# What I Am Paying Attention to in 2024 Disclaimer: the content of this post is a reflection of my career journey and not specific to my work at JPMorganChase. ## Key | Emoji | Status | | -------- | ------------ | | ✓ | completed | | ⌛ | in progress | | 🛠 | daily/weekly | | ⏸ | on pause | ## Developer News Projects and developers trending on GitHub. Can be filtered by Python. * [GitHub Trending](https://github.com/trending) 🛠 * [GitHub Trending Python](https://github.com/trending/python) 🛠 * [GitHub Trending Python Developers](https://github.com/trending/developers/python?since=daily) 🛠 The latest tech news that makes it through the Hacker News upvote process. * [Hacker News Newest](https://news.ycombinator.com/newest) 🛠 GitHub news and changelog * [GitHub Blog](https://github.blog) * [GitHub Changelog](https://github.blog/changelog/) ## Python and Django Features and Release Python release notes, discussion forum, enhancements proposals, release livestreams (recorded) * [What's New](https://docs.python.org/dev/whatsnew/) * [Python Discuss](https://discuss.python.org) * [PEP (Python Enhancement Proposals) Index](https://www.python.org/dev/peps) 🛠 * [Pablo Galindo Salgado's Release Streams](https://www.youtube.com/@PythonDiscord) Django release notes, enhancements proposals, blog, roadmap * [Release Notes](https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/dev/releases/) * [DEPs (Django Enhancement Proposals) GitHub](https://github.com/django/deps) 🛠 * [Django Blog](https://www.djangoproject.com/weblog/) 🛠 * [Django Roadmaps](https://code.djangoproject.com/wiki) ## Python and Django Authorities Django co-founder and prolific tinkerer and public speaker. Check out his work with Datasette and LLMs. * [Simon Willison](https://simonwillison.net/) Current and former Django Fellows * [Carlton Gibson](https://noumenal.es/) 🛠 * [Natalia Bidart and Mariusz Felisiak](https://www.djangoproject.com/weblog/) Current CPython Developer-in-Residence * [Łukasz Langa](https://lukasz.langa.pl/python/developer-in-residence/) PSF Security Developer-in-Residence * [Seth M Larson](https://sethmlarson.dev/) 🛠 Podcast by CPython Release Manager Pablo Galindo and CPython Developer-in-Residence Łukasz Langa * [core.py Podcast](https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/corepy/) 🛠 CPython Core Dev and Microsoft faster CPython team member * [Brett Cannon](https://snarky.ca/) Author of a group of outstanding Django books and co-creator of Django News Newsletter * [William Vincent](https://learndjango.com/) Author of my favorite Python book "Python Crash Course" * [Eric Matthes](https://ehmatthes.com/) Highly-skilled, opinionated developers and release managers who maintain a number of packages important to the Python/Django community * [Adam Johnson](https://adamj.eu/) * [Hynek Schlawack](https://hynek.me/) 🛠 * [Anthony Sottile](https://www.youtube.com/anthonywritescode) Author of a great Django blog * [Matt Layman](https://www.mattlayman.com/) ## Python Books Outstanding new book in a series by Extreme Programming and TDD authority Kent Beck. Short and sweet. Explores tidyings, cumulative progress, and optionality. * [Tidy First?](https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/tidy-first/9781098151232/) ✓ Idiomatic Python deep dive to level up to professional, production quality Python quickly * [Dead Simple Python](https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Simple-Python-Idiomatic-Programmers/dp/1718500920) ⌛ Classic, advanced, comprehensive Python manual * [Fluent Python](https://www.amazon.com/Fluent-Python-Concise-Effective-Programming/dp/1491946008) Some gems in this more advanced book by the excellent Al Sweigart, author of the popular Automate the Boring Stuff with Python * [Beyond the Basic Stuff with Python](https://nostarch.com/beyond-basic-stuff-python) More "battle-tested" advice from an experienced developer * [Serious Python](https://nostarch.com/seriouspython) ## Python Tutorials and Teachers Outstanding Python tutorials * [Real Python](https://realpython.com/) Outstanding Python tutorials, with an emphasis on testing * [Test Driven](https://testdriven.io/blog/) Curated Python content * [Full Stack Python](https://www.fullstackpython.com) Coding problems and tutorials by my friend Trey. He is an amazing teacher. * [Python Morsels](https://www.pythonmorsels.com/articles/) 🛠 * [Trey Hunner](https://treyhunner.com/) 🛠 ## General Python and Django Learning Resources Popular documentation framework * [Diátaxis](https://diataxis.fr/) Python Patterns * [Python Patterns](https://python-patterns.guide/) ⌛ General Python resources * [Python