Forem: Zero To Mastery

7 Lessons From My First 6 Months as a Developer

Aldo Pagani Jr. — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 22:56:19 +0000

This post was originally written by Igor Houwat and published on the Zero To Mastery blog. To read the full version (including all 7 lessons and Igor’s full story), click here.

Six months ago, I landed my first full-time job as a developer — at the age of 38, after switching careers completely.

Since then, I’ve learned a lot. From navigating new codebases to finding my voice in meetings, the first few months have been full of challenges, wins, and growth.

In this post, I’m sharing the 5 most valuable lessons I’ve learned so far on the job — as well as what helped me get here in the first place.

Before Day One: What Helped Me Get the Job

Networking Can Be a Game-Changer

I didn’t land my first job just by cold applying — it started with a conversation.

Through a friend who had already made a similar switch into tech, I got introduced to someone at his company. That person saw potential in me and encouraged me to start learning the right skills, giving me guidance and feedback along the way.

Of course, I still had to put in the work. But the connection gave me direction and eventually helped me get a foot in the door.

Takeaway: Don’t underestimate the power of your network. Whether it’s LinkedIn, local meetups, online communities, or just friends — reach out, be curious, and look for ways to build real connections.

Master the Basics First

When I started learning, I didn’t jump into the latest frameworks. I spent over a year and a half studying the fundamentals:

HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
Java (to balance a statically typed language)
Data structures and algorithms
Functional programming and design patterns
How programming languages and compilers work

It wasn’t flashy, but it gave me a rock-solid foundation to stand on — and made it much easier to learn frameworks later on.

Bonus: I found the basics fun. Understanding how things work under the hood gave me confidence and made me a better problem solver.

5 Lessons From My First 6 Months on the Job

1. Make a 'Getting Started' Plan

Your first few weeks will be a whirlwind: onboarding, learning the company culture, setting up your dev environment, reading unfamiliar code, and trying to remember everyone’s name.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

Having a personal roadmap helped me stay focused. I set small goals — things like "read through this part of the codebase" or "get this basic feature working locally" — and slowly built up momentum.

Pro tip: I followed this great blog post about how to get started as a new dev. Start with small tasks, and ask lots of questions (more on that below).

2. Ask Questions (Early & Often)

It can be intimidating to speak up when you’re new. You don’t want to slow others down or look unprepared. But here’s the truth:

Asking questions is how you grow.

Most people are happy to help — especially if you’ve done a bit of homework first. Just don’t wait too long to ask if you’re stuck. A five-minute conversation can save you hours of frustration.

That said, be respectful of others' time:

Avoid asking the same question repeatedly
Try to research first before asking
Take notes so you can reference answers later

The people who grow the fastest aren’t the ones who stay quiet — they’re the ones who stay curious.

3. Find Mentors

Mentorship is a superpower in tech.

I’ve had mentors help me with technical topics, code reviews, company culture, soft skills, and more. One helped me become a better communicator. Another helped me understand our team’s coding philosophy.

Each mentor brought a different perspective — and all of them accelerated my growth.

Tip: You don’t need a formal mentorship program. If you admire someone’s work or approach, ask if they’re open to answering questions or reviewing your code now and then. Most people are flattered — and willing to help.

4. Your Age & Background Don’t Matter

I’m 38. And guess what? I’m not the oldest dev on my team.

There’s a stereotype in tech that it’s a young person’s game — but that’s just not true. I’ve met great developers in their 40s and 50s. What matters most is your ability to learn, solve problems, and communicate well.

Whether you’re coming from sales, teaching, construction, or any other field — your experience is valid. And it often brings transferable skills that make you a better teammate.

Bottom line: If you’re passionate about learning and willing to put in the work, you belong here.

5. Keep Learning

The learning doesn’t stop once you land the job — in fact, that’s when it really starts.

There’s always a new tool, a new pattern, or a better way of doing things. And that’s part of what makes software development so exciting.

After my daughter was born, I used some of my parental leave to strengthen skills I knew I’d need on the job. Even if it was just 30 minutes here or there, it made a big difference in my confidence when I came back.

Some ways I keep learning:

Ask senior devs for feedback on my code
Rewatch course material when I get stuck
Write about what I’m learning (blogging is a great tool!)
Make a habit of small daily improvements

No one knows everything. The best devs I’ve met are the ones who never stop learning.

Want to read all 7 lessons and Igor’s full story? Check out the full blog post on ZTM

How To Start Freelance Consulting in 2025 (Even Without a Degree)

Aldo Pagani Jr. — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 23:47:22 +0000

This post is a summarized version of Paul Mendes' full guide on how to become a freelance consultant, originally published on Zero To Mastery

What is a Freelance Consultant?

A freelance consultant is essentially a professional problem-solver. Unlike traditional freelancers hired to complete specific tasks (e.g. build a website), consultants are brought in to analyze problems, present solutions, and provide strategic advice — often in the form of reports or presentations.

Think of consultants as on-demand specialists who help businesses overcome challenges using their unique skillsets.

Freelance Consulting vs. General Freelancing

While both involve project-based work, the difference lies in the nature of the work:

Freelancers execute specific tasks.
Consultants identify and solve strategic problems.

