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Walter Latimer

Documentation is an important part of the development process. Take Udacity's online course and learn to write READMEs using Markdown so your code can be used by other humans!

What's inside

Syllabus

Learn the importance of well documented code and see how to craft meaningful READMEs.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Meant for learners of all levels who want to improve their code documentation skills
Helps learners understand the importance of well-documented code and how to craft meaningful READMEs
Provides learners with a solid foundation in Markdown, which is widely used for documentation
Taught by Walter Latimer, an experienced instructor with a proven track record in software development and documentation
Offered through Udacity, a reputable platform for online learning
Covers essential concepts and best practices for writing effective READMEs

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Reviews summary

Good overview of readme basics

This course earns a "good" rating based on its two reviews. One review gave a 3-star rating, while the other gave a 2-star rating. The course earns some praise for being a "good reminder of the importance of documentation." One review noted that the course is a good basic overview of creating READMEs, but it may not be helpful for those who already have some experience with using GitHub. While the sample size of reviews is low, this course should still be considered by those who are not yet familiar with creating README files or markdown as it covers the basics well.
A good reminder of README basics.
"This is a very basic overview of READMEs..."
May not be helpful if you already use Github.
"...if you've used Github a lot, there likely won't be a whole lot of new material here."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Writing READMEs with these activities:
Take a course on Markdown basics
Markdown is essential for effective READMEs and this course will expand your knowledge and understanding of it.
Show steps
  • Find a beginner friendly Markdown course
  • Follow the lessons and complete all the exercises
Write READMEs for small projects
This will encourage you to actively apply your knowledge and practice writing READMEs for small coding projects.
Show steps
  • Create a small coding project
  • Write a descriptive READMEs using clear and concise language
Create a Markdown resource collection
This will help you organize your notes from the course and provide you with a valuable resource you can return to in the future.
Show steps
  • Gather Markdown tutorials, articles, and resources
  • Organize the resources into categories
Two other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all five activities
Participate in a README writing competition
This is an excellent opportunity to test your skills and receive feedback from experts in the field.
Show steps
  • Find a README writing competition
  • Write a README following a specific brief or guideline
  • Submit your work
Contribute to open-source Markdown projects
This will allow you to gain practical experience, learn from others, and give back to the community.
Show steps
  • Find open-source Markdown projects that need contributions
  • Fix bugs or add new features
  • Submit a pull request

Career center

Learners who complete Writing READMEs will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Technical Writer
A Technical Writer specializes in writing instructions, manuals, and other documentation that explains technical information. This course in writing READMEs can help a Technical Writer build a strong foundation in creating clear and concise technical documentation.
Software Engineer
A Software Engineer specializes in designing, implementing and maintaining the software and computer systems that make our digital world work. This course in writing READMEs will help build a foundation for crafting clear and concise documentation that is crucial for effective collaboration and understanding of software systems.
Data Analyst
A Data Analyst specializes in collecting, analyzing and interpreting data to help businesses make informed decisions. Being able to write READMEs will help Data Analysts effectively document and communicate their data analysis process and findings.
Database Administrator
A Database Administrator specializes in managing and maintaining databases. Being able to write READMEs will help Database Administrators effectively document and communicate the structure and usage of databases.
Web Developer
A Web Developer specializes in designing, programming and maintaining websites. Being able to write READMEs using Markdown is a valuable skill for web developers, allowing them to effectively document and communicate the purpose and usage of their code.
Product Manager
A Product Manager specializes in defining the vision and roadmap for a product. Being able to write READMEs will help Product Managers effectively communicate the product's purpose and usage to stakeholders.
Cloud Architect
A Cloud Architect specializes in designing and managing cloud computing systems. This course in writing READMEs will help Cloud Architects build a foundation in writing clear and concise documentation for cloud infrastructure and services.
Technical Support Specialist
A Technical Support Specialist specializes in providing technical assistance to users of computer systems and software. Being able to write READMEs will help Technical Support Specialists effectively document and communicate troubleshooting steps and solutions.
Systems Analyst
A Systems Analyst specializes in analyzing, designing and recommending improvements to computer systems. This course can help a Systems Analyst build a strong foundation in writing clear and concise technical documentation.
Software Architect
A Software Architect specializes in designing and developing the architecture of software systems. This course in writing READMEs will help Software Architects build a foundation in writing clear and concise documentation for complex software systems.
Data Scientist
A Data Scientist specializes in collecting, analyzing and interpreting data to help businesses make informed decisions. Being able to write READMEs will help Data Scientists effectively document and communicate their data analysis process and findings.
Software Developer
A Software Developer specializes in designing, implementing and maintaining software applications. This course in writing READMEs will help Software Developers build a foundation in writing clear and concise documentation for their code.
DevOps Engineer
A DevOps Engineer specializes in bridging the gap between development and operations teams. This course in writing READMEs may be useful for DevOps Engineers who want to improve their documentation skills for software deployment and maintenance.
Information Security Analyst
An Information Security Analyst specializes in protecting computer systems and networks from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course in writing READMEs may be useful for Information Security Analysts who want to improve their documentation skills for security policies and procedures.
UX Writer
A UX Writer specializes in writing clear and concise user experience (UX) content for websites, apps, and other digital products. This course in writing READMEs may be useful for UX Writers who want to improve their documentation skills.

Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Writing READMEs.
Provides a comprehensive overview of how to write code, including best practices and common mistakes to avoid.
Provides a comprehensive overview of how to write clean code, including best practices and common mistakes to avoid.
This guide provides comprehensive information on Markdown syntax, formatting options, and best practices. It serves as a valuable reference for anyone looking to improve their README writing skills.
Provides a comprehensive overview of how to write readable code, including best practices and common mistakes to avoid.
Discusses the importance of DevOps in software development, with a particular focus on the importance of collaboration, affinity, and tooling.
Provides a comprehensive overview of RESTful web services for Java developers, including best practices and common mistakes to avoid.
Provides a comprehensive overview of design patterns, including best practices and common mistakes to avoid.
Provides a comprehensive overview of Git, the version control system commonly used in software development. Understanding Git is beneficial for managing codebases and collaborating on projects.
Provides a comprehensive overview of how to refactor code, including best practices and common mistakes to avoid.
Provides a comprehensive guide to DocBook, an XML-based markup language for technical documentation. While not specific to READMEs or Markdown, it can provide insights into the broader landscape of documentation tools.

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