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Should I learn JavaScript?

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Should I learn JavaScript?

If you’re thinking about getting into software development or want to add coding to your resume, the choices are endless. Even a quick search on the best coding languages to learn will turn up multiple answers, making it difficult to know where to begin. We know the feeling. Everyone starts as a beginner, and it can be hard to make heads or tails of all the technical blogs out there.

If you’re reading this article, you’re probably wondering whether or not you should learn JavaScript. Before we answer your question, we want to commend you for doing the research. It’s fun to learn new skills, and many people will jump right into a course. But, the most important step before you commit your time and energy to learning a new skill is making sure that it’ll support your goals.

Below, we’ll explain how learning JavaScript will help you reach your current goals. We’ll cover what type of work you can do with it, how long it takes to learn, where to get started, and more.

Why should I learn JavaScript?

JavaScript is one of the most popular coding languages, and together with HTML and CSS, it forms the base of modern web development. HTML codes the structure of a website, CSS dictates its style, and JavaScript enables its interactivity.

First and foremost, if you want to get into web development — both front-end and back-end engineering — JavaScript is a must. The language’s versatility means it can also be used for application design, animation, and game development. Plus, it’s easy to learn, so it’s a great choice as a first language. In another article, we take a closer look at what JavaScript is used for.

Another reason to learn JavaScript is that it opens you up to a giant community of developers that use the same language. If you have questions about a problem or need help debugging something, you’ll be able to collaborate with one of the largest groups of developers.

According to Stack Overflow’s 2020 Developer Survey, JavaScript was the most popular coding language for the eighth year in a row.

Is JavaScript the same as Java?

In short, no. JavaScript is the hugely popular web development language that is already installed on all common web browsers. It’s part of the reason why it’s so easy to get started with. You don’t need to configure or get familiar with an environment to code, unlike with Java. Java needs to be used within an environment that translates the code for the operating system (such as macOS, Windows, or Linux).

Java is a much more traditional coding language. It’s a class-based programming language and requires strict syntax to declare variables. Compared to JavaScript, it requires much more code to complete the same task. If you want to work in any of the following areas, Java will be a valuable addition to your repertoire:

As you can see, there’s some overlap between the applications of the two languages. For more information about how they’re distinct, learn about the differences between Java and JavaScript here.

How much does a JavaScript developer make?

As we explained earlier, JavaScript is commonly used for web development. Let’s take a look at the average salaries for web developers.

Front-End Developers

Front-End Developers create user interfaces and visual elements for web applications using JavaScript, CSS, and HTML. On average, Front-End Developers in the U.S. earn between $65k and $132k, depending on their experience.

Back-End Developers

Back-End Developers use JavaScript frameworks like Node.js and programming languages like SQL to manage an application’s servers and databases. Junior Back-End Developers in the U.S. average $78k, while more experienced Senior Back-End Developers earn around $120k.

Full-Stack Developers

Full-Stack Developers are proficient with both front-end and back-end development, and they can use any mix of the tools listed above. In the U.S., Full-Stack Developers can make anywhere between $79k and $130k.

How long does it take to learn JavaScript?

Most developers agree that it takes six to nine months to learn how to use JavaScript. Keep in mind that this is just an estimate, and everyone starts from a different level.

Learners who can commit themselves full-time to learning JavaScript may acquire proficiency faster than those with other responsibilities. Similarly, if you already have a solid coding background, you’ll pick up on the language quicker than someone new to programming.

Still, it’s not a race. Learning to code should be something you look forward to. You want to be able to approach your course with a positive outlook and a calm demeanor. Nothing makes it harder to debug a project and learn from your mistakes than being rushed or frustrated.

The six to nine-month timeframe relates to learning the basics of JavaScript. Other libraries use JavaScript as a base to create applications and webpages, including TypeScript, React, and Redux. Depending on the job you’re studying for or the new project you want to tackle, you may need to spend more time studying to be proficient with these libraries after you learn JavaScript.

Where can I learn JavaScript?

Once you’ve determined that JavaScript is the code you need to know, check out our Learn JavaScript course. We’ll teach you the language’s syntax and the basics of object-oriented programming.If you’re certain that you’d like to start training for a new career as a Front-End Developer, consider our Front-End Engineer Career Path. In addition to JavaScript, you’ll also learn programming languages like CSS and HTML and use them to build complete web applications.

Can Machines be Creative? An Interview with Jeongki Lim: Instructor, Creativity and A.I. Specialization, Parsons School of Design, The New School

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Can Machines be Creative? An Interview with Jeongki Lim: Instructor, Creativity and A.I. Specialization, Parsons School of Design, The New School

Jeongki Lim is an Assistant Professor of Strategic Design and Management, and the instructor for the new Creativity and A.I. Specialization from Parsons School of Design, The New School. In this intermediate-level, three-course Specialization, learners develop critical perspectives on creativity and machine learning through design research. Jeongki’s research focuses on computational creativity, complexity, and design-led research that can bring value to our understanding of human creativity and innovation.

Can you tell us about the new Creativity and AI Specialization and why you feel this topic is so relevant right now?

Look at the headlines these days. Every week, we hear more news stories about artificial intelligence (A.I.). Whether the stories are on the latest breakthrough in machine learning research or controversies surrounding how A.I. is misused in the real world, no one can deny that A.I. has entered the popular consciousness and is making a substantive impact beyond academia.

