Anonymous6o6:
I received this message from ALX this evening

With the turn of event and ALG having acquired Holberton coding school (alx is under ALG), this will be very beneficial for Africans who decides to apply to any alx courses because you will have access to Holberton materials too.

By the way, we're using the same curriculum as Holberton coding school, the only difference is that Holberton is offering the software engineering program for 2 years while alx is offering software engineering program for a year and we get it for free while people from Holberton pay after graduation. I'm even more excited now, if you're curious of why I'm excited, check out the courses offered by Holberton coding school

I'm completely new to programming but I have done some research and I was told to start with python language. Please what language would u recommend for a newbie like me to start because I'm ready to quit my job next month in order to focus on this program and besides I'm a student waiting for ASUU to call off their strike so I could go back to school. Please how do you manage working with following up with this program.

Anonymous6o6:



This is it

https:// chat.whatsapp. com/FPdHmsP4WvcJmN7Rklf9WH

Cover the spaces

sorry for the disturbance. Should continue learning python(this is my first month learning the language as a beginner)

Agbebakun22:
Please share me the link to the group. Thanks

I already did. Stroll up a bit and you would see it.

Agbebakun22:
I'm completely new to programming but I have done some research and I was told to start with python language. Please what language would u recommend for a newbie like me to start because I'm ready to quit my job next month in order to focus on this program and besides I'm a student waiting for ASUU to call off their strike so I could go back to school. Please how do you manage working with following up with this program.

On how to go about school and Alx is all up to you. I don't manage your schedule and my advice might not help much since I don't know how you go about your day.

Meanwhile, as a beginner going for Alx, please study in this order:
- emacs commands
- vi commands
- shell commands and shell scripting
- git and GitHub
- C programming language

Agbebakun22:
sorry for the disturbance. Should continue learning python(this is my first month learning the language as a beginner)

Learning python right now is seriously a wrong decision.

It would take two months or more before you begin learning python on ALX. And if you don't study the above materials and make up to 80%, you will be removed.

Agbebakun22:
I'm completely new to programming but I have done some research and I was told to start with python language. Please what language would u recommend for a newbie like me to start because I'm ready to quit my job next month in order to focus on this program and besides I'm a student waiting for ASUU to call off their strike so I could go back to school. Please how do you manage working with following up with this program.

No knowledge is a waste, learn python, lots of alx students already know how to code in javascript or python before they started the program. Personally, I won't advise anyone to study c or shell basics on their own before the program because you can end up studying off point. Learn python, when the program starts, you will learn shell, c etc by using their curriculum. Besides, programming languages have the same basics, if you can understand python, you will understand C

Techstar:
No knowledge is a waste, learn python, lots of alx students already know how to code in javascript or python before they started the program. Personally, I won't advise anyone to study c or shell basics on their own before the program because you can end up studying off point. Learn python, when the program starts, you will learn shell, c etc by using their curriculum. Besides, programming languages have the same basics, if you can understand python, you will understand C

Bro this is seriously wrong oh
One of the reasons why newbies end up dropping or quitting was because, they didn't have time to study the materials and still do the projects, studying ahead will give him an idea of the topic.


For August cohort, please join the group from the link posted here, I dropped the materials sent to us on ALX and the roadmap on how to go about it. STUDY AHEAD OH

No go study python and ignore the important ones, if you don't make it to the 80%, you won't be qualified to proceed to the next Trimester for python ohhhh

Anonymous6o6:



Bro this is seriously wrong oh
One of the reasons why newbies end up dropping or quitting was because, they didn't have time to study the materials and still do the projects, studying ahead will give him an idea of the topic.


For August cohort, please join the group from the link posted here, I dropped the materials sent to us on ALX and the roadmap on how to go about it. STUDY AHEAD OH

No go study python and ignore the important ones, if you don't make it to the 80%, you won't be qualified to proceed to the next Trimester for python ohhhh

to each his own, I'm happy I didn't fall 100% for the "read ahead" advice. Before, I began, I was even in a cohort 7 group chat. I was reading books on Linux etc and was going out of the curriculum at a point. When i resumed, I realised I had passed the scope of Linux, no knowledge is a waste though, I'm conversant with JavaScript so I was able to relate with C. That aside, I will advise anyone to spend their time learning core dev skills, I used my waiting period to learn react, Imagine if I was using it to learn Linux and C off-point? My two cents, abeg take your web development seriously. That's what worked for me though, when you enter alx you go survive, my score used to above 150, it went down because I didn't do the debugging task. When you enter, you go see road. Just be determined. That's my personal opinion, it might not work for everyone.

