I really appreciated a recent comment from an editorial on new technology with a candid reply, “I am not sure where to start”. This is so true for many of us. I think it is even more true for those of us who used to program in tools that evolved quite slowly. You could spend a great amount of time building skills, and be able to use them for a quite long time.
I really enjoy the SQL language for that reason. It has been around for decades. New features are added on a much slower basis. Even new features that are added do not require the acquisition of a complete new set of skills to be able to accomplish things we did years ago.
By contrast, take a look at writing Dot Net applications. We moved from ASP.Net, to … name your different implementation. Now with Dot Net core we are going through the same process all over again. There have been so many generations of new ways to do the same thing it is difficult to keep current. That’s not to say that the advances are not valuable. It’s just difficult to sort out what is current when approaching a skill that you don’t already have.
Here are three things I have found that have helped me answer the question, “where to start?” They all work by starting with a commitment to learn. Either learning on your own, or on a project for your business. But, I have found you have to build something to learn the tools.
Option 1: Get a book. Unlike learning on the internet, a book should provide guidance from end to end when learning how to use a new tool. You may need more than one book if you want to really learn the tool.
Option 2: Get online instruction. SSWUG has a great library from virtual conferences and much more with resources to learn new skills.
Option 3: Take a class.
Option 4: Join an Users Group supporting the tool(s) you wish to acquire.
The key problem which we all experience is time. That is something you are going to have to work out for yourself. That’s why I like to start with a book, because I’m old school. I still like to read. I can get a great overview quickly of how things work. When I get to my project, I can dig in further, or seek other resources.
Best of luck to you all…don’t give up.
Cheers,
Ben