My Coding Journey: From Gaming to Full-Stack Development

Here we go..


I began my journey in 2020, diving deeper into gaming and social media. Roblox led me to Discord, and before that, I had only watched YouTube videos.

In Roblox, I met a friend. I was familiar with Discord, so I encouraged him to try it out. We became best friends, lost touch for personal reasons, but have since reconnected. We've known each other for over four years now.

It all started with him. I began creating games in Roblox Studio for fun and even explored Blender. My programming journey kicked off with Lua.

In 2021, I bought Java for Minecraft Bedrock for around €21.95 or €23.95 (I can't remember exactly). I played Minecraft with my friend and learned Java by developing plugins. I enjoyed it, especially when I became the new owner of a project, but I eventually dropped it due to a lack of time and funds to host a Minecraft server. During this time, I also dabbled in web development and Python before moving on to PHP.

But was it all a mistake? Or perhaps not?

While I was the new owner of the Minecraft server, someone reached out to me, saying, "Hey, want to partner up?" I agreed and joined their Discord server. This is where my story truly begins.

This network, which I now refer to as "NW," has grown into a company and even offers hosting services. I now run my own servers within this network. I initially applied as a supporter but failed due to my lack of maturity (which turned out to be a blessing). However, I did apply as a Minecraft Builder. After a testing phase filled with fun tasks, I officially joined the team since May 12, 2022! (I was already part of the team before the testing phase.)

While I continued coding Minecraft plugins, I felt overwhelmed and lost interest. Suddenly, my focus shifted to web development, while I occasionally ran a server to learn Linux.

I started with HTML and loved CSS, but I eventually gave up on JavaScript as it felt too complex and time-consuming. I created my first websites, which turned out poorly. Eventually, after gaining experience with Linux servers, I decided to try again.

I persevered and learned a lot!

In December 2023, I began coding a website for a network I'm still part of, using HTML, CSS, and some JavaScript. By early 2024, it was up and running. However, I hit another roadblock; React felt too complicated. My first task in React was assigned to me because I requested it, but that was when I realized how challenging React was. However, I gradually learned the basics of JavaScript through YouTube videos and practice, and I discovered React Remix, which became my breakthrough. React Remix is known as a front-end framework, so I thought I could recode the website in a "better" way, but I was wrong. There were complex aspects that didn't suit me in React Remix. Ultimately, I needed my old favorite language: PHP! But how could I integrate it into a React Remix project? I found I couldn't.

I recoded the website again, this time creating a Laravel project, with a "frontend" folder containing all the React Remix code. At this point, I finally understood how to use APIs (the website now relies on many APIs), and I learned about returns, functions, and arrays.

Before diving into React, I attempted to code the website solely in PHP because I liked it, but that didn't go well. I needed a way to apply my current JavaScript knowledge while also simplifying my workflow.

It made sense to develop the website using React Remix for the front-end and Laravel for the back-end. I also tried Next.js, but it didn't appeal to me.

What I love about React is how it simplifies many tasks, like the direct use of components. However, it can seem very complex for beginners, which is why good documentation is essential for such websites.

What I appreciate about Laravel is that it handles the entire back-end: database connections, APIs—everything becomes more manageable. Sure, it has a noticeable and complex file structure, but it often requires less code while providing a deeper understanding.

I'm still coding this website, which is nearly complete. I started all of this when I was just 11 years old!

From this experience, I've learned valuable lessons:

  • Sometimes, you think you can create projects, but suddenly you're unable to due to lack of funds. At such times, you must ask yourself: Do I have the time? Do I really want to pursue this? Do I have the support from my teammates? Most importantly, is the project well-planned and motivating? What are the potential drawbacks?

  • Focus on one thing. Don't try to learn Java, Python, and React simultaneously; it slows down and complicates your learning process. Forget multitasking—start with one language or concept, then expand from there.

  • Theory isn't the best way to learn. Just watching videos doesn't cut it. For me, a 50/50 approach doesn't work either. I focus primarily on practical experience, learn from documentation, and watch fewer YouTube videos. It's much easier, especially if the docs are clear and the tasks aren't overly complex.

That's it for my story. Thanks for reading! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment. I prefer not to disclose the name of the network/company!

Stay tuned for a future blog post where I’ll share how I became a Linux server administrator for my servers!

2
Subscribe to my newsletter

Read articles from JustCool Official directly inside your inbox. Subscribe to the newsletter, and don't miss out.

Written by

JustCool Official
JustCool Official

Hey, I’m JustCool, also known as Mikel, though my real name is Michael. Since early 2024, I’ve been deeply involved in web development, now expanding into full-stack development, while also managing my own servers as a system administrator. As a student, I’m constantly preparing for the future, with years of coding experience behind me. My current focus is on building modern applications using Laravel + React (Remix) with TypeScript (TSX). Based in Germany, I primarily work in English. My goal is to make a meaningful impact in full-stack development, creating scalable and innovative solutions that push boundaries.