Master Your
Coding Foundations
BASHIRI SMITH
Hey!
A LITTLE ABOUT ME
My name is Bashiri Smith.
In just under 12 months & without
a college degree or any work
experience, I received 2 offers for
more than $115,000 for my first job
as a software engineer.
Since then, I have gone on to earn
over $265,000p/y as a software
engineer and I have also founded
my own tech startup. (Interlade)
Throughout my journey to learn how to code, I've found that
quality education has been withheld behind unnecessary
college degrees and overly-expensive coding bootcamps.
My mission is to make it easy for anyone to change their life with
coding!
This guide is for aspiring coders who want
to earn $100k+ as a software engineer in
less than a year.
01 Foundational
Programming Concepts
What is Coding/Programming?
Coding, or programming, is the process of creating instructions for computers to follow. It
involves writing code in a programming language, which is a special language understood by
computers. This code tells the computer what actions to perform, enabling it to execute
various tasks, from simple calculations to controlling complex systems. Think of it as writing
a recipe that the computer follows to complete a specific task or solve a problem.
What are Programming Languages?
Programming languages are like special codes that tell computers what to do. Think of them
as the secret languages that computer programmers use to make games, apps, and websites.
Just like we use English or Spanish to talk to each other, programmers use these languages to
give instructions to computers.
There are lots of different programming languages, and they can be grouped into a few types:
1. High-level languages are the easiest for people to understand. They are a bit like
talking in full sentences. Examples include Python, Java, C++, and JavaScript. Programmers
use these for making all sorts of things, like video games, apps, and websites.
2. Low-level languages are more like the computer's own language. They're harder for
people to understand but let the programmer control the computer very closely. Assembly
language is an example. It's used for special jobs that need the programmer to manage exactly
how the computer works.
3. Markup languages aren't exactly programming languages, but they help set up how
things look on websites or organize information. HTML, which helps create web pages, is an
example.
Each programming language has its own set of rules on how to write and organize code, kind
of like how English has grammar and spelling rules. When programmers write code, they
have to follow these rules so the computer can understand them.
Choosing which programming language to use depends on what the programmer wants to
make. Some languages are better for certain tasks than others, like how some tools are better
for certain jobs.
01 Foundational
Programming Concepts
What is an IDE?
An IDE, or Integrated Development Environment, is a software application that provides
comprehensive facilities to computer programmers for software development. Think of it as
a toolbox that contains all the tools a programmer needs to write, test, and debug their code
all in one place. An IDE typically includes:
- A code editor: This is where you write your code. The editor often highlights syntax and
can auto-complete some of your code, making it easier to read and write.
- A compiler or interpreter: This tool translates your written code into a language that
computers can understand, either by compiling the code into executable files or by
interpreting the code directly.
- A debugger: This tool helps you find and fix errors in your code. It allows you to run your
program step by step, inspect variables, and understand what your code is doing at each step.
- Build automation tools: These tools automate common development tasks, like compiling
your code into an executable application or deploying your web application to a server.
Some IDEs are designed for a specific programming language, such as Eclipse or IntelliJ
IDEA for Java, while others, like Visual Studio Code or Atom, can be used with a wide
variety of languages through the use of plugins. IDEs can greatly improve a programmer's
productivity by providing all the necessary tools in a single application, making it easier to
write, test, and debug software.
VSCode industry standard among most modern Frontend/Backend/FullStack Engineers
(Free Download Below):
https://code.visualstudio.com/download
01 Foundational
Programming Concepts
Terminal
As a software engineer, using the terminal or command line is essential because it provides a
powerful and direct way to interact with your computer's operating system and software. It
allows you to perform tasks more efficiently and quickly than through a graphical user
interface (GUI). With the command line, you can execute commands for compiling code,
managing files, accessing databases, and controlling version systems like Git. It's also
indispensable for automation, scripting, and working with servers or development
environments that don't have a GUI. Learning to use the terminal can significantly enhance
your productivity, troubleshooting skills, and understanding of how systems work under the
hood.
Command Line Crash Course:
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Learn/Tools_and_testing/Understanding_client-
side_tools/Command_line
01 Foundational
Programming Concepts
Basic Syntax and Logic: Familiarity with control structures, loops,
functions, and data structures.
https://csx.codesmith.io/home
Algorithms and Data Structures: Sorting, searching, stacks, queues,
linked lists, trees, graphs, hash tables.
https://neetcode.io/courses/dsa-for-beginners
Coding Challenges: Solve basic to intermediate-level coding
problems like FizzBuzz, palindrome checks, and two-sum problems.
https://neetcode.io/practice
02 2 Best Youtube Channels
&
How to Use Them
FreeCodeCamp
What it’s Good for:
Extremely informational videos cover a wide range
of topics and languages. Their “Course” videos are
typically 1-4 hours long and go quite in depth on the
subject.