Consulting often leads to more in-depth engagements and higher rates, since businesses aren’t just paying for labor — they’re paying for insight and expertise.

Is Freelance Consulting Worth It?

Absolutely. Many freelance consultants earn higher rates than traditional freelancers or even salaried employees - especially when they specialize in a niche area.

For example, software consultants and tech-focused freelancers have reported average earnings over $100,000/year, especially when working with high-value clients. Platforms like ZipRecruiter back this up with similar estimates.

The real advantage? You're charging for your brain, not just your time.

The Top 10 Sectors for Freelance Consulting

Here are some of the most in-demand consulting areas in 2025:

Strategy
Marketing
Operations
Human Resources
Business Development
Procurement
Digital & Tech
Interim Leadership Roles
Innovation & R&D
Internal Relations

Even if you don’t have experience in these sectors yet, your existing skills, like web development, Python, or SEO — can often be applied directly to solve business challenges in these areas.

How To Get Started: A 4-Step Roadmap

1. Choose a Niche + Build Your Offer

Start by identifying your strengths and experiences. Whether it’s from your day job, side projects, or volunteering, chances are you already have expertise others would pay for.

Next, research the demand. Use freelance platforms like Upwork or job boards to see what clients are actively looking for.

Bonus tip: Consider using a value ladder — offer different service tiers to cater to both small and premium clients.

2. Land Your First Clients

Use platforms like Upwork, Freelancer.com, or even your LinkedIn network. Many new consultants start by offering to work for free in exchange for a case study, a powerful portfolio builder that often leads to paid work.

3. Prove Your Value

Don’t just complete the work, show your impact. Whether it’s faster load times, better conversions, or increased productivity, use metrics to demonstrate ROI. This helps build trust and justifies higher rates.

4. Build Authority Over Time

Start putting your ideas out there. Whether through a blog, LinkedIn, or YouTube, consistently sharing insights builds trust and makes you more attractive to clients.

You don’t need thousands of followers to look credible — you just need to show you care about your field and stay informed.

Final Thoughts

Freelance consulting is one of the most flexible and lucrative career paths available today. And no, you don’t need a fancy degree or years of corporate experience to get started. You just need a skill, a clear offer, and a willingness to do the work.

Ready to dive deeper? Check out the full guide by Paul Mendes on the ZTM blog for detailed case studies, examples, and bonus lessons.

Beginner's Guide To The UX Design Process

Aldo Pagani Jr. — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 20:01:03 +0000

👉 This post is a portion of Laura's full blog post on Zero To Mastery. To read the full article, head over there.

The UX Design Process

Ever tried navigating a website that just doesn’t work the way you expect? Frustrating, right? On the flip side, some apps just feel effortless. Everything clicks and using them is a breeze. That’s the magic of great UX design.

If you’re wondering how to create that same experience, it all starts with mastering the UX design process. This guide walks you through the key steps so you can turn ideas into designs that not only look good but work seamlessly.

What is the UX design process?

The UX design process is a roadmap for creating products that people love to use. It guides you from initial concept to final product while keeping user needs at the center. Think of it as a GPS for your project, helping you navigate toward the best solutions.

It includes steps like understanding users, brainstorming ideas, prototyping, testing, and refining your designs based on feedback.

Why is the UX design process so important?

Great UX leads to happy users, higher engagement, and ultimately more revenue. On the flip side, poor UX frustrates users and increases abandonment rates. Mastering this process helps you exceed expectations and build products that people stick with.

Step #1. Research

Research lays the foundation for the whole process. You need to understand your users, their goals, frustrations, and behaviors.

Qualitative research: Involves interviews and open-ended questions. For example, talking to gym-goers about what they wish their fitness apps did better.

Quantitative research: Gathers data through surveys or analytics. Maybe you find out 75% of respondents are unhappy with their current fitness app.

Affinity mapping: Organizes insights into patterns so you can identify major opportunities.

Competitive research: Study existing products to find gaps or opportunities. Reading negative reviews of top fitness apps, for example, can highlight areas where your app can stand out.

Step #2. Ideation

This is the brainstorming phase. Based on your research, you and your team generate as many ideas as possible, no matter how unconventional.

Examples:

Gamifying workouts to motivate users.
Adding easy options for sharing achievements on social media.

The goal: explore many angles and uncover innovative solutions.

Step #3. Prototyping

Prototypes bring your ideas to life. They can be:

Sketches: Quick, rough layouts.
Wireframes: Low-fidelity structures showing layout and functionality.
UI mockups: High-fidelity visuals with colors, icons, and typography.
Interactive prototypes: Clickable models created in tools like Figma, simulating the user experience.

👉 To continue learning and build real-world UX projects, check out Dan’s Complete UI/UX Design Bootcamp. The course covers the entire process in-depth, with hands-on practice in Figma and more.

Beginner's Guide To Tree Of Thoughts Prompting (With Examples)

Aldo Pagani Jr. — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 22:58:34 +0000

Have you ever felt like AI models rush to give answers without reasoning things through? Tree of Thoughts (ToT) prompting is designed to solve that. Unlike simple prompting techniques, ToT helps AI slow down, think step-by-step, explore multiple solutions, and choose the best one, much like how humans approach complex problems.

