Where to Go Next

With these programs, you hopefully have some mastery over the programming language you chose to use and you can start thinking about some of your own problems you’d like to solve. One of the best ways to dig deep into a language or a framework is to use it to scratch your own itch. Think about the issues in your life that you’d like to tackle. Or try to rewrite an existing application. Write your own calorie-counting app, pomodoro timer, or grocery list app.

Learn the other important tools of the software development trade. Explore test-driven development and work with the tools available in your language to write unit and acceptance tests. Then investigate version control with Git and post your code to GitHub^[6] so others can see it. Or apply your new skills toward contributing to an open-source project. It’s a great way to learn from others and advance your career.

And when it comes time to learn your next language, pick up this book again and start at the beginning, but incorporate new ways of thinking to solve these familiar problems. Happy coding!