How I learned react in 2017 and what NOT to Do!

Are you a developer already but not a web dev?

Do you want to learn React or become a web developer?

DO NOT do what I did! I think I found the most difficult and slow way to make it.

Well, before I start, pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee and let me share my oh-so-fascinating story about learning React in 2017. Get ready for a ride, because you definitely don't want to follow my yellow brick road!

The year was 2017, and I had decided to pivot my career (yet again) towards the one thing I'd always held a flame for – computers. My story had kicked off in 1996, (you can check out more intriguing details here and on my LinkedIn profile) when I scored my first gig in the industry.

Desperately in need of a job to support my family, I found myself roped into a small project for a friend. It was time to dive into uncharted waters. I feverishly purchased a handful of Udemy courses and, with a looming deadline in a few months, began my journey. For reasons that escape me, I decided to wrestle with React.

Record scratch – did I mention I was about as familiar with JavaScript as a fish is with the desert? Sure, I could tweak a program here or there, but drafting one from scratch was another ballgame. After all, I'd been crafting software since 1993, but never wrestled with this beast.

Fasten your seat belts because this is where the ride gets bumpy. Not only did I plunge headfirst into React without a clue about JavaScript, but I also tangled with Redux. Imagine trying to decode a foreign language while simultaneously figuring out a cryptic crossword. Yeah, that was me!

Here's the deal – getting the hang of Redux is like earning a mini degree in Computer Science. It's like learning the magic behind pulling a rabbit out of a hat, knowing precisely when to use it, and making it look effortless. Folks, DON'T ATTEMPT THIS AT HOME. It's a wild ride, one that took me a couple of light years to fully grasp.

Now, enter Firebase, a sprinkle of a tiny server to send emails using Nodemailer, and the task of deploying this beast on Heroku (thanks for the challenge, Udemy course!). Throw in endless rounds of playing and replaying course videos, and you've got yourself a recipe for an exciting adventure!

By now, you must be wondering if I ever survived this tumultuous journey. I'm here to tell you that it does have a happy ending. After countless sleepless nights, facepalming moments, and debugging nightmares, I wrapped up the project, and it was working flawlessly. Cue confetti .

However, the victory wasn't without its trials and tribulations. There were nasty bugs to squash post-deployment, and every battle was like David versus Goliath.

What's the takeaway from this roller coaster ride? If you're gearing up to become a web developer, don't play leapfrog with your learning. Start at the beginning, with the basics, and then gradually level up, tackling more complex topics at a pace that suits you. Remember, we're all unique, and we learn at our own pace. What may take one person hours or minutes to grasp could take another person days, and that's perfectly okay!

Fast forward to today, seven years later, I can confidently say I've tamed the React beast and other formidable technologies. I've become a seasoned warrior, an expert ready to face any challenge thrown my way.

So folks, before you dive headfirst into learning something new, remember my story, remember the trials, the errors, and most importantly, the perseverance. Learn from my journey, chart your own course, and who knows? Maybe one day, you'll be sharing your adventure with the world!

This is the right way!