👉 This post is a portion of Scott's full blog post on Zero To Mastery. To read the full article, click here.

🌳 What is Tree of Thoughts Prompting?

Tree of Thoughts (ToT) prompting is a framework that replicates human problem-solving by having AI generate, evaluate, and refine multiple lines of reasoning. Instead of following a single path (like Chain of Thought), ToT explores various ideas at each stage, building a tree-like structure of possibilities. This method came from research by Princeton, Google DeepMind, and Long in 2023.

🌱 How Does Tree of Thoughts Work?

Here’s how ToT operates:

Generate Thoughts: The AI creates several possible solutions at each stage.
Evaluate Thoughts: It assesses which ideas to keep exploring and which to discard.
Expand Promising Thoughts: The best ideas branch into further possibilities.
Search for the Best Solution: Algorithms like Breadth-First Search (BFS) or Depth-First Search (DFS) guide exploration.

👉 Example: Imagine planning a vacation. You start with general ideas (beach, city, skiing). Based on your preferences (you hate cold), you eliminate skiing. Then, you narrow choices to cities and finally pick Paris. This mirrors how ToT prunes ideas to find the best one.

💡 Why Use Tree of Thoughts?

ToT shines because it:

Encourages iterative exploration, increasing the chance of finding the right solution.
Helps discard weak ideas early, saving time and resources.
Adapts across domains — from math problems to creative writing.

Game of 24 Example:

In this problem-solving game, you must combine 4 numbers using arithmetic to reach 24.

👉 Example solution:

Numbers: 8, 3, 3, 2

Solution: (8 ÷ 2) × (3 + 3) = 24

When tested on this:

Input-Output prompting: 7.3% success
Chain of Thought: 4% success
Self-consistency CoT: 9% success
Tree of Thoughts (B=1): 45% success
Tree of Thoughts (B=5): 74% success

The more paths ToT explores (higher B), the better it performs.

🚀 How To Implement Tree of Thoughts

Option 1: Via Code

Ideal if you want full control. You can:

Generate multiple paths programmatically
Score and filter ideas automatically
Apply BFS/DFS algorithms for exploration

Option 2: Prompt Chaining

Guide the AI with a sequence of prompts:

Generate multiple ideas
Evaluate them through follow-up prompts
Expand on the most promising

👉 Example:

"List 3 strategies for warehouse logistics" → "Evaluate these strategies" → "Expand on the best one"

Option 3: Zero Shot ToT

Use a single structured prompt:

"Imagine 3 experts answering this question. Each writes one step, shares it, and leaves if they realize they're wrong. Repeat until a solution is reached."

This simulates multiple reasoning paths in one go — perfect for quick experimentation.

Final Thoughts

Tree of Thoughts helps AI reason smarter by exploring and pruning multiple paths. It’s a flexible method you can try with or without code to tackle complex challenges.

Ready to level up your prompting skills? Check out the full ZTM Prompt Engineering course for a deeper dive!

How To Convince Your Boss To Pay for Your Upskilling

Aldo Pagani Jr. — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 17:10:42 +0000

Looking to level up your skills in AI, Cybersecurity, Cloud, or automation, and get your company to cover the cost?

In this post, you'll learn how to make a compelling case to your manager (without sounding salesy or desperate).

📩 Want the full guide with a ready-to-use email template?

👉 Check out the full version on the ZTM blog

Your employer should be paying for it.

It’s not just possible, it’s smart business. Companies want productive, efficient teams. And in tech, that means learning never stops. So why not let your boss foot the bill for your growth?

Here’s how to make the ask and get a “yes” without sounding salesy or desperate.

🧠 It’s Not About You (At First)

If you want your manager to say yes, the key is simple: frame it as a benefit for them.

It’s not about "I want to learn more."

It’s about "Here's how this will help the team/company."

Ask yourself:

Can I automate something tedious?
Can I work faster or smarter with this new skill?
Can this save time or reduce costs?

If you can link upskilling to visible impact, they’ll listen.

🚀 Start Before You Pitch

Before you even ask, start learning.

Not the whole course, just enough to show initiative.

For example, if you’re learning automation or Python scripting, apply what you learn to a small task at work. Save the team an hour a week. Clean up a report. Eliminate a bottleneck.

Then, when you approach your boss, you can say:

“I’ve already started learning this on my own, and here’s what I was able to improve.”

Now it’s not just a training request—it’s a business case.

💬 Address Objections Up Front

When managers say no, it’s usually for one of these reasons:

“What if you don’t finish?”
“What if you leave the company?”
“Will this distract you from your job?”
“Is it worth the money?”

Here’s how to handle each one:

✔️ You’ve already started – shows initiative

✔️ You’ll learn outside work hours – no productivity risk

✔️ You want to grow with the company – reduces fear of turnover

✔️ Cost is reasonable & tax-deductible – lowers financial barrier

🧾 What to Recommend

If you're looking for a platform to suggest, Zero To Mastery (ZTM) is built for real-world upskilling. It’s used by employees at Google, Amazon, Shopify, and more.

