The newbie chronicles: learning vs-code, ts, node

[Edward K. Ream]

It can be daunting to attempt to learn several new technologies at once. This thread will discuss my experiences.

Getting started

This can be hard to do :-) Here are the techniques I used today.

1. Use the Pomodoro method. I learned this in the Learning how to Learn course. Commit just to 20 minutes of work at a time. This morning the 20 minutes turned into close to an hour. That's expected, and welcome.

2. Make a to-do list of things I want to learn.

Moving to vs-code

Earlier study has made me fairly comfortable with vs-code. Now it's time to deepen my familiarity.

I created a new c:\test\ekr_ts_proto folder using the vs-code terminal.

Breakthrough: I created a log.md file within this folder, which I update within vs-code. Now I don't have to switch between vs-code and Leo. This motivates me to learn vs-code more deeply.

I copied my to-do list from Leo to log.md. Now my workflow resides entirely in vs-code.

Discoveries

The trick is to look for tiny discoveries :-)

Ctrl-` is listed (in the Command Palette) as "Toggle Integrated Terminal". As an tiny Easter Egg, it also shifts focus to the terminal if focus is not there. This allows Ctrl-` to do triple duty. It's a cute trick. Leo should emulate it.

log.md started out with a longer name. I renamed it in the terminal and discovered that vs-code knew all about the change. The new name appeared in the explorer view, and vs-code warned about unsaved changes in the file view.

Summary

I have completed an essential first step in learning vs-code, ts and node. My learning and work flow have transferred from Leo to vs-code.

I'll relate further discoveries as they arise. All comments welcome.

Edward