So now you are a developer, you have accepted the mission it is now time to get to work. Whatever means you have gained your skills from, online courses, college or university these places only give you the theoretical information about what it is you wish to do. The growth and nurturing of your coding skills is purely on you. For my first solo project, without the help of much resources at the time was a disaster. But in the end I still had something to show and the thing about projects is that a final solution is an evolved version of the initial project.
Step 1
It is important to identify what it is you want to build and what is needed for you to build it, libraries, modules and the exact type of environment for it. As it is a first project what you want it solve will not be that much of a contributing factor, it is more to do with what interests you and what want you can build to leverage your skills. My first languages were html and CSS and eventually Javascript, so my first project was a website.
Step 2
After you have identified what you want to build, you have to figure out how you will go about the task. Breaking it into sections can help you find a structure of the implementation. Identifying what you will do and when. When I worked on my first project I did not have access to project management tools like you do now. And even though it might seem too much for a solo project it can help to discipline you in handling of tasks and time management. Project Management tools such as Trello, Github are free and can be easily accessed.
Below is an example of breaking down a website project
Step 3 Write your first line of code
When you have organized your projects into an organized implementation, the next step is to take the leap and jump right into it, write that first line of code, you will most likely make a mistake, but let that not discourage you. Because you have learnt your first lesson, what does not work now its time to learn what work’s. The beauty about this generation is the many resources at your disposal when it comes to learning and understanding besides google.
Step 4: It is okay if it is not perfect
Your first solo project will not be perfect and that is alright, most great project are built from other projects. What matters is that you now have an existing foundation that you can work with, and can make better. I have learnt that it is only when I failed that did I learn, any other time I was just absorbing information.
Looking back now, I cherish my first individual projects because they allowed me to grow in confidence in my ability to start a project, learn things about how I would handle situations and complete my project. So what are you waiting for, GO ON AND GET STARTED!!
TechSis