Costs:

$299/year or $1,299 for lifetime access
Tax deductible for most companies
Includes full access to courses in:
- Machine Learning
- Generative AI & Prompt Engineering
- Cloud & DevOps
- Cybersecurity
- Fullstack Web Dev
- Data Science, and more

Bonus: Most courses have free previews, so you and your boss can try before buying.

🧠 Final Thought

Convincing your boss to pay for training isn’t about being persuasive, it’s about showing value.

If you demonstrate initiative, tie it to outcomes, and offer a low-risk ask, you’ve already done 80% of the work.

📚 Want the full guide with sample language and deeper strategy?

Read the complete post on the Zero To Mastery blog

Is Tech a Good Career Path? Pros, Cons, and How To Get Started

Aldo Pagani Jr. — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 17:34:48 +0000

Thinking about starting a career in tech but not sure if it’s the right move? You’re not alone.

This post is a summarized version of a full guide by Daniel Daines-Hutt over at Zero To Mastery, where he breaks down whether tech is worth it, what the path actually looks like, and how to get started from scratch.

The Pros of Working in Tech

You Don’t Need a Degree

One of the biggest advantages in tech? You don’t need a college degree to get hired. Companies care more about your skills and whether you can do the job, not where you learned it.

That’s why most people learn through platforms like YouTube, online courses, or bootcamps. And the costs are a fraction of a university degree. For example, Zero To Mastery students have gotten hired at FAANG companies after just 5–9 months of focused self-study.

You can literally start learning the skills for $50/month instead of $100k in student debt.

The Salaries Are Fantastic

Even entry-level tech roles can start at $50k–$70k per year. And if you specialize, like in cybersecurity, machine learning, or cloud, you can hit six figures quickly.

Some people go from the lowest tax bracket to the highest with their first tech job. It’s a serious financial shift.

The Industry Keeps Growing

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, tech is expected to add around 356,000 jobs per year for the next 7 years.

Cybersecurity alone is growing at 33%, and companies outside the traditional tech space are hiring too. Yes, you’ll hear about layoffs, but the context matters:

8,000 layoffs at Amazon = less than 0.5% of their 1.5M workforce.

Compared to construction (2%) or hospitality (1.5%), tech is still one of the most stable and futureproof industries around.

Flexibility & Work-Life Balance

Remote and hybrid roles are common in tech, with many companies valuing outcomes over hours. You can:

Work asynchronously
Choose your own schedule
Focus on results, not face time

It’s not perfect everywhere, but more and more companies are ditching the 9–5 in favor of flexibility.

There’s a Role for Everyone

You don’t need to love math or be obsessed with code to have a place in tech. Whether you’re creative, analytical, or a great communicator, there’s likely a role for you.

Examples:

Visual? → UI/UX or Front-End Dev
Problem Solver? → QA, DevOps, or Cybersecurity
Love data? → Analytics or Data Science
Organized & communicative? → Product Management or Tech Writing

👉 Take the Tech Career Path Quiz to find your match and get a roadmap to start learning.

The Flip Side: Cons of Working in Tech

Tech is great, but it’s not all sunshine. Here’s what to watch for:

You’ll Need To Keep Learning

Tools and frameworks evolve quickly. If you want to stay competitive (and get pay raises), you’ll need to keep your skills sharp.

For some, that’s exciting. For others, it can feel exhausting, especially if you’re used to jobs where you “train once and you’re good.” But it’s manageable. Just follow a solid roadmap and stay curious.

It Takes Work To Get Your First Job

No degree? That’s fine. But you will need to prove your skills, typically by:

Completing a course or roadmap
Building projects
Creating a portfolio
Passing technical interviews

You might also face competition and need to apply to multiple jobs before landing one. That’s normal, and totally doable with consistency.

The Culture Isn’t Always Perfect

There are amazing tech companies out there... and some not-so-great ones.

While many offer async, remote, and flexible vibes, others still want you in an office 9–5 or expect long hours. Just like any field, company culture varies, so be sure to ask the right questions when interviewing.

Pro tip: Look for companies that value self-ownership and clear communication.

TL;DR — Is Tech Right for You?

If you want flexibility, financial upside, and an industry with massive growth potential, tech is a great path. But you’ll need to stay adaptable, keep learning, and push through the tough early days of getting started.

Want To Start Today?

Already know what you want to do? → Check out the tech roadmaps
Still unsure? → Take the tech career path quiz

🧠 Full original post: Is Technology a Good Career Path?

Beginner’s Guide to setTimeout in JavaScript

Aldo Pagani Jr. — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 13:46:04 +0000

If you’ve ever written JavaScript and wondered why certain things happen out of order, a log shows up late, an event fires too early, you're not alone. One of the simplest and most useful tools to help make sense of this is setTimeout.

In this post, we’ll look at what setTimeout is, when you’d use it, and some common mistakes to avoid.

Want the full deep-dive? Check out the complete version on the ZTM blog for more detailed examples and advanced use cases.

