Boot.dev Blog
Programming types and (incorrect) mindsets
by Lane Wagner - Boot.dev co-founder and backend engineer
DHH, the creator of Ruby on Rails, Hey, Basecamp, and a few other things, recently wrote an article titled "Programming types and mindsets", and I just have to chime in on this one.
13 Best Codecademy Alternatives in 2026 (Tried and Compared)
by Maya Chen - Computer science and programming educator at Boot.dev
Outgrew Codecademy? I compared 13 alternatives on depth, teaching style, and price, with every number verified in 2026 and real linked reviews for each platform.
The Boot.dev Beat. May 2023
by Lane Wagner - Boot.dev co-founder and backend engineer
We hit some amazing milestones in April. We now have over 40,000 registered students and over 500,000 lessons completed on the platform! I hope your learnings are going well, and that everything we're building is helping you, even if it's in a small way.
Best Python Courses and Places to Learn Python Online in 2026
by Natalie Schooner - Computer science educator and technical writer
Compare the best Python courses and places to learn Python online in 2026, with price, hours, and certificate details for each pick, plus free tutorials, books, and communities.
C Sharp vs Python: Which Is the Best Programming Language?
by Natalie Schooner - Computer science educator and technical writer
"You're comparing apples to oranges," Susan, a developer at my company, said when I asked her which programming language she preferred, C \# or Python. "It's like asking me if I prefer wrenches or hammers. One language is a compiled, statically typed language, the other is a ducktyped scripting language. Each is excellent in its correct context."
JavaScript? Python? Go? Which Tech Stack Should You Learn?
by Lane Wagner - Boot.dev co-founder and backend engineer
Ah, the age-old question: which tech stack should I learn? Aspiring developers often get bogged down in this dilemma, and it's not hard to see why. The tech industry is an ocean of opportunities, and the fear of diving into the wrong waters can be paralyzing.
Which is More Important: Hard or Soft Skills for Programmers?
by Lane Wagner - Boot.dev co-founder and backend engineer
You're waiting at the front-desk of Google's campus in Boulder, Colorado, waiting for your coding interview to start. Across from you in the lobby sit two other candidates:
As a Developer, What Hardware Do You Truly Need?
by Lane Wagner - Boot.dev co-founder and backend engineer
Let's be real here: we live in an age where everyone and their dog seems to think they need the latest, most expensive gadgets to get anything done. But when it comes to learning how to code, do you really need that shiny, wallet-draining powerhouse of a machine?
Do You Need to Blog to Get a Coding Job?
by Lane Wagner - Boot.dev co-founder and backend engineer
As the founder of Boot.dev, I've worked with countless students who are eager to break into the tech industry. And time and time again, I see the same question pop up: "Do I need to start a blog to get a coding job?"
Matlab vs Python: 6 Key Differences [Updated 2026]
by Natalie Schooner - Computer science educator and technical writer
This is one of those arguments where, outside of a few very specific examples, there's a clear answer. Python is better than MATLAB in (almost) every situation. But you're searching for the differences between MATLAB and Python, so clearly you're not convinced. Let's take a deeper look comparing Python vs MATLAB so you are finally persuaded.
The Boot.dev Beat. April 2023
by Lane Wagner - Boot.dev co-founder and backend engineer
We released more this last March than I think we've ever released in a single month before. I've been biting my nails waiting to share it all in this month's newsletter.
Is Computer Science Really that Hard?
by Natalie Schooner - Computer science educator and technical writer
Yes, computer science is hard, but you already know that. You don't want to know if computer science is hard. You want to know if it's too hard. You want to know if having to learn computer science is going to be a real obstacle in your way to achieving your goal.
It's Not About the Job Openings
by Lane Wagner - Boot.dev co-founder and backend engineer
I talk to boatloads of students who are starting to learn to code, and invariably they are hyper-concerned about which programming languages and technologies they should be learning.
How can I Get a Job as a Python Programmer?
by Natalie Schooner - Computer science educator and technical writer
"How much Python do I need to know to get a job? Do I need a degree?" I asked Jo, a hiring manager I'd met at a Python networking event, nervously.
How to Get a Job as a Golang Developer
by Natalie Schooner - Computer science educator and technical writer
Step 1: Learn Golang. Step 2: Apply for jobs. Step 3: Get accepted.
Introduction to Asynchronous Flows and Webhooks
by Nick Abbene
In this post, we'll be talking about coding with a common integration pattern with an external API called a webhook. Loosely speaking, there are three main types of communication you'll see when building an application.
Introducing Boots, the Artificially Intelligent Bear that Explains Code
by Lane Wagner - Boot.dev co-founder and backend engineer
Learning to code isn't easy; frankly, I'd be wary of anyone who tells you that it is. Hopefully, you're primarily learning by writing and reading a lot of code. As you code, you'll run into roadblocks and bumps, and having a mentor that can answer your questions is an unbelievable advantage.
Do Backend Developers Need to Know SQL?
by Natalie Schooner - Computer science educator and technical writer
A while back, one of my friends bragged that he bagged a six-figure backend developer job after watching a few YouTube videos on APIs and reading parts a bit of the PostgreSQL documentation.
Boot.dev Beat. February 2023
by Lane Wagner - Boot.dev co-founder and backend engineer
I'm back from paternity leave! My new son is healthy, and my daughter is... busy. It's good to be back writing code, writing courses and filming videos.
How to Become a Golang Engineer (on the Back-End)
by Natalie Schooner - Computer science educator and technical writer
"Guys, I've got an idea. What if we could design a language that's easy to read like Python, but fast? That has a slim feature-set like C, but is good for web development? That's compiled like Java, but doesn't need a VM?"
Want to Become a Python Back-end Developer? Start Here.
by Natalie Schooner - Computer science educator and technical writer
Myth #1: "Python is too slow for back-end development."
Your Architecture is Bad, So Make It Easy to Change
by Lane Wagner - Boot.dev co-founder and backend engineer
Have you ever started a new software development job and thought:
What is in a Back-End Developer's Job Description?
by Natalie Schooner - Computer science educator and technical writer
What's it like being a back-end developer? Well, it's different depending on which developer you ask.
Boot.dev Beat. January 2023
by Lane Wagner - Boot.dev co-founder and backend engineer
If you can't tell from my absurd profile photo below, I've been having too much fun with AI art this month.
5 Critical Differences Between DevOps and SRE Jobs
by Natalie Schooner - Computer science educator and technical writer
To someone who isn't familiar with these roles, it's easy to think that DevOps and systems reliability engineers (SREs) might have the same job. After all, both of them involve automation, coding, scaling, and reliability to one degree or another. Both roles are trying to make an organization more efficient. It's reasonable to wonder if there's any daylight between DevOps vs SREs.