Techstar:
to each his own, I'm happy I didn't fall 100% for the "read ahead" advice. Before, I began, I was even in a cohort 7 group chat. I was reading books on Linux etc and was going out of the curriculum at a point. When i resumed, I realised I had passed the scope of Linux, no knowledge is a waste though, I'm conversant with JavaScript so I was able to relate with C. That aside, I will advise anyone to spend their time learning core dev skills, I used my waiting period to learn react, Imagine if I was using it to learn Linux and C off-point? My two cents, abeg take your web development seriously. That's what worked for me though, when you enter alx you go survive, my score used to above 150, it went down because I didn't do the debugging task. When you enter, you go see road. Just be determined. That's my personal opinion, it might not work for everyone.

I wanna understand you, so are you saying newbies should leave the alx materials provided available for them and learn python? Or JavaScript?

Then eventually when the program commences and for each project when you're given tasks with little time, you do what? Copy and paste? Let me further ask, are you saying you are able to do the projects smoothly because of your knowledge of JavaScript? (Depending on your answer then you should be able to explain one of the task using your knowledge of JavaScript).

This was the reason I created a group, provided a roadmap on how projects will be sent, the materials and even screenshots of the tasks. A serious minded person studies all this won't have any difficulties with the projects.

I was also formerly in the 7th cohort, I re-registered because I couldn't keep up with the projects and deadline. After re-registering, I started reading ahead, when the program commenced, I not only did my projects on time, I also helped a lot of people, I'm not trying to brag but to explain the importance of studying ahead.

Be honest with yourself and tell me straight up that we're being given enough time to study C? Can you? Today we were given projects on Recursion and the deadline was 24hrs, you had to study the materials, comprehend them and finish the project today. And you're saying..? They should study python? Despite the fact that C and python has similar syntax, the difference are too obvious. You can easily type (print (hello)) in python and you're good but that's not the case in C!


Well, everyone with their choice but whoever wants to make the project easier for him/herself should study ahead.

Anonymous6o6:


Then. I will be blunt with you to make things easier.

Go and watch tutorials on Shell, Git, emacs and vim. These are important editors and command lines that will be required of you to do your projects. If you have time, check out the materials sent on your mail pertaining C language.

On the first week of the onboarding program, you won't do much(basic projects to inspire you and get you involved in the community) and people tend to let their guards down until the second week, then the third and then you realize... ALX SE program is HARD!

If you want to succeed in this program, always have it in your mind that the program is hard! Because the second you forget that and procrastinate a little, your grades will keep going down while your projects will keep piling, which is one of the reasons why people quit.

Hello, I just stumbled on your thread and it is very enlightening, I applied for AlX and would be joining the August cohort. I'd like to take your advice on reading ahead.. Please can I get a concise list of topics I should read on? And any materials if possible. The intensity you mention here is scary, honestly. Hoping for the best

Took me hours to read this thread from start to finish and I couldn't stop. You write well Tracy and the experiences from ALX, wow! It's exciting and scary. Looking forward to connecting with you. I believe by grit and consistency we'd see this program to the latter

Anonymous6o6:


Indeed I make use of my phone most of the time and only use a laptop at work.

I have gotten a hang of things that you need if you wanna make it to the first month.

- Never be shy to ask questions, being confident is good but overconfidence can ruin someone.
- Always use the SANDBOX for your projects!! This cannot be overemphasize. I did my projects on Git bash and wasn't graded so please note that.
- whenever a project is out, even if you don't intend to do it immediately, go through the materials and questions, just to have an idea of what you will be working on.

Thanks for creating this thread and sharing key points you've learned in the program.

I also applied for the program, and we're scheduled to resume August 15, 2022. Please, send me materials I can start studying now to read ahead.

Here's my email: guestreader88@gmail.com

Thanks a lot, once again.

exclusive7:

Hello, I just stumbled on your thread and it is very enlightening, I applied for AlX and would be joining the August cohort. I'd like to take your advice on reading ahead.. Please can I get a concise list of topics I should read on? And any materials if possible. The intensity you mention here is scary, honestly. Hoping for the best

When you get to the last page of the thread, you will see link to a WhatsApp group, join and request for materials, they will provide it for you

GuestReader88:

Thanks for creating this thread and sharing key points you've learned in the program.