What is `setTimeout`?

setTimeout is a built-in JavaScript function that lets you schedule code to run after a delay (in milliseconds). Instead of freezing the entire program, it lets your code continue running while the callback is queued up to execute later.

setTimeout(() => {
  console.log("This runs after 2 seconds");
}, 2000);

Even a delay of 0 milliseconds doesn’t run immediately. JavaScript finishes its current tasks first, then checks the timeout queue — this is thanks to the event loop. It’s a great way to see JavaScript’s asynchronous nature in action.

When You Might Use It

setTimeout comes in handy for a bunch of real-world scenarios like:

Delaying a tooltip or message
Waiting before retrying a failed request
Deferring heavy logic until after a UI update
Creating animations with slight delays

Example: Show a quick confirmation message after a button click:

button.addEventListener("click", () => {
  message.innerText = "Saved!";
  setTimeout(() => {
    message.innerText = "";
  }, 1500);
});

It’s not a performance hack — it won’t speed up your page — but it can make things feel smoother by giving the browser time to render changes before heavier operations kick in.

How to Cancel a `setTimeout`

You can cancel a timeout before it fires by using clearTimeout. First, you’ll need to store the timeout ID returned by setTimeout.

const timeoutId = setTimeout(() => {
  console.log("This will never run");
}, 3000);

clearTimeout(timeoutId);

This is especially useful in interactive UI elements — like canceling a tooltip that shouldn’t appear if the user moves their mouse away quickly:

let tooltipTimeout;

button.addEventListener("mouseenter", () => {
  tooltipTimeout = setTimeout(() => {
    showTooltip();
  }, 500);
});

button.addEventListener("mouseleave", () => {
  clearTimeout(tooltipTimeout);
});

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Even though setTimeout is simple to use, it trips up beginners in a few key ways:

Calling the function too early Don’t use parentheses when passing your function:

  setTimeout(doSomething, 2000); // ✅ correct

Not storing the ID If there’s even a small chance you’ll want to cancel the timeout, save the ID.
Thinking it blocks code It doesn’t wait like a sleep() function, it schedules the code and immediately continues.
Using it for loops Want to delay actions one after another? Use recursion instead:

  let i = 0;
  function logNext() {
    if (i < 5) {
      console.log(i++);
      setTimeout(logNext, 1000);
    }
  }
  logNext();

Try It Yourself

Playing around with setTimeout is one of the best ways to better understand how JavaScript handles time and asynchronous operations.

Want more examples, advanced tips, and best practices? Read the full guide here →

Web Developer Monthly - May 2025

Aldo Pagani Jr. — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 20:45:40 +0000

Welcome to the May 2025 issue of Web Developer Monthly!

Every month, we share the most interesting updates, tools, articles, and developer news from around the web—cutting through the noise so you don’t have to.

If you enjoy it, make sure to subscribe so you get the next issue before anyone else:

👉 Read the full newsletter here

🍦 Plain Vanilla Web

A great reminder for any web developer: this article breaks down how to build modern websites without relying on frameworks or build tools. Just a browser, an editor, and the fundamentals. Definitely worth a read if you want to brush up on the raw skills.

Check it out

🎳 A Unique Way to Job Hunt

Someone built an AI-powered resume server that acts like a fully interactive portfolio using MCP (Model Context Protocol). It’s open source, and although a bit niche, it could definitely help you stand out—especially in AI-focused roles.

Explore the project

💎 React & Remix News

React remains a favorite, and this month brings updates worth checking out:

Building a React App with GitHub Copilot (for those experimenting with Copilot)
Updates from Remix/React-Router you’ll want to catch up on if you're using either in production

🎂 JavaScript Turns 30

JS officially hit 30 years old this month. If you’re curious how it went from a 10-day hack to the backbone of the modern web, this retrospective is a fun read.

Walk through JS history

🚄 Converting Strings in JavaScript

It sounds simple, but string conversion in JS can be tricky. This guide dives into some surprising edge cases and best practices.

Understand the nuances

🗿 New Libraries & Tools

Some standout releases this month:

GSAP 3.13 – Still one of the best animation libraries around
Mantine v8.0.0 – A powerful React component library with accessibility baked in
Node.js v24 – New version of everyone’s favorite runtime
TypeScript Native Preview – Major speed boost (up to 10x) in the new TS compiler

🗺 Around the World in Tech

Apple, Google, and Meta were caught in a massive breach of 184M login credentials
Gene editing milestone: A baby received the world’s first personalized CRISPR treatment

🏢 AI News & Big Tech Updates

Claude Integrations let developers extend Claude with remote toolsets
Codex by OpenAI launches: a multi-tasking software agent in the cloud
Windsurf (formerly Codeium) acquired by OpenAI for $3B 🤯

✅ Best Resource of the Month

Is AI making us dumber? This thoughtful video explores how we use AI tools—and how they might be shaping how we think, learn, and build. Definitely worth a watch and reflection.

That’s all for now!

If you want the full newsletter with more resources, AI news, dev tools, and random internet gems, read the full version here.

