Fast forward to 2019: 80 percent of tenants supported the decision to sell the complex to developers, and one politician even called it a “vertical slum.” Pragmatic and aesthetic considerations make it compelling to say that buildings like this should be destroyed. But hear me out, they shouldn’t: There’s certainly more to them than their looks.
The building’s architectural style, Brutalism, became popular in Singapore during the 1970s. Brutalism is well known for its heavy reliance on exposed blocks of concrete and angular shapes, which has garnered polarizing opinions from many. However, the architecture embodies the rapid growth of Singapore during this period, right after the country attained independence in 1965. These buildings reflect the hard work and resilience of that era and have come to represent Singaporean identity itself. Now, many Brutalist structures are under threat: The Pearl Bank Apartments, built in 1976, were demolished last March despite conservation efforts.
I believe that looking at buildings is one of the easiest ways to understand a city’s identity. Two years ago, when I moved to Singapore, I immediately fell in love with the city’s modern architecture and learned how it expressed the island nation’s identity as a high-tech global hub. But there seems to be an obsession with modernity and cleanliness, only creating an artificial veneer of the city. These Brutalist buildings add layers to Singapore’s history. To simply destroy and replace them with new structures would make the city seem shallow.
Moreover, massive urban renovation isn’t only the case for Singapore. Many cities — both Asian and Western — focus too much on redevelopment, sacrificing their heritage for the sake of modernization. Buildings don’t only shape the city’s looks, but also its heritage; more people need to know this. I’ve noticed a similar trend in my hometown, Seoul. The cookie-cutter apartments, while pragmatically sound, take away from the city’s unique atmosphere.
So, you might ask, “What can I do?” Personally, I’m not asking for much. Next time you pass by an “ugly” building, take a moment before you frown. Look at it closely; you might learn something beautiful about where you live.
Strict time limits are the main concern for delivery drivers. The Chinese delivery app Meituan decreased the maximum time allowance from the original 50 minutes to 30, and even 20 minutes in certain regions. Time literally means money: Surpassing the limit even once can result in fines (which are paid to the firm rather than compensated to the consumers). Yet, beyond fines, there is often a greater cost. According to Pandaily News, one delivery worker is injured or killed in accidents every 2.5 days solely in Shanghai and, sadly, companies seldom provide insurance claims when their time limits lead to these consequences. Drivers are pushed to break traffic rules and risk their lives so mediocre sushi is not a minute late.
Furthermore, low wages and extensive working hours exacerbate these issues. According to The New York Times, companies in China take advantage of the inherent economic inequities between China’s large cities and less developed interior to offer extremely low compensation to migrant delivery drivers while demanding arduous hours. According to Beijing Jiaotong University and Alibaba, nearly one-quarter of drivers in Beijing work more than 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Yet these long hours and low pay are inherent throughout the global delivery industry. In places like the United States, advertised earnings of $22 per hour are largely exaggerated while workers complain that food delivery apps rarely give them all their tips.
Yet delivery apps and this model are only expanding, in part as a reaction to Covid-19. Under more desperate economic circumstances and with greater demand as people spend more time indoors, Uber alone gained 36,000 new drivers between March and November 2020, while the previous year’s total for all delivery app drivers in the United States was only 50,000.
What is the solution? First, consumers should recognize what is behind their impossibly cheap and fast delivery: exploitation. We should expect more from the delivery app companies and less from their drivers. That is, we should pay more and wait longer while only ordering from companies who are transparent about offering their drivers fair wages, insurance and a safe working environment. In the end, your sushi is just not worth it.
Ivy Makoni is an Alison Learner based in Pretoria, South Africa. Besides being an Alison graduate, Ivy also runs the highly successful Facebook group, Alison Students in South Africa, which helps over 3,000 Learners with all their Alison-related queries.
Originally from Zimbabwe, Ivy’s incredible story of triumphing over adversity through education makes her a fantastic role model for the thousands of Learners she helps empower themselves through Alison Students in South Africa.
Ivy spoke to the Alison Blog to share her inspiring story.
Hi Ivy, tell us a bit about yourself!
My name is Ivy Makoni and I’m 33 years old. I was born and raised in Zimbabwe. When I was 5 years old, I was orphaned when I lost my parents in a car accident. I was raised by my uncle until I finished high school. However he had 6 children of his own to take care of and so he didn’t have the money to finance my going to university. I moved to South Africa to look for a job so I could raise the money to pursue my studies and achieve my dream to of becoming a nurse. It was really hard at a young age to move and look for a job as a house-maid, but I had no choice.
How did you learn about Alison?
