Module 11: Type Like a Pro
A basic skill that is often forgotten but nevertheless critical to your career as a web developer is the ability to type quickly. Why, you ask?
The coding process often looks something like this: You come up with an idea for a visual layout, type it out in text, and then run into an unexplainable bug. This leaves you scratching your head and changing your code until you finally stumble on a solution and begin the cycle again.
This process can be time-consuming and challenging on its own, but if your fingers can't keep up with your ideas, that's a whole other challenge. Being able to type at a reasonably fast pace will make the coding process go more smoothly and contribute to your overall success as a web developer.
Module 11 Deliverable
For this module, you will practice your typing skills until you reach two minimum typing speeds (one for normal text and one for code). You will submit two image files (screenshots of your typing speeds). You can add these files to the prework folder on your computer and place them in the Module-11 subfolder.
Typing Code
Another consideration is what, exactly, you'll be typing as a coder. Even if you can type regular text pretty quickly, typing code at the same speed will likely take some practice. This is because code often consists of characters like brackets, parentheses, and unfamiliar symbols that make the typing process less automatic and intuitive.
For example, look at the following block of code. Set a timer and try to type it out exactly as it's written. How long did it take you?
var wellSection = $("<div>");
wellSection.addClass('well');
wellSection.attr('id', 'articleWell-' + articleCounter)
$('#wellSection').append(wellSection);
In order to maximize your learning during the first month of classes, we strongly encourage you to practice typing both code and regular text in advance of your first day of class. We recommend the following target speeds:
- a minimum regular typing speed of 50 words per minute (WPM)
- a minimum code typing speed of 30 words per minute (WPM)
The activity at the end of this module (see the link below) provides two quick tests to help you establish your baseline speeds for typing both code and regular text. Based on your performance, map out a plan for improvement. If your typing skills need some work, we encourage you to set aside whatever time you can to practice each day. There are plenty of fun typing websites like Nitro Type where you can hone your skills and race against others.