Frontmatter Eric Matthes, Author of Beginner's Python Cheat Sheets
Jun 3, 2021
Eric Matthes, an experienced author and educator known for his practical resources like Python Crash Course, shares his journey from early programming with BASIC to writing beginner-friendly materials. He discusses impactful teachers who shaped his learning philosophy and his unique experiences biking across North America, which influenced his worldview. Eric also emphasizes the importance of open-source principles in education, critiques educational inefficiencies, and describes designing accessible resources that avoid overwhelming beginners. His commitment to continuous improvement and community engagement shines through.
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First Program On A Kit Computer
- Eric Matthes' first program was a number-guessing game typed on his dad's homemade kit computer in the late 1970s.
- He remembers the thrill of watching others play a game he had written, which hooked him on programming.
Value Of A Good CS Degree
- A well-run four-year computer science program builds deep foundations that pay off when problems get hard.
- Avoid unnecessary debt and pick quality over prestige when choosing a degree program.
Be A Problem Solver, Not Just A Coder
- Do adopt the mindset that clients pay you to solve problems, not just to write code.
- Use whatever tools you have to help people and focus on outcomes over language purity.
