The TeachMeTom Show: Recent Episodes
Tom Schweitzer / TeachMeTom
Let's delve into the exciting world of AI to explore Meta AI's groundbreaking Megabyte model.
We discuss how this innovative architecture might transform the field and potentially challenge reigning AI models like ChatGPT.
Tune in as Tom breaks down complex concepts into beginner-friendly explanations, analyze the Megabyte model's potential, and ponder the big question: Could this be a ChatGPT replacement?
Whether you're an AI enthusiast or just starting your programming journey, this episode is packed with insights to fuel your curiosity and understanding of the dynamic field of AI. Don't miss it!
In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of REST APIs and demystify the concept for beginner programmers. Whether you've just started coding or want to expand your knowledge of web development, understanding REST APIs is crucial in today's interconnected digital landscape.
We take a hands-on approach to learning by exploring the JSONPlaceholder API. JSONPlaceholder provides a simple, user-friendly API that mimics a full-featured RESTful API without requiring any authentication. It serves as an excellent resource for beginners to experiment and grasp the fundamentals of working with APIs.
Let's talk about ChatGPT - how does it work, how is it trained, how does it produce human-like responses, and what are the limitations and problems?
In this episode, we will discuss the most expensive software bug in history that led to a devastating event. We explore the circumstances surrounding this catastrophic incident and the lessons we can learn from it. This is a cautionary tale that every programmer, from beginner to expert, needs to know.
Are you a beginner programmer looking to learn about APIs? Look no further! In this podcast episode, we'll break down the basics of REST APIs using a delicious pizza delivery service as an example. You'll learn about the different HTTP verbs and endpoints that make up an API and how to use them to build powerful applications. Whether you're developing your first app or looking to expand your skills, this podcast will give you a solid foundation in the world of APIs. Tune in now and take your programming skills to the next level!
In this episode, we discuss the importance of writing clean code and provide 7 essential tips for beginner programmers to follow. By incorporating these tips into your coding practices, you can improve the readability, maintainability, and efficiency of your code.
In this episode, we'll be discussing the number one skill that every new programmer needs to master in order to succeed. Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up your skills, this episode is a must-listen.
In this episode, we talk about you can do research online to find out what the most popular programming languages are right now.
When it comes to learning programming, there is one specific area that you should focus on in 2023.
Listen to this episode to hear Tom's thoughts about it.
Every web page you've ever read is using in HTML to structure the contents.
So, let's talk about HTML, and why we don't just put scanned Legal / A4 on the web...
If you want to experiment with HTML live in your browser, go to https://teachmetom.com/htmltext
Let's continue or talk about data structure with another three types - Maps (also called Dictionaries), Trees and Graphs.
In our programs, we often manage multiple pieces of data together - think about your music playlist, the list of unread email messages, or your contact list.
In this episode, let's talk about three ways to manage these related pieces of data.
Do you want to teach yourself programming without having to type any complicated syntax?
Listen to this episode to learn about 3 platforms that you can use totally free.
What is an algorithm?
And what does it have to do with doing your laundry?!
Listen to this episode to find out!
What is a repository, and why do I need one for my software project?
Listen to this episode and find out more about git, one of the most popular and free repositories.
https://teachmetom.com/
What are the two types of errors?
How do we find errors in our code easily?
What tools can we use to get rid of them?
Listen to this episode to find out.
For more helpful tips to get started with programming, go to https://teachmetom.com/
As a beginner programmer, it can be easy to fall into certain traps that can make your coding journey more difficult.
Cloud Computing has been one of the mega-trends in IT in the last 10 years - and it will get even more relevant in 2023.
Listen to this episode to find out what the term means and why it's important that you familiarize yourself with the concepts as a beginner programmer.
Click here to learn more:
https://teachmetom.com/
Listen to this episode to learn how to experiment with Python, the #1 programming language to learn in 2023, directly in your web browser.
To follow along, click here and follow the instructions:
https://teachmetom.com/python-colab
Tom reveals what is the number #1 top programming language to learn in 2023, and why that's the case.
Listen to this edited audio version of a live emergency webinar.
If you are interested in trying out Python in your browser, click here and follow the instructions:
https://teachmetom.com/python-colab
It's story time with Tom!
Listen to learn how his experience was working for a "Digital Agency" - what are the pros and cons of this type of employment were (at least from his experience).