Cheatsheet](https://gto76.github.io/python-cheatsheet/) * [Google's PyGuide](https://google.github.io/styleguide/pyguide.html) * [Practical Programming](https://dabeaz-course.github.io/practical-python/) and [Practical Programming GitHub](https://github.com/dabeaz-course/practical-python) The go-to intermediate to expert Django book * [Two Scoops of Django 3.x](https://www.feldroy.com/books/two-scoops-of-django-3-x) Great, new-ish Python newsletter * [Bite Code](https://www.bitecode.dev/) 🛠 A fabulous Django newsletter published every Friday, with all the most important Django news * [Django News](https://django-news.com/) 🛠 ## Data Structures and Algorithms The must-read algorithms book * [Introduction to Algorithms](https://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Algorithms-fourth-Thomas-Cormen/dp/026204630X/) Coding challenges * [Advent of Code](https://adventofcode.com/) ⌛ * [NeetCode](https://neetcode.io/) ⌛ Course by the high profile Primeagen of Netflix. Does it live up to its name? * [The Last Algorithms Course You'll Need](https://theprimeagen.github.io/fem-algos/) ## APIs and Databases A tool I use and want to read up on * [Django REST Framework](https://www.django-rest-framework.org/) I work in a database department and as such would like to better understand database capabilities. See also Simon Willison for SQLite experimentation. * [Cockroach Labs](https://www.cockroachlabs.com/) ⌛ * [Cockroach University](https://university.cockroachlabs.com/courses/) ⌛ * [PostgreSQL Docs](https://www.postgresql.org/docs/) ⌛ * [SQLite Docs](https://www.sqlite.org/docs.html) ⌛ ## Testing Brian Okken's must-read pytest book * [Python Testing with pytest](https://pragprog.com/titles/bopytest2/python-testing-with-pytest-second-edition/) Outstanding, free testing lessons, at one time overseen by my friend Andy "Automation Panda" Knight, testing expert. * [Test Automation University](https://testautomationu.applitools.com/) Django test performance by the excellent Adam Johnson * [Speed Up Your Django Tests](https://adamchainz.gumroad.com/l/suydt) ## Refactoring, Patterns, Clean Code Martin Fowler is the patterns GOAT. I'd like to spend more time reading more of his work and applying it in real life. Refactoring 2nd Edition was updated in JavaScript. Patterns of Enterprise Application Architecture is said to be dated. * [Martin Fowler](https://martinfowler.com) ⌛ * [Refactoring 2nd Edition](https://martinfowler.com/articles/refactoring-2nd-ed.html) * [Refactoring Catalog](https://refactoring.com/catalog/) ⌛ * [Catalog of Patterns of Enterprise Application Architecture](https://martinfowler.com/eaaCatalog/) ⌛ Uncle Bob's controversial Clean Code. Not everyone likes him or his work, but it has clearly been influential. * [Clean Code Cheat Sheet](https://github.com/charlax/professional-programming/blob/master/cheatsheets/Clean-Code-V2.4.pdf) Detailed list of coding considerations * [Code Complete Checklist](https://www.matthewjmiller.net/files/cc2e_checklists.pdf) Exactly what the title says * [Design Patterns for Humans GitHub](https://github.com/kamranahmedse/design-patterns-for-humans) ⌛ ## General Engineering Resources Julie is an outstanding teacher. Check out her blog posts and 'zines. * [Julia Evans](https://jvns.ca/) * [Wizard Zines](https://wizardzines.com/) Several new-ish (or new-to-me) blogs that stand out * [Architecture Notes](https://architecturenotes.co/) ⌛ * [The Pragmatic Engineer](https://blog.pragmaticengineer.com/) * [The Developing Dev](https://www.developing.dev/) Perhaps this is dated, but I'd like to know more * [High Performance Web Sites Blog](http://stevesouders.com/) ## How Companies Do Things A curated list of engineering blogs including most, if not all, of the leading tech companies, and many others too * [Engineering Blogs](https://github.com/kilimchoi/engineering-blogs) ⌛ A classic blog about system architecture. Also happens to be "for sale." See the December 11 post and respond if you are serious. * [High Scalability](http://highscalability.com/) ⌛ Information about how companies do testing and SRE * [How They Test](https://github.com/abhivaikar/howtheytest) * [How They SRE](https://github.com/upgundecha/howtheysre) The go-to system design learning resource * [System Design Primer](https://github.com/donnemartin/system-design-primer) ## How CPython Works Although I do not intend to divide my time between Python and C programming languages, I'd like to better understand how CPython works. * [C for Python Programmers](https://realpython.com/c-for-python-programmers/) ⌛ * [CPython Source Code Guide](https://realpython.com/cpython-source-code-guide/) * [CPython