Even though I'm learning Node.js, I'm still a little confused about the distinction between Node and frontend JavaScript.

Where does frontend JavaScript end, and Node begin? What are the practical distinctions between the two?

I don't understand some job ads. The companies want developers with 3+ years of experience in everything for entry level positions.

Aren't there any entry level positions for entry level developers with less experience?

If this is the norm, how do junior devs get the experience they need to be qualified for these "entry level" positions?

I've started learning shell scripting to help me write npm scripts for my web dev workflows. I'm actually really enjoying working with the shell.

I've only recently started learning how to use the command line for more than changing directories. Is there an equivalent of MDN for shell scripting? Is there Idiot's Guide to Shell Scripting (also works for me)?

Has anyone come across good collections of npm build scripts, by any chance?

I've started learning React.js. It feels really weird to write JavaScript like this!

I saw this quiz. This is Python, right?

I ran this and got '3 44' although I'm not completely sure why the 44. I can see the obvious correlation between 'values [0]' and 'v[0]'. Aside from that I'm not sure.

Can anyone explain this to me?

!rant about WordPress

I came across a rant about WordPress this morning. Whatever the quality of the code, there is a lot of good that has come from WordPress.

For a substantial number of people, it has made it possible for them to create their own spaces on the Web that they can use to express themselves, build businesses, and share their lives.

Remember that WordPress arrived at a time when you basically had to use a few large blog services if you wanted your own site. It wasn't perfect then (and isn't now) but WordPress did a lot to democratize the Web.

I clearly don't understand how StackOverflow works. I posted a solution I came up with in a Q&A style, thinking it's a way for me to contribute to the community.

When I researched the challenge I needed to solve, I didn't find any elegant solutions that would have helped me achieve what I was aiming for.

One commentator said my post wasn't a real question about a real coding challenge, and wasn't compliant with SO guidelines.

Another commented that my search provider was clearly inadequate.

My submission was voted down so I just removed it with the intention of sharing it elsewhere.

It's almost as if StackOverflow resists contributions from newer users. Or, as I suggested at the outset, I clearly don't understand how to be a productive member of that community.

This seems like the sort of thing all you Vim users may appreciate: http://owen.cymru/fzf-ripgrep-navig...

Oh man, I think I am worse at JavaScript arrays than I thought. 😣

The more I explore npm, the more helpful knowing the CLI will be to me. Can you recommend any resources for learning how to use the command line better?

I have a couple but I'm curious what else is out there?

I've added front-end development to my professional profiles. I've described myself as a "junior" developer given that my useful experience is measured more in weeks and months.

I've been advised to drop the "junior" and just describe myself as a "web developer". Presumably potential employers will read in the "junior" bit when they consider my experience and abilities.

What's the best way to handle this?

I don't want to cripple my chances right out of the gate. At the same time, it's pointless to mislead people about my capabilities - it's easy enough to test them.

<rant class="meta">

I'm still a little new to devrant. I may not get the culture here fully, yet, so apologies if this is a little heavy.

So much of what has gone on in the last year has highlighted how much crap women devs have to deal with from guys. I've seen hints of it here in rants that some people have shared.

As I see it, devrant is a safe space to just rant, ask questions, and share daily victories. Do we really need to add little sexual comments to the mix, too?

Maybe I'm a little sensitive after following online memes where women devs talk about their negative experiences. Maybe that's the point.

I don't think tossing comments about blowjobs as work benefits, deepthroating, and other, similar comments have anything to do with what devrant seems to me to be about. I also don't think they're ok.

If I'm feeling uncomfortable, I can imagine other people do too.

I'm sure it's possible to rant, share victories, and ask questions without all the sex stuff? I just think keeping it dev-related keeps everything on topic, and is more respectful.

</rant>

Ugh! I'm trying to build a gulp-based workflow for WordPress theme development and it just isn't working (or flowing).

I'm debating whether to clear my gulpfile.js altogether and start again or attempt to build an npm-based workflow along these lines: https://keithcirkel.co.uk/how-to-us...

When I think of myself as a 41 year old junior developer (2nd career shift), my mind immediately goes to "40 Year Old Virgin" for some reason ...

Even the least likely people experience Imposter Syndrome ...

Please excuse my ignorance but what distinguishes a junior developer from an entry-level developer, in practical terms?

Is it basically that a junior developer has some practical experience where an entry-level developer has very little to none?

!rant: This Syntax episode is great for newer developers - http://pca.st/LU58

!Rant

Having been working with JavaScript so intensively, I have a newfound appreciation for Python. It really is an elegant language.

I'm looking forward to returning to Python one day in the near future.

I have a question for all you Linux pros:

My son's PC runs on Linux Mint. We wants to switch to the Pantheon desktop so we installed it (I think). I can't work out how to actually switch to it, though.

We don't have an option when we log out.

On a related note, we switched to Linux from Ubuntu because his old machine couldn't handle Ubuntu's resource requirements. I'm curious whether vanilla Debian would perform better?

(No, I probably won't switch to Arch, that's a little too much for my limited Linux capabilities).

Ugh, just when I thought I really understood JS after my revisions yesterday, ES6 Ajax requests are kicking my butt today. 😣

A few people have posted about their Linux teachers/classes. Please excuse my ignorance, but what do you learn in these classes?

(Linux was still pretty new when I was at university, and, besides I was studying law and Humanities)

!rant about Codecademy:

I decided to go a short, higher-level JavaScript course with Codecademy to help me nail down a few concepts and approaches to writing JavaScript code.

It turned out to be one of the best courses I've done. It didn't cover everything in detail. It is free so I wasn't expecting that.

Still, the topics it covered, it covered pretty well, and the hand-holding approach really helped give me a much better grasp of these concepts and models.

Well worth the time!

You know that stage you reach when you no longer feel like you can't format text without Googling how to do it, and you confidently build well-designed apps with elegant code?

That stage does arrive, eventually? Right?

I've seen developers offering to build limited websites for $5 on Fiverr. How can they do that? They must be using templates and frameworks pretty heavily to work at scale for those prices, surely?

Is there a way to increase the text size in the browser's web console? I'm getting older and that tiny text doesn't work for me. I primarily use Firefox.

I'm working on some JavaScript that a junior developer probably would have been able to write a couple hours ago.

Even though I'm getting closer to a solution, I'm definitely still in the "feeling like an idiot" phase because it is probably so simple for a more experienced dev.

At the same time, I think this is one of those things I have to figure out for myself. I can't get all my solutions from Stack Overflow!

Given how precise developers have to be with their code to get it to run, you'd think they'd be better spellers when they write blog posts. 🤔

I enjoyed this little bit of Keybase humour. 😊