See you next month! 🚀

Beginner’s Guide to React Query (Now TanStack Query)

Aldo Pagani Jr. — Wed, 28 May 2025 19:40:05 +0000

If you’ve ever tried fetching data in a React app, you know how messy it can get—useEffect here, useState there, maybe some retry logic, a loading spinner, and boom: you’re knee-deep in complexity just to display something simple.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

That’s exactly what React Query—now officially renamed TanStack Query—was built to fix. It's a game-changer when it comes to managing server state in your app.

Let’s break it down and see why it deserves a spot in your React toolbox.

🔍 What is React Query?

React Query is not just a utility function you tack onto a component and move on. It’s a full-blown tool designed to manage server state—data that comes from an external source like an API or backend.

Before libraries like this, developers had to manually handle fetching, error handling, caching, and refetching logic using useEffect, useState, or more complex state tools like Redux or Context. It worked—but scaling that approach cleanly was a pain.

React Query flips that process on its head by letting you declare what you need, and then handling how and when to fetch or refresh it behind the scenes.

It means:

No boilerplate
Automatic background updates
Built-in caching and retries
And no need for global state just to share API data across components

🏷️ Wait… What’s TanStack Query?

You’ll see both names floating around—React Query and TanStack Query. Same library, same API.

The rename just reflects the broader set of libraries from the same developer (Tanner Linsley), like React Table and React Charts, all grouped under the TanStack umbrella.

But don’t worry—everything you see in this guide applies regardless of which name is used.

⚙️ Installing and Setting Up

Getting started is straightforward.

First, install the package:

npm install @tanstack/react-query

Then you’ll need to set up a QueryClient. This is the engine behind the scenes that manages your queries, caches, and syncing logic.

You only need one, and it’s usually added to the top-level of your app:

import {
  QueryClient,
  QueryClientProvider,
} from '@tanstack/react-query'

const queryClient = new QueryClient()

function App() {
  return (
    <QueryClientProvider client={queryClient}>
    <YourApp />
    </QueryClientProvider>
  )
}

⚠️ Forgetting to wrap your app in QueryClientProvider is one of the most common setup mistakes. Without it, none of the React Query hooks will work.

🔄 Fetching Data with useQuery

Once set up, the easiest way to fetch data is with the useQuery hook.

Here’s a quick example using the JSONPlaceholder API:

import { useQuery } from '@tanstack/react-query'

function Posts() {
  const { data, isLoading, error } = useQuery({
    queryKey: ['posts'],
    queryFn: () =>
    fetch('https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts').then(res =>
        res.json()
    ),
  })

  if (isLoading) return <p>Loading...</p>
  if (error) return <p>Something went wrong</p>

  return (
    <ul>
    {data.map(post => (
        <li key={post.id}>{post.title}</li>
    ))}
    </ul>
  )
}

Here’s what’s going on:

queryKey: This uniquely identifies the query and is used for caching.
queryFn: This is your data-fetching function—can be fetch, axios, etc.
Returned values like data, isLoading, and error make managing states dead simple.

And the best part? Caching.

If you navigate away from the component and return later, cached data is shown instantly while React Query silently fetches fresh data in the background. No extra logic required.

✋ That’s just the first half of the guide!

Want to go deeper into common mistakes, best practices, and how to avoid stale data traps? Check out the full article here on the Zero To Mastery blog.

P.S. If you’re looking to truly master React in 2025, check out the Complete React Developer Course. It’s helped thousands land jobs at companies like Google, Shopify, and Apple — and could help you do the same.

Beginner’s Guide to IDS vs IPS in Cyber Security

Aldo Pagani Jr. — Thu, 22 May 2025 23:38:55 +0000

📝 This post is a summarized version of Beginner’s Guide to IDS vs IPS in Cyber Security by Aleksa Tamburkovski, originally published on the ZTM blog.

For the full post and more in-depth insights, check out the original article.

You’ve probably seen IDS and IPS mentioned in job listings or security docs. But what do they actually do, and how are they different?

This guide breaks down both tools in simple terms — no fluff, no jargon — so you can actually understand what’s happening when your network is under threat.

🚨 What is an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)?

An IPS is an active gatekeeper. It doesn’t just detect threats — it blocks them in real time.

For example: If someone is brute-forcing your login form, an IPS can detect the pattern and block them instantly.

Where it sits: Directly in-line with traffic. Every request goes through it.

How it works:

Signature-based: Matches known attack patterns
Anomaly-based: Flags weird behavior
Policy-based: Custom rules you define

Gotchas:
Because it can block traffic, an IPS has to be finely tuned. Misconfigurations could lead to service disruptions — which is why teams often run it in passive mode first, to see what it would block.

👀 What is an Intrusion Detection System (IDS)?

An IDS is more like a security camera. It watches traffic and alerts you if something looks suspicious — but it doesn’t block it.

This makes IDS ideal for spotting:

Lateral movement inside your network
Strange login behavior
New, unknown attacks that don’t match a signature

Where it sits: Out-of-band, watching a copy of traffic. It won’t slow things down or interfere.