How to Use FreeCodeCamp:
If you are able to stay disciplined enough to
attentively watch through every video they have on
a topic you want to learn, you wouldn’t need
anything else to learn to code. I’ve used their videos
to learn while on the job!
03 2 Best Youtube Channels
&
How to Use Them
Fireship
What it’s Good for:
Great way to immerse into coding culture. You
won’t understand every video or topic, but by
consistently watching these videos you will learn a
lot about the industry.
How to Use Fireship:
Use this channel as a substitute for your typical
youtube entertainment. Doing so will rapidly
increase your general knowledge on the coding
industry and will improve your ability to chat about
obscure topics in job interviews.
04 The Best Free Book
&
How to Use It
Programming Fundamentals,
A Modular Structured
Approach
What it’s Good for:
Great explainations of the basics of programming. It
breaks down big programming ideas into small, easy-to-
understand parts. The book talks about important
programming topics like different kinds of data, how to
control programs, organizing data, etc. This book was
published in 2009 but the topics are still important to this
day.
How to Use Programming Fundamentals:
If you have no knowledge on coding at all I would
recommend you watch a few youtube videos on “What
coding is?”. Once you have just a little understanding, read
this book cover to cover.
If you are already learning to code use this book as a
reference when you are confused on a basic concept.
05 Book Summary
1. **Master the Basics of Programming**: Understand core
concepts such as variables, data types, control structures (if
statements, loops), functions, and error handling. Solidifying
your foundation in these areas enables you to tackle more
complex problems effectively.
2. **Develop Problem-Solving Skills**: Programming is
essentially problem-solving. Learn how to break down complex
problems into manageable parts, use algorithms and data
structures efficiently, and apply logical thinking to devise
solutions.
3. **Learn Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)**: OOP is a
fundamental programming paradigm used in many high-level
languages. Grasp the concepts of classes, objects, inheritance,
encapsulation, and polymorphism. Understanding OOP
principles is crucial for developing scalable and maintainable
software.
4. **Understand Software Development Lifecycles (SDLC)**:
Familiarize yourself with different stages of software
development, including planning, analysis, design,
implementation, testing, and maintenance. Knowledge of
methodologies like Agile or Scrum is highly valuable in today’s
tech environment.
05 Book Summary Pt.2
5. **Practice Version Control**: Version control systems like
Git are essential tools for software engineers. They allow you to
track and manage changes to your codebase, collaborate with
others, and contribute to open source projects.
6. **Develop Soft Skills**: Communication, teamwork, and
problem-solving skills are as important as technical abilities.
The ability to work effectively in a team, articulate ideas
clearly, and adapt to change can significantly impact your
career trajectory.
7. **Build a Portfolio and Contribute to Open Source**: Start
personal projects and contribute to open-source projects to
demonstrate your skills, learn from real-world codebases, and
make your resume stand out. This practical experience is
invaluable in job interviews.
8. **Stay Curious and Keep Learning**: The tech field evolves
rapidly. Continuously learning new programming languages,
technologies, and tools is crucial. Follow industry trends, attend
workshops and conferences, and engage with the community
through forums and social media.
06 2 Best Free Coursework
&
How to Use Them
CSX
What it’s Good for:
Best learning material for learning fundamental
coding concepts. Uses javascript as the language you
are practicing with, which is a great general
language with tons of job opportunities.
How to Use CSX:
CSX was made by Codesmith, the $21,000 bootcamp I
went to that helped me get a job. Go through the entire
course and complete every task. Except the tasks that
require you to schedule a meeting with the Codesmith
team. If you have the money to pay for the bootcamp, go
for it! If not use this free material to level up!
07 2 Best Free Coursework
&
How to Use Them
Codecademy
What it’s Good for:
Tons of full courses on many languages and
industry topics. Has in order, step-by-step
instructions of what you need to learn for many
specific coding jobs.
How to Use Codecademy:
They have plenty of free material available and I would
definitely recommend completing. However they do
paywall the best parts of their courses. A work around for
this is to simply look at what they want you to learn and
look for that topic elsewhere, then come back to
Codecademy once you’ve completed that topic.
08 The #1 Resource I Wish I
Had When Learning to
Code
Become A Software Engineer
What it’s Good for:
Direct Q&A access to software engineers making
$100,000+ in the industry. Step-by-step guidance in
what to learn and how to learn on your coding
journey. Help crafting your resume. Job & Intern
opportunities
How to Use Become a Software Engineer:
Join in the community for free and ask expert engineers
anything you want to know. Follow their courses and
guidance all the way to your first $100,000+ coding job.
What's Next?
Now that you know all the free resources I used on my coding
journey, you may want private coaching from me so you can
become a $100,000+ software engineer faster!
If that's the case, go ahead and schedule a free call with me
below to see what the next best steps are for you!
On the call, you and I will come up with a custom plan of action
for you so you can see exactly how to become a $100,000+
software engineer using the BreakthroughCoder method.
Click the link below if you are serious about becoming a
software engineer.
https://calendly.com/100kcoder/strategy-call-1