One of the most striking developments in this field is what we call “creative A.I.” Being creative is an attribute that we generally don’t give out to human-made artifacts like machines. However, the fidelity of machine-made artworks, from paintings to 3D projections to music, is getting increasingly better. The creative communities are embracing these developments with both excitement and apprehension. This Specialization seeks to address this topic from a design perspective.  

Who would you say can really benefit from this Specialization?

Design as a field is inherently multidisciplinary. This Specialization is ideal for those with technical backgrounds who are willing to look at things from a different perspective, those who work in the creative industries and want to better understand A.I. research, and those who want to learn and apply design thinking strategies in their creative practice and business strategies 

What were the goals in creating this Specialization?

There are many excellent courses on machine learning and computational creativity with varying levels of technical expertise. This Specialization is made to be as inclusive as possible and seeks to push learners to develop their own critical perspective on the topics through design research frameworks. Learners can get the tools they need to apply the theories of creativity and A.I. to projects in their own careers.

What can learners expect to achieve by completing this Specialization??

Learners will be able to communicate theories and techniques behind the A.I. research, creativity studies, and design strategies. They will be able to meaningfully apply these concepts on any project of their choice. 

Is there a specific topic in the course that particularly excites you?

Yes. Throughout the course, we push the boundaries of the idea of “creative artifacts.” The word often means things that humans make that they consider to be creative. The concept starts with the material outcomes from a creative activity, like paintings or musical compositions. Then, we venture out to examine other human-made systems like economic sectors and organizations in the framework of creative artifacts. 

What would you say is the real core focus of this program?

Design research is the critical component of this program. Taking time to reflect and engage in design research activities anchors the theoretical aspects of this course and makes them relevant and applicable. 

Anything else you’d like to share about this Specialization and why it’s so special?

The Specialization is designed to be different from the common linear online learning. It asks learners to be open to different approaches to familiar topics and be willing to try something unfamiliar. There is an emphasis on doing and applying in the real-world context. Design as a field is inherently in and of the world. The learners who understand this dynamic will benefit the most. 

Thank you Jeongki Lim, for sharing your insights and introducing the new Creativity and A.I. Specialization to the global Coursera Community. We’re so excited for learners to enroll and start discovering new possibilities at the intersection of creativity and technology!

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How to become a full-stack developer

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How to become a full-stack developer

Many web developers specialize in one type of development, either on the front end or the back end. They may even specialize in one type of web development framework. But full-stack developers do it all. Having full-stack development skills means you can build a complete web application from end to end, a skill that is always in high demand.

If you’re interested in a career in full-stack development but not sure where to start, we’ll break things down for you. If you’re ready to start learning, our Full-Stack Engineer Career Path will teach you what you need to prepare for an entry-level full-stack development job.

What does full-stack mean?

Before we get into what you’ll need to do to become a full-stack developer, let’s take a quick look at what full-stack development is.

A web application consists of two parts: front-end and back-end. The front-end part of a web app is the code the runs in a user’s browser. The backend part of the application is the code that runs on the webserver.

On the front-end, you would use HTML to structure web pages, CSS to style those pages and JavaScript as the programming language that adds dynamic features to the HTML. On the back-end, you can use a variety of programming languages to serve data when a web browser requests it. These back-end services may need to connect to databases, another back-end technology, to retrieve and update stored data.

The term “full-stack” applies to this whole process, from front-end to back-end. It is a lot to know, but that doesn’t mean you’re a know-it-all. Check out the video interview below to learn more about what a full-stack developer does.

Essential full-stack developer skills

As a full-stack developer, you can specialize in a variety of technologies. There are a lot of programming languages and frameworks to choose from. You don’t need to know all of them, but to call yourself a full-stack developer, you need the basics of front-end development, a back-end programming language, and the ability to write database queries.

Here are some of the skills you’ll want to develop if you’re on the path to becoming a full-stack developer.

Front-end

The bare minimum you need to know to work on the front-end application is HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, the building blocks of web pages. But learning these three technologies should be where you start.

jQuery may be a good thing to learn after that. It is one of the most widely used JavaScript libraries that interact with web pages and creates simpler dynamic effects. But modern front-end web development is usually done using one of many available JavaScript front-end frameworks. This will be where you should spend most of your time learning. React, Vue.js, and Angular.js are all popular in-demand frameworks. Learning one, to begin with, is all you need to do. There are plenty of jobs available using any one of these frameworks.

Any developer should also learn version control, and the most popular version control system is Git. Version control allows a team of developers to commit code to the same project without overwriting existing code.

Back-end

There are more choices when it comes to working on a back-end application. Here you will be writing APIs that the front-end part of a web application calls for data and writing SQL queries to connect to a relational database.

If you already know JavaScript from working on front-end code, the quickest way to learn back-end development is to learn Node.js. It is also written in JavaScript, so you won’t have to learn a new language. But you can learn to write back-end code in Python, Ruby, PHP, or C#. There are also web development frameworks for back-end code, and it definitely helps to know those also. For Node.js, learn Express.js. For Python, learn Django or Flask. And for Ruby, you will want to know Ruby on Rails.

Back-end applications connect to databases to store and retrieve data, so knowing how to write database queries using SQL is also an important skill that back-end developers should have. If you started learning front-end coding, you should already know version control, but you will have to learn if you are starting in the back-end.

