Getting Most out of GitHub & Stack Overflow — Flutter Beginner
If you have been in programming or development you might already know what is GitHub and Stack Overflow. But, do you know how to get most out of these as a Flutter developer? Especially being new to Flutter or any kind of development. If not, lets get into it…!
We will be going through following points, in case you wanna skip something:
- What is Stack Overflow?
- What is GitHub?
- Getting most out of GitHub as Flutter Beginner?
- Getting most out of Stack Overflow as Flutter Beginner?
- Bonus
Stack Overflow
If you have been into programming whether basics or advance you must have came across this site named as stackoverflow. And you might have know this as a “Website providing solutions to your problems”. But it is just one side of the picture.
Yes, you can say that Stack Overflow is professional site for programmers where they can ask questions and have answers to them. Its more like a chat forum but specific to programming.
Question/Answers as Beginner
Now, its a whole separate topic to discuss but since you are a developer and its not always possible that your question is already there, in case its not you can ask the question by yourself.
BUT….!
Stack overflow is very strict regarding asking relevant questions and giving proper answers. So, you must be aware of few things that I’ve experienced.
Asking Questions Don’ts
- Don’t ask irrelevant questions. Stack overflow is all about asking questions regarding programming. And very strictly to programming!
- Don’t use irrelevant tags for your questions. If your question involve only Flutter. Then don’t use
androidiOSEtc. As flutter is cross-platform so most people get confused. - Don’t ask very common questions, like what is flutter? what is dart? etc.
Asking Questions Do’s
- Do provide code where necessary.
- Do give proper explanation of your problem.
- Learn how use various tools for bold, italic, putting code in markdown section of your question.
- Do check or review your question before posting it.
Answering Questions Don’ts
- You don’t need to answer every question, but the questions that you can!
- Don’t give improper or irrelevant answer. Make sure to read and understand the question.
- Don’t repeat an answer which is already posted until you are providing something different to it.
- Don’t try to answer each and every question you see. Sometimes question are bit tricky so make sure to understand them properly.
Answering Questions Do’s
- Read 1st Point in Don’ts once again
- Keep your answer to the point. Don’t provide irrelevant information.
- Provide source/link if you are providing an answer that involve just theoretical answer.
- If you are updating your answer later, make sure to add words like Updated, Edited so that users can know that you have added this part after posting the answer.
- Do provide proper code where necessary don’t be like “Hey! Try this or try that” without any logic to it.
GitHub
Let’s talk in a beginner way. GitHub is a site that lets you host your projects online. So, you can simply upload your project, keep updating it and this way if you are working in a team. Then instead of sharing code via email and then explaining every bit of it. You and your team mate can simply upload and download the code from single source.
You can host Web pages using GitHub as well! :D
I’m pretty sure you might be having this question in your mind. What is the difference between Git and GitHub. So, below is the visual explanation for your ease.
There are a lot of courses available in depth where you can learn Git and other functionalities related to it.
Tips From my Side!
Few of the following are generic for every type of projects but I’m keeping in mind Flutter projects here:
- Make sure to write proper documentation using Readme.md file.
- Since, its a markdown file so working here will be quite similar to questions/answers at stack overflow.
- If possible, try to design beautiful banners for your apps like one given below:
- Also add screen shots of your app in proper way.
- You can take an example of a README.md here.
Getting most out of GitHub as Flutter Beginner?
Now, how can you utilize GitHub apart from hosting your own projects.
- Awesome Flutter: Its a GitHub repo with one of ‘THE’ most quality projects and content regarding Flutter including Flutter apps, Dart Plugins, video tutorials, articles and much more. So, Highly Recommended to visit and utilize the open source stuff in your next app. Similarly, if you think you are very skilled Flutter Developer try contributing to this repo as well.
2. Flutter Community: This is Flutter’s official community at GitHub with awesome repos, plugins and much more that you can look up for.
3. Flutter Open Source Developers: There are a lot of Flutter developers that open source or write articles about very unique stuff regarding Flutter & obviously you can use them or contribute to them as well. Below is the list of people whom I look up to:
As always, its not limited to you. But you can follow others as you like😃
Getting most out of Stack Overflow as Flutter Beginner?
Now the thing is, people might be wondering what we can get out of a question answer chat forum. Here’s a glimpse:
It’s an email I got after answering few questions on Stack Overflow.
Man! This guys must have some serious reputation!
Okay! Let’s see my profile now.
My reputation is just 190. So, just don’t worry about it. All you need to do is stay active on stack overflow. And I have written a lot about how to use stack overflow as beginner. So, simply search ‘Flutter’ as tag and start answer. You will have much more opportunity than usual. Often companies hire developers via such platforms so do utilize them at full protentional.
Bonus!
Now, if you are reading this article in Oct, 2020. You can utilize GitHub and participate in Hacktoberfest and win a T-Shirt! 😍
But what’s the bonus in it? Well me and my team recently organized an event. And here is the link where you can learn basic functionalities for GitHub and other details about Hacktoberfest!
Summed Up!
You can utilize both GitHub and Stack Overflow for too much good as you spend more and more time. I have seen people being hired at companies with some handsome salary just because they open sourced a very awesome project or plugin. Similarly, a lot of people got selected as Google Developer Expert (GDE) via same cause and much more.
So, step into the world of open source and you will reach some point soon! 🙌
That’s all folks! Give it some 👏 if you think it deserved. Follow me at GitHub & Stack Overflow if you want :)