I first heard about Alison through my boss’s daughter, for whom I had started working as a maid in South Africa. I had told her about my dream of one day becoming a nurse.
At the time, on my days off on the weekends, I used to go to a private clinic where I was training in caregiving and helping patients with dementia. She gave me her laptop to research how else I could make my dream a reality and I found Alison.
When I told the Sister in charge of the clinic about Alison, she advised me to choose the Diploma in Clinical Nursing Skills as my first course so that I could upgrade my knowledge and continue my journey towards becoming a nurse. She offered to let me come and apply the theory I had learned with Alison in the clinic.
I would study all night on Alison using my boss’s daughter’s laptop and then, in the morning, I would do my cleaning duties. On the weekend I would apply what I had learned. When I finally completed my Diploma in Clinical Nursing Skills, I was so proud of myself that I was progressing towards my dream of one day becoming a nurse.
What inspired you to create the Alison Students in South Africa Facebook group?
I was inspired to encourage others to empower themselves with Alison because of my experience of growing up without any money to go to university and of pursuing my dream of becoming a nurse. Others like me might not have any money to enroll in a university but Alison opens the door to education for everyone for free.
Tell us about Alison Students in South Africa and the work you do.
The Facebook group, Alison Students in South Africa, now has over 3,000 members and we are attracting new members every day.
When I started my journey with Alison, I thought I was the only one. But when we created this group we found there were thousands of others studying with Alison in South Africa. We want to spread the word further and encourage newcomers to enroll with Alison for free.
The group has been incredibly helpful. Hundreds of students get in contact with us who want to know more about studying with Alison or have questions about their studies. There are so many different courses on Alison; the group allows students who have questions on a specific course or topic to ask the community and get an answer from someone who has already taken the course and has the right information.
I’m an Admin for the group and I also answer many of the students who want to learn more about nursing. I encourage them to pay for their Alison Certificate so that they can use their knowledge to secure practical experience in hospitals and clinics.
I also approve members and posts and make sure they’re only concerned with studying with Alison. I have to block all the scammers and the irrelevant posts that don’t apply to learning!
How have Alison courses affected your career?
Alison courses have advanced my nursing career because, thanks to my Alison training, I was chosen as one of the nurses at the clinic to train as a Covid-19 vaccinator. I qualified and got a Certificate from the South African government so that I could start vaccinating my community. It’s been a very scary experience, being placed on the front line. As a vaccinator, I was one of the first to get the vaccine to protect myself from Covid-19. Due to my Alison diplomas and my practice at the clinic, I have achieved my dream of working as a nurse.
Your story so far has been incredible. What’s next for you Ivy?
In terms of education, I would love to keep on upgrading myself and learning more to become a pediatric doctor. I am still studying with Alison to empower myself further and have recently earned the Diploma in Nursing and Patient Care. I’m looking forward to pursuing this new dream. I’m planning on next enrolling in the Pharmacy Technician Diploma, as well as gaining a certificate in Community and Institutional Pharmacy.
In terms of working, I want to keep helping my community by working as a vaccinator at our local clinic. I also want to continue to uplift others by encouraging them to enroll with Alison and to pursue their dreams.
What would you say to someone if they asked you about Alison?
I would recommend Alison because I am where I am today because of Alison. It helped me turn my dreams into a reality. Alison is creating universal standards of education based on what someone knows and not based on where they got their diploma.
Alison’s free online courses have helped over 20 millions Learners worldwide empower themselves through education. We have a proven track record of helping individuals convert enthusiasm and potential into exciting new jobs and well-deserved promotions.
With over 3000 courses, Alison is guaranteed to have the course you need to take your next important career step. We know that 3000 courses is a lot to choose from, so we’ve put together our 10 most popular courses so you can see what career paths are popular among our dynamic community of Learners.
Human Resources is an indispensable skill, regardless of your industry. Being able to create and maintain productive professional relationships is vital for a successful career. It’s a skill just as important for the interns as for the managers. This diploma is definitely not just for those in the HR department!
Statistics show that almost everyone will have to deal with mental health issues at some stage in their lives, either personally or through a close friend or family member. This means that being versed in the causes, symptoms and effects of mental issues is an invaluable life skill that could have incredibly important results down the line.
When it comes to restaurants and catering, food safety is the number one priority and something that you can never know too much about. Particularly in light of the pandemic, it’s more important than ever to be fully up to speed in the latest information regarding how safest to store and prepare food.
The operations manager is one of the most important individuals in any company. If a business is going to succeed, then day-to-day operations must run smoothly and punctually, and the person tasked with that responsibility is integral to the overall success of the company. This diploma will provide you with everything you need to know about how to keep a business ticking over.