I also applied for the program, and we're scheduled to resume August 15, 2022. Please, send me materials I can start studying now to read ahead.

Here's my email: guestreader88@gmail.com

Thanks a lot, once again.

Apologies but you might as well join the group and request for materials, I can't always be sending materials to people's Gmail.

Besides, some of the materials are pdf while some are links. Just join the group

Anonymous6o6:




I wanna understand you, so are you saying newbies should leave the alx materials provided available for them and learn python? Or JavaScript?

Then eventually when the program commences and for each project when you're given tasks with little time, you do what? Copy and paste? Let me further ask, are you saying you are able to do the projects smoothly because of your knowledge of JavaScript? (Depending on your answer then you should be able to explain one of the task using your knowledge of JavaScript).

This was the reason I created a group, provided a roadmap on how projects will be sent, the materials and even screenshots of the tasks. A serious minded person studies all this won't have any difficulties with the projects.

I was also formerly in the 7th cohort, I re-registered because I couldn't keep up with the projects and deadline. After re-registering, I started reading ahead, when the program commenced, I not only did my projects on time, I also helped a lot of people, I'm not trying to brag but to explain the importance of studying ahead.

Be honest with yourself and tell me straight up that we're being given enough time to study C? Can you? Today we were given projects on Recursion and the deadline was 24hrs, you had to study the materials, comprehend them and finish the project today. And you're saying..? They should study python? Despite the fact that C and python has similar syntax, the difference are too obvious. You can easily type (print (hello)) in python and you're good but that's not the case in C!


Well, everyone with their choice but whoever wants to make the project easier for him/herself should study ahead.

As I said, to each his own, what is working for me is following the given curriculum, it might not work for others. I'm not new to coding, I have been solving challenges in codingwars etc, so I am surviving just fine. If you know python or JS, you can easily pick up C.

In tech, years of experience matters alot. You can't compare someone that has 1yr experience coding consistently with python with python to someone that has 6months experience coding with python. The earlier you start frontend/backend personal training the better for you. Someone with 1yr practice is actually considered an intern in most companies, 2yrs for entry level.

I didn't join alx to carry first, my goal is the ROOM. How many companies need C programmers?
Many people in alx have coding experience, some even have work experience. I know someone in my cohort who has started learning web3 solidity incase any blockchain job pops up in the ROOM.
Personally, I have started working on React/Redux apps with API calls that I can showcase on my personal portfolio project at the end of the program by God's Grace.

Do you think that guy that got the Amazon job started coding with python, JavaScript and mysql nine months before getting his first job? Don't be surprised he even has AWS certification.
By June next year, most companies won't care about how good in C you are, all they want to see is your frontend or backend skills plus DSA.
No knowledge is a waste though, I will advise anyone starting this program to use 80% of their time practicing their real specialization and 20% reading ahead for C.

Recursion tasks was 48hrs it was available on Tuesday. It is only grit and determination that will keep you in this course.Very soon we will move into python and javascript, then you will understand my point. I love your thread though and the idea of the group you created. Keep it up.

Techstar:
As I said, to each his own, what is working for me is following the given curriculum, it might not work for others. I'm not new to coding, I have been solving challenges in codingwars etc, so I am surviving just fine. If you know python or JS, you can easily pick up C.

In tech, years of experience matters alot. You can't compare someone that has 1yr experience coding consistently with python with python to someone that has 6months experience coding with python. The earlier you start frontend/backend personal training the better for you. Someone with 1yr practice is actually considered an intern in most companies, 2yrs for entry level.

I didn't join alx to carry first, my goal is the ROOM. How many companies need C programmers?
Many people in alx have coding experience, some even have work experience. I know someone in my cohort who has started learning web3 solidity incase any blockchain job pops up in the ROOM.
Personally, I have started working on React/Redux apps with API calls that I can showcase on my personal portfolio project at the end of the program by God's Grace.

Do you think that guy that got the Amazon job started coding with python, JavaScript and mysql nine months before getting his first job? Don't be surprised he even has AWS certification.
By June next year, most companies won't care about how good in C you are, all they want to see is your frontend or backend skills plus DSA.
No knowledge is a waste though, I will advise anyone starting this program to use 80% of their time practicing their real specialization and 20% reading ahead for C.

Recursion tasks was 48hrs it was available on Tuesday. It is only grit and determination that will keep you in this course.Very soon we will move into python and javascript, then you will understand my point. I love your thread though and the idea of the group you created. Keep it up.