In this episode we talk about HTML - one of the most fundamental building blocks of the internet.
Listen to learn how to get access to a full 9 hour course for free,
or click here to get started: https://teachmetom.com/html
In episode number 50 we talk about the importance of taking breaks - especially in this new hybrid workplace situation that we are finding ourselves in...
More of those pesky acronyms that the software industry is full of...
But it's actually quite easy to understand.
Listen to this episode to find out what is meant by "Continuous Integration"
What are the two meetings that are taking place at the end of every Sprint?
Why are there two, not one?
Who is attending those, and what's the purpose?
Listen to this episode to find out.
What happens in the two weeks of a Scrum Sprint?
Well, the team completes task after task - and every day, they meet in a short meeting, the "daily scrum", to talk about their progress and the current status.
After we have written a lot of functionality that we want in a software product in the form of "user stories", ...
what's next?
Listen to this episode to learn how we organize the user stories into two lists - the "product backlog" and the "sprint backlog".
How do we actually describe what functionality we want in a software product?
Listen to this episode to learn about "user stories" - a way to define a part of software functionality from a user's perspective.
What does a Scrum Master do?
What's the responsibility of a Product Owner?
And why are some "Developers" not writing code?
Listen and find out in this podcast episode.
Read more about Scrum in the official guides: https://scrumguides.org/
What's that "Scrum" process that everybody claims to have adopted?
Read more about Scrum in the official guides: https://scrumguides.org/
What's the "Agile Manifesto" and why do you need to know it when you want to work in the software industry?
In this episode, we talk about a short, but important document, written a long time ago.
You can read more about it here:
https://agilemanifesto.org/
If you would like to start learning coding for free, go to
teachmetom.com/academy
and select "Free courses".
Now, this might feel like a weird comparison.
But if read anything written about software development, chances are you will find the word "agile" in it.
Let's talk about what it means, and why it's similar to stand-up comedy.
Here is a question from a podcast listener:
"How to get and stay motivated to study - ever since COVID lockdowns I have felt that I have trouble with motivation and self discipline, something I never had an issue with in the past. I want to learn but it's like something is stopping me. Any ideas?"
Listen to this episode to hear Tom's secret technique to stay motivated.
Have a question yourself? Ask Tom anything:
https://teachmetom.com/asktom
Job, maybe another job, kids, groceries, partner, parents...
We've got so many things to do in our every day life - how can you possibly squeeze in an hour per day to learn programming?
Listen to this episode to find out...
Have a question about programming? Ask Tom anything:
https://teachmetom.com/asktom
Does it make sense for you to learn programming - won't Artificial Intelligence replace programming jobs in the near future?
Listen to this episode to find out why Tom thinks AI will definitely replace jobs - but not how you'd think...
Have a question about programming? Ask Tom anything:
https://teachmetom.com/asktom
AI - Artificial Intelligence - has been a hot topic for a couple of years.
Listen to this episode to learn how to understand the basics of any AI program.
Have a question about programming? Ask Tom anything:
https://teachmetom.com/asktom
This is another one of those questions that I am getting a lot:
What's the easiest and quickest way to learn the basics of programming,
especially if you have never written a single line of code before?
Have a question about programming? Ask Tom anything:
https://teachmetom.com/asktom
Most people seem to think that software developers have to be geniuses to know lots of weird symbols and codes by heart.
The truth is much simpler...
Have a question about programming? Ask Tom anything:
https://teachmetom.com/asktom
Hint: It's not knowing 10 programming languages.
What is the dilemma that all software developers are facing in their career, and how to deal with it.
Have a question about programming? Ask Tom anything:
https://teachmetom.com/asktom
What are "Fullstack Developers", and why are the most-wanted "rockstars" of the software industry right now?
Have a question about programming? Ask Tom anything:
https://teachmetom.com/asktom
How do we store objects into variables?
There's an important distinction to other ("primitive") types of variables, and we talk about it in this episode.
What is OOP - or "Object Oriented Programming", and why is it important to understand the basic principles of a "class" and an "object"?
Have a question about programming? Ask Tom anything:
https://teachmetom.com/asktom
As programmers, we like to avoid having to write code...
I mean - not if there's already some existing building block that we can use instead.
Why software developers spend a lot of time collecting clues - much like in the board game “Cluedo” / “Clue”
"Question for Tom:
Do you regret being a programmer?
Have you ever thought of a career change?"
