Coding Category Archives - General Assembly Blog

What is a JavaScript framework?

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Student hands placed on laptop keyboard typing JS code.

A JavaScript framework is a collection of JavaScript code libraries that provide a web developer with pre-written code for routine programming tasks. Frameworks are structures with a particular context and help you create web applications within that context. JavaScript is a powerful coding language used in both frontend and backend development.

It is completely possible to build strong web applications without JavaScript frameworks, but frameworks provide a template that handles common programming patterns. Each time you have to build an application, you don’t need to write code for every single feature from scratch. Instead, you can build upon an existing feature set. 

All JavaScript frameworks, like most other frameworks, provide some rules and guidelines. Using these rules and guidelines, any developer can make complex applications faster and more efficiently than if they decided to build from scratch. The rules and guidelines help shape and organize your website or web application too!

For example, think about a potter’s wheel where you can build pots. The potter’s wheel is your framework; it has certain consistencies that you have to work with. The wheel rotates, and you can use that rotation to build pots of different shapes and sizes.

You can build pots, plates, cups, bowls, or even cylindrical sculptures. But you can’t build a house with it; you need to find a different framework for that. 

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A Breakdown Of Data Science Vs. Computer Science: History, Applications, and Career Paths

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Article reviewed by: Shilpa Sindhe

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Estimated reading time: 9 minutes


Trying to wrap your head around the difference between data science and computer science? 

Many of the luxuries that we have today — a favorite streaming service that recommends new movies, the ability to unlock our phones with facial recognition technology, or virtual home assistants that let us play our favorite music just by speaking — are made possible by computer science and made better by data science.

Today, these two fields complement each other to further applications of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and business forecasting. Read on to learn a definition of each, their histories and applications, and career paths in computer science and data science. 

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Should Recruiters Learn to Code? How Technical Skills Can Transform Your Recruiting Career

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Learning to code

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes


Ask a recruiter how their year’s going, and you’re likely to see a head shake. According to Gem’s 2023 Recruiting Trends report, nearly one quarter of recruiting teams saw reductions in the second half of 2022. Many are dealing with layoffs, hiring freezes, or limited resources despite headcount growth, but that isn’t the full story.

Talent recruitment is experiencing a strange moment, induced by economic swings and labor market changes. Every industry is feeling the effects of the great skills shake-up where talent on the market doesn’t match the jobs that need to be filled.

If you’re a recruiter who’s been laid off or simply want to advance and future-proof your career, now’s the time to lean in instead of get out. What makes a good recruiter even better? Let’s dig into ways to upskill, advance, and land a lucrative technical recruiting position.

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Software Engineering and AI: Best Friends or Foes of the Future?

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In recent years, software engineers have been like the work world’s equivalent to the most popular kids in school. With all the ongoing and rapid advancements in tech and focus on all things digital, their skills and talents have been some of the most sought after across all industries. But now, with AI on the rise, some worry it might steal the “cool kid” crown and that the popularity of and demand for software engineers may soon dwindle. And the AI boom’s impact on software engineering is especially of interest to potential career changers. Many who’ve considered making the leap into a software engineering role may now be having second thoughts. 

If you’re one of those people, keep reading. It’s no secret that AI is so hot right now, and all signs are pointing to it remaining hot well into the future. But the idea that AI is going to steal your job and render you irrelevant is a myth. AI alone can’t fully take on the role of a software engineer — but it will help you become a more efficient coder if you have the right skills to harness it. 

The AI-powered future is here, and it’s time to make the most of it. Keep reading to find out the best ways to leverage AI in your current or future coding role. 

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5 Hottest Emerging Tech Jobs So Far in 2023

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Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Discover how technology offers a world of exciting new job roles and demands specialized expertise. Whether you’re seeking a career change or aiming to elevate your skills, this article reveals the path to a promising future.


As technology evolves, new job roles are emerging every day. Professionals who have the right expertise are in high demand. If you are looking for a career change or to level up your skill set, these rapidly growing opportunities could be your path forward.

As economic concerns persist, you might be wondering: is now really the right time to jump into something new? A report from CompTIA found that despite the noise around tech layoffs, jobs in the tech sector will actually grow by 3% in 2023 (that’s 286,400 new jobs). Another study from CBRE found that tech workers in the US have increased 11.4% since 2020, a further indication that the tech industry’s hiring slowdown hasn’t impacted the growth of technical roles overall. 

Every company is a tech company today, and demand for talent that can wrangle data, design immersive experiences, and write code continues to rise. New technologies are evolving rapidly. The time to get your foot in the door is now. As more companies invest in areas like AI and immersive experiences, demand for talent with relevant skills will surge. 

So what exactly are the hottest emerging tech jobs? Let’s break down the roles, the job descriptions, what skills you’ll need, and potential salary. 

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Developer Career Essentials: A Personal Brand Guide for Future Software Engineers

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Article reviewed by: Usman Bashir

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Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Searching for your first job in tech can sometimes feel like you’re running a literal race. Especially for potential software engineers. You’re in the middle of a pack, sharp elbows on both sides, sweat dripping. Surrounded by runners on all sides, all you can do is keep moving your feet and look for small openings to leap into to break away.

Are you a future software engineer looking to find your breakout moment and land your first job in the tech industry? Look no further— this article is the ultimate guide to personal branding for developers in the job market. Whether you’re a new General Assembly student or already in the job market, you’ll take away practical steps to stand out in the competitive world of software engineering. 

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Everything You Need to Know About Python: A Beginners Guide to The Best Programming Language to Learn First

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Do you know which programming language powers NASA, Instagram, YouTube, and Netflix? Meet Python. According to the TIOBE Index, Python passed Java and C in 2022 to become the most popular programming language worldwide. Developers everywhere love Python for its versatility, simple syntax, and extensive frameworks.

It’s also the fastest-growing, according to the Popularity of Programming Languages (PYPL) Index. PYPL found that Python dominated 28% of searches for programming tutorials on Google in 2023, a rise of 23% in the past five years.

In this post, we’ll walk you through the advantages of Python and why it’s a great first programming language for beginners to learn. We’ll also share real-world examples of Python applications and the best ways to learn Python. 

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How to Succeed as a software engineer: turning failures into lessons

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Coding & Programming Errors: How to Stay Calm

Software engineering is one of the most in-demand careers out there. According to Statista, the demand for software engineers has doubled since 2022, and the software market value is estimated to reach $208 billion by 2023.

If you’re an early-career professional looking to find a software engineering job, it’s a great time to enter the industry. Tech talent is needed across all industries and is a thriving career path with many career growth opportunities.

In this blog, we will look at the different career challenges faced by software engineers and provide guidance on how to turn failures into valuable lessons for personal and professional growth, plus many more helpful tips and tricks.  

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Why You Should Learn JavaScript: A Beginner’s Guide

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Article reviewed by: Usman Bashir

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Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

JavaScript is a popular programming language that was born in 1995, and is now core to the modern web. It’s a critical coding skill to learn if you want to get into web development. It’s also a versatile language that can unlock a variety of well-paid job opportunities that are experiencing rapid wage growth. 

According to US News & World Report, software development ranked as the #1 job in 2023. These factors are based on growth potential, salary, employment rate, future job prospects, stress level and work-life balance. The number of software developers is expected to grow to 28.7 million by 2024 globally, a 12.5% increase from 2020. There are many job opportunities for JavaScript developers. One study found the median yearly salary in 2023 was $74,034 USD—up roughly 13% from $65,680 in 2022. 

Salaries can also increase significantly as you gain more experience and advance into more senior developer positions. JavaScript is widely used, so learning it can unlock new opportunities that are remote or freelance.

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