Software development can be as daunting as it’s rewarding, particularly for newbies in the field. While it’s true that the field is highly competitive, it also provides ample support for developers who have just started their journey. This support comes in the form of various communities and online forums for developers.
With so many languages, tools, frameworks and libraries out there, it’s possible for new developers to be overwhelmed. This is when it matters to have the support and guidance from other skilled and seasoned developers from around the world.
With that thought, we have curated a list of communities and forums that allows newbie developers to connect with other developers from different parts of the world.
This community has been around for a considerable amount of time and has earned a great reputation for being a place where developers can connect with each other through questions and answers. It’s quite similar to Quora but the platform is exclusively for software development.
In fact, you’ll find more tech-related discussions here than on Reddit, for example. The platform requires you to post your email address when signing up. However, if you don’t feel comfortable sharing your email address then you can consider the Meta Stack Exchange QnA network instead of this platform.
There’s a valid reason why Reddit has maintained the reputation for being the “front page of the internet.” It’s home to hundreds of thousands of unique communities that present the chance for authentic human connection and endless conversation. You can pick which particular “subreddits” to follow- each of which presents its own microcosm of information and interaction.
Hence, it’s only natural there’s a massive number of subreddits of software engineers and app developers. You can find answers to all kinds of questions, right from specific technical problems to guidance on job hunting in the technology sector.
3. GitHub
It’s more than just a place to store your code online so that it doesn’t go missing in case your laptop does. This resource presents an entire platform with its own social network where developers connect with each other to share projects they’ve worked on (or want feedback on) through snippets.
The platform also comes with topic-specific discussion boards like Hacking Pro Tips, if you want to ask a question or answer one.
4. Dev.to
This is one of the largest communities of software developers on the internet, where over 700,000 developers who code in all kinds of environments discuss their work.
This platform is built on its own and is open-source, where both skilled and fresher developers from around the world meet. There are blog posts, queries, and feedback which enable developers to learn from each other. In fact, you’ll notice that big names in the tech and startup world sponsoring events in this space as well.
5. Discord
This instant messaging and VoIP platform rarely needs any introduction in the world of gaming. It’s not a community but rather a platform that numerous communities of every kind call home.
While most of the people using this platform are gamers and not developers, there are plenty of channels like Game Dev League where developers discuss and display their work. It’s got a straightforward UI where moderators are abundant and the servers run smoothly. It has everything you need in an online community.
6. Hashnode
It’s another popular forum to connect with the best developers from across the world. The platform allows developers to solve real-life issues. You can post stories and share them with the developer community or showcase the recent projects that you’ve worked on.
Additionally, you can ask questions and get help from community members. In fact, you can start your blog and promote your brand on this platform.
7. Hacker Noon
This one is an independent technology news community where anyone can share links to stories that they think are worth reading. It’s a great space if you’re searching for interesting new ideas and enjoy learning about the various software development trends, technologies, etc.
This platform consists of articles from software development, programming languages, and cybersecurity issues that will attract your attention.
8. FreeCodeCamp
It’s a non-profit community that assists you to learn coding by developing different projects. Every month they help millions of people gain valuable knowledge about coding and technology. They offer certifications that require around 300 hours of dedicated learning.
These certifications are absolutely self-paced which means you have the liberty to take your time with the course. You can check out their developer community and gain insights or learn new hacks or ideas that you can apply to your code.
Turing is a remote-first company which has built a career-focused community for developers to share their experiences, enhance skills and build their engineering careers.
The Turing developer community was created for developers by the developer. With the help of this community, developers can accelerate their growth and work for any of the renowned companies in the world. The community provides mentors who help developers can develop efficient software products from the start.
10. CodePen
CodePen is an open community for front-end developers and designers to write codes, and create attractive websites. The platform enables you to share your work build test cases to learn and debug, and find inspiration for new projects.
Codepen users essentially use HTML, JavaScript and CSS languages. Pens are code snippets in CodePen with three separate windows for HTML, JavaScript, and CSS a preview pane for real-time updates.
11. Women Who Code
This is another non-profit organisation dedicated to encouraging women in the field of technology. The platform comprises over 200,000 members who are part of the technology workforce working at different levels in various companies.
Through their global developer community, you’ll get notified about coding tools, leadership changes, job opportunities and numerous events that will encourage you to hone your technical skills.
Final Thoughts,
Navigating the way through a vast field of software engineering and development can be exhausting for any new developer. It’s always reassuring to know that the support and guidance you are looking for are out there. All of these communities listed above serve the same purpose of helping software developers (new or old) succeed in their journey of achieving excellence.