My TIIDELab Experience 4.0 (Fourth Month)
By: Ekeso Longe
Tags: Nodejs, Tiidelab, Programming, Backend, Bootcamp

It is my second to last month at TIIDELab and it’s been the most important so far, all fellows have been broken into their respective tracks (Frontend or Backend) where we will continue learning. I’m in the backend track where I will be learning and using Nodejs.

Backend languages and frameworks

In the first week, we were introduced to Backend development by Mr. Kenny and different programming languages and frameworks that can be used in backend development. We then installed Nodejs and were introduced to the node package manager (npm) and what it is used for, how to initialize it, and how to install different packages and importing modules. During our weekly Friday meetup, we were trained on Appreciative Communication and The 4D Cycles of AI (Appreciative Inquiry). We had a guest speaker that day, Mr. Lanre Yusuf (VP Techspecialist Consulting Ltd) who taught us how to properly prepare a Requirement Specification Document for a client and also to always confirm that you understand your client and they equally understand you.

A photo of Abuja fellows with Mr. Lanre Yusuf (Red attire in the middle)

In the second week, we were introduced to REST APIs and how to build RESTful web services in Nodejs. We learned the key principles of RESTful web services and HTTP methods that are used with RESTful web services. After learning about REST APIs, we were introduced to Express, a web application framework that is used for designing and building web applications quickly and easily. During our meet-up this week, we learned about SMART, SWOT, and PEST Analysis when setting Goals. You should be able to identify if your goal is SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound) as well as the SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, Threats) and PEST (Political, Economical, Socio-cultural, Technological) Analysis to identify all possible internal factors and external factors that could affect your goal. We had a guest this week, Mr. Ayomide Oyekanmi (Google Software Engineer) who talked to us about his journey and mistakes he made, the challenges he faced, and valuable lessons learned. In his own words, “No one is special, you just have to put in the work”.

My team’s SMART and SWOT analysis on TIIDELab’s goal to train more youths in the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria

Mr. Ayo at Lagos giving us a story of his journey

In the third week, we were introduced to databases and SQL we then installed xampp and began to create databases and tables and perform functions on the databases like INSERT, SELECT, JOIN, etc. We then learnt how to use Nodejs to directly query the mysql databases with Express. In our Friday meetup that week, we learnt about Public Speaking Strategies and Speech Writing. We were given a task of representing a country in a Model United Nation assembly and give a speech on the impact of Corona Virus in the country and what the country has done to tackle it and unite as one nation and proffer a resolution.

Me giving my speech as the Reprsentative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

In the final week of the month of November, we learnt about Authentication and Authorization, securely storing passwords in the database with hashing and authenticating and authorizing users using a JSON web token. During our meet-up that week, we were trained on Negotation and Mediation Skills. We learnt the different types of negotiation, processes of negotation, negotiation tactics, proceduce, strategies. When negotating you should know your BATNA (Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement) and ZOPA (Zone of Possible Agreement). We also learnt skills to be an effective mediator and mediation processes, which we applied in a drama where there were certain conflicts and issues and being a mediator and finding a common ground for a fair negotation to occur. My team won both the drama presentation and the Head of House (HOH) activity that week and my team memebers voted me as the Head of House for the week.

The month of November was really different compared to other months because were were finally following our respective tracks and building ourselves in that track. I was eager to learn Nodejs and I am happy that I’m on the backend development track because it was very interesting learning these new concepts and practices. My tenure as HOH just began but I’m eager to see the responsibilities that lie ahead. See you next month for the final article of this series.