I understand your point
That guy that got into Amazon also did GACD (Google Andela Cloud development), I'm aware!

Recursion task is indeed 48hrs but the first deadline is 24hrs, for the second deadline, your score will be reduced to 65%

There's a lot to say but I understand where you are coming from. Thanks, everyone should just stick to what works for them.

Anonymous6o6:



I understand your point
That guy that got into Amazon also did GACD (Google Andela Cloud development), I'm aware!

Recursion task is indeed 48hrs but the first deadline is 24hrs, for the second deadline, your score will be reduced to 65%

There's a lot to say but I understand where you are coming from. Thanks, everyone should just stick to what works for them.

he did GACD wow!! The Recursion task was available since Tuesday, more like 72hrs, same way the static task has been available since Sunday. Keep up the good work. I was reluctant to apply in the first place , It was your thread that made me apply. I'm like your number 1 fan

Techstar:
he did GACD wow!! The Recursion task was available since Tuesday, more like 72hrs, same way the static task has been available since Sunday. Keep up the good work. I was reluctant to apply in the first place , It was your thread that made me apply. I'm like your number 1 fan

Yeah I knew it was available if one had to check planning on dashboard.
I also intend to do AWS cloud development in-between or after the program. I'm glad to see you were inspired by my post and currently undergoing the program.

You were right concerning the ROOM, there's a video that give more details about it. You might join, but making a difference with your skills is what matters.

You are blunt sha, chai I refuse to be scared. The truth can be that ruthlessly at times anyways. This will better position us ahead for the challenge. I like Anonymous Tracy's foresight also she is only maximizing the scarce resources of time and energy to get the most possible in a shot time, hit the land mark just like fast cars and aircraft strive to hit the speed just to get the lift then you can place yourself on autopilot when you are stretched to capacity before stress and depreciation sets in. Most folks may not consider other option if they could not at least hit the target within the first 4weeks. Though it is better to launch for the stars like you just explained. We all have different accelerating power behind our wheels, but the 60 seconds mark can be all that matters most times and that can be the 80percent in the first 4weeks. Either hard or easy you are both right since sometimes it rarely determines how far or how well. Those are very personal decisions.

Techstar:
As I said, to each his own, what is working for me is following the given curriculum, it might not work for others. I'm not new to coding, I have been solving challenges in codingwars etc, so I am surviving just fine. If you know python or JS, you can easily pick up C.

In tech, years of experience matters alot. You can't compare someone that has 1yr experience coding consistently with python with python to someone that has 6months experience coding with python. The earlier you start frontend/backend personal training the better for you. Someone with 1yr practice is actually considered an intern in most companies, 2yrs for entry level.

I didn't join alx to carry first, my goal is the ROOM. How many companies need C programmers?
Many people in alx have coding experience, some even have work experience. I know someone in my cohort who has started learning web3 solidity incase any blockchain job pops up in the ROOM.
Personally, I have started working on React/Redux apps with API calls that I can showcase on my personal portfolio project at the end of the program by God's Grace.

Do you think that guy that got the Amazon job started coding with python, JavaScript and mysql nine months before getting his first job? Don't be surprised he even has AWS certification.
By June next year, most companies won't care about how good in C you are, all they want to see is your frontend or backend skills plus DSA.
No knowledge is a waste though, I will advise anyone starting this program to use 80% of their time practicing their real specialization and 20% reading ahead for C.

Recursion tasks was 48hrs it was available on Tuesday. It is only grit and determination that will keep you in this course.Very soon we will move into python and javascript, then you will understand my point. I love your thread though and the idea of the group you created. Keep it up.

Anonymous6o6:


Apologies but you might as well join the group and request for materials, I can't always be sending materials to people's Gmail.

Besides, some of the materials are pdf while some are links. Just join the group

Okay.

For those on windows, no need installing virtualOS. If you dont want to make use of the built-in windows powershell, You can install cygwin to imitate the linux bash. Cygwin seeks to emulate the whole unix/linux system on Windows as accurately as possible, including directory structure.

1. Download the cygwin.exe installer from cygwin website.

2. Run the installer. Choose the default options it shows. Choose "Direct Connection" when it comes to choosing internet connection. You may then get an error that it cant connect to any mirrors. If this happens, just visit https://cygwin.com/mirrors.html then select the nearest mirrror to you. I think UK is good. Copy the link and go back to your installation. Paste the link in "Add URL" and click next.

