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The Knowing Nomad Blog

Featured

The Best Programming Languages to Learn in 2024

“What is the best programming language to learn” is probably the most common question we get asked at CodingNomads. Unsurprisingly, the answer is not always simple. It often depends on the type of coding you would enjoy, and what you want to do with your skills.

Kim Desmond

Featured

How to be Productive While Learning Online

Learn our recommendations for how to be productive while learning online: create SMART goals, build good habits, take breaks, have an accountability buddy and more.

Ryan Desmond, Kim Desmond

How to Develop a Growth Mindset for Learning

Learn about the mechanics behind learning. Get tips for how to develop a growth mindset vs. fixed mindset, and not fall victim to the "forgetting curve."

Martin Breuss

Is Coding for Me? What Programming Language Should I Learn?

Read about personality traits of successful software engineers, and what you can do with different coding skills to determine the best coding language to learn.

Kim Desmond

Best Backend Frameworks

The 11 Best Backend Frameworks – 2023

Choosing the appropriate backend frameworks to learn and use can help ensure the performance, scalability, and future viability of your projects. This article will review the best backend frameworks to help you make an informed decision.

Kim Desmond

How to demonstrate soft skills in your resume

Top 5 Engineering Soft Skills for Resumes

Soft skills are the character traits that affect how we approach our work and how we interact with others, like our work ethic or ability to communicate effectively. Soft skills have a large impact on our success in professional roles, which is why it’s so important to demonstrate them on your resume.

CodingNomads Team

Why Learn Java?

7 reasons why you should learn Java.

“What is the best programming language” is one of the most heated debates in the software engineering industry. Everyone has their own opinion, and frankly, it’s all completely subjective based on the type of coding one enjoys.

Kim Desmond

Data Science Career Paths

What Does a Data Scientist Do?

This article clarifies some of data science’s elusive mystique, without losing its exciting allure! Learn the main job roles that data scientists specialize in, and what data scientists do across various industries.

CodingNomads Team

Python tips for beginners

How to Learn Python: The Beginners Guide

Are you feeling the squeeze to learn Python? The squeeze is real, and you’re not the only one who feels it. As you’ve no doubt heard, Python has become the fastest growing and most popular programming language in the world today.

Kim Desmond

Python Asyncio Tutorial

Speeding Up API Endpoints with Python Asyncio

As a developer, you want the APIs you write to be as fast as possible. So what if I told you that with one trick, you might be able to increase the speed of your API by 2x, 3x, or maybe even 4x? In this article you will learn how to utilize Python asyncio, the HTTPX library, and the Flask micro framework to optimize certain parts of your API.

CodingNomads Team

Should you invest in a coding bootcamp

Is a Coding Bootcamp Worth it? 7 Questions to Ask Yourself.

Learning to code is an incredibly challenging and rewarding journey. Just like most things these days, you can learn to code entirely for free online. But it’s not always the easiest or most efficient way. Joining a coding bootcamp is the fastest way to learn to code, but it requires a financial investment. Is that investment worth it for you?

Kim Desmond

How to get your first ML job

3 Steps to Landing Entry Level Machine Learning Jobs

This is a guest post by Thomas Hughes, a Science and Engineering Manager of Applied Machine Learning at Etsy. While his advice is technically geared towards those looking for entry level machine learning jobs, it is also applicable for entry level jobs in data science, AI, software engineering and more.

CodingNomads Team

Python FastAPI Tutorial

Python FastAPI Tutorial

Gotta go Fast: Writing an API with Python and FastAPI. One of the many great reasons to use Python is the vast amount of mature and stable libraries to choose from. For example, Django and Flask offer a great web development experience and troves of helpful documentation.

CodingNomads Team

Alumni Jon Sessions

Alumni Case Study: Jon Sessions

Do it. Even if you don’t think you like solving problems, or logic puzzles, or tech at all. A computer is a tool that most people use, ineffectively, every day. A little coding knowledge can go a long way in increasing your mastery over that tool.

Kim Desmond

How to use environment variables in Python & Bash

Python Environment Variables: Set a Variable in Bash

Keep Your Secrets Safe With Python And Environment Variables. Most Python programs that you build will include some secret information that you don’t want to share with the world.

CodingNomads Team

Why learn Python?

Why Learn Python? 6 Reasons Why it’s So Hot Right Now.

Everyone is talking about Python, and for good reason. With an exponentially growing community around data science, machine learning, AI, web dev and more, Python is a language that opens programming access to the world.

Kim Desmond

Alumni Robert Jan

Alumni Case Study: Robert-Jan

Focus on the basics! You’ll sometimes do stuff which may feel boring, repetitive or irrelevant to you. I promise you that it is super important to get the fundamentals down.

Kim Desmond

Java vs. Python

Python vs. Java: The Ultimate Guide

This article explores Python vs. Java in terms of performance, syntax, popular uses, career opportunities, salaries, learning curve and more.

