The 12 YouTube Videos New Developers Mention the Most

As an experienced developer who spends a lot of time in online tech communities, I‘m always fascinated by the YouTube videos that new programmers are talking about and turning to for advice. After analyzing gigabytes of chat history, forum posts, and social media discussions, clear patterns emerged around the most frequently shared videos.

While the list includes plenty of tutorials, crash courses, and how-to guides, as you might expect, there are also a surprising number of videos focused on career advice, learning strategies, and computer science fundamentals. It seems that in addition to practical coding skills, new developers are hungry for wisdom on navigating the tech industry and insight into how it all works under the hood.

I‘ve rounded up the top 12 videos and added my own thoughts as a seasoned full-stack developer. We‘ll take a closer look at why each one resonates and what you can learn from them as you launch and advance your programming career.

1. "Web Development in 2021 – A Practical Guide" by Traversy Media

With over 1.5 million views, this nearly 2-hour monster of a tutorial aims to teach you everything you need to know to become a web developer in 2021. Brad Traversy, a popular YouTube instructor, takes you through all the essential technologies, tools, and techniques used in modern web development.

It‘s easy to see the appeal for beginners. The video provides a comprehensive, up-to-date overview of the web dev landscape and a roadmap to navigate it. But it also makes web development seem achievable by breaking it down into clear steps.

Of course, no single video can teach you everything about such a vast field. And the web dev world changes so fast that it‘s already a bit outdated. But as a starting point for researching the right skills to learn, you could do a lot worse.

2. "A Day in the Life of a Google Software Engineer" by Joma Tech

New developers are often curious about what a typical day looks like for a programmer at a top tech company. And with 3.3 million subscribers, Joma has become one of the most popular YouTubers documenting life in Silicon Valley.

In this video, he takes you along for his daily routine as a software engineer at Google, from his morning workout to meetings and coding sessions at the office. But he also mixes in plenty of goofy skits and humorous asides.

Take it with a grain of salt, as Joma likes to exaggerate the tropes of tech culture for comedic effect. The reality of the day-to-day isn‘t always so glamorous. But it‘s still a fun, accessible glimpse into the lifestyle and culture around software development.

3. "Map of Computer Science" by Domain of Science

Compared to the hands-on tutorials and day-in-the-life vlogs, this video offers a more academic perspective. Using a remarkable data visualization, it attempts to chart the entire sprawling landscape of computer science and show how the different domains connect.

What I love about this video is how it highlights the breadth and depth of computer science, beyond just coding. It touches on everything from Alan Turing to artificial intelligence, cryptography to quantum computing.

For aspiring developers, it provides valuable context on how the practical skills fit into the wider realm of computing. And it just might spark your curiosity to explore more of the field‘s fascinating topics.

4. "14-Year-Old Prodigy Programmer Dreams In Code" by THNKR

While child prodigies make for undeniably compelling stories, I have mixed feelings about this one. It profiles Santiago Gonzalez, a 14-year-old who became famous after creating dozens of apps and being courted by Silicon Valley companies.

On one hand, it‘s hard not to be impressed and inspired by Santiago‘s precocious talent and entrepreneurial drive. Discovering programming at a young age clearly unlocked something powerful for him.

But I worry that it sets unrealistic expectations. Not everyone is going to be an instant coding genius or launch a startup as a teenager. And you shouldn‘t feel bad if your path looks different.

Programming is a field where you can succeed through hard work and continuous learning, even if you don‘t fit the stereotype of a prodigy. It‘s never too early or too late to get started.

5. "The Poetry of Programming" by Coding Tech

What does programming have in common with poetry? More than you might think, according to this philosophical talk by former Google engineer Arch Robison.

He draws an extended analogy between coding and poetry, arguing that both seek to express complex ideas in an elegant form. Just as a poet labors over the perfect words and structure, programmers strive to write beautiful, efficient code.

It‘s a unique perspective that elevates programming from a mere technical skill to a form of creative expression. And it reveals how working with code can be an aesthetic, even artistic, pursuit.

Even if poetry isn‘t your thing, Robison offers plenty of thought-provoking ideas about the deeper meaning and purpose of programming. It‘s a nice reminder of what makes this field special.

6. "The Art of Code" by Dylan Beattie

Sticking with the theme of programming as an art, this talk takes a fun, irreverent look at the world of code. Dylan Beattie, a software consultant with a background in music and theater, stages it as a parody of a pretentious art lecture.

With a series of increasingly absurd examples, he shows how programming concepts like recursion, race conditions, and spaghetti code can be found in "works of art" from airport baggage systems to the Windows blue screen of death.

Behind the cheeky humor is a real appreciation for the unintended beauty and creativity of code. It‘s a good reminder not to take yourself too seriously, while still striving to write programs that are clever, surprising, and maybe even a little poetic.

7. "The Myth of the Genius Programmer" by Google I/O

Our field has an unhealthy tendency to idolize the solo genius coder who works magic in isolation. This talk by Brian Fitzpatrick and Ben Collins-Sussman debunks that myth and shows how the best programmers are actually good collaborators.

Drawing on their experience leading teams at Google, they share practical insights on how to thrive in a software development environment. It covers essential collaboration skills like communication, compromise, and humility.

