A trail map shows different paths someone can take. Everyone starts at different places and wants to go different places. Pick the ones that make sense for you.

developer_trail_maps.md

Structure

• Have a breakable toy side Rails project. It anchors your learning. Apply new skills/techniques here.
• Put the code in Github. Give mentors access to the project. They'll review your code.
• Understand the code review process and other style guidelines.
• Deploy your breakable toy to Heroku.
• Set learning goals weekly (e.g. X chapters of the Pickaxe, X Railscasts/week).
• Keep a text document (using vim) to record interesting commands/concepts/things you've learned.
• Review the text document daily for comprehension.
• Use a Mac OS X laptop. Set it up using this script and these dotfiles.

Fundamentals

• Practice touch typing using this game.
• Learn command line basics.
• Learn git basics with this quick tutorial.

Testing

• Learn Test-Driven Development.
• Read this example of outside-in TDD with Cucumber and RSpec.
• Read The RSpec Book to deeply understand testing with Ruby.

SQL

• Refer to this cheat sheet when you need a quick command.
• Read the Postgres manual 1 chapter at a time for deep understanding.

Vim

• Complete vimtutor.

Community

• Sign up for Boston Ruby mailing list.
• Attend Boston Ruby events.
• Find other hackfests, conferences, etc. and show up to 1/week