If you have your eye on a job at a specific company, you can look into their job listings to see what languages and frameworks they use to help inform what you learn.

Getting a full-stack developer job

Once you have the skills to create a web application from front to back, you are a full-stack developer. But to become a professional full-stack developer, you need a job. To find a job, you need to let recruiters and businesses know that you have skills. Here’s what you’ll need to do to prepare.

Create a resume

One of the first things a recruiter will ask for when applying for a job is your resume. Your resume will be the first impression many of the people involved in the hiring process will see, so you should spend time creating one. A technical resume that gets you noticed will have your contact details, work experience, technical skills, projects you’ve worked on, and other information related to the job you are looking for. Full-stack developer certification, for example, would look very good on a resume.

Create a portfolio

You may also want to create a developer portfolio. Resumes are usually printed out by recruiters and hiring managers when you apply for a job. A portfolio is a lasting resource that displays the skills you have for anyone to see. Instead of a piece of paper with your skills listed on it, you give employers visibility into your skills by allowing them to test the actual code you wrote or view the source code in a public code repository.

Finding a development job

Once you have a resume and a portfolio, the next step is to look for a job. A great place to start is with your LinkedIn profile. First, make sure you have one and then flesh it out with your skills, projects, education, and work experience. When you are done, you can search for jobs with LinkedIn search and connect to recruiters. Other places you can look for a job include Stack Overflow Jobs and Indeed.

How long does it take to become a full-stack developer?

There are quite a few skills you need to learn to become a full-stack developer. But each skill you learn in technology builds on the last. In the beginning, you may not know what a variable is, but once you learn, it is a concept you can apply to write code for both the front-end and back-end of a web application. Our Full-Stack Engineer Career Path will teach you the skills you need to build full-stack web applications using Node.JS, Express.JS, React, and more — and takes about six months to complete.

Curious about learning more? Join the Codecademy community to connect with other learners, hear about their journeys, share your own experience, and ask questions.

Python vs. Java: Which one is right for you?

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Python vs. Java: Which one is right for you?

If you’re new to programming, it may be hard to choose which programming language to learn or use for a project. Both Python and Java are great choices for many reasons:

  • You can start learning either language right now as long as you have an internet connection to download their free installation files.
  • You can use both Python and Java on Windows, Mac, or Linux, so it doesn’t matter what type of computer you have.
  • Both Python and Java are popular and in demand, so whichever you choose to learn, you will definitely add a marketable skill to your resume.

But there are significant differences between Python and Java, and developers usually prefer one language over the other. Let’s look at the major differences between the two to help you decide which programming language is right for you.

Python vs. Java: Learning curve and readability

Python has a unique syntax compared to most other programming languages. Most developers find it easier to read because it’s almost like reading English. Here’s how you would add two numbers and print the result with Python:

number1 = 4
number2 = 7
sum = number1 + number2
print(sum)

The code above is written in a procedural style. In procedural programming, each line of code is executed in order from top to bottom. Procedural programming is just one of the many programming styles you can use in Python, and it’s great for scripting because it’s concise and easy to write.

In Java, you have to write in an object-oriented style, and its syntax relies more heavily on symbols. In object-oriented programming, you build a program by breaking down the solution into objects. To create a code with Java that does the same thing as the Python code above, you’d first create a class, then add a method that adds the two integers. Here’s how it should look:

public class Main{
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    int number1 = 4;
    int number2 = 7;
    int sum = number1 + number2;
    System.out.println(sum);
  }
}

You’ll notice that the Java code required more lines. And, if you are new to programming, you may not understand half of what’s going on in the Java example, while you can at least follow the idea in the Python example.

Python is definitely easier to understand. That’s why many beginners prefer it. But, Java’s syntax is similar to that of many other programming languages — like C++, PHP, and JavaScript — so learning it will give you a headstart when you venture into other languages. Python’s syntax is unique, and while many of its programming concepts will translate to other languages, its syntax will not.

Python vs. Java: Use cases

There are many types of programming projects where you can use both Python and Java effectively. For these projects, you’ll find various third-party libraries that make development quicker and easier, and both languages will be equally powerful. This includes:

But for certain types of applications, the choice of a programming language becomes more obvious.

You might have heard that “Java is everywhere.” And it is. You’ll find Java in operating systems, hardware, smart devices, and more. Many enterprise developers also prefer its strictly object-oriented style. Other common applications of Java include:

  • Embedded systems
  • Desktop applications
  • Android app development

Python’s easy-to-read syntax makes it a preferred language for mathematicians and scientists. It’s simpler to write a script in Python than create a complete object-oriented application in Java. For this reason, Python has a wide variety of data analysis, machine learning, data processing, and visualization libraries. Python is a preferred choice by many developers for:

Python vs. Java: Performance

For performance, Java is usually the winner.

Python is an interpreted programming language, meaning that its code is read and executed by an interpreter. This extra layer in code execution requires more processor time and memory. Java is a compiled language, so its code is closer to the machine-level language that computers understand— thus saving time in code execution.

Outside of code execution, Python and Java are generally equal in terms of performance as they both support concurrent programming, unlike other languages that may only support sequential programming.