How it detects threats:

Signature-based: Fast and accurate for known threats
Anomaly-based: Useful for zero-days, but needs tuning

Popular IDS tools: Snort, Zeek, Suricata (in IDS mode)

🧠 IDS vs IPS: Key Differences

Feature	IDS	IPS
Response	Passive (alerts)	Active (blocks threats)
Placement	Out-of-band	In-line with traffic
Risk	Low (no interference)	Medium-High (if misconfigured)
Detection Methods	Signature + Anomaly	Signature + Anomaly + Policy
Best Use	Internal monitoring	Real-time protection

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

Turning them on without tuning — Always start in monitoring mode.
Relying on default rules — Customize for your environment.
Using only signatures — Combine with anomaly detection.
Not integrating with workflows — Make sure alerts go somewhere actionable (like your SIEM).

🛡️ Why You Need Both

It’s not IDS vs IPS — it’s IDS + IPS.

Use IPS for real-time protection (e.g. login portals, APIs)
Use IDS for internal visibility and threat context

Tools like Snort and Suricata support both modes. Start with IDS mode, tune it, then switch to IPS when ready.

Want to learn how attackers really bypass these systems?

Check out the Advanced Ethical Hacking Bootcamp: Network Hacking & Security

Learn how to exploit network vulnerabilities and understand what it really takes to defend them.

🔐 This post is a condensed summary. For the full guide, examples, and deeper context, read the original: Beginner’s Guide to IDS vs IPS in Cyber Security by Aleksa Tamburkovski on the ZTM blog.

How To Get Into Tech Without a Degree!

Aldo Pagani Jr. — Thu, 15 May 2025 18:31:29 +0000

It sounds wild, but it’s true — you don’t need a degree to land a job in tech. In fact, tech is one of the few high-paying industries where your skills and portfolio matter more than a diploma.

In this post, we’ll break down the main ways to get into tech without going to college, how to pick the right career path, and what the interview process actually looks like.

Why Tech Doesn’t Care About Your Degree

Tech evolves fast – A 4-year degree often teaches outdated material. Most companies value real-time learning and adaptability.
Knowledge ≠ ability – You can have a CS degree and still not know how to build real-world applications. Employers care more about what you can do than what you’ve memorized.
Learning is faster (and cheaper) online – Everything you need to know can be learned through updated, structured online courses without racking up student debt.

Main Paths Into Tech (Without a Degree)

There are several legit ways to get started in tech. Each has pros and cons, and what works best really depends on your learning style, budget, and goals.

1. Self-Taught

Learning from free resources like YouTube, documentation, and open-source projects is one of the most common starting points. It’s completely free and gives you full control over what you learn and when. A lot of successful devs got their start this way. That said, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out what to learn, in what order, and how to know when you’re ready. Many people also fall into “tutorial hell” — endlessly watching tutorials but never building real projects or applying for jobs. It’s a solid place to begin, but many people eventually move to a more structured path once they hit a wall.

2. Online Courses & Platforms

This is one of the most popular and effective paths today. You get the flexibility of learning online, along with expert-led instruction and a clear roadmap to follow.

For example, at Zero To Mastery you get:

Access to all courses for $49/month or $299/year
Support from instructors and a community of 500,000+ students
Focused learning based on what real employers want
Projects to build your portfolio
Certificates you can showcase on LinkedIn or your resume

Explore ZTM Courses

3. Bootcamps

Bootcamps are immersive programs designed to take you from beginner to job-ready in a few months. They usually follow a set schedule and include live instruction, career support, and sometimes direct hiring connections. They can work well for people who want more accountability or need a deadline to stay motivated. However, they’re expensive — often ranging from $5,000 to $10,000+, and some take a percentage of your salary once you get hired. Bootcamps can be effective, but you’re often learning the same material you could get elsewhere for a fraction of the price.

4. Apprenticeships/Internships

These are paid opportunities where you learn on the job, often with the goal of landing a full-time role. They’re growing in popularity and offer valuable hands-on experience. For people who learn best by doing, this can be a great entry point. The downside is that roles can be limited and competitive, and you may start with lower pay or slower advancement. In many cases, learning the skills first and applying directly to junior roles can be a faster and higher-paying route. Still, if you find one, it can be a solid way to break into the industry.

How To Choose a Tech Career Path

You don’t have to be a math wizard or a hardcore coder. Tech offers a wide range of roles based on your interests and strengths:

Web Development – Great if you like problem solving and building things (Frontend, Backend, Full-Stack)
UI/UX Design – Ideal if you're creative and love making digital experiences easier to use (UI/UX)
DevOps / Cloud Engineering – Perfect for detail-oriented people who like streamlining systems (DevOps, Cloud)
Data & AI Roles – If you enjoy numbers, patterns, and analytics (Data Analysis, Data Science, Machine Learning)
Cybersecurity – For those who enjoy puzzles, investigation, and protecting systems (Cybersecurity)
Mobile & Game Dev – Great for people interested in apps or interactive experiences (Mobile Dev, Game Dev)

Just want to make bank? Check out the highest-paying roles in 2025

How To Pass the Tech Interview Without a Degree

We break this down in full detail in this blog post: How To Ace the Coding Interview

But here’s a quick summary of what the typical interview process looks like:

Apply with a solid portfolio or GitHub profile
Take a short fundamentals quiz
Do a technical interview to walk through your thinking and skills
Finish with a behavioral interview

Again, check out the full post for all the details on each stage and how to prepare.

