Day 0

Welcome to my renewed journey through software development. I started this blog to help myself become a better programmer and ultimately a better person. I’m not expecting many people to read these posts, but knowing that you could, encourages me to write as well as I’m able. So I thank you for your assistance. Now I’m going to share a few thoughts about where I need to go and how I plan to get there.

To finish my bachelors degree, I need additional study time with Java, and SQL. I also need to study the Spring framework which is also known as Spring MVC. Using Spring, my application will eventually serve html pages and interact with them. Knowing the concepts of Spring, I’m going to use FreeCodeCamp.org to re-orient myself with the front end. I haven’t messed with vanilla JS much, only a little jQuery so FCC’s JS and algorithms section will help. I also think that some review of C++ would be fun, however my schedule is already overbooked. Java needs to be my primary focus. C++ will have to wait for now.

I have my Java, Spring, and Database books to read. I also have Tim Buchalka’s Java Programming Masterclass on Udemy. Combine this will all Free Code Camp work and I’ve got a mountain of tasks to complete. If anything, I’ve got too much work to do and I should consider more focus. More focus = more Java at this point. Java is the foundation the rest of my application will build on. After some time or when I want a break from Java, I can start mixing in the other pieces.

Now that I’m focused, I need to set some goals. What should I accomplish each day? Each week? Each Month? My schedule varies, especially now going into summer. My regular schedule allows for 2 hours of study each day, with a potential 3rd hour over my lunch break. On days I’m not working, I should be able to devote 4-6 hours. I could push for more, but I’m looking for consistency across days. Once I’ve logged some 4+ hour weekend days, I’ll be able to evaluate if the increase the time will be help on non-work days. This should allow me to spend about 20 hours a week on my training.

With 20 hours each week to spend learning, I should be able to finish a chapter in my Java book each week. I should note that I complete all of the problems at the end of each chapter including the two different team exercises. I’ve found that insistence on completing each problem is agonizing but highly educational. I should also complete several code camp modules or units each day. If I’m unable to complete 10 modules of front end each day, I don’t deserve my keyboard. Perhaps a monthly review and reassessment will be in order by the end of my first month. I’d like to make all sorts of positive claims here, but realistically, I need to get through week 1 first, followed by month 1. To make a realistic and positive claim, I should finish my Java book within 2 months time.

Tonight I’ll rest knowing that in the morning, I’ll begin by executing my plan. I have several pages of Java to read and example projects to create. When I need to switch off, I’ve got FreeCodeCamp.org’s front end development section to review. If that isn’t working, I’ve got my Java class on Udemy or a database book to re-read. Any problems I encounter certainly won’t be because I was lacking a variety of topics to study. Staying focused on Java will be the main objective and my personal challenge.