With sequential programming, a program must be executed line by line on a single processor. Concurrent programming allows programs to be executed with multiple threads on multiple processors. If you’re running a million lines of code, sequential languages would have to execute each line, one at a time, from beginning to end. But with Java or Python, you could break the code into multiple portions and run them all simultaneously.

Some programming projects require optimal performance. For these applications, Java is the right choice. But in many applications, the difference in speed and memory usage between a Java program and the equivalent Python program is negligible. So for applications where performance is not critical, the choice of language again comes down to personal preference.

Getting Started

You can’t really make a wrong choice here. Python and Java are both powerful languages that you can use to build a wide variety of applications.

If you think Python is more your style and want to start with it, check out our Learn Python course. We’ll teach you the fundamentals of the language.

To dive even deep into the language’s capabilities, take a look through our Python course catalog. We’ll show you how to use Python to build web apps and chatbots, analyze data, and more.

If you feel Java is the language for you, try our Learn Java course. After that, you can take the language further by using it to build an Android app.

But no one is saying that you have to stick with one language. You’ll run into both throughout your programming career — sometimes even at the same company. One may become your preferred language, but knowing both will definitely pay off.

9 software engineer interview questions and answers

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9 software engineer interview questions and answers

Interviews can be intimidating. You want to impress your interviewer, say the right things, and control your nervousness — all at the same time. As is the case with most high-pressure situations, the process is far easier if you prepare ahead of time. But how can you know what the interviewer will ask before heading in? Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common software engineer interview questions, as well as questions you may want to pose yourself during your interview.

Behavioral entry-level software engineer interview questions

As an entry-level applicant, you can expect a combination of behavioral and technical questions. Behavioral questions help your interviewer understand who you are as a person — your motivations, personal process, skills, etc. Technical questions are designed to gauge your understanding of and proficiency with the principles of software engineering.

Why do you want to be a software engineer?

You’ll likely hear this question if you’re applying to your first development role or switching careers. Asking why you want to be a software engineer helps your interviewer figure out what drives you as a professional — the motivating force behind what you create. While honesty is important, you’ll want to delve deeper than superficial reasons like salary, how it’d please your family, or how you’ve “always liked computers.”

These answers lack passion and focus, and they don’t set you apart from the other candidates. Instead, opt to talk about problems you enjoy solving, either for a company or larger, global issues, as well as what success as a software engineer means to you on a personal level.

Depending on the role’s specialization, you may want to explain why you prefer front-end or back-end engineering.

Technical entry-level software engineer interview questions

Along with those that help your interviewer understand who you are as a person, you’ll also be asked questions that gauge your understanding of the basic principles of software engineering. These questions can revolve around your knowledge of development processes or your familiarity with programming languages and concepts. Common technical entry-level software engineer interview questions include:

Describe your process for developing a software solution, from beginning to end

You should discuss key elements of the project life cycle, such as:

  1. Requirements analysis
  2. Technical specifications
  3. Architecture
  4. Implementing the software
  5. Testing
  6. Documentation of the process
  7. Support and training
  8. Maintaining the solution

If you’re applying to be a full-stack engineer, your interviewer will likely expect you to be well-versed in all elements of the development process. To learn more about what it takes to be a full-stack engineer, check out our breakdown of what full-stack engineers do.

What are validation and verification?

Validation involves making sure the software has been built to suit clients’ needs.

Verification involves making sure the software performs its intended function.

What are your preferred programming languages?

In general, it’s good to make sure you’re familiar with some of the more popular languages, including:

If the company you’re applying to relies heavily on a specific programming language, you may be asked questions about its functionality and related concepts. Brush up on your knowledge of popular programming languages with the links below:

Behavioral senior software engineer interview questions

Senior software engineer interview questions often aim to discover what you’ve learned from your experiences and how you may use that to add value to the company.

Tell me about a project you were involved with, and explain how you chose its architecture

This question helps your interviewer learn how you use technology to meet organizational challenges. Feel free to talk about:

  • The high-level objective the project addressed.
  • Details about the architecture you chose, including design choices such as MEAN as opposed to MERN or other coding-language decisions.
  • Architectural decisions about hardware, such as servers and network structure.
  • Any unexpected adjustments you had to make to either the design itself or the technology you used.

Technical senior software engineer interview questions

With experience comes knowledge, and your interviewer will likely want to see what kinds of knowledge you bring to the table — beyond the basics. Here are some of the more technical senior software engineer interview questions:

What does modularization mean?

Modularization involves separating a software system according to specific modules, each designed to perform necessary tasks independent of the others.

How does cohesion play a role in software development?

Cohesion describes the way different elements within a module are intra-dependent on each other.

How are CASE tools used?

The acronym “CASE” stands for Computer-Aided Software Engineering. CASE tools are used to enhance, support, and strengthen elements of the software development lifecycle, including the planning, creation, testing, and deployment of software.

How do you use prioritization when defining requirements?

To do this, you must first design your system by choosing the best data structure for the necessary tasks. Once you know the data structure, you can determine the code structure that best supports it. By doing so, you prioritize the data structure itself rather than the code, which merely supports the delivery and use of data.

Questions to ask during your interview

Asking questions during an interview can show your prospective employer that you’re genuinely interested in the organization, your potential contributions, and your own future as a professional. Here are some questions you should ask during your interview.

How is your team structured, and how does my role fit within that structure?

