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Hello guys, this is extraordinary times, something like which happens every 100 years. With so many people are now working from home or under lockdown due to COVID-19 and Coronavirus precautionary measures, I would like to share some useful online courses you can take to learn key technical skills and utilize this time productively.
Pluralsight is one of the best online learning websites to learn programming and tech skills with expert teaching online. more like Netflix for Software Developers and Since learning is an important part of our job, Pluralsight membership is a great way to stay ahead of your competition.
They also provide a 10-day free trial without any commitment, which is a great way to not just access this course for free but also to check the quality of courses before joining Pluralsight.
Pluralsight also has Skill IQ tests, if you are feeling curious about where do you rank among other programmers for a particular skill like React, JavaScript, or Node.js, take Pluralsight Skill IQ test.
I know it's not easy with whatever going around but being positive and having a learning mindset also means less stress which is better for your immune system, Probably your best defense against COVID-19 which doesn't have any cure yet.
This is an extraordinary time and you need an extraordinary mindset to go through over it, isn't it? The best thing you can do during this period is to learn online.
You should spend this time learning some key programming skills which can get your job once this COVID-19 period is over. You can use this time to take courses and build in-demand skills that will help you to get a job or a career once coronavirus is over.
But, to be honest, online learning is not easy, you can easily get overwhelmed with so many resources and so many things to learn. You need to be smart and only learn from the best resources and build the skills which will help you to get a job or make you job-ready.
Some essential skills everyone should learn in 2020 are:
- Java, Python and Data Science
- Computer Science concepts, algorithms, data structures, and databases
- Frontend frameworks like React and Angular
- And, Command line tools like Linux, Git, and Bash
So, you need to pick some of the best courses you always wanted to check and stick with them, even if you complete one or two, it's a perfectly utilized weekend.
So, here are some of the best Pluralsight courses, you can join or watch while you are at home. I have tried to include courses from different verticals which covers above mentioned skills like Java, Web Development, Data Structure, and Algorithms, Python, Data Science, and Machine learning, Big Data, Cloud Computing, SQL, Linux, etc but it's not exhaustive.
Top 11 Pluralsight Courses for Programmers
You can also share your favorite courses from Pluralsight on comments and programmers coming here for suggestions can benefit from them. So, without wasting any more of your time, here are some of the best Pluralsight Courses you can check out this weekend:
1. Python Fundamentals
Python Fundamentals gets you started with Python, a dynamic language popular for web development, big data, science, and scripting and probably the most important thing you can learn during COVID-19. Instructors are Austin Bingham and @RobertSmallshire
Link to Join: Python Fundamentals
2. Java Fundamentals: The Java Language
This is a great Java course for beginners on [Pluralsight]. It's not most-up-to-date, last updated in December 2015, but all the things it teaches are still relevant.
You will learn the basics of Java, Class, Object, Data Types, Threads, Files, Error handling and other core Java concepts. The instructor Jim Wilson is an experienced software engineer with more than 30 years of experience under his belt.
Link to Join --- Java Fundamentals: The Java Language
In short, a good course to learn Java from a beginner's point of view. It provides complete coverage of Java Programming language and servers as found for all Java-based development jobs like server-side development and client-side development including Android apps.
3. React.js: Getting Started
I have recently started working on a project which is using React.js for creating views and it's mandatory for me now to learn React.js.
I have some idea about it like its similar framework like Angular framework but backed by Facebook but yet to do a deep dive and that's why I have selected this Pluralsight course to take in 2020.
Link to Join--- React.js: Getting Started by [Samer Buna]
This course covers the basics of React.js and prepares the student to start developing web applications with the library.
It also explains the essential React.js concept using a sample web application to demonstrate math skills kids' games.
4. Linux Command Line Interface (CLI) Fundamentals
In this course by AndrewMallette, you will learn to master the command line shell in Linux and Unix. This is the 2nd of 4 courses that will prepare you for the LPIC-1 and CompTIA Linux+ certification.
Link to Join: Linux Command Line Interface (CLI) Fundamentals
5. Git Fundamentals
Git is a popular distributed version control system (DVCS). This is one of the top courses from Pluralsight which teaches you how to create a local repository, commit files, push changes to a remote repository, fix errors in your commits, and many of Git's other features.
Link to Join: -- Git Fundamentals
It will also help you to understand the difference between the working copy, staging area, and the repository itself. One of my goals is to master Git in 2020.
