4. Leverage AI Wisely: Try solving issues yourself first; use AI as a supplement, not a crutch.
  5. Embrace the Terminal: Learn a few key commands; you’ll become more efficient over time.
  6. Explore YouTube Resources: Follow channels that keep you informed, inspired, and help with specific skills.
  7. Follow Influential Developers: People like ThePrimeagen, Theo, and DHH can offer valuable insights.
  8. Pick the Right Tools: Experiment with editors like Neovim or JetBrains IDEs, and organise your workflow with Tmux or a solid terminal app.
  9. Take Advantage of Free Resources: If you’re a student, sign up for the GitHub Student Pack and explore other educational discounts.
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