Being able to administer First Aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and operate an automated external defibrillator (AED), are skills which are as important in the professional sphere as they are in the personal. Besides being potentially life-saving information, this course also looks great on a CV as employers will note that you’re both a compassionate and a pro-active individual.
The International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) is the international body that coordinates the setting of recognised industrial standards around the world. One of its most important standards is this offering on managing health and safety in the workplace. This course will teach you how the standard should be applied and the benefits it brings to a business.
Nursing is a rewarding, in-demand and vital profession. The modern nurse needs to be skilled in a wide range of areas and have expertise in a variety of medical topics. This diploma is the perfect way to boost or refresh your nursing skills, making sure that you’re 100% confident when it comes to treating and caring for patients.
Over 70,000 students have already taken this mental health course which concentrates on identifying harmful habits that could be endangering your wellbeing. The course also covers the warning signs of poor mental health which can be noticed in yourself and others. It’s crucial that these issues are caught early and this course will provide you with the skills you need to help yourself and others.
If you’re pursuing a promotion and need to prove that you’re manager material, then this is the diploma for you. This course looks great on a CV as it covers a range of key project management topics such as analysis, planning, evaluation and design. Almost a quarter of a million Learners have taken this proven path to success.
Parenting isn’t just a job, it’s a dozen rolled into one! Parenting in the modern world is harder than ever before because of the unique challenges thrown up by the technology of today. This course contains a variety of acclaimed techniques to help you improve your parenting abilities and understand your child.
Meet Carlos, a Data Center Technician at Amazon in the US. Before getting a job at Amazon, Carlos worked as an award-winning studio musician. But when the pandemic hit, he suddenly found himself without a job—so he decided to set a goal to pursue a tech career during his downtime. Despite not having previous experience, Carlos enrolled in the Google IT Support Professional Certificate program on Coursera and launched his IT career. Read his full story below.
My name is Carlos Calderon and I’m a Data Center Technician at Amazon. Before my new job, I was a professional tour and five-time platinum award-winning studio musician, working with Sony and Warner Music artists. But when the pandemic hit, all music-related activities were halted. I was about to leave on tour for Europe, but could no longer go.
I soon found myself unemployed with no source of income. With everything shut down and since I had more free time than ever before, I contemplated switching careers into tech. Although I had no related experience, I felt ready to make the switch and set a goal to pursue a career in IT. So I enrolled in the Google IT Support Professional Certificate and used my downtime to complete the program. At no point did I have any doubt in my mind that this would all pay off in the end. As I reflect on my journey, I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to earn a dual credential from Google and CompTIA on Coursera.
After receiving the Google IT Support Professional Certificate, I began applying to IT jobs all over the country. I was able to prove to potential employers that I have a solid understanding of computers and hardware—and started to receive real, viable offers.
I was invited to interview with Amazon. The interview process was a bit lengthy, involving many technical and situational-type questions. I kept a friendly demeanor, was honest, and maintained a positive attitude throughout the entire process. I think that they saw I had potential and fit the company culture. After accepting the offer, I relocated from South Florida to Eastern Washington.
I believe that the Google IT Support Professional Certificate and CompTIA certificate helped me demonstrate my knowledge to recruiters and enhanced my standing as an applicant, leading to several life-changing work offers. Now, I love my new job in the tech industry; technology is always evolving, and I continue to learn something every day.
My advice for anyone considering starting the program would be this:
Set your goal, and go! I was determined to study and prepare for the certificate courses like my life depended on it, and that kept me motivated.
Discover your learning and studying style. As soon as I found mine, my ability to study and handle the course material increased tremendously. There’s actually a Coursera course on this. You can also find some great videos on YouTube.
Have fun with it! Be open to relocating for work and starting a completely new career.
Changing careers is a big deal. It’s not uncommon to have a few different jobs in your lifetime and want the next one to be better than the last. Software engineering and front-end developers are in high demand — but can you become a front-end developer without a degree? The answer is yes. And if you’re wondering whether front-end development is for you and how you might be able to upgrade your skills to make the switch, read on.
We’ll share with you what a front-end developer does and what skills you will need to succeed, both in terms of technical skills and softer skills that are still quite important. You’ll also get the steps you need to showcase your skills in a resume and a portfolio, as well as a few tips on how to ace your technical interview.
What does a front-end developer do?
There are three main types of developers: front-end engineers, back-end engineers, and full-stack engineers.
