"White Pigeon" by Jambe is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

These are the experiences of the junior web developer SnowyPigeon. Her current mission is to go boldly where no SnowyPigeon has gone before. This blog moves on from graduation with a BSc in Computing and IT, and continues observing the training and project development underway. Expect articles to be around 300 words for a modest coffee break read.

by Kimberley F aka SnowyPigeon


My Experience Learning to use React

posted May 29, 2022


I have been learning the JavaScript library React. React is a library providing reusable user interface components (e.g. navigation section). Having reusable components allows the developer to use those components multiple times within the same project, making adaptations to each use of the component, and potentially in other projects. This saves time working on the repetitive building blocks of a website or application, allowing the developer to focus more on the logic and data content.

I have been studying React with The Complete Guide from Academind by Maximilian Schwarzmuller, available on Udemy. I like that the course writer explains theory and walks the student through practical projects. There are opportunities to have a go at some of the projects before Schwarzmuller demonstrates his solution.

The reference content on w3Schools has also provided a useful reminder of how to implement the different React features. I found the visual presentation aspects easier to pick up than the logic, which is handled very differently from using vanilla JS. I found specifying elements by their id and manipulating them easy before, but with practice I have learned when to lift state up within a React application which has solved a few problems!

Working with React can be wound up another gear by adding Bootstrap and Sass to your project’s packages. Together, these libraries provide customisable CSS components that are easily themed using CSS variables. Setting colour variables allows reuse of the same colour throughout a website or application, without having to set it on individual components.

Perhaps you have been learning standard JavaScript and want to move on to a library? Visit https://reactjs.org/ for React, https://nodejs.org for a package manager, and https://www.npmjs.com/ for Bootstrap and Sass packages.

To see React in use, visit my example repository at https://github.com/snowyPigeon/basic-react-examples where I try out new features.


Transitioning into a New Career during a Pandemic

posted April 24, 2022


I write this blog entry following my successful graduation with a First in Computing and IT (Software). Currently I volunteer on a project with the Scottish Tech Army and am working my way through Free Code Camp’s curriculum.