Even though I know Git and I have downloaded a couple of projects from Github but by using Git client in Eclipse. I have yet to work with the Git command line and that's where this Pluralsight course is going to help me. Come learn the power of Git.
6. Big Data: The Big Picture
This is one of the new things I am going to explore this year. Big Data technologies like Spark and Hadoop are my focus but I will spend some time learning the bigger picture and that's where this Pluralsight Course will going to help me.
Link to Join --- Big Data: The Big Picture
In this course, ZDNet's Big Data correspondent Andrew Brust teaches you about concepts, companies, and technologies that make up the Big Data world and devise a strategy for adopting Big Data in your organization.
7. Understanding Machine Learning
Apart from Big Data technologies, one more thing I would like to explore in 2020 is Machine learning. It's getting increasingly popular and 2020 seems to be the right time to learn about machine learning algorithms.
Link to Join --- Understanding Machine Learning
If you work in technology today, you need to understand at least the basics of machine learning and this one of the best Pluralsight courses provides a short introduction to the topic that assumes only a basic IT background.
If you've been looking for a simple overview of machine learning this is the course you should take.
8. Spark Fundamentals
Apache Spark is one of the popular Big Data framework and one of the new framework I am aiming to explore in 2020.
Link to Join --- Spark Fundamentals
I have already shortlisted some of the best Apache Spark online courses form Pluralsight in my earlier article and one of them is Apache Spark Fundamentals from Pluralsight.
This course will teach you how to use Apache Spark to analyze your big data at lightning-fast speeds; leaving Hadoop in the dust!. If you need more courses, then check out my full list of Apache spark course here.
9. Angular: Getting Started
This is another top Angular 2 course from Pluralsight. This course will teach you the Angular fundamentals required to create testable, MVC-style single-page applications with Angular framework.
In particular, you will learn how to bootstrap your Angular application; use Angular markup and expressions; create and use controllers; use built-in services and create custom services.
Link to Join --- Angular: Getting Started
You will also learn test-driven development using Angular and MVC pattern and learn to turn your application into a SPA using routing and create your own custom elements and handle events using directives.
You can take this course after taking Getting Started with Angular to better learn Angular in 2020.
10. Introduction to Android Development
This is a great course to learn Android from a beginner's perspective by John Sonmez, one of the best instructors on Pluralsight. I have already shortlisted some of the best Android courses from Pluarsight in my last article.
Link to Join - Introduction to Android Development
That includes both beginner and an intermediate course on Android. If you are also learning Android or improving your Android skill in 2020, you can take a look at my full list of shortlisted Android courses for Java programmers here.
11. Algorithms and Data Structures - Part 1 & 2 By Robert Horvick
In this course, you will learn core data structures and algorithms used in everyday applications. You will learn the trade-offs involved with choosing each data structure, along with traversal, retrieval, and update algorithms.
This is part 1 of a two-part series of courses covering algorithms and data structures. In the first part, linked lists, stacks, queues, binary trees, and hash tables are covered and the second part covers graph and string algorithms.
Link to Join: Algorithms and Data Structures --- --- Part 1
Btw, you need a Pluralsight membership to access this course. A monthly subscription cost around $29 per month but also give access to more than 500+ course which is worth money.
But, if you don't have a membership, you can still access this course by signing up for the 10-day free trial which provides 200 minutes of watch time for free, without any commitment.
And, if you need some free resources to complement your learning, here are some more Free Online Courses You May like to explore
5 Free Courses to Learn Git and Github
The Complete DevOps Developer RoadMap
Top 5 Courses to learn Jenkins
5 Free Eclipse and JUnit Courses for Java Developers
10 DevOps Course for Experienced Developers
5 Online training courses to learn Angular for Free
5 Free course to learn Blockchain technology
5 Free course to Kubernetes for DevOps
That's all guys, enjoy these courses on [Pluralsight] while you are at home and make the best use of this COVID-19 time. I know it's not easy with whatever going around but being positive and having a learning mindset means less stress which is better for your immune system. Probably your best defense against COVID-19 which doesn't have any cure yet.
All the best with your learning Hackathon, stay safe, be positive, and be healthy.
P.S. - Pluralsight also has Skill IQ tests, if you are feeling curious about where do you rank among other programmers for a particular skill like React, JavaScript, or Node.js, take Pluralsight Skill IQ test.