Gaining a high-level view of the organization’s structure will help you envision the impact of what you create and the processes and people involved along the way. It also shows the interviewer that you’re not merely concerned with what’s on your computer screen — you respect and value the infrastructure of the organization’s process.

How do you measure success in my position?

This is a vital question because it gives you tangible goals. Also, getting benchmarks of success out in the open puts you and who you report to on the same page, keeping miscommunication to a minimum.

What professional development options do you offer?

This is one of the best software engineer interview questions to ask because it shows your interviewer you’re invested in your professional growth. Additionally, if you have to choose between multiple offers, knowing how the companies support professional development can help you decide.

Preparing for the next step: Technical interviews

While there are plenty of software engineer jobs out there, to land the one you want, it helps to know what they’re going to ask and what you should ask them. Preparing ahead of time with facts and examples can help you relax and be ready to put your best foot forward.

After you’ve memorized your answers to the common software engineer interview questions listed above, it’s time to start preparing for your technical interview. Technical interviews help hiring managers gauge your programming ability by having you complete a coding assignment.

In another post, we take a closer look at the differences between behavioral and technical interviews. To help you prepare, we’ve also created a complete guide on how to ace a technical interview.

Some technical interviews also require you to use a specific language. Make sure you’re skills are up to par with the Skill Paths below:

How much do software engineers make?

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How much do software engineers make?

Software runs the modern world, and software engineers are in high demand because they are needed to develop, deploy, update, and debug this software. This also means software engineers get paid well. The average pay for a full-stack developer is over $110,000 per year in the U.S. and is in the top 100 highest paying jobs, according to Indeed.

Of course, that’s just the average for one software engineering job description and pay can vary widely depending on your title and location, but it is relatively high compared to many other careers. According to PayScale, the average salary for a software engineer is around $87,000.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the average salaries for different software engineering roles as well as what factors to into determining your pay. The salaries in this article are listed in U.S. dollars, but software engineer salaries are lucrative around the globe.

What determines your pay as a software engineer?

There are quite a few factors that will determine how much you get paid as a software engineer. Here are the main factors:

Education

Education is a factor that determines a software engineer’s salary and one of the factors the engineer can control. While a college degree — especially a computer science degree — may help you get a higher salary when you’re just starting out, it’s not a requirement for many software engineering jobs. You can always get more education to build more skills by taking courses on new technology. Hiring managers and recruiters know that knowledge of and passion for technology are really the only requirements and won’t pass on a good candidate with a great skillset just because they don’t have a degree.

Experience

Having the right experience will also get a software engineer a higher salary. Software engineers with years of experience have learned things that courses and college never taught them. Senior software engineers who have more than six years of experience have worked with multiple software stacks, know the upsides and downsides of each, and make quick, accurate decisions that would take a junior engineer a lot more time and research.

Industry

The pay a software engineer receives also depends on their industry. This changes over time, depending on how the business landscape shifts and where software engineers are in short supply. Currently, transportation, education, communication, retail, entertainment, and healthcare pay the most for software engineers.

Technology

A software engineer’s salary also depends on the technology they know and will be using on the job. For example, an engineer who knows how to build a website with WordPress will most likely get paid less than an engineer who creates machine learning models because many developers know how to build WordPress sites. Other technologies that pay high salaries are augmented reality, virtual reality, video game development, mobile application development, and embedded development.

Location

Software engineers definitely get paid better in locations like Seattle and San Francisco than in other cities. But they also have to pay more for housing, rent, and groceries because the cost of living is also higher. Companies located in big tech hubs like these usually pay above-average salaries, but the competition for these jobs is fierce.

Software engineer pay by experience level

One of the biggest factors for a software engineer’s salary is experience level. The other is knowledge. A senior-level engineer will get paid more than a mid-level engineer whose salary will be higher than a junior software engineer. Similarly, a full-stack software engineer will more often than not get paid more than either a front-end or back-end engineer.

But what about the terms junior, mid-level, and senior? What do they mean? The definition can vary a little, but for this article, we will use the following:

  • Junior software engineer: 1 – 3 years of experience
  • Mid-level software engineer: 4 – 6 years of experience
  • Senior software engineer: 6+ years of experience

Many companies offer senior software engineers the option of becoming software architects or software engineering managers or directors. Let’s look at front-end, back-end, and full-stack software engineer careers and how their salaries can vary with experience.

Front-end software engineer salaries

Front-end software engineers build the code that users see in their web browsers. This includes HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They usually know one or more JavaScript front-end frameworks like React, Angular.js, or Vue.js to make themselves more marketable. A majority of modern front-end web applications use a front-end framework.

Back-end software engineer salaries

Back-end software engineers write the code that runs on a webserver. They build the APIs and services from which front-end applications get their data. They also must interact with databases and know how to write database queries with SQL.

Full-stack software engineer salaries

Full-stack software engineers do the work of both front-end and back-end software engineers. This means they must have a working knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, one or more front-end frameworks, one or more back-end development languages, and how to write SQL to query databases.

How to become a well-paid software engineer

There are plenty of ways to become a well-paid developer. You can study really hard and practice your tech interview skills and try to land a job at a big tech company like Google or Facebook, where much of your payment will be in stock options and bonuses. You can build your skills while working in a junior software engineer position to advance as quickly as possible. You can add back-end web development skills to your front-end web development skills or vice versa to become a full-stack developer who can handle it all.

