Learning-Resources.md

Learning Resources

Click here for more handy resources from Ladies Storm Hackathons!

Table of Contents

• Interactive Programming Tutorials
• Command Line
• Algorithms
  • Complexity/Big-O Notation
• Git
• Languages
  • Python
  • Ruby
  • Go
  • Javascript
  • ES6-Specific
  • HTML/CSS
• Web Frameworks
  • Django
  • Flask
  • Rails
• UI Design, Product Design, and UX
  • Visual Design: Color
• Databases/SQL
• Engineering
• Functional Programming
• Open Source: for New Contributors

Interactive Programming Tutorials

• NodeSchool
  Contains essential skills for working with Node.js
• LearnRx
  Learn functional programming in JavaScript. This video series can help you if you're feeling stuck.
• FreeCodeCamp
  Learn to code and help non-profits! Learn about HTML, CSS, JavaScript and more.
• Treehouse
  Learn Web Design, Coding & much more. This is not a free resource. If your local library participates in the Treehouse program, you can check out a license, just as you would physical media. If not, there is a monthly fee of $25 for the basic plan or $199 per month for their Tech Degree program. Learn from over 1000 videos created by expert teachers on web design, coding, business, and much more. The Treehouse library is continually refreshed with the latest on web technology so you'll never fall behind.
• Bento
  Learning tracks with websites and resources for web fundamentals, databases, and more

Command Line

• Learn Enough Command Line to Be Dangerous by Michael Hartl
  Well-written guide that assumes no previous knowledge, and explains jargon. Also contains little exercises to demonstrate the concepts. Highly recommend for beginners.
• The Art of the Command Line by jlevy
  A thorough guide with useful tips about command line. Great for beginners, and goes through more advanced tricks for those trying to become command-line power-users.
• Bandit Wargame by OverTheWire
  Although Bandit is meant to be an intro to security, it's great for diving into more advanced command line concepts. Continue to other OverTheWire wargames to learn about security.

Algorithms

• Visualgo
  Visual learning tool for a bunch of Algorithms and Data Structures.
• Sorting Algorithm Animations
  Animated demos of Insertion, Selection, Bubble, Shell, Merge, Heap, Quick, and Quick3 sorts, with an explanation of how they work.
• Problem Solving with Algorithms and Data Structures
  For the less visual learners, an online book explaining algorithms and data structures (uses Python).
• A Visual Introduction to Machine Learning
  A primer on machine learning for beginners, with helpful visualizations.
• Statistical Machine Learning
  Statistical Machine Learning course from Carnegie Mellon University. Assignments, solutions, and full lecture videos. The course covers methodology and theoretical foundations.
• keon/algorithms
  Open source repository of examples of data structures & algorithms in Python.
• Dictionary of Algorithms and Data Structures
  Useful for a quick refresher - if you were previously familiar with the concept.

Complexity, Big-O Notation

• Lecture Notes - Jonathan Shewchuk
  Notes containing simple explanations of Big-O and asymptotic analysis. Warnings and misconceptions section towards the bottom is pretty good too.
• Big O Lecture Notes - Jim Marshall
  Tons of graphs for comparing running times.
• Big-O Cheat Sheet
  Super helpful cheat sheet for common data structures.

Git

• Try Git
  Never tried git? This interactive tutorial is for you!
• Github Git Cheatsheet
  (PDF) Helpful for those who haven't quite memorized the more frequently-used git commands.
• Atlassian's Git Tutorials
• first aid git
  A searchable collection of the most frequently asked Git questions
• Git Tips From The Trenches
  For those who want to elevate their version control game. This is a list of neat commands, configs, and neat tricks.
• A successful Git branching model
  Development model for git branches. Especially helpful for long-term projects.
• Keeping a Github Fork Updated
  For those starting to contribute to Open Source, or those starting their first Big Kid Software Engineering Project, where one has to git along with others (not sorry for pun).
• Writing good git commit messages
  Learn how to write git messages that will make sense to a newcomer for your project.
• Oh shit, git!
  Plain English explanations and solutions for common sticky Git situations.
• Git Manual
  Precise and nitpicky, but this is basically an official manual, so that's par for the course.
• Introduction to Git Commits
  Step by Step interactive guide to learning how GitHub works and using Git commands.

