projects
NC News - Web App
NC News is a front end web application (made as part of my time on
the Northcoders Bootcamp). It is similar in style to reddit where
users are able to view articles and vote on them (up or down) as
well as view, post and delete related comments. The hosted version
can be found by clicking on the above image. The app fetches and
writes its data via an API that I also made - please see below for
details.
Although there is no authentication implemented, you are "logged in"
as a user and as such some functionality of the website works
accordingly e.g you are only able to delete comments associated with
that user. Please have a click around the website and add a comment
to an article, vote on an article etc. The web app is built with
React and was my first time styling with CSS and has kick-started my
keen interest in front end development.
NC News - API
This project is the API for the above web app. It is a RESTful
server made with Express.js that ustilises a Postgres (aka
PostgreSQL) database. It was created using TDD with Jest and full
list of the available end points is available (in .JSON format) by
clicking on the above image.
It was satisfying and kind of magical getting it all up and running
but, honestly, making this API was challenging - I had to make a
mind-map-flowchart-thing to help me get my head around all the
moving parts involved! You can view the outpourings of my brain
here
if you are so inclined.
Planet Scran It - Mobile App
The final project from my time on the bootcamp was a group project
and we created a meal planning app with React Native. As well as
being responsible for the core app idea I was primarily involved in
the development of the front end of the app. I was also exposed to
Firebase though - something I plan to learn more about soon.
The above 5 minute video (3 mins 20 secs if watched on x1.5 speed!)
explains the app and our process in more detail and was used as our
presentation video on graduation day.
about
Thanks for looking at my portfolio site. I am a graduate of the
Northcoders Full Stack Coding Bootcamp
and before enrolling on the bootcamp I had spent the main chunk of my
working life involved in photography and video production in one way
or another. Over time though I realised I wanted a change. I have
always been interested in technology and creativity so web development
seemed an ideal new career direction. As I researched what was
involved I learned of the phrase "full stack" and so enrolled on a
course that covered this to get a full understanding of what coding
can entail.
And so it is I have learned about so much more than front end web
development. The course taught me fundamental javascript and coding
concepts including data structures, asynchronous tasks, functional
programming and OOP along with a good mix of Node packages. I also
practiced Git version control, pair programming, test-driven
development, Agile working, along with best coding practises. By the
end of the course I had gone from very little coding experience to
building and hosting a test-driven developed RESTful API with a
complimentary front-end web app as well as a phone app. It was quite
an intense but amazing journey!
I really, really enjoyed getting a full stack education but I still
feel my main interests and strengths are possibly in front end
development - problem solving combined with visuals and creativity is
a great mix for me. I am not dismissing being involved with back end
development though - not at all - because as I see it there is always
a grey area between the front and back ends, so furthering my
experience and understanding of full stack development will always be
of interest and benefit.
Away from computers I enjoy exploring the outdoors (usually either
walking or cycling), cooking and spending time with my wife, friends
and family. I like watching football and am a Leeds United season
ticket holder. I also enjoy experimenting with electronic music
production (oh that's not away from the computer). Scuba diving and
snorkelling are strong but infrequently indulged passions too.
Please do get in touch if you think we could work together. Cheers.