Back-end engineers are responsible for all the hidden systems and servers that host and support websites and applications. Front-end engineers are the ones that develop the aspects of the website that the customer or end-user sees and interacts with. Full-stack engineers are those who know a little bit of both front-end and back-end engineering, so they could theoretically complete a project on their own from start to finish.
Front-end developers get to use their knowledge of coding to create the user-facing elements of a website. They decide what color a button will be or how an interactive element will be displayed. They also get to interact with the customer to learn what they need. Front-end developers then create a solution using both their programming skills and some artistic or user experience skills.
“A front-end engineer is someone that likes being at the intersection of art and logic,” says John, a Software Engineer at Smartsheet. You can find out more from John about what a front-end developer does in the video interview below.
Front-end developers are problem-solvers. They get to use a variety of languages, tools, and their own experience and creativity to deliver a website or application. There are many ways to design a website or create a program, and that’s why being a front-end engineer is so exciting. These developers tend to enjoy working with a variety of people in their daily jobs.
What technical skills does a front-end developer need?
Being at the intersection of art and coding requires both hard and soft skills. Front-end developers need to know how to code in a few key programming languages, and they need to be able to harness their creativity in a dynamic work environment.
Front-end developers are typically fluent in JavaScript, HTML and CSS. These languages are the building blocks of any website. HTML provides the structure, CSS adds the style, and JavaScript adds the interactive or dynamic elements to a website. While some front-end developers will have learned to code in a traditional education setting, many developers are self-taught. They take courses online and build their own websites to put their skills to the test.
Once a front-end developer has learned the three programming language pillars of website design, they may need to learn additional languages, techniques, or libraries. For example, a front-end developer may work for a company that uses a popular JavaScript library extensively, such as React or Redux. They’ll need to learn how to use these libraries to comply with company coding standards and understand what their teammates have coded.
On top of the coding skills required of a front-end developer, there are a few key skills that all developers need to be successful:
How to use text editors
Understanding of application program interfaces (APIs)
Front-end developers would also benefit from some experience with graphic design software and principles. But because they will work with clients — often in a team to deliver the best user experience possible — design knowledge is not essential. Many front-end developers will pick up these skills naturally and create user-focused, accessible, and beautiful web pages without formal instruction.
What soft skills should a front-end developer have?
Because of the need to interface with both the technical team and the client, front-end developers need to be excellent communicators. It’s often necessary to use both written and verbal communication. Developing slide decks of proposals, wireframes, and the current progress are necessities for many projects. Conference calls to discuss the project are also a common occurrence.
But human-to-human communication is just one aspect. Front-end developers also need to be great communicators within their code. This skill could fall under either technical or soft skill categories. Even if you land a job without the need for teammates, it’s still important to take the time to comment within your code and write appropriate documentation. If you need to come back to something months or years later, you’ll be glad you took the time to explain your program.
Front-end developers also need to be meticulous in all aspects of their work. When they create web pages, they need to have a keen eye and attention to detail. Because what they work on is seen by the end-user, all of their work needs to be useful and precise. In other words, they need to have high standards for their work, which doesn’t just need to function as promised — it needs to look great, too.
Finally, developers must be lifelong learners. Websites continue to evolve, and expectations for responsiveness, accessibility, and appearance continue to demand more from developers. Front-end engineers need to stay on top of developments and will likely have to learn new code languages or libraries over the years. Being adaptable, creative, and enjoying the learning process are all skills that will make a front-end developer a true company asset.
How to write a front-end developer resume
After learning the skills you need for the career, it’s time to put it all down on paper. The purpose of a resume is to showcase who you are professionally so you can land an interview for a front-end developer job. Even if you are applying for a junior developer position, it’s important to capture the applicable skills on your resume.
You worked hard to take courses and practice your skills building websites. Maybe you even designed a few websites for friends and acquaintances so you could build up your portfolio. None of that will get seen unless you put it on your resume. Jot down the programming languages you learned, the courses you completed successfully, and any relevant prior work experience.
Even if your previous jobs weren’t in front-end development, you should note down where you used to work and your accomplishments. This will show your prospective employer that you are a great employee and know how to solve problems — a key skill for any developer.
The most important thing on your resume is to make sure the skills for your new job are highlighted. Make a bulleted list of the coding languages you know. Put your portfolio website link at the top of your resume with your contact details. List out all the courses and certificates you achieved on your way to preparing for your first front-end developer job.
How to interview for a front-end developer position
Keep in mind that every company and position will have a different set of requirements and steps for their technical interview process. Some may even ask you to take a technical skills test before they call you for the interview.