Whichever route you choose, building your skills as a software engineer is one way you can take control of your future salary. Knowledgeable developers get paid well, and you can build marketable skills by taking software development courses here at Codecademy.

Color Love | Coral and Navy

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Color Love | Coral and Navy

Coral and navy lie opposite each other on the color wheel which means they complement each other fabulously. A classic navy paired with a vibrant coral creates the perfect “masculine meets feminine” color palette. There really are endless blog design possibilities when it comes to bringing this pretty navy and coral color palette to life.

Coral and Navy Color Palette

Even though I’m usually a fan of much brighter colors and pastel shades I like pairing navy with a vibrant coral. I think those colors look great as accents and in the projects with a lot of white spaces. Pairing them with neutrals such as gray, gold, silver or white will make any room design, outfit, or blog design look stunning.

Below is a graphic with inspirations I used when creating this coral and navy color palette. Feel free to pin it for later use. I hope you will do some fantastic things with this color combo.

Perfect Stylish Color Palette - Coral and Navy

See our collection of other gorgeous color palettes by visiting our color palette section.

What do you think about using darker complementary colors? Do you like such colorful arts or do you prefer softer looks? We would love to hear your thoughts, so make sure to share them in the comments below.

Lastly, learn about the power of color in blog design in our blog post to see how important colors are in all the projects you create.

New Urban Planning Simulator Offers a Hands-On Opportunity for Learners to Apply Their Skills

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New Urban Planning Simulator Offers a Hands-On Opportunity for Learners to Apply Their Skills

Digital transformation is a top issue for urban centers worldwide as leaders and planners explore new opportunities to leverage the power of technology to advance everything from efficiency to safety. 

The Digital Transformation of Megapolises: From Zero to #1 in UN Digital e-Government Ranking course from HSE University explores the concept of the “smart city” and introduces different approaches to transformation management. In this course, you can review real-world use cases, make determinations about the potential of digital transformation for your city, and even get practical guidance on how to secure funding for new digital projects. 

Instructors Artem Ermolaev and Andrey Belozerov have now introduced an innovative new urban planning simulator to the course so that learners can get hands-on experience implementing digitalization strategies, planning urban infrastructure, and running a city. The new simulator, known as “SMART CITY,” is based on the real-world experience of the instructors, who were responsible for the digitalization of Moscow from 2011 to 2018. 

Below, we talk to Artem and Andrey, as well as SMART CITY co-creator Anatoly Kazakov, about smart cities, digital transformation, and how their new simulator enhances the learning experience in their course.

Thank you so much for sharing your insights with your community! Let’s get started by talking at a high level about cities and technology. How do you see technology impacting the development of urban communities, and do you foresee any tensions arising from that impact?

Andrey Belozerov:

An urban community is made up of neighbors with common interests and values. The synergy of local residents, businesses, and authorities form strong social institutions, which can change the urban environment beyond recognition. Technology can play a key role in helping city residents better form connections with one another and enhance the urban living experience for everyone involved. The SMART CITY concept encourages the exploration of new models of behavior, ways of decision-making, and communication among inhabitants. The digitalization of the information space of cities—and the discussion of important topics in popular media—can enable faster consensus between comparatively more conservative residents and the frontrunners of contemporary urbanism.

Let’s now talk about smart cities in particular. What kind of real-world impact can technology have on the functioning of a city, and how do inhabitants benefit?

Artem Ermolaev: 

Any city, regardless of its size, should, first of all, be comfortable for the people living there. Modern trends and technology provide city leaders with new tools for improving the quality of life for city residents. For instance, when IoT sensors and systems are more actively integrated into urban spaces, residents experience improvements in everything from public transportation and trash collection to communication. At its core, smart urban planning is about the implementation of technology to improve quality of life, as well as efforts to enhance the efficiency of resources and territory use.

This kind of digital transformation is obviously a big undertaking. Can you tell us about how your new SMART CITY simulator makes it possible for learners to get the necessary skills and experience to take on these kinds of projects?

Andrey Belozerov:

The SMART CITY game simulator is a big step forward in the development of immersive tools for e-learning. With SMART CITY, each user can select a specific area of urban life and develop it. We’ve designed it so that learners can start to use it as early as the first week of the course. We did this specifically so that learners can evaluate their progress in real time. All cities are unique in their own way. By using the SMART CITY simulator, a student can select one of three cities with varying growth points, histories, and natural features to further develop.

Anatoly Kazakov:

One of the simulator’s tasks is to simulate a team’s operations. For example, you can hire people, choose them according to different parameters, and decide whether to develop your own specialist from scratch or outsource to a more expensive professional. We designed this simulation game so that learners have an interactive opportunity to try their hand at “governing” digitally.

Andrey Belozerov:

The simulator is designed to help learners memorize and apply the material they’ve learned in the course. There’s an opportunity to see how certain decision-making mechanics work in practice in a city. At the same time, if a learner misses something while taking the course, the game can nudge them to dig deeper into the course materials and consider new approaches. 

So it really is about hands-on learning! It sounds like SMART CITY offers a great way to test out different strategies, learn what does and doesn’t work, and start to refine new approaches.