Listen to this episode to find out Tom's answer after more than 25 years in the software industry...
...You have to listen to find out what's the #1 website that ALL programmers use multiple times per day for their work.
Do you already know the basics of a programming language?
If so, what's a good programming project that you could take on?
Listen to this episode to learn Tom's favorite exercise project that you can try in any language.
This is a difficult one. I get this question multiple times per week:
"Tom, am I too old to learn programming?"
Hey, I'm not 25 anylonger myself. Listen to this episode to hear my answer and my advice.
Have a question yourself?
Go to teachmetom.com/asktom and submit your question to get your answer in one of the next podcast episodes.
We all know that feeling - we want to do something, but we are not sure that we have everything we need to actually get started...
In this episode, Tom answers the question
"What computer do I need to learn programming?"
Have a question yourself?
Go to teachmetom.com/asktom and submit your question to get your answer in one of the next podcast episodes.
This is by far the question that Tom receives the most often:
There are so many languages - how do I choose the best programming language to learn?
Have a question yourself?
Go to teachmetom.com/asktom and submit your question to get your answer in one of the next podcast episodes.
How to quit working for employers and start working for yourself...
And what to look out for.
Loops are blocks of code that are executed multiple times...
But how many times exactly is "multiple times"?
Oftentimes we need to execute a part of our program not just once, but multiple times.
Here's how to do it.
How to learn ANY programming language in 3 steps.
In this episode, we talk about the final, but most fundamental step - the concept of modularity.
This is the idea that you do not start every new program completely from scratch. Instead, you use existing building blocks to "assemble" what you want - similar to playing with Lego.
"I don't know how to start. There's so much to learn, so many new concepts..."
Here's the solution: You need to structure your learning path in 3 steps, to avoid feeling overwhelmed or getting frustrated.
In this episode, we talk about the second step to learn any programming language.
People always ask "How do I get started with programming?"
Here's my answer. You need to structure your learning path in 3 steps, to avoid feeling overwhelmed or getting frustrated.
In this episode, we talk about the first step to learn any programming language.
All computer programs are full of comparisons - comparing the PIN code you entered with the correct code, comparing whether the length of the password you entered is long enough, comparing whether the balance on your bank account is more than the amount of cash you want to withdraw...
Let's talk about comparisons, and why they play such an important role in programming.
"Managing data" often means managing lists of similar items.
In this episode, Tom explains why lists are such an important concept in computer programming.
In fact, so important, that they have its own kind of structure in most programming languages - called "Arrays".
What is it like working for startups in the software industry?
Tom shares his thoughts from working for several different kinds of startups in the past 25 years.
There are different kinds of data that our computer program operates with.
And it's important to "tell" the computer which type of data we want to store in what variable.
So let's talk about data types today, and why it's important to "declare" them in our computer program.
(As a bonus, you get my super-secret formula to calculate the age of a person in days...! :-) )
We need some place to store all that data that our program needs to work properly.
Let's talk about variables - those little compartments in a computer's memory. What are they, how are they identified, and how do you keep track of what's stored where.
It's story time!
In this episode, Tom shares his experiences working for a big multi-national corporation as a software developer. What was it like, what were the pros and cons.
There's an important difference between a cooking recipe and a computer program... Let's talk about conditionals.
Taking data in, getting data out - what's in between? Let's talk about processing data.
Why is a computer program like a cooking recipe? What's the difference between writing and executing a computer program?
Let's learn about "Output"...
What goes on in a computer programmer's mind when they are thinking of the term "output"?
And - what are examples of output being processed by computer programs or electronic devices in your day-to-day life?
Computer programs are all about taking data in, processing that data, and getting the processed data out again.
In this episode, we talk about examples of different kinds of input data in your daily life.
If you want to ask Tom a question to answer in one of the next episodes, go to https://teachmetom.com/asktom/
What are the devices - the physical objects - you are using to interact with computers and electronic systems in your daily life?
If you want to ask Tom a question to answer in one of the next episodes, go to https://teachmetom.com/asktom/
Welcome to the TeachMeTom podcast!
In this first episode, you learn how you can ask Tom Schweitzer anything.
Tom has been working in the software industry since 1997 - and to this day, he is writing code, and working with people who write code, all day, everyday.
If you want to ask Tom a question to answer in one of the next episodes, go to https://teachmetom.com/asktom/