The great news here is that you can prepare for these skills tests and interview questions. The first way you can brush up on your code is to take an online course in the codes that your new job needs. For example, you could take a short course on HTML or CSS (or both). Built into the courses are small assignments and quizzes that will act as practice for the real deal in the interview.
Another way to prepare is simply to Google what types of questions you might be expected to answer in your technical interview. You’ll find resources and lists of possible questions to answer. Here are a few examples you can use to practice:
How would you approach a new project using the principles of user-centered design?
If you had to continue a project using someone else’s code, how would you proceed?
Which browser do you find most challenging to work with? Why?
What do you love most about HTML5? Have you used it recently in a project?
What are the most important aspects of a website?
What skills have you learned recently to help you stay up to speed as a front-end developer?
Can you explain the CSS box model?
What are HTML meta tags?
What is a CSS rule?
Our advice is to spend an hour each night before your interview practicing the answers to these questions, or ones that might be more specific to the job you are applying for. Another way to stay sharp and have the answers on the tip of your tongue is to stay current with your reading. Subscribe to a couple of good blogs or participate in conversations on coding forums. Keeping your finger on the pulse of what’s new and having discussions with other developers will help you in the technical interview.
Lastly, continue practicing your front-end development skills. Build the website you’ve been thinking about for a while. Update those few pages that you know you could optimize. Try using a new CSS library to challenge yourself and learn along the way. The best way to solidify learning is to put it to good use. You’ll remember the lessons you learn from mistakes and new challenges far easier this way than you will if you just read or research.
Check out the following articles to learn more:
Building a front-end developer portfolio
Building your portfolio is a way to easily prove that you know what you are doing as a front-end developer. If you’re just getting started on your learning journey as a front-end developer, you don’t need to have every piece of your portfolio be a client project. You can take the reins and get creative. Try using new tools and libraries to design something amazing. As you get further into your career, you can highlight more projects that you’ve worked on.
When we spoke with John, the front-end developer at Smartsheet, he gave us an easy way to start our portfolio. A personal website can be both a framework for highlighting future work and a display of your skills.
“One way to get started is just building your own personal website. Your website can be an expression of who you are and what you want to do. Once you’re done, it’s a great way to market yourself, saying, “Hey look, I built this awesome website. Imagine what I can build for you next!”
You can also check out your fellow front-end developers’ portfolios online to see what you do and do not like. Then create your own website knowing what you’d like to show the world. You can also have your friends and community members critique and test your site to make sure everything looks good.
Don’t forget that all the words you use on your site should be helping you land a great job. You don’t want it to be wordy or boring. Building copywriting skills by going through this design process will also make you an even more prepared front-end developer.
How long does it take to become a front-end developer?
That’s the million-dollar question, really. The answer is — it depends. Some people start their learning with a base knowledge of coding, perhaps in a different language or in a different setting. They will be able to pick up concepts a little bit quicker.
Other people are starting from square one with their coding, so it’ll take them a bit longer to master the skills required to become a front-end developer. Similarly, some people are devoting their full-time working hours to learning new coding skills, while others are learning in the small windows of time they have between work and life commitments.
The point here is to not compare yourself to anyone else. Set some time aside each week or day to learn, try your best to stick with that, and then celebrate. But don’t fret — we’re not going to leave you without an estimated timeline.
It’s completely reasonable to build the skills, portfolio, and experience you need to become a front-end developer in less than a year. Some people who have the time and baselines skill set can prepare for and get their first job in six months. The important thing is to go at a pace that you can sustain for the long haul. You want to have fun learning your new coding skills and not feel rushed. If you enjoy the process, you’ll be in a better headspace to learn.
How to become a front-end developer without a degree
In the past, having a computer science or software engineering degree was a must for all developers. Today, things have changed. If you have the skills, it doesn’t matter where you learned them.
We touched on many of the steps you need to take to become a front-end developer without a degree, but we’ll give you the exact run-down here so you can form your own checklist:
Learn the basic programming languages for web development: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Practice using your new skills by building websites and taking courses.
Draft your front-end developer resume.
Build a portfolio.
Join a community of developers to stay current.
Learn any additional skills or code libraries required for your desired job.
Prepare for the technical interview.
Start applying to the jobs you want.
There are many ways to learn the skills and code you need for front-end development. You could do research on what the companies you want to work for use. You could talk to people who have front-end development jobs and learn what they’d suggest. You could even look for a course that’s specific to what you need, eliminating the guesswork.
Our Career Path for front-end developers will take you through everything you need to know to land an entry level job as a front-end developer, including learning the code, prepping for your interview, understanding advanced libraries, and learning about the back-end processes and data structures you’ll need to work with. Plus, you’ll create your own portfolio projects that you can use when you start applying for jobs and get a certificate upon completion, which you could add to your resume.
