🐍 Python Roadmap

Hey everbody.

In today’s edition, I share a great roadmap to becoming a Python developer, the impact of AI on learning web development, and a deep dive into the origins of the coding terms "foo" and "bar." Plus, we’ll explore hacking your first machine, why age isn’t as important in tech as you might think, and a new drone system helping rescue teams find people faster than ever.

Quick Links

🐍 Roadmap to Python
roadmap.sh offers awesome, detailed roadmaps for various programming languages, including Python. Their Python roadmap is a step-by-step guide designed to help you become a Python developer in 2024, covering everything from basics to advanced topics.

📖 AI is an impediment to learning web development
Ben Borgers, Head of Engineering at JumboCode, a student-led software club at Tufts University, recently pointed out that the use of LLMs can hinder the learning process in web development and raises some pretty good points.

🤔 What is the history of the use of "foo" and "bar"
Ever wondered why Many code examples use "Foo" and "Bar"? They originate from the WWII acronym FUBAR ("F-ed Up Beyond All Recognition"). These placeholder names became common during the North African and Sicilian campaigns and spread from there.

💻️ Hack Your First Machine
Hacking your first machine is a good milestone for anyone getting into cybersecurity. After watching tutorials and reading articles, actually taking control of a machine is an incredible and crucial experience for any aspiring professional. Here’s a free tutorial I found to get you started!

👴 Is Age Really a Factor in Tech?
Silicon Valley's obsession with youth often favors younger workers for their adaptability. However, Trevor I. Lasn challenges this, concluding that age doesn’t matter, what counts are skills. Whether you're 22 or 62, if you can code, solve problems, and contribute, you're valuable. Simple as that.

🗺️ Drone Software that Finds People When Search and Rescue Teams Can’t
British Mountain Rescue workers have created an automated drone system capable of searching landscapes much faster and more thoroughly than humans.

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OpenAIs Canvas

OpenAI has introduced a new beta feature for ChatGPT called "canvas," designed to enhance user experience by enabling greater collaboration.

Canvas is a dual-window workspace that sits alongside ChatGPT's traditional chat interface. While the chat interface allows for simple back-and-forth conversations, canvas promotes active collaboration, making it ideal for tasks requiring editing and revisions. The traditional chat interface works well for many tasks, but is limited for projects needing edits.

Key features of canvas include:

• Dual-window interface: Chat box and editable workspace side by side

• Collaborative content creation: Generate, edit, and refine text or code

• Specialized modes: Tailored for writing and coding

• Version history: Easily access previous iterations

With this feature, users can edit code directly in the canvas, use AI-assisted shortcuts, add logs, comments, and even translate code into different languages with a click.

More Reading

🟧 Rust needs a web framework for lazy developers (ntietz.com)
🖥️ How to Design and Develop Web APIs (Free Code Camp)
🚨 Students who use AI don’t use anything (El Pais)
🚪 Why do programmers need private offices with doors? (Shenisha)
🤼 Are Scrum Masters Too Much Overhead? (Maarten)

You need to think beyond just your job or your employer.

You have the superpower to create anything your mind imagines—and there are people out there who will pay for it.

In my latest video, I'll share 9 app ideas to inspire you to start thinking like a developer creator, not just a developer for hire.

Until next week,

Travis.