The Blog
Sixteen long-form posts on learning to code, debugging, careers, and the parts of programming nobody tells beginners. Written by Mark Sullivan and Tom Reyes.
Should I Learn to Code in 2026?
A frank look at whether learning to code in 2026 is still worth it, what AI changes, and the realistic path forward.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Coding?
Marketing says 6 weeks. Reality is closer to 12 months for the milestone you actually care about.
Arrays vs Objects: When to Use Which
A practical guide to picking arrays or objects (or both) for the data you actually have.
Why Functions Confuse Beginners
A working theory of why this one specific concept stalls more new programmers than the rest combined.
Reading Error Messages Like a Pro
Errors are documentation, not verdicts. The five-step routine for parsing any error.
Recursion Explained Without Fractals
A clear, calm explanation of recursion using small examples and the call-stack visualizer.
Naming Things: The Rule That Saves Codebases
Six concrete rules for naming variables, functions, and files.
Why Junior Devs Fail Interviews
The four reasons junior developers fail interviews and the prep strategy.
Zero to Your First Real Program in 30 Minutes
No installs. No accounts. A 30-minute path from I have never written code to I have a tip calculator that works.
How to Read Other Peoples Code
Reading code is a different skill from writing it. Five techniques.
Git: The Five Commands That Matter
You do not need 50 git commands. Five handle 95 percent of daily work.
Python vs JavaScript for Beginners
Most articles dance around the answer. Here is the actual decision tree.
Tutorials vs Projects: When to Switch
Most beginners stay in tutorial mode too long and then jump too soon.
When NOT to Use a Framework
The internet tells beginners to start with React. The internet is wrong.
Off-by-One Errors: The Bug Every Coder Hits
Twelve years in, I still pause before writing i < xs.length. A mental model that mostly fixes it.
How to Debug Without Panicking
A four-step routine I have drilled into every student who panicked at their first error.