As you can see, becoming a front-end developer without a degree isn’t just possible — it’s achievable. We wish you all the best on your career journey!
Imagine you have a co-worker or friend who’s asked you to review a piece of code for them. You might be thinking, “Wait, I don’t really know what that means.” Maybe you’re too nervous to say that to your colleague. Not to worry — we’ve all been there.
While your first code review might seem like yet another test of your abilities, it’s actually just another set of eyes on a piece of code to help spot any problems before it gets launched. Even if you’re a new developer or still learning code, you can help people out by reviewing their code.
In the following article, we’ll help to demystify what it means to review code. We’ll even lay out a five-step process to follow so you can review someone else’s code easily and clearly. Check out the video below. Then read on to learn more.
What is a code review?
A code review is a collaborative process where other members of your development team look over your code to give you:
Critiques
Potential improvements
A list of outstanding questions
In practice, this means that your fellow developers will either add comments within your code or send you a list of questions to answer. They could also sit down with you at your computer and talk through a few suggestions on how to make your code better. It’s a good idea to ask someone who will eventually use the code to help you review it.
Why is it a good idea to review code?
Reviewing code helps maintain best practices for the code and keep a certain standard across the code base. Elements of the code, including styling, formatting, design patterns, and naming conventions, should be kept consistent. Having someone who works with the same standards review your code will help keep it formatted correctly and easy to use for other team members.
Code review is also a great way to introduce other team members to the new piece of code going into the code base. You can talk about it and get them up to speed quickly.
Additionally, it helps to minimize or eliminate the “bus factor,” which Mike, the developer from Philadelphia who talks about code review in the video above, describes:
“The bus factor refers to the problem of having one team member with too much knowledge. The problem is if that team member then got hit by a bus, then no one on the team would know about the code that’s going into the code base.”
Lastly, a code review is a good idea because it facilitates discussion. When teams are busy or working remotely, communication doesn’t happen as frequently. Scheduling code reviews is a great way to get teammates talking, strategizing, and learning from one another.
Where do code reviews happen?
Depending on your relationship with the person asking you to review their code, this could happen in several locations. For example, a fellow learner or programmer friend of yours could simply email you a code file and ask for your comments. In that case, you would put your comments in the code file and send back any questions you have in an email response.
Alternatively, a code review can happen online with a community of programmers. You can help review someone else’s code on websites like:
If you take part in a code review on some of these repositories (like Stash or Github), it’s done with a pull request. The original programmer will add you as a reviewer, and then the website will track all changes that you make when you’re completing your code review. You could also be conducting a code review internally at work, either in person or using a version control system that your company has implemented.
5 easy steps to a successful code review
To help you get started with reviewing code, we’ve got a simple five-step process to share. Let’s get into code review best practices.
1. What is the code doing?
To start, we need to determine why the code was written in the first place. For example, if you’re conducting a code review at work, the purpose of the code could be tied to a change in requirements. It’s key to know the purpose of the code because that context will allow you to deliver the best possible code review with helpful comments.
To make sure that you have a good understanding of what the code is for, here are three questions you can ask yourself (or your fellow programmer):
Do you have the right background info?
Do you fully understand why this code is needed?
Do you understand how this code fits into the project?
2. Frame your mindset
Before you get started reviewing the code, you want to get into the right mindset. In a sense, you want to know how you fit into this scenario. What is your level of familiarity with the code? How confident are you in knowing the person who’s written the code and what they are trying to accomplish? This will give you an idea of what feedback you can confidently give to this author.
This step might sound a little vague, so we’ve got a list of questions to help you set up your mindset for the code review:
How experienced are you with the codebase or language?
Are you going to be using this code in the future?
Have you written code similar to this?
What is the experience level of the author?
What is your relationship with the author?
3. Test the code
Now that we know what the code is for, we can go ahead and test it out. We’re looking to see if the code does what it’s supposed to do. During this step, you can also test out the user interface. For example, if you’re reviewing a website, you could check to make sure that it appears as it should, that the changes are incorporated, and that nothing breaks as you use it.
If you need a couple of questions to help you provide feedback on code function, you can start here:
Does the code generate warnings or errors?
Does the code take longer than normal to build or run?
Do the changes require any additional setup steps?
4. Inspect the code
After figuring out if the code actually works, we can dive into the code itself and make sure it’s written well. Here, we’re getting into the details of code review best practices. You can offer up advice on how things might be better organized or formatted. For example, you could ask yourself:
Are correct naming conventions followed?