Kim Desmond

What is exception handling in Java?

An Introductory Guide to Exception Handling in Java

Exception handling in Java programmatically handles runtime errors in order to avoid disrupting the program’s normal flow. By using exception handling, we can build our programs to take appropriate actions and keep our applications from crashing when an error or exception occurs.

Ryan Desmond

Alumni Case Study: Trevor Tabaka

Alumni Case Study: Trevor – Java Career Track

I wanted to be able to do the creating and problem solving at work too. Without good coding skills, I didn’t see an intriguing way to make that happen. There is an automation side in those roles but you need to be able to code, script, etc. in order to get those tasks.

Kim Desmond

Principles of OOP in Java

OOP Concepts in Java

Object Oriented Programming (OOP) allows you to model data – and the methods/functions that act on that data – in an intuitive way. Once you’ve modeled the required data classes and objects needed by the application, you can interact with that data in a logical way. Continue reading to learn about what is Object Oriented Programming, OOP Concepts, Elements, Languages, Modeling, and more.

Ryan Desmond

Alumni Case Study: Andrea Howes

Alumni Case Study: Andrea Howes

My coding experience was 100% self-learning before CodingNomads. I bounced around between Coursera, FreeCodeCamp, TeamTreehouse, etc- always hitting a wall, or deciding that language wasn’t the right one, or just losing the motivation to keep learning before a full workday.

Kim Desmond

Why use Django?

Why Use Django for Python Web Dev?

This blog is part 2 of our series on getting started with web frameworks. If you haven’t already, check out Part 1: What are Web Frameworks Used For? You can also learn more and dive deeper in our intensive Django Course.

CodingNomads Team

What is a web framework

What Is a Web Framework?

This series of blog posts will help you get started with the Django Web Framework. Learn more and dive deeper in our intensive Django Online Bootcamp.

CodingNomads Team

How to build a Python game

Python Project for Beginners: Guess-the-Number Game

In this article and video, you will learn how to write a simple Guess-the-number game in Python using a normal text editor. This tutorial is meant to be an easy Python project for beginners, so don’t worry if you don’t understand everything at first. The main point is to see that code is just text.

CodingNomads Team

How to run your own data analysis project

Data Analysis Example: Analyzing Movie Ratings with Python

Do you like movies? We do too! When working with our data science & analysis students, we like to use datasets that everyone can relate to – because it makes learning more fun! In this data analysis example, you will analyze a dataset of movie ratings to draw various conclusions.

CodingNomads Team

Steps for finding freelance mobile dev gigs.

How to Become a Freelance App Developer

I took the leap. So can you. Eight years ago I quit my corporate job to jump into the world of freelance Android Development. At the time, I had no formal Android training, and no experience building apps for anyone other than myself. However what I learned from making that leap: it’s not as hard as you may think.

CodingNomads Team

Jobs you can get with software engineering skills.

Software Engineer Career Paths

With seemingly limitless demand for engineers in today’s job market, software engineering is one of the most valuable skills you can have. Many consider coding the universal language of the 21st century, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that jobs for software engineers will grow by 21% in the next ten years.

Kim Desmond

video blog image for how to write a simple java program and a simple python program

How to Write a Simple Program in Java & Python

Learn how to configure your computer to write Java/Python applications; write, compile and run your programs from the command line interface (CLI), IntelliJ IDEA and PyCharm; create a Git repository, and push your application to Github.

Ryan Desmond

A day in the life of a software developer

What Does a Software Engineer Do?

A software engineer uses computer science principles to develop software solutions that will satisfy the wants and needs of businesses and consumers. Keep reading to learn what do software engineers do, including sample software engineer job descriptions, career paths, salaries, industries, and how to become a software engineer.

CodingNomads Team

Will your employer pay for your bootcamp?

The Cost of Hiring a Software Developer vs. Training from Within

Given that intensive software engineering training courses cost a fraction of that, many companies find it a much wiser investment to train from within. Especially when they have employees like you who are excited to learn to code! Why it’s a great investment for your employer. You already work there!

Kim Desmond

What is Python used for

What is Python used for? Top 5 Python uses.

Python is an open-source, general purpose programming language widely used in data science, machine learning, web development, application development, automation scripts, Fintech and more.

Kim Desmond

Bali Java and Python Bootcamp recap

Bali Code-a-palooza! Spring 2019 Java/Python Bali Bootcamp Recap

This was our biggest, baddest coding bootcamp yet: side-by-side Java and Python bootcamps in Bali paradise, with 17 students from 14 countries! Led by teachers from Austria, Spain and the US, we learned a lot, traveled a lot, made new friends and memories, and wrote a lot of code. You can see the before and after pics below of how our group vibe evolved during the course 😍

Kim Desmond

What not to do when learning to code

The WORST ways to learn to code

Learning to code can be overwhelming. There are so many things that you CAN do, that this guide focuses on what you SHOULDN’T do. We’ve seen new engineers make these mistakes, and truth be told, we made ’em when we were new engineers too! Keep reading to learn what we’ve seen are the WORST ways to learn to code, and what you should do instead.

