I'm looking for suggestions on how to enhance my coding skills, especially since it seems like job postings want an experienced Linux admin who is also a strong programmer. With about 10 years of experience on the operations side, I feel like I'm missing a solid understanding of programming. I've completed courses like CS50p and 'Automate the Boring Stuff,' and I'm comfortable with basic scripting in Python, Bash, and PowerShell. I manage my scripts using Git and have created deployment pipelines, but I'm feeling stuck. I'm not aiming to become a full-time developer; instead, I want to transition into an SRE, DevOps, or platform engineering role. Would going back to school for a CS degree help, or are there other ways to bridge this gap?
7 Answers
Stick with practical scripting and Python. You definitely don't need a degree for this; focus on small automation projects instead!
Try to find something fun or useful to code that excites you! I began contributing to open-source gaming projects and it has significantly boosted my skills. Working on something you enjoy makes all the difference!
You've actually learned a lot already! What you're feeling is common imposter syndrome. The ‘missing piece’ just comes from building projects over time, which builds your confidence. Instead of going for a degree, focus on a side project that you care about. That’s the best way to practice and grow without the burden of tuition!
To really build your coding skills, start from the basics and work your way up to understanding object-oriented programming (OOP). Coding is just a tool for problem-solving, so the more problems you tackle, the better you'll get!
The best advice is to just write more code! Find real problems you can solve and start coding for them. You're already doing a lot, and the difference between scripting and app coding isn't as vast as it seems; both involve similar skills but with more components in app development. Consider projects that enhance your work environment. For instance, I initially wrote a simple script to automate API key generation, but then expanded it into a full service that my team could use as an API. It’s all about mixing scripting with real-world applications!
Totally agree! Check out courses like programming-26.mooc.fi to tie everything together. And don't forget to look into some data structures and algorithms courses!
If you're looking for quick tips or resource suggestions, feel free to ask!
Honestly, you really need to code regularly to get better. It's almost a catch-22; you can't get a coding job without experience, but you need experience to get one! I'm dabbling in Golang myself and am finding that daily coding practice is essential. I've even got AI helping me create exercises to keep things fresh. Just keep trying to write something every day!
Exactly! You can also write simple command-line tools to automate your daily tasks. It's a great way to practice and see the impact of your coding.