The 10 questions everyone asks a developer

Pick one language (Python or JavaScript), one project you actually want, and build daily with AI as tutor — ask it to explain, not just write. Projects teach; tutorials alone don't.

From near-zero (no-code/AI tools for an MVP) to $50k+ for custom builds. Cost follows scope: auth, payments and admin triple it. Prototype cheap, validate, then invest.

For web and general use: JavaScript. For data, AI and scripting: Python. Either is fine — switching later is cheap. Consistency for 6 months matters more than the pick.

Nothing is random: reproduce it, shrink the failing case, read the actual error, log inputs at boundaries, and binary-search the change history. The bug is where your assumption is.

Yes, as a junior pair: great for boilerplate, tests and explanations. You still own architecture, security and review — never ship what you can't read.

Web first almost always: one codebase, instant distribution, no store approval. Go native when you truly need push, offline or device hardware.

Describe the core loop in one sentence and ask: does the data exist, is there an API, has anyone built adjacent things? A 30-minute expert call saves months.

A menu another program can order from: you send a structured request, it returns structured data. Modern apps are mostly glued-together APIs plus your unique logic.

Start with managed platforms (Vercel, Railway, Supabase): git push to deploy, generous free tiers. Move to raw cloud only when costs or constraints force you.

Extremely — a senior reading your diff catches security holes, dead-ends and simplifications in minutes. Cheapest insurance a codebase can buy.