Educational Resources 2025

This is my 2025 collection of educational resources that I’ve found invaluable throughout my career in software engineering. Some of these I used when I was just starting, others I still return to today. The list will change over time as new tools and books come along, but these are the ones I’d recommend right now.

Getting Started with Programming Link to heading

If you’re new to programming, here’s a structured path to get you started efficiently:

1. Choose a Language: I strongly recommend starting with Go, but JavaScript via Free Code Camp is another solid starting point.
2. Learn Fundamentals:
   • W3Schools - Go Basics
   • Go.dev - Official Tutorials
   • Learning Go with Tests
3. Practice Regularly:
   • Complete coding challenges regularly (Coding Challenges GitHub Repo).
   • Always rewrite your solution at least once from scratch to solidify your understanding.
4. Strengthen Problem-Solving:
   • Study algorithms and data structures—critical for becoming a proficient engineer.
   • Recommended course: Front End Masters - Data Structures & Algorithms.
5. Sharpen Math Skills (Optional):
   • Khan Academy - Math Courses.

Most of the resources listed here are free, ideal for getting started and mastering fundamentals without financial investment. Paid resources suggested are for deeper study and mastery.

Free Online Resources Link to heading

Go Programming Link to heading

• Go By Example – concise, practical examples for everyday Go coding.
• The Little Go Book (Free)
• Let’s Go
• Let’s Go Further

General Programming Courses Link to heading

• Free Code Camp - High-quality interactive courses for web development and JavaScript programming.
• MDN Web Docs - Detailed and authoritative documentation.

Recommended Books Link to heading

These are essential books that can significantly deepen your understanding of software development and architecture:

• The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master
• Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship
• The Clean Coder: A Code of Conduct for Professional Programmers
• Clean Architecture: A Craftsman’s Guide to Software Structure and Design
• Working Effectively with Legacy Code
• Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code
• Code Complete: A Practical Handbook of Software Construction
• Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software
• Software Architecture: The Hard Parts
• Learning Domain-Driven Design
• Domain-Driven Design: Tackling Complexity in the Heart of Software

Coding Challenges Link to heading

Practice coding by completing challenges regularly. Pick challenges that interest you, and try solving them multiple ways to build your skills:

• Coding Challenges

Articles Worth Reading Link to heading

These are shorter reads that have strongly influenced how I think about software development:

• Line of Sight in Code by Mat Ryer:
  “Align the happy path to the left; you should quickly be able to scan down one column to see the expected execution flow.”

• Put That Framework Down Before Someone Gets Hurt by Lane Wagner:
  “Use the simplest tool for the job—not necessarily the most popular or powerful one.”