Jekyll is a fantastic static site generator that offers several benefits:
On this blog, I’ll be sharing:
Converting my website to Jekyll was an interesting learning experience. I had to:
The result is a more maintainable and scalable website that makes content creation much easier.
I’m excited about this new chapter and look forward to sharing more content with you. Make sure to:
Thanks for stopping by, and happy coding!
]]>I didn’t come from a computer science background. My interest in programming started when I wanted to build something but didn’t know how. That “something” evolved into a passion that has shaped my career path.
I chose Python as my first language because of its readability and versatility. The syntax felt natural, and I could quickly build small projects that gave me confidence to continue learning.
The most important lesson I learned was this: build things. Reading tutorials and watching videos is great, but nothing beats the experience of actually creating something from scratch. Each project taught me:
After getting comfortable with Python, I explored web development:
Like many self-taught developers, I struggled with imposter syndrome. I questioned whether I was “good enough” without a formal CS degree. Over time, I realized that:
There were times when progress felt slow or I hit walls that seemed impossible to overcome. What kept me going:
Regular practice, even if just 30 minutes a day, beats sporadic marathon coding sessions.
Build projects that interest you. The motivation will carry you through the difficult parts.
Everyone’s journey is different. Focus on your own progress.
Every bug is a learning opportunity. Every failed project teaches you something valuable.
Writing about what you learn reinforces your understanding and helps others.
I’m constantly exploring new technologies and improving my skills. Current focuses include:
If you’re starting your programming journey:
Being self-taught doesn’t mean being alone. The programming community is one of the most supportive I’ve encountered. Take advantage of the wealth of resources available, but remember that your unique perspective and experiences are valuable.
The journey never really ends—there’s always something new to learn, which is what makes programming so exciting.
What’s your programming story? I’d love to hear about your journey and what motivates you to code!
]]>Space Invaders is a perfect project for intermediate programmers because it involves:
Language: Python 3
Graphics Library: Turtle Graphics
Repository: github.com/DeanJ93/space_invaders
The main game loop handles:
# Pseudocode structure
while game_running:
update_player_position()
update_enemies()
update_bullets()
check_collisions()
update_score()
refresh_screen()
Getting smooth, responsive movement with Turtle Graphics required:
tracer(0) to disable automatic screen updatesupdate() after position changesImplementing accurate collision detection between objects:
def is_collision(obj1, obj2, distance):
dx = obj1.xcor() - obj2.xcor()
dy = obj1.ycor() - obj2.ycor()
return (dx ** 2 + dy ** 2) ** 0.5 < distance
Creating the classic Space Invaders movement pattern where enemies:
Turtle Graphics isn’t the fastest library, so optimization was crucial:
This project reinforced OOP principles:
onkey()random module for enemy behaviorclass Player:
def __init__(self):
self.player = turtle.Turtle()
self.player.speed(0)
self.player.shape("triangle")
self.player.color("blue")
self.player.penup()
self.player.setheading(90)
self.player.goto(0, -250)
def move_left(self):
x = self.player.xcor()
if x > -280:
self.player.setx(x - 15)
def move_right(self):
x = self.player.xcor()
if x < 280:
self.player.setx(x + 15)
class Bullet:
def __init__(self, x, y):
self.bullet = turtle.Turtle()
self.bullet.speed(0)
self.bullet.shape("circle")
self.bullet.color("yellow")
self.bullet.penup()
self.bullet.goto(x, y)
self.state = "fire"
def move(self):
if self.state == "fire":
y = self.bullet.ycor()
self.bullet.sety(y + 20)
Ideas for enhancing the game:
The full source code is available on GitHub. Feel free to:
Building Space Invaders was a fantastic learning experience that combined programming fundamentals with game development concepts. It’s a project I recommend to anyone looking to:
The best part? It’s genuinely fun to play once you’ve built it!
Have you built any games with Python? What was your experience? Let me know in the comments!
Check out the live project on GitHub and give it a try!
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