Resources I Wish I Had as a Self-Taught Developer
When I started my journey as a self-taught developer, I had no clear roadmap, no mentor, and no structured guidance. I spent countless hours trying to figure out what to learn next, jumping from one resource to another. If you’re just starting out—don’t worry. You’re not alone. In this post, I’ll share the key resources I wish I had when I started out, so you can avoid the confusion and accelerate your learning journey.
This blog post is perfect for junior developers, bootcamp grads, or anyone learning to code without a formal CS degree. Let's dive in!
📘 Roadmaps and Curriculums
1. FreeCodeCamp
What it is: A free, full-fledged curriculum that takes you from HTML/CSS basics to full-stack development.
Why it matters: You get hands-on projects and certifications that simulate real-world work.
2. Roadmap.sh
What it is: A visual guide to becoming a frontend, backend, or DevOps developer.
Why it matters: You’ll never be confused about “what to learn next”.
🛠️ Tools That Make Learning Easier
- Visual Studio Code: Lightweight, extensible, and beginner-friendly. Check out my favorite VS Code extensions →
- Replit / CodeSandbox: Great for quick prototyping without needing local setup.
- Git & GitHub: Learn version control early! It’ll save your career. Top Git Commands You Should Know →
💡 Mindset & Community
Imposter Syndrome Is Normal
You will often feel like you’re not good enough. Guess what? That’s part of the process. Every developer feels this, even seniors.
Join Communities
- Reddit: r/learnprogramming
- Discord: Join dev-focused servers
- Twitter/X: Follow developers sharing free content
📚 Learning Platforms I Wish I Knew Earlier
- Frontend Mentor: Practice real-world HTML/CSS projects
- JavaScript.info: Deep-dive into vanilla JS
- The Odin Project: Another incredible, structured curriculum
💻 Sample: My First "Real" Project Stack
Here’s a quick look at the stack I used for my first deployed app:
// Frontend: React with Tailwind
// Backend: Node.js + Express
// Database: MongoDB
// Hosting: Vercel (Frontend) + Render (Backend)
Want to deploy your full-stack app like a pro? Check out this step-by-step VPS guide →
🧰 Bonus: My Go-To Resources in 2025
- MDN Web Docs: Best documentation for web standards
- Frontend Simplified YouTube Channel
- Node.js Docs & Express Official Docs
🔗 Related Reads
- Common Mistakes New Developers Make and How to Fix Them
- The Beginner’s Guide to Debugging
- How I Organize My Code Projects Like a Pro
🚀 Conclusion
Being a self-taught developer is a rewarding, though sometimes frustrating, path. You’re in charge of your learning, and with the right resources, you can accelerate your growth like never before.
Comment below if you found this helpful, and let me know what resources helped YOU the most on your journey!
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