My Journey into Coding: From Car Dealership to Developer

Introduction

Every journey into coding is unique, and mine began in an unexpected place—a car dealership. Here's how a simple task led to a passion for programming and a new career path.

The Spark

While working at the car dealership, I started handwriting a page to keep track of my commission. This process was time-consuming and error-prone, so I decided to automate it. My first taste of automation came when I created a spreadsheet in Google Sheets that could calculate my commission for me. This small success fueled my curiosity and desire to do more.

Discovering Automation with Google Apps Script

As I continued using Google Sheets, I wanted to automate even more tasks, like tracking dates automatically. The only real way to add dates automatically was through Google Apps Script, which is essentially JavaScript with special syntax for Google Sheets. Diving into Google Apps Script introduced me to the world of programming, and I quickly realized the potential of automation.

Diving into JavaScript

Eager to learn more, I turned to the comprehensive resource javascript.info. I read and practiced every single page, immersing myself in the language and its capabilities. The more I learned, the more I wanted to create.

First Project: Dice Roller

As I worked through the materials, I began building small projects to apply what I was learning. My first project was a dice roller that could roll multiple dice with any number of sides. This simple tool allowed me to experiment with functions, loops, and user input, giving me hands-on experience and a sense of accomplishment.

The Lessons

Throughout this journey, I learned several key lessons:

• Persistence

  : Sticking with the learning process, even when it was challenging, was crucial. Each new concept built on the last, and persistence paid off.

• Practical Application

  : Building projects, no matter how small, helped solidify my understanding and kept me motivated.

• Continuous Learning

  : Coding is an ever-evolving field, and there's always more to learn. Staying curious and open to new information is essential.

Conclusion

My journey into coding started with a desire to automate a simple task, but it quickly grew into a passion. From creating automated spreadsheets in Google Sheets to mastering JavaScript and building my first project, each step taught me something valuable. Now, as a developer, I continue to build on these lessons, always looking for the next challenge and opportunity to grow.