I think it‘s a must-watch for anyone entering the tech industry. Too many new programmers define their self-worth by their individual coding ability. But your career depends just as much on how well you work with others.

8. "Top 10 Programming Languages to Learn in 2021" by Simplilearn

I‘m usually skeptical of videos claiming to anoint the "best" or "top" programming languages, since it depends heavily on your goals and the type of development you want to do. But this one does a better job than most at providing a balanced overview.

It breaks down 10 popular languages, from Python to Kotlin, and explains the type of development each is best suited for. Along with a brief history and key features of each language, it covers salary and job prospect data.

While the title is pure clickbait, the content is pretty reasonable. The reality is that there‘s no single "best" language. And chasing the latest trends and fads isn‘t always the smartest strategy.

But if you‘re exploring different areas of development, it provides a solid reference for matching languages to your interests. Just don‘t feel obligated to learn them in the exact order they recommend.

9. "Learn Version Control with Git" by freeCodeCamp

On a more practical note, one of the most common stumbling blocks for new developers is version control. Trying to figure out Git on your own can be a recipe for frustration. That‘s why this in-depth tutorial is so often recommended.

Over the course of 1 hour and 20 minutes, Dylan Israel from the freeCodeCamp YouTube channel walks you through everything you need to know to start using Git like a pro. Starting with the fundamentals of version control, he shows you how to create repos, stage changes, explore history, and sync with remote repos on GitHub.

It‘s a clear, methodical walkthrough that I wish I had when I was first learning Git. Even if you‘ve used version control before, you‘re likely to pick up some handy tips and workflow improvements.

10. "CS50‘s Introduction to Computer Science" by Harvard University

For a more academic approach to learning programming, it‘s hard to beat this introductory computer science course from Harvard. Taught by the dynamic Professor David Malan, it‘s available for free on YouTube.

Over 11 weeks of lectures, it covers fundamental concepts like algorithms, data structures, memory, and software engineering. It starts with the C language in a command-line environment and eventually moves up to web development with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and SQL.

Compared to most online tutorials, it‘s a significant time investment and requires more focused study. But it provides a strong foundation in computer science that will serve you well throughout your career.

Malan is an engaging lecturer who does an impressive job of making the material accessible and relating it to real-world problems. If you‘re looking for a full-fledged CS education without the price tag, this is a great place to start.

11. "Imposter Syndrome – How to Overcome It" by Coding Blonde

Masha Zvereva, the self-taught programmer behind the Coding Blonde YouTube channel, has become a trusted voice on the softer skills needed to succeed in tech. And one of her most resonant topics is impostor syndrome.

In this video, she shares her own struggles with feeling like a fraud in the industry, despite her successful career as an iOS developer and startup founder. She then offers advice for overcoming self-doubt and owning your achievements.

It‘s a vulnerable, honest discussion of an issue that affects developers of all skill levels but can hit new programmers especially hard. I appreciate how Masha emphasizes that you‘re not alone in these feelings and offers constructive tips for managing them.

While technical skills are important, your mindset and emotional well-being play a huge role in your growth as a developer. Videos like this provide much-needed guidance and support.

12. "JavaScript Pro Tips" by Fireship

There‘s no shortage of JavaScript tutorials on YouTube, but this one stands out for its focus on practical tips and best practices rather than basic syntax. It‘s geared toward developers who already know the fundamentals but want to write cleaner, more efficient code.

In just 12 minutes, Jeff Delaney from Fireship speeds through 21 pro tips for JavaScript, from avoiding global variables to leveraging object destructuring. Each tip comes with a clear example and explanation.

Even if you‘re an experienced JS developer, you‘re likely to discover some new tricks. It‘s a great illustration of how much you can learn by watching masters of the language at work.

What I like is that it‘s not just about writing clever code but also thinking carefully about performance, security, and maintainability. It shows how to use JavaScript‘s features in a disciplined way – a key skill for any pro developer.

Key Takeaways for New Developers

Analyzing the YouTube videos most recommended by new developers, a few key themes emerge:

1. There‘s huge demand for comprehensive, up-to-date overviews of web development and programming fundamentals. Beginners are hungry for roadmaps to make sense of the landscape.

2. Aspiring developers are curious about the reality of working in tech, from day-to-day routines to wider industry culture. They seek role models and authentic glimpses behind the scenes.

3. Big-picture context is just as important as hands-on coding. Understanding history, concepts, and best practices helps new programmers find their place in the field.

4. Soft skills like collaboration, communication, and self-management are essential, but often underemphasized in traditional coding education. The most impactful videos teach those human elements, too.

5. Inspiration comes in many forms, whether it‘s an academic lecture, an artistic analogy, a humorous skit, or an emotional pep talk. New developers have diverse learning styles and motivations.

The most powerful videos combine expert insight, engaging storytelling, and practical advice. They meet new programmers where they are and guide them to where they want to go.

As an experienced developer, my best advice is to watch these videos actively. Don‘t just absorb information, but practice the concepts, reflect on the ideas, and connect with the community. The greatest learning happens off-screen, when you apply this wisdom to your own coding journey.