Internals Book](https://realpython.com/products/cpython-internals-book/) * [Building a Python C Extension Module](https://realpython.com/build-python-c-extension-module/) ⌛ * [Compilers: Principles, Techniques, Tools (a.k.a. "The Dragon Book")](https://www.amazon.com/Compilers-Principles-Techniques-Tools-2nd/dp/0321486811) ## Engineering and Management A legendary book by a business GOAT Andrew Grove * [High Output Management](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015VACHOK) An instant classic by Camille Fournier, also employed by JPMorgan Chase * [The Manager's Path: A Guide for Tech Leaders Navigating Growth and Change](https://www.amazon.com/Managers-Path-Leaders-Navigating-Growth/dp/1491973897) I had the pleasure of eating lunch with Sarah Drasner at GitHub Universe 2019, then got to know her on Twitter over the years. She produces outstanding work, and I know this book will be no exception. * [Engineering Management for the Rest of Us](https://www.amazon.com/Engineering-Management-Rest-Sarah-Drasner-ebook/dp/B0BGYVDX35) An intriguing subject from Tanya Reilly, the creator of the famous "Being Glue" talk. * [The Staff Engineer's Path](https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/the-staff-engineers/9781098118723/) Although the Pragmatic Engineer Newsletter has not been around long, it has attracted a large following. The newsletter author wrote this book. I am intrigued. * [The Software Engineer's Guidebook](https://www.engguidebook.com/) ## More Great Books Highly recommended by many people I admire * [The Courage to Be Disliked](https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Be-Disliked-Phenomenon-Happiness/dp/1501197274) A group of highly recommended books related to cumulative achievement and productivity * [Atomic Habits](https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits) * [Tiny Habits](https://www.amazon.com/Tiny-Habits-Changes-Change-Everything/dp/0358003326) * [Deep Work](https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Work-Focused-Success-Distracted/dp/1455586692) * [Hooked and Indistractible](https://www.nirandfar.com) * [Do Hard Things](https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Things-Resilience-Surprising-Toughness/dp/006309861X) An instant classic by the excellent Morgan Housel * [The Psychology of Money](https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Money-Timeless-lessons-happiness/dp/0857197681) ## Transformational Leadership A colleague made me aware of the concept of [Transformational Leadership](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformational_leadership). I love this graphic that categorizes leadership versus management. I hope to incorporate more leadership into my work to empower my colleagues. * [Leadership versus Management](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/marcus-koehnlein_leadership-management-organization-activity-7070036302271762432-Hhly/?) ✓ ## Agile and Scrum If you work in an agile/scrum environment, it's a good idea to revisit these evergreen resources from time-to-time. * [Principles behind the Agile Manifesto](https://agilemanifesto.org/principles.html) ✓ * [Scrum Guides](http://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html) ✓ ## Product One of the most important voices in product management * [Marty Cagan](https://www.linkedin.com/in/cagan) Prolific author of a widely-read, product-focused blog. Recently published the excellent The Ultimate Guide to Developer Productivity. * [John Cutler](https://cutlefish.substack.com/) * [The Ultimate Guide to Developer Productivity](https://cutlefish.substack.com/p/tbm-240-the-ultimate-guide-to-developer) A couple of resources that I've had bookmarked for a while to spend some time looking through. * [Open Product Management](https://github.com/ProductHired/open-product-management) * [Top 100 Resources for Product Managers](https://www.sachinrekhi.com/top-resources-for-product-managers) ## Podcasts Interviews many of the movers and shakers of our time * [Lex Fridman](https://www.youtube.com/c/lexfridman) An incredible example of hustle. His podcast put him on the map and helped him launch a career in VC, no small feat. Outstanding guests. * [The 20 Minute VC](https://www.thetwentyminutevc.com/podcast/) ## Certifications I will consider obtaining new certifications in 2024. AWS and CKAD are on my radar at the moment. * [AWS Certifications](https://aws.amazon.com/certification/) ⏸ * [Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)](https://training.linuxfoundation.org/certification/certified-kubernetes-application-developer-ckad/) ⏸