p By pair programming with other Free Code Camp students on our coding challenges. We've also built an optional curriculum of the best free courses on the web. Eventually, you'll work with people at non-profits to build real-life software solutions.
h2 What is 'pair programming', and what's so special about it?
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p Pair programming is where two software engineers share one computer and write code together. They discuss different problem solving approaches, and keep each other motivated. The result is better code than either engineer could have written by themselves. Because of its benefits, many engineers pair program full time. And it's the best way to learn coding.
p It takes about 1,000 hours of coding to develop the skills you'll need to get an entry level software engineering job. Many in-person coding bootcamps jam all this into 12 weeks of intensive study. Free Code Camp is fully-online, and there will always be other people at your skill level that you can pair program with, so you can learn at your own pace. Here are some example coding schedules:
p We love Python and Ruby. But even if you learn them, you'll still need to learn JavaScript. JavaScript is the most important language of all - it's the language of web browsers. It's also the most popular language.
p At the end of Free Code Camp, you will have pair programmed around 1,000 hours with dozens of other students, built a portfolio of projects that people are actively using, and a roster of glowing references from non-profits you've helped. 75% of bootcamp graduates get software engineering jobs, and make an average annual salary of $76,000.
p Our name is Free Code Camp. We are a free code camp. If you had to pay us (or sign over future earnings), we'd have to change our name. And we are not going to do that.
p Unlike most bootcamps, anyone can study at Free Code Camp. We're not going to tell you that you can't become a software engineer. We believe the only person who should be able to tell you that is you. If you perservere, and keep working through our challenges and non-profits' projects, you will become an employable software engineer.