Does the code follow DRY principles (i.e., it doesn’t repeat itself)?
Are new files and folders named appropriately?
Does the code have error handling?
Is the code written in a style that’s similar to any other code within the same project?
5. Compile your review
Just as the code review can take place in several locations, you can also format your code review in a variety of ways. Sometimes you might need to prepare a formal report of your findings and then submit that as a Word document or PDF.
In other situations, if you are using a website like GitHub, you may just add comments to the code. If you have longer questions or feedback, you can add them to a comment thread and allow the conversation to take place all online.
Keep in mind a few tips when you are compiling your code review:
Beware of nitpicking
Be respectful
Be specific and descriptive
Be open to follow-ups
Growing as a developer through code review
One of the great things about becoming a developer or learning some aspects of programming for yourself is that you get to learn and work with other people. Code reviews are a common practice, and the discussion they generate will help make you a better programmer, whether it’s your code being reviewed or someone else’s code.
“Coding is a team sport,” says Mike. Learning to code should be fun, and learning how to give great code reviews is part of the process. If you’re thinking of becoming a front-end engineer or a back-end engineer, code reviews are a great way to practice for your new job.
This contest is open to students 11-19 from anywhere in the world. To participate, submit a response by 9 a.m. Eastern on June 18 that answers the questions “What got your attention in The New York Times this week? Why?”
If you are 13 or older and live in the United States, or 16 or older from anywhere else in the world, post your response in the comment section. If your kids or students are 11-12 years old anywhere and live in the United States, or 11-15 and live in another country, see the bottom of this post for details on how to submit.
Responses must be 1500 characters — about 250 words — or fewer.
So what did you read, watch or listen to this week? Maybe you were consumed by front-page headlines about coronavirus vaccines or the solar eclipse — or maybe you were more taken with news about proms, graduation and teenage summer workers. We don’t care what you choose, we just want to hear why.
We hope you’ll click around NYTimes.com and find your own great articles, features and multimedia. But we also know that not everyone who participates has a Times subscription. Because all links to Times content from the student features on our site are free, every week we’ll try to help by posting interesting pieces from a variety of sections.
For example, this week you may have read front-page news articles like …
Need more details? The contest rules are all here, and you can read the work of last year’s winners here. A quick overview, though:
You can choose from anything published in the print paper or on NYTimes.com in 2021, including videos, podcasts, graphics and photographs. (In your response, please include the URL or headline of the piece you pick.)
We’ll post this question each Friday from today through Aug. 13, and you’ll have until the next Friday morning to respond with your picks. Then we’ll close that post and open a new one with the same question.
We’ll choose at least one favorite answer to feature on our site each week. Winners from this week will be announced on June 29.
Feel free to participate each week, but we allow only one submission per person per week.
The contest is open to students ages 11 to 19 from anywhere in the world. If you are 13 or older and live in the United States, or 16 or older from anywhere else in the world, post your response in the comments section. If you are a teacher, parent or guardian of a student or child who is between the ages of 11 and 12 and live in the United States, or 11 and 15 and live in another country, then you must submit an entry on the student’s behalf using the form below. All entries from the comments section and the form below will be judged together.
Juneteenth falls on a Saturday, June 19th this year. Here at Codecademy, we’re taking Friday, June 18th, off as a team to pause, reflect, and learn.
We believe that everyone belongs in tech — and that the future is brighter when the power of code is equally attainable by all. As we work towards this goal, it’s important for us to reflect on and celebrate the milestones throughout history that have paved the way for a more welcoming, inclusive, and diverse tech industry.
Interested in taking the day to reflect and learn with us? Check out this list of Juneteenth resources gathered by members of the Codecademy team.
In addition to a section for learning about what Juneteenth is, you’ll notice our guide is split into several categories for celebrating, reflecting, and acting. These categories contain resources to help us learn, celebrate, and support the Black community.
Learn
The first step in celebrating Juneteenth is understanding what the holiday is all about. We’ve put together some resources to help you gain a better understanding of this important part of American history.
Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863. But it wasn’t until two and a half years later — on June 19, 1865 — that the last group of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas learned they were finally free. Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of those that were enslaved in Confederate States and has been celebrated each year on June 19 since 1866.
This video from Vox explores Juneteenth and why all Americans should honor the holiday.
Read through the following articles to learn more about the history and meaning of Juneteenth:
Celebrate
Celebrating Juneteenth is about honoring Black history and culture by understanding its impact on the world we live in on a local and global level. We’ve rounded up some ideas for ways to commemorate the day, along with resources for finding celebrations near you.