Language-Specific

Python

• The Hitchhiker's Guide to Python
  An opinionated and thorough guide for getting started in Python.
• Learn Python The Hard Way
  A thorough guide to Python, great for people who have never programmed before.
• Python Tutor
  Visualize Python, Java, JavaScript, TypeScript, Ruby, C, and C++ code.
• PyMOTW 3
  Python 3 Module of the Week is a series of free articles explaining, and giving examples of, how to use modules in the Python 3 standard library.
• Python Challenge
  A series of riddles that utilize your knowledge of Python programming.

Ruby

• Try Ruby by Code School
  Learn the basics of Ruby in the browser.
• Learn to Program by Chris Pine
  This online book is a thorough introduction to programming and Ruby.
• Ruby Monk
  Interactive Ruby tutorials for various levels.
• Ruby Programming
  Guided resources from various sites for learning ruby and completing your first projects with next steps once you are finished.

Go

• Go Training by William Kennedy
  While intended for in-person learning, the course material includes notes, examples, exercises, and links to other resources.
• Resources for New Go Programmers
  Can never have too many resource lists.
• Let's Learn Go!
  This website is an online book that aims to introduce people to this awesome language.
• The Little Go Book
  A free book for introducing Go, conveniently housed as a git repo and in several translations.

JavaScript

• JS the Right Way
  A guide intended to introduce new developers to JavaScript.
• Eloquent JavaScript
  Introduction to JavaScript and web development.
• You Don't Know JavaScript by Kyle Simpson In-depth free eBook on JavaScript.

ES6-Specific

• ES6 Cheatsheet by Rico Sta. Cruz
• ECMAScript 6 Learning Resources by ericdouglas
  Long list of articles, books, guides, talks, and other useful links.

JavaScript frameworks

• Using Darth Vader to Explain React

Node

• Learn You Node An introduction to Node.js through a command line interactive course.

HTML/CSS

• Dash by General Assembly
  Get introduced to HTML and CSS through a series of interactive tutorials.
• Learn to Code HTML & CSS by Shay Howe
  This guide offers a more in-depth introduction to HTML and CSS, including how to follow best practices.
• HTML and CSS intro from Interneting Is Hard
• CSS Diner
  A fantastic game that teaches you CSS selectors.
• Flexbox Froggy
  A similar game for learning how to align flexboxes using CSS.
• Magic of CSS by Adam Schwartz
  A CSS course that demystifies some concepts of CSS.

Web Frameworks

Django

• The Django Book
• Django Girls Tutorial
• Django documentation
• Deploy Python and Django Apps to Heroku

Flask

• Flask Documentation
• The Flask Mega-Tutorial by Miguel
• OpenTechSchool For those who already know a little Python but know little to no HTML.

Rails

• Rails Documentation
• Rails Girls Check under Guides for step-by-step tutorials on building your first app. Available in 11 languages.

UI Design, Product Design, and UX

• Open Web BU's Resource Page
  A bunch of resources for learning, prototyping, and designing. Sections are also sorted into Free and Paid, which is a nice bonus.
• Web Field Manual

Visual Design: Color

• HTML Color Codes by Dixon & Moe
  Basic color theory principles, color charts, a list of recognized named HTML Colors, as well as tutorials for leveraging color in HTML/CSS/Sass.

Databases/SQL

• Learn SQL by Codecademy
• MISSQL Command
  A simple game to practice SQL basics.
• PostgreSQL Exercises
  Learn about more complex SQL queries with a series of exercises.
• Intro to SQL by Khan Academy
  Learn how to use SQL to store, query, and manipulate data. They also have an SQL sandbox.
• MongoDB Tutorial Learn how to get started using MongoDB.

Engineering

• Latency Numbers Every Engineer Should Know
  Flash cards with useful estimates for reasoning about how long operations take.

Functional Programming

• Haskell Programming from First Principles As the authors state, Haskell is not a difficult language to use. Haskell is difficult to teach effectively. This book makes learning Haskell a joy. The first chapter of the book is free, then the book is $59.

• Learn You a Haskell for Great Good! This book presents Haskell to you a fun and interesting way. The book is free to read online and can be purchased in print for $44.95.

Open Source: for New Contributors

• What Is Open Source?
  For understanding what makes a project open source.
• How to Contribute to Open Source
  Guide for making your first open source contribution.
• Git resources
• Finding your first project to contribute to:
  • First Timers Only
  • Up for Grabs
  • Open Hatch
• Finding projects later on:
  • Code Triage
  • 24 Pull Requests
  • issuehub.io Focuses on issues, not projects.