Andrey Belozerov:

That’s right. The simulator provides learners with a virtual space to practice applying their new knowledge and skills even before they enter the workforce. With this practical and hands-on learning opportunity, learners also have the chance to spot weaknesses in their strategy and pivot and grow accordingly. While the interface doesn’t literally transform a learner into a mayor, it is possible to understand the mechanics of making strategic leadership decisions and assess their consequences in socio-economic terms. The simulator specifies what’s impossible in real life. It allows you to assess the impact of these decisions on the life of the city in real time, simply by going back and forth in a given timeframe. It makes it possible to “play around” with certain conditions and decisions while using the simulator.

~

We want to thank Artem Ermolaev, Andrey Belozerov, and Anatoly Kazakov for speaking with us today, and we encourage everyone to check out the course. Start thinking about how you might change the world through smart urban planning and digital transformation!

~

Andrey Belozerov is a lifelong technology executive with deep expertise in delivering innovations in both governmental and commercial sectors, ICT and SmartCity Business angel and mentor of digital projects, Founder of the investment club “Digital Disrupt”, and a United Nations Development Program expert. Andrey was responsible for developing and implementing smart solutions in Moscow as a Deputy Minister of IT in the Moscow Government. Public city Wi-Fi, a citizen engagement platform, a system of online public services, and mobile apps for Moscow residents, are just some of the successful projects implemented in Moscow under his guidance. 

Artem Ermolaev joined the Ministry of Communications and Media of the Russian Federation in 2008, where he became Director of the National IT Policy Department and then the Advisor to the Minister. In 2010, he was offered the post of Chairman of the Moscow IT Committee. In 2011, Artem headed the newly established IT Department as the Minister of IT of the Moscow Government. Artem coordinated building the ICT infrastructure for e-health, e-education, public services delivery, and citizen engagement projects. Artem is a business angel and mentor of digital projects, and co-founder of the investment club “Digital Disrupt.”

Anatoly Kazakov is a developer of educational games for the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, The Vladimir Potanin Foundation, and the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs. He is also a member of the International Simulation and Gaming Association, and the curator of Game Design and Virtual Reality at the HSE Art and Design school.

 

TypeScript vs. JavaScript: Which should you use?

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TypeScript vs. JavaScript: Which should you use?

Plenty of coders, new and experienced, ask whether they should stick with JavaScript or migrate to TypeScript for their next project. If you’re just getting started, you probably want to know where to focus your efforts. Below, we’ll explore the differences between these two programming languages, along with their advantages and applications.

TypeScript vs. JavaScript: What’s the difference?

Before we get into their applications, let’s briefly explore the differences between TypeScript and JavaScript. JavaScript is a popular, versatile programming language used for both front-end and back-end web development. It uses a document object model (DOM) and enables interactivity in web pages.

Because of its popularity, web browsers actually compete to process JavaScript the fastest. The other benefits to learning and coding with JavaScript include:

  • Standardization, meaning you can use it for many different types of projects
  • Many libraries and frameworks that make it easier to build complex programs
  • Versatility across browsers and in back-end engineering

TypeScript is an open-source language and a superset of JavaScript — meaning that its code compiles into JavaScript. TypeScript was created after developers sought a better way to find errors in JavaScript constructs, as the language lacked type checking.

What applications use TypeScript?

JavaScript’s versatility enables a wide range of applications. Front-end developers use it (along with HTML and CSS) to design websites’ visual elements and user interfaces. Back-end developers use JavaScript to manage the many background processes and servers that keep applications running. In another post, we take a closer look at what JavaScript is used for.

Because TypeScript is a superset of JavaScript, it can be used for many of the same purposes. But, additional features like its type annotation and type system make it quicker and easier to build more complex, larger-scale projects.

Why should you learn TypeScript?

Imagine spending hours writing JavaScript code just to be faced with errors after you try to run the program. Then, you’d have to spend even more time going through your code line by line to find the problem. This was the reality for many JavaScript developers before TypeScript came along.

As we explain in our introduction to TypeScript course, the language’s type system allows us to “spot potential bugs in, clarify the structure of, and help refactor our code.” This is extremely helpful when your program contains thousands of lines of code, so if you’re planning to undertake large projects, TypeScript might be right for you. As Josh G., one of our staff engineers, explains:

“If you’re just getting started with JavaScript, or your project isn’t bigger than a few files, TypeScript might not be a great match for you. It’s got a bit of a learning curve, so jumping into it before you’re ready can be painful — and any tech can be hard to learn even when you are ready. But if you’re working on bigger stuff or just want to level up, I’d definitely recommend learning it.” — Josh G., Codecademy staff engineer

You should also consider learning TypeScript if you’re looking for skills that’ll help you stand out in the job market. There’s a growing demand for TypeScript developers, as illustrated by RedMonk’s list of the most popular programming languages in which TypeScript earned 12th place — 5 ranks higher than the year before.

What companies use TypeScript?

TypeScript is used by many companies, large and small. Asana, Lyft, Slack, Airbnb, and even Microsoft use TypeScript to develop their front-end applications. Other companies use Vue.js or Angular, which also support TypeScript. Take a look through the job postings from some companies you’d want to work for. If they use TypeScript, you’ll want to add it to your tech stack.

TypeScript vs. JavaScript: Where to start?

If you’re entirely new to programming, you’ll probably want to learn JavaScript first. Remember, TypeScript adds features to JavaScript, so start small and work your way up. Check out our introduction to JavaScript if you’re ready to learn the language’s fundamentals and syntax.

