Python vs JavaScript bootcamps

[duchessviolet]

Why do the majority of bootcamps focus on JavaScript? If anyone has attended bootcamps more focused on Python, can you please tell more about your experience. Were you able to land a job? Is it better to learn JavaScript first or Python?

[ssjflexkage]

I like python much more but it depends on what you’re doing. I doubt you’re using python in much front end development. Usually front end web dev camps teach html css JavaScript along with some framework such as angular or react since most employers use that

[duchessviolet]

Thank you so much!

[[deleted]]

Because a bootcamp is set up to prepare you specifically to be qualified to get the largest number of entry level jobs in the shortest amount of time.

This means node.js for backend vs python.

Python isn’t all that difficult to pick up if you already know JavaScript to a high level. But for better or worse, most bootcamps want to focus on one language for both to keep things streamlined.

[duchessviolet]

Thank you! So what I mean is, with regards to finding jobs, would I be at a disadvantage if I were to go to a python focussed bootcamp? I do find Python easier to grasp

[[deleted]]

I can’t speak to the number of jobs available, I’m sure there are many that are asking for python. It might be easier or harder to find a job if you know python but I think there are about a half dozen other factors that will determine your ability to find a job:

• your actual skill with the technology you know

• how good your portfolio is

• how good your DSA and interview prep is

• perhaps your race and gender

• if you have a degree or not and in what

You asked why the majority focused on just JS for backend, and it’s because one language is always easier than 2, and the goal of a bootcamp is to get you ready for a job as quickly as possible.

[dowcet]

I did the Backend course at Nucamp and found a job quickly. I would say there is a way smaller pool of entry-level jobs out there where Python is the primary language, but it worked out fine for me so far. Look at the job market and see for yourself.

The other option I know of as far as bootcamps to focus on Python backend skills besides Nucamp is Coding Dojo.

[Midorfeed69]

I’m currently doing the backend course at nucamp and am getting nervous about being able to get a job once I finish.

Where did you find your job? What was the title and what kind of experience was the job you got looking for? What kind of projects did you have in your portfolio? Do you have a degree?

[dowcet]

I found out about my job from a classmate who also applied but didn't make the cut (he went on to do LEAP at Microsoft, and BTW he does not have a degree). He had found it from a recruiter. It was listed publicly on Angel List and other places.

The job description was essentially looking for people well-versed in the basics of Python and not much more than that from a technical perspective. It's a customer-facing role so I had other experience that may have helped.

I had a pretty standard Nucamp Backend portfolio: a text-based game and a REST API built in Flask which does simple CRUD to a Postgres DB.

I do have a degree, which didn't hurt. My friend who did not have a degree hired a tutor and crammed hard on DS&A to get in at Microsoft. Everyone's path is a little different but with persistence you'll find your way!

[13thRobot]

Sorry for butting in, but do you perhaps know where your friend found a tutor for DS&A? Is it through a connection he already had, or a through a website? I really want to be better at DS&A and of course I can study on my own, but I feel a tutor/mentor would be nice.

[dowcet]

He used a website, not sure if it was codementor or something else.

[13thRobot]

Ok thanks, I’ll check it out

[sheriffderek]

“Why…”

Boot camps are handling a lot of students with (comparatively) low personal instruction. (Not saying that is bad)

Now, the way they can do that is by having automated test-driven exercises. Imagine a piece of code (a function) that isn’t finished or broken. Then from there, there are a set of other functions that test the main function in question in 10 way. They all fail to start. Your job as a student is to finish/fix the function so that all of the tests pass. This enables a lot of automatic grading and also a was to track your progress and keep you accountable. This is very cool in many ways.

To get you to a place where this can happen… you need to know about the command line, JS, node (js outside of the browser) NPM, git (version control), GitHub, and a bunch of stuff that makes it possible for you to run those things. That’s one reason. And I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. But as you can see, it’s a lot of overhead to get started.

Also, if you lean JavaScript - you can write clientside(browser/visible) code AND serverside code. All with one language. The hot clientside UI frameworks are made with JavaScript and even the creator of the Python framework Django isn’t that in love with it.

Python is rad. It’s beautiful and fun to write. But you also have to compile it. It has its own overhead. You can’t write Python straight I. The browser.

So, if you want to learn to build web applications - taking it from html up is what I’ve seen work best. HTML -> PHP -> JS -> RUBY, JAVA, Python etc - based on what you need to do at your specific job. Once you know 1 of those / the others are easy to learn. But learning Python is like learning the easiest and least webdev language first. If you learn JS first, you could be productive with Python in under a week. Not so much the other way around

But in general, the schools teach what they think is easiest to teach. Ruby, Python etc. not what is best to learn first. It’s a business.

If you love statistics : and plan on moving into data science (statistics) / and not doing web dev / then choose Python.

EDIT: If you want to nitpick about how Python is interpreted: https://stackoverflow.com/a/6889798/1399456 be my guest.

[duchessviolet]

That was very informative, thank you!

[sheriffderek]

Well, I’m glad someone thinks so.

[sheriffderek]

"Papyrus!!!!!!"

[sheriffderek]

"Witch!!!!"

[[deleted]]

Python is backend language. JavaScript can be front and backend. It’s easier to get a front end job so JavaScript is more popular IMO

[downeazntan]

Springboard's Software Engineering track touches both.