🧑‍🎓 Gaining Years of Experience in a Few Months

and maybe you should use

Author

Journals GG
February 24, 2025

Hey there.

Here’s everything you need to know this week in the world of full-stack development.

Programming

🧠 I’m glad AI didn’t exist when I learnt to code
Learning without AI may be frustrating, but it builds a strong foundation. Struggling with syntax and type errors might seem tedious, yet it reinforces core programming principles.

Now, in 2025, AI tools can instantly fix errors, removing much of the trial and error. While this speeds up coding, it also diminishes the hands-on learning process that experimentation provides.

Without the challenge of debugging, the depth of understanding in programming risks being lost.

🧑‍🎓 Gaining Years of Experience in a Few Months
Some periods of intense work lead to rapid growth, almost like gaining years of experience in just a few months. These moments push beyond existing capabilities, creating breakthroughs.

Unlike simply stepping out of a comfort zone, this kind of learning isn’t sustainable, it demands tackling challenges far beyond previous experience, with a much higher risk of failure. This blog post is a good read on the topic!

🔢 Yes, you should use SQLite
When choosing a database, most developers default to MySQL, Postgres, MongoDB, or DynamoDB for production applications. These are solid choices, but they’re not always essential.

Kent Dodds suggests that SQLite can be a viable option for production, a perspective worth considering. When used effectively, it delivers impressive results.

For example, Notion leveraged SQLite client-side to cut web app page navigation latency by 20%, showcasing its potential in real-world applications.

Frontend Focus

🛤️ Why Ruby on Rails still matters
Ruby on Rails remains relevant because it embraces web fundamentals while offering a streamlined, backend-focused approach to building applications. Its simplicity and efficiency have powered giants like Airbnb, Shopify, and GitHub, proving its longevity.

By leveraging HTML primitives and focusing on data validation, processing, and storage, Rails makes building robust web apps easier. Even after 20 years, this blog argues that Ruby on Rails still matters.

🖼️ Understanding the trade-offs of using Tailwind CSS
If you’re in web development, you’ve likely encountered Tailwind CSS, a utility-first framework that lets you style elements directly in HTML. It promises speed and simplicity in building modern web pages.

While Tailwind offers clear benefits, like easier maintenance and scalability, it also comes with trade-offs. This blog explores the trade-offs.

📕 Best React Libraries in 2025
React's ecosystem has grown immensely, making it challenging for developers, especially newcomers, to navigate the many libraries needed for web development.

Robin Wieruch’s guide explores essential React libraries for 2025, highlighting key tools for building large-scale applications. Whether you're a beginner or experienced developer, I recommend checking this post out!

Tools

AI