You’ll notice that several of these ideas are in NYC, home of Codecademy HQ. But we’ve also included links for finding celebrations no matter where you are.
Reflect
Reflecting on Juneteenth is about recognizing and understanding the prevalence of racism on an interpersonal, intrapersonal, institutional, and structural level. Dive into these resources to learn more about anti-racism and allyship.
Act
Taking action is the most important next step to creating large-scale change. Support the Black (coding?) community by donating to or volunteering with organizations like:
Whether you’re interested in freelancing, contracting, or working full-time, you can work from home. The tech industry has truly embraced remote work, not only because of the prevalence of virtual collaboration tools but because a remote workforce enables the employment of the best and brightest from all over the world.
Maybe you got a taste of the work-from-home life and can’t imagine going back to the office. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of tech careers that allow you to work remotely. Below, we’ll explore 6 careers in which you can work from home, including their responsibilities and required skills, and show you where you can get started.
In the video above, John, a Software Engineer at Smartsheet, explains how front-end development allows you to combine your programming skills and creativity, describing the role as “the intersection of art and logic.” You can also expect a decent salary, as Front-End Developers earn about $106,637 a year in the U.S.
2. Back-End Developer
While Front-End Developers are responsible for a website’s visual elements, Back-End Developers manage the servers and systems they rely on. They also create the databases and infrastructures required for client-side applications using tools like Node.js, Git, and SQL.
In the video below, Doug, one of our Senior Back-end Engineers, takes a closer look at the role’s responsibilities.
Like their counterparts on the front end, Back-End Developers are in high demand, and an experienced one can earn as much as $122,445 in the U.S.
3. Full-Stack Engineer
A Full-Stack Engineer is a Jack (or Jill) of all trades, capable of both front-end and back-end development. While they may not have the same breadth of knowledge as those who specialize in either field, they know enough to build a complete website or application from scratch. In the video below, Taylor, a Full-Stack Developer and Tech Consultant, sheds more light on the role.
As with the two preceding roles, Full-Stack Engineers have a booming job market that’s expected to continue growing by up to 8% by 2029. Plus, their salaries average around $108,089 in the U.S.
4. Data Scientist
A Data Scientist works at the intersection of software engineering, statistics, and business, using data to help organizations meet their goals and drive their decision-making. Data Scientists have one of the biggest job markets — ranking 3rd in LinkedIn’s list of last year’s top emerging jobs in the U.S. — as businesses rely on them to find new uses for their data.
As Catherine, who manages our data science team, explains in the video above, Data Scientists use programming languages like SQL, R, and Python, to collect, manipulate, and analyze their data.
Still, it’s hard to concisely summarize a Data Scientist’s responsibilities as they vary between companies. One company may simply require reports on patterns and trends, while another requires their Data Scientists to perform predictive analysis, build machine learning models, and more.
Because of their multifaceted responsibilities and skills, Data Scientists are paid handsomely and can expect an average salary of $113,309 in the U.S.
5. Software Engineer
The term “Software Engineer” is a catch-all that describes anyone who uses programming to solve problems. Software is abundant in our society, so you can find Software Engineers in practically any industry, including web development, mobile development, and even game development. Xavier, one of our Senior Software Engineers, provides an overview of their responsibilities in the video below:
The specific tools you’ll use as a Software Engineer will depend on your specialization, but fundamental skills include an understanding of data structures and algorithms and proficiency with command line and various programming languages.
The demand for Software Engineers is even higher than that for web developers, with their job market expected to rise by 22% over the next decade. On the other hand, their average salaries are a bit lower at around $92,046.
6. Data Analyst
There’s a bit of an overlap between Data Analysts and Data Scientists. People often confuse the two, but they’re actually quite distinct. The key difference between the two is that Data Scientists use advanced tools and algorithms for predictive analysis and machine learning, while Data Analysts are primarily concerned with analyzing data to find trends and patterns.
Like Data Scientists, Data Analysts use tools like Python, R, and SQL to access large databases, query the information they need, perform calculations, and create graphs and tables. Data Analysts can work in many different departments within a company, mining data for information that can inform decisions, designs, or even accounting.
Where to start preparing for remote tech jobs
To help you launch your career in any of the fields listed above, check out our Career Paths.
In each of our Career Paths, you’ll learn the skills and knowledge you’ll need to excel in your future role and use them to build a portfolio that’ll illustrate your skills to potential employers. We’ll also provide tips on how you can ace your future interviews, along with a certification that you can feature in your resume.
Ready to get started? Use any of the links below to take your first step toward your new remote career.
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