,

Technologists discuss what developers should be learning now

June 24, 2016  |  Kat Hungerford

What’s the most-asked question at the Kansas City Developers Conference? According to conference organizers, it’s “What should I be learning now?”

To help answer the query, Startland News curated a panel of experienced software developers, moderated by editor-in-chief Bobby Burch.

Among many nuggets of information from panelists, priority No. 1 needs to be Javascript, according to PayPal programmer Kent C. Dodds.

“I am just completely floored by how many platforms Javascript can run on,” Dodds said. “As a Javascript developer, I can write for the web, for desktop, for mobile, for IoT — all with Javascript. If Javascript isn’t your thing, it’s still an important thing to know because regardless of what you end up doing, you’ll probably write some Javascript. It’s just so ubiquitous.”

The panelists also provided suggestions on how to get started — like finding a specific problem you want to solve, and using that as the impetus to learn a new programming language. Others emphasized the importance of developing “soft skills” and life-long learning.

Originally live-streamed on Startland’s Facebook page, below is the full video. More coverage from the KCDC can be found with this video on its growth, a photo gallery and a Q&A with conference organizers.

Tagged
Featured Business
    Featured Founder
      [adinserter block="4"]
      1738947381552

      Kat Hungerford

      2016 Startups to Watch

        stats here

        Related Posts on Startland News

        Kansas City named a top tech locale

        By Tommy Felts | May 19, 2015

        Kansas City again was touted as a top tech destination. Tech publication PC Magazine recently named Kansas City as one of “13 high-tech cities you’ll want to call home.” The magazine noted Kansas City’s access to Google Fiber, its low cost of living and communities such as the Kansas City Startup Village as reasons to…

        Flow Forward Medical raises additional $1.3M

        By Tommy Felts | May 18, 2015

        Flow Forward Medical boosted its latest funding round to further develop its device that helps improve outcomes for hemodialysis patients. The Olathe-based company closed a $1.3 million round of additional Series A financing led by the Kansas Bioscience Authority. Flow Forward previously raised $4.4 million, bringing its total funding raised to date to about $5.7 million.…

        Schukman: 5 reasons why KC is the capital of social entrepreneurship

        By Tommy Felts | May 18, 2015

        Take a walk in Kansas City’s startup scene and you’ll quickly hear something about KC’s devotion to becoming America’s most entrepreneurial city. This mantra is on everyone’s lips, from city leaders to corporate tycoons to scrappy startup founders. It’s amazing that in five years our city has created such clarity of purpose that millenials populating…

        KC Digital Drive creates lab to test drive gigabit apps

        By Tommy Felts | May 18, 2015

        Ever since Google Fiber announced Kansas City as its first fiber project, techies across the nation have wondered how gigabit Internet will shape a new wave of innovation and how the city would tap its new infrastructure. And thanks to a new KC Digital Drive initiative, Kansas Citians may have an up-close look at the…