Published On Feb 14, 2021
TLDR: build little chunks with nice interfaces, so you can easily swap & connect them ... like LEGO bricks.
Understanding how to build code "bricks" with standard interfaces transforms your ability to create using code, and will open doors wherever you want to go. It goes by a lot of names: modularity, decomposition, composition, separation of concerns, object-oriented programming, functional programming...
... but it all boils down to one big idea.
Oddly, I couldn't find this topic clearly explained anywhere on the internet (even though it's key to landing your first job, starting out in early career, & learning to code). 3 months later... here we are. :)
00:00 1 idea separates beginners from pros
00:18 the ways I struggled starting out
00:50 introducing: The LEGO Principle
2:13 start tiny: build blocks
3:00 bricks need well-designed interfaces
5:14 all together now: code a spaceship dashboard
8:30 swapping in and out blocks
9:57 it gets crazier: package managers & aliens
11:44 this is BIGGER THAN CODE
CREDITS & THANK YOUS:
- "Aliens!" theme: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free...
- Eleanor & the Collier family as a whole gave copious feedback throughout, thank you!
- Thank you to Michelle McGhee and Aaron Yip for being down to discuss and swap coding concepts :)
- Thank you to Triple, Seerat, and everyone else who listened to my up and downs along the way, and encouraged me.
- To my brother and role model, Thomas: for pushing me to just start recording, for giving me real-time critique, and making all of the LEGO footage possible. You inspire me.