3. You will be presented with a huge list of things to install. Dont let it overwhelm you. Also you dont need to install all, you can always come back and install what you need. So clicking next will install the defaults which includes bash, mintty etc. I would go to editors row and check if emacs and vim are also selected. But you can always install these later by rerunning this installation (cygwin.exe)

4. The programs you selected will download and install (in this case, it is the defaults).

5. Make sure you check the boxes that asks to create desktop and start menu icons.

6. Run your newly installed cygwin. Type: pwd and hit enter (pwd stands for present working directory) voila, you can now run linux commands on windows

Thank you so much for creating this thread, I got to know a lot about ALX and I got to say that what they are offering for free is very impressive!
Someone sent me the link to ALX some weeks back and after checking it out, the first thing that threw me off was the 70 hours a week, I am definitely not going to be able to cope with that. I am already taking a computer science course with Harvard university when the link got sent to me and the course is for 12 weeks but I have from now till December 31st to complete it, so I can go at a slow pace but adding ALX to it will be suicidal. I will probably check out ALX when I am done with Harvard (that is if the free opportunity is still available by then) Thank God Harvard and ALX have some similar courses (DSA, C and python) and I have also completed the HTML and CSS course from freecodecamp, so it won't be difficult for me to cope with ALX later on

I'll be taking ALX Software Engineering course that starts August 18, 2022.

Cc: Anonymous6o6

.

Xandelle:
For those on windows, no need installing virtualOS. If you dont want to make use of the built-in windows powershell, You can install cygwin to imitate the linux bash. Cygwin seeks to emulate the whole unix/linux system on Windows as accurately as possible, including directory structure.

1. Download the cygwin.exe installer from cygwin website.

2. Run the installer. Choose the default options it shows. Choose "Direct Connection" when it comes to choosing internet connection. You may then get an error that it cant connect to any mirrors. If this happens, just visit https://cygwin.com/mirrors.html then select the nearest mirrror to you. I think UK is good. Copy the link and go back to your installation. Paste the link in "Add URL" and click next.

3. You will be presented with a huge list of things to install. Dont let it overwhelm you. Also you dont need to install all, you can always come back and install what you need. So clicking next will install the defaults which includes bash, mintty etc. I would go to editors row and check if emacs and vim are also selected. But you can always install these later by rerunning this installation (cygwin.exe)

4. The programs you selected will download and install (in this case, it is the defaults).

5. Make sure you check the boxes that asks to create desktop and start menu icons.

6. Run your newly installed cygwin. Type: pwd and hit enter (pwd stands for present working directory) voila, you can now run linux commands on windows

Can we use the Windows-built in Powershell instead?

CC: Anonymous6o6

GuestReader88:
Please, the admin of the new WhatsApp group should add me to the group: 081-2064-5029.

I'll be taking ALX Software Engineering course that starts August 18, 2022.

Cc: Anonymous6o6

Have you checked out the links I sent last?

Anonymous6o6:


Have you checked out the links I sent last?

Yes. They've been reset.

GuestReader88:

Can we use the Windows-built in Powershell instead?

CC: Anonymous6o6

Windows powershell is very powerful, but a lot of the commands to be taught are Linux oriented, so some Linux commands like grep may not work in powershell. In powershell, you use "find" instead. So it's better to use a Linux oriented shell like cygwin for windows, or install termux in your mobile device

GuestReader88:

Can we use the Windows-built in Powershell instead?

CC: Anonymous6o6

I have no idea because I make use of my phone but the common used are Visual studio code, Terminal or Ubuntu. Just pick one and stick with it.

Anonymous6o6:


I have no idea because I make use of my phone but the common used are Visual studio code, Terminal or Ubuntu. Just pick one and stick with it.

I've been using Visual Studio Code (VSC) to learn C programming for some time now.

Are you saying I don't need to learn how to use the editors you mentioned on this thread earlier once I know how to work with VSC?

Xandelle:


Windows powershell is very powerful, but a lot of the commands to be taught are Linux oriented, so some Linux commands like grep may not work in powershell. In powershell, you use "find" instead. So it's better to use a Linux oriented shell like cygwin for windows, or install termux in your mobile device

I would give these software programs a try. I want to get the editors to study ahead of the program on YouTube on the channel, Learn Programming Africa.

Thanks

GuestReader88:

I would give these software programs a try. I want to get the editors to study ahead of the program on YouTube on the channel, Learn Programming Africa.

Thanks

You're welcome.