TL;DR – You Don’t Need a Degree, You Just Need to Start

Choose a tech role that fits you
Follow a roadmap and build skills
Build a portfolio and apply to roles
Practice interviews and land your job

It takes months, not years, and costs hundreds, not thousands. The key is simply getting started.

Web Developer Monthly – April 2025

Aldo Pagani Jr. — Wed, 07 May 2025 18:17:40 +0000

Hey devs! Here’s a quick snapshot of some of the most interesting news and tools from April. As always, this is a curated mix of things worth knowing, without the endless scroll. No fluff, just the good stuff.

If you enjoy it, make sure to subscribe so you get the next issue before anyone else:

👉 Read the full newsletter here

🧠 The “USB-C of AI Agents”?

MCP (Model Context Protocol) is gaining traction fast — being called the new standard for how LLMs interact with tools and data. Google’s backing it, and security is a core part of the spec.

Why MCP matters →

💎 React Updates

React Compiler is now in release candidate phase
Deep dive: how the reconciliation engine works
Bonus: Build an AI chat app with React + OpenAI
And if you like pain: JSX Over the Wire

🪇 Finally: A Modern `<select>` Element

Chrome 135 brings a huge upgrade to the native HTML <select> tag. Style it with CSS, accessible by default — no JS hacks required → Demo & details

🧪 Node.js Testing: The Ultimate Guide

Updated deep-dive on Node testing best practices. If testing isn’t your strong suit (yet), start here → NodeJS Testing Best Practices

🧰 Tools Worth Trying

Bare — Run JavaScript... everywhere.
Hako — A secure, portable JS engine forked from PrimJS.
Apache ECharts — Arguably the best open-source charting lib right now.

✅ Resource of the Month

Senior Dev Skills in the AI Age – A practical take on how to work with AI coding assistants effectively without sacrificing quality.

That’s just a slice of what happened this month.

👉 Read the full newsletter with everything from Llama 4 to Firebase Studio

See you next month! 🚀

Forem: Zero To Mastery

7 Lessons From My First 6 Months as a Developer

Before Day One: What Helped Me Get the Job

Networking Can Be a Game-Changer

Master the Basics First

5 Lessons From My First 6 Months on the Job

1. Make a 'Getting Started' Plan

2. Ask Questions (Early & Often)

3. Find Mentors

4. Your Age & Background Don’t Matter

5. Keep Learning

How To Start Freelance Consulting in 2025 (Even Without a Degree)

What is a Freelance Consultant?

Freelance Consulting vs. General Freelancing

Is Freelance Consulting Worth It?

The Top 10 Sectors for Freelance Consulting

How To Get Started: A 4-Step Roadmap

1. Choose a Niche + Build Your Offer

2. Land Your First Clients

3. Prove Your Value

4. Build Authority Over Time

Final Thoughts

Beginner's Guide To The UX Design Process

The UX Design Process

What is the UX design process?

Why is the UX design process so important?

Step #1. Research

Step #2. Ideation

Step #3. Prototyping

Beginner's Guide To Tree Of Thoughts Prompting (With Examples)

🌳 What is Tree of Thoughts Prompting?

🌱 How Does Tree of Thoughts Work?

💡 Why Use Tree of Thoughts?

Game of 24 Example:

🚀 How To Implement Tree of Thoughts

Option 1: Via Code

Option 2: Prompt Chaining

Option 3: Zero Shot ToT

Final Thoughts

How To Convince Your Boss To Pay for Your Upskilling

🧠 It’s Not About You (At First)

🚀 Start Before You Pitch

💬 Address Objections Up Front

🧾 What to Recommend

🧠 Final Thought

Is Tech a Good Career Path? Pros, Cons, and How To Get Started

The Pros of Working in Tech

You Don’t Need a Degree

The Salaries Are Fantastic

The Industry Keeps Growing

Flexibility & Work-Life Balance

There’s a Role for Everyone

The Flip Side: Cons of Working in Tech

You’ll Need To Keep Learning

It Takes Work To Get Your First Job

The Culture Isn’t Always Perfect

TL;DR — Is Tech Right for You?

Want To Start Today?

Beginner’s Guide to setTimeout in JavaScript

What is setTimeout?

When You Might Use It

How to Cancel a setTimeout

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Try It Yourself

Web Developer Monthly - May 2025

🍦 Plain Vanilla Web

🎳 A Unique Way to Job Hunt

💎 React & Remix News

🎂 JavaScript Turns 30

🚄 Converting Strings in JavaScript

🗿 New Libraries & Tools

🗺 Around the World in Tech

🏢 AI News & Big Tech Updates

✅ Best Resource of the Month

Beginner’s Guide to React Query (Now TanStack Query)

🔍 What is React Query?

🏷️ Wait… What’s TanStack Query?

⚙️ Installing and Setting Up

🔄 Fetching Data with useQuery

Beginner’s Guide to IDS vs IPS in Cyber Security

What is `setTimeout`?

How to Cancel a `setTimeout`

🪇 Finally: A Modern `<select>` Element