Client Project & Agile Working

A large portion of the course was dedicated to the development of a progressive web application for a real-world client. Our project, No.1 South East, was aimed at delivering a web service that provides its users with offers on food & drink from bars and restaurants across London. The project front-end was developed using the React framework and leveraged Firebase for its backend services using the authentication, databasing, hosting and cloud functions tools it provided. We made use of the Google Distance Matrix API to provide location/distance based sorting of food & drink offers to the user. Personally, I was tasked with developing the admin functionality (primarily admin creation using secure cloud functions), Firestore data creation and data retrieval throughout the web application, sign up functionality, offer code generation, API functionality and other filtering features.

The project was developed using agile principles were individual project features were developed during weekly sprints. We utilised Trello boards and daily stand ups to ensure our productivity was focused and remained high. We also ensured to maintained high levels of communication throughout to prevent duplication of code and accidental breaking of the application during version-control branch merging. Overall, the team worked exceptionally well together and I think we are proud of the product we produced. The practice of agile methods was a good experience and gave us a glimpse into a software development style, we may encounter in our careers but as with all development methodologies it comes with disadvantages which were also good to experience first-hand. In summation the client project has equipped me with the confidence and experience to tackle similar team-based projects in the future.

Looking to the Future

My next step will be into a tech related career, whether it be primarily front-end development or the full stack I'm eager to work on problems which have solutions that benefit people and communities in some way. Software can be used to enhance and benefit society in so many ways, it impacts all industry sectors (I really can't think of an exception) and connects people around the world. I'd like to pursue a career in tech that adds to the positivity and benefits software creates in our society.

The course has given me the skills to design and create software, developed my soft skills so that I can be an effective team member and given me experience in developing projects in a tech environment. I have gained confidence in my ability to help and teach others and gained inspiration to develop software that enhances the joy I get from my hobbies. Now it's time to take all my learning and put it into practice.

Patience, Perseverance and Community

A place of solace after a long hard day's work, a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life, an oasis in the pandemic's lockdown delirium, that is allotment life and what a life it is! Aside from my passion pertaining to computers I've found joy in a non-silicon based and 100% natural hobby that is vegetable growing (I prefer the term farming of course). I would advise it a hundred times over to anyone, it's great. And yes, I am aware this makes me sound like I'm 60 years old but I don't care, when you take a bite of some sweetcorn freshly picked and barbequed within 10 minutes of harvesting, that sweet sweet taste will make any judgements evaporate into the summer air.

I have been an allotment owner now for 4 years, growing everything from cabbages to pumpkins (sorry did I mention tomatoes too? always tomatoes...). The trials and tribulations are never ending but the rewards are exponentially greater. It's a fantastic hobby that not only teaches you patience and perseverance but also drops you right at the heart of a community of like-minded individuals eager to share growing tips and elbow grease, but more importantly their hard-grown vegetables (but only if you share yours). It has some incredible benefits for both the body and mind and has been invaluable during the lockdown months.

I've said it already but will do again, try growing something, you won't regret it.

Problem Solving, Electronics and Soldering

Returning to the world of tech, another hobby I've found interest in is building electronics. I mainly got involved in this to build an environmental sensor and datalogger for my allotment. Whilst half of the hobby involves coding which is fantastic, the other side, the building of the circuits appeals to my engineering mindset and the soldering can be quite calming and strangely therapeutic. I say strangely here as it seems a little odd that it has a calming effect when you're essentially wielding an almost 400°C hot poker! That aside, it is a rewarding hobby that ties nicely in with my passion for coding and really helps envision the potential and reach that coding has.

Team Work, Connection and Competition

My final hobby of course would also be tech related. Gaming, where do I start? Normally I would hide my passion for gaming as in the past it was seen quite negatively but with the rise of e-sports (now the most viewed "sport" in the world) it feels more comfortable to say I enjoy it. Despite the obvious entertainment factor, gaming (more precisely online gaming) has the propensity to connect people across large distances, bring them together through a shared purpose and rewards good team work with a shared joy of success, and of course, loot. As a medium one of its more important features, especially in the current pandemic, is allowing me to stay connected to friends.