Once you’ve got a handle on JavaScript, you’re ready to tackle TypeScript. Our Learn TypeScript course will help you take your programming skills to the next level as we teach you how to scale your projects, debug your code, and more.

If you’re looking to make yourself more competitive as a web developer, TypeScript is a must — especially if you’re interested in large, complex projects. It’ll help you detect errors before runtime and build applications faster than you would with JavaScript alone.

Announcing the Coursera Global Skills Report 2021

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Announcing the Coursera Global Skills Report 2021

By Jeff Maggioncalda, Coursera CEO

Today, I’m excited to introduce Coursera’s third annual Global Skills Report, an in-depth look at the state of skills globally. This year’s study draws on performance data since the pandemic’s onset from over 77 million learners on Coursera to benchmark business, technology, and data skills proficiency for over 100 countries. For the first time, the Global Skills Report also reveals the top skills needed for high-demand entry-level jobs, including the learning hours required to develop them.

The pandemic has displaced millions of workers around the world, including long-term unemployment for many. In the US, 43% of unemployed people have been out of work for six months or longer. However, 97 million new digital jobs are still expected globally by 2025. McKinsey estimates that more than half of displaced low-wage workers may need to transition into higher-wage roles and develop new skills to remain employed in the new digital economy. That’s over 4.9 million workers in the US alone.   

Access to a variety of job-relevant credentials, including a path to entry-level digital jobs, will be key to reskilling at scale and accelerating economic recovery. The Global Skills Report aims to help governments and employers assess skill gaps in their workforce, identify roles that can be filled with diverse, non-traditional candidates, and details the specific skills that are needed for these roles.

In the regional sections of the report, we rank each country’s competency for business, technology, and data science skills. The rankings are relative, and over 100 countries within the report are ranked against one another, with percentile rankings attributed to each skill proficiency. That means a country that shows 100% skills proficiency ranks at the top of the 100+ countries and a country at 0% is at the bottom. Coursera breaks out each group’s percentile rankings into the following four categories based on quartiles: 

  • Cutting-edge (76% or above)
  • Competitive (51% – 75%)
  • Emerging (26% – 50%)
  • Lagging (25% or below)

For example, the US has 64% skills proficiency in business, 69% in technology, and 73% in data science. The country is ranked 29th overall globally and accounts for the following trends:  

  • Despite the rapid rate of digital transformation, US digital skills proficiency falls behind that of many countries in Europe and Asia. Ninety-one percent of US businesses accelerated their digitization plans in 2020, but skills among the workforce have not transformed at the same pace. The US ranks 29th globally, trailing behind leaders Switzerland (#1) and Luxembourg (#2) in Europe, and Japan (#4) and Singapore (#10) in Asia. Out of over 100 countries, the US ranks 40th in business, 35th in data science, and 30th in technology skills.   
  • Regional divides persist. Ranking US regions as though they were countries, digital skills proficiency among learners in the South falls in the bottom half of all countries globally, compared to the West, which ranks in the top 10%. More than half (55%) of the jobs in the South are middle-skill positions, which require training beyond high school but not a four-year college degree. However, there are not enough workers in the region trained to fill these jobs. Coursera learner data further highlights the need to invest in skills training to close that gap. 
  • Despite an exodus of women from the US labor market, women are pursuing online education at a higher rate than pre-pandemic. Over 1.8 million fewer women were in the workforce in March 2021 compared to February 2020. However, the share of overall Coursera course enrollments in the US from women increased from 42% in 2018-2019 to 55% in 2020. The share of STEM course enrollments – which account for many foundational digital skills – for women grew from 35% over 2018-2019 to 47% in 2020. As the world recovers from the crisis, this points to a trend where online learning is helping level the playing field for women by giving them access to job-relevant skills.  

Based on the performance data of millions of learners on Coursera globally, the Global Skills Report also reveals the skills and time required to prepare for high-demand entry-level roles:

  • Recent graduates and mid-career changers can develop entry-level, digital job skills in as little as 35 to 70 hours (or 1-2 months with 10 learning hours per week). On the other hand, someone with no degree or technology experience can be job-ready in 80 to 240 hours (or 2-6 months with 10 learning hours per week).
  • Learners must invest in both soft and technical skills to stay job-relevant in a rapidly evolving labor market. For example, an entry-level cloud computing role like a Computer Support Specialist requires learning both soft skills like problem solving and organizational development, and technical skills such as security engineering and computer networking. Similarly, entry-level marketing roles require data analysis software and digital marketing skills in addition to soft skills like strategy, creativity, and communication. 
  • The most transferable skills across all future jobs are in human skills like problem solving and communication, computer literacy, and career management. Foundational skills like business communication and digital literacy enable workers to participate in increasingly tech-heavy and global work environments. As people change jobs more frequently, job search and career planning skills will be critical to role transitions and sustaining employment. 

With 77 million learners, 6,000 institutions, and more than 5,000 courses from the world’s leading universities and industry educators, Coursera has one of the largest data sets for identifying and measuring skill trends. This year’s Global Skills Report is further enriched by pandemic-driven trends, including 30 million new learners who joined the platform in 2020. 

To download the full report and explore insights unique to your country or region, visit coursera.org/global-skills-report. 

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