Project Based Learning (PBL) for Programmers

What is PBL

• Always learn through projects.

Why choose PBL

• Speeds up learning time if you have a late start.
• Gets you up to speed on specific technologies.

Things to Avoid

• Going through a resource (books, tutorials, …) from start to finish.
• Learning a programming language or API without a project in mind.

PBL Approach: Just starting to Code

• Solve coding problems on sites such as (LeetCode, Codeforces, …).
• Coding problem sites provide solutions where you can get direct feed back.
• Learn data structures and algorithms by using above site’s filter features.
• They also teach basic coding concepts such as loops, conditionals, …
• The above coding problems can be seen as “mini projects”.
• Realize programming languages are tools and there is no best one.
• Stick to learning the basics of one language really well.
• Don’t stay in this area for too long.
• Search for projects you can contribute to once you feel slightly confident.

PBL Approach: Confident enough to contribute

• Join a project where there are coders better than you.
  • Join a project through your school.
  • Join a project on GitHub.
  • Join a free internship
  • Join a paid internship (less likely but still possible)
• On top of joining a project with others take on a personal project.
• Personal project should be something you find interesting.
• Learn code by reading from large code bases and googling questions.
• Pair program with others.