Kim Desmond

Mexico Java Bootcamp recap

CodingNomads’ Java Bootcamp in Mexico 2018 Recap

Oh, Mexico…Beaches, tacos, tequila, and… software engineering! Some of life’s greatest things, and even better shared between a group of new friends. Two months of fun and sunshine while you learn to code for a better career, that’s CodingNomads.

Kim Desmond

Python bootcamp in Barcelona: 2018 Class Recap

The first-ever CodingNomads Python bootcamp in Barcelona has come to a close, and was a celebration of coding, community, and Catalunya! Led by instructors from Austria and the US, we graced Barcelona with the presence of our students from the US, Holland, Saudi Arabia, and an Estonian-turned-local-Barcelonian.

Kim Desmond

Bali bootcamp recap 2018

Learn Java in Bali: Spring 2018 coding bootcamp recap

After an amazing time at our Bali code school in 2017, we couldn’t wait to go back. We returned in full force with a sold-out class of 12, including students from Indonesia, USA, Canada and Mexico. We explored new places, adventured with new foods, made wonderful new friendships, and learned new skills that have already led to new jobs for our grads.

Kim Desmond

Customize Sublime Text for Python

How to Use Sublime Text for Python Web Development

Sublime Text’s rich package ecosystem makes it possible to fine-tune the text editor specifically to what you are using it for. Some of the packages are universally helpful, others, such as syntax checking, are specific to the programming language you are working with. This post will help you setup Sublime Text for Python development.

CodingNomads Team

Mexico bootcamp recap 2017

Mexico Coding Bootcamp Recap: Tech Training, Tacos, and the Trip of a Lifetime

What’s better than learning to code in paradise? Learning to code in paradise with an endless stream of delicious tacos! After hosting coding bootcamps in Bali and Thailand last year, Playa del Carmen, Mexico was the perfect spot to round out CodingNomads’ international software engineering trainings for 2017.

Kim Desmond

Thailand bootcamp recap

Learn to code abroad: challenges + successes from CodingNomads’ Thailand 2017 coding bootcamp

We selected the small island of Koh Tao to host our bootcamp for multiple reasons – its awesome coworking space Tao Hub; its affordability for our students; its endless weekend activities of jungle hiking to breathtaking viewpoints, coral reef exploration, and the slow pace of island time to balance our fast-paced course.

Kim Desmond

Job search guide for remote work

How to Find a Remote Job After a Coding Bootcamp

Design your lifestyle. Work remote. An anomaly to some, an enigma to many, the remote software engineer is a very real thing. Perhaps you’ve already considered that after a coding bootcamp, all you need is your laptop and decent wifi to be a productive software developer… from anywhere.

Kim Desmond

Job search guide for programmers

7 Step Roadmap: How to Find a Job After a Coding Bootcamp

Great news for coding bootcamp students – a recent study found that 72% of hiring managers consider bootcamp grads to be just as prepared as university grads to perform well on the job. Even still, making the leap from a coding bootcamp to a software engineering job can be daunting.

Kim Desmond

Bali 2017 highlight video

Video: Bali 2017 Highlight Reel

A fun highlight reel of CodingNomads Java Bootcamp in Bali, 2017.

CodingNomads Team

Bali bootcamp recap

CodingNomads completes our first coding bootcamp in Bali. Here’s how it went (hint: awesome).

We, as individuals, as a team, as CodingNomads, traveled across the world for a software engineering coding bootcamp in Bali. Coming from all around the US and Puerto Rico, our group met for the first time over a bucket of Bintang beers in a jungle bar.

Kim Desmond

Tips for researching coding bootcamps

How to Choose the Best Coding Bootcamp for You

Here at SwitchUp, we’ve seen coding bootcamps grow A LOT over the past few years. As recently as 2014, the model was so new that only a handful of bootcamps existed. We’ve since watched the bootcamp market triple in size, and research from SwitchUp shows that students can now choose from over 500 programs around the world.

CodingNomads Team

My Story: A traveler turned software engineer

How Learning to Code Changed My Life

You know that feeling you get when you have a few bucks in the bank but you can’t get it out because the ATM doesn’t dispense single dollar bills? It was like that.

Ryan Desmond

About CodingNomads Traveling Bootcamps

Learn to Code While Traveling the World

Digital nomads, by definition, love the freedom to work from anywhere. But what if you don’t yet have the skills to secure remote work? What if you desire more technical knowledge that goes beyond online jobs like affiliate marketing or customer service? Perhaps you’re looking for more of a challenge. Perhaps you want to build a career rather than just a job.

Kim Desmond