Education Ecosystem Blog

Who is jpmcglone? One thing we know is that he began programming as part of a very hush-hush “Spartan-esque” project in the early 2000’s. Or did he? Read on to find out!

Real name: JP

Alter ego: jpmcglone

Location: San Francisco, United States

Powers/abilities: JavaScript, HTML/CSS

Username: https://www.livecoding.tv/jpmcglone/

Questions:

Q: When did you first hear about Livecoding.tv? What was your first reaction?

A: A friend messaged me to tell me about it.  He reminded me that I was talking about a “twitch, but just for programmers” about a year ago!

Q: What’s the best thing about Livecoding.tv? What’s the worst/most annoying?

A: The fact that I can tell people what languages I know and what I’m willing to learn is great. Most annoying? Setting up OBS. I wish there was a file or something I could run that would configure it for me.

Q: Where do you see Livecoding.tv in 3 years?

A: In every programming classroom.  I think students will be livecoding in part, for help, and in part to show off their new skills.

Q: Share an interesting moment/experience you had as a streamer/viewer on Livecoding.tv?

A: I ran into someone I know!  He actually interviewed me for a position at his job a few months ago, but I took a job elsewhere. Now, because of this random event, we’re reconnected and have become friends 🙂

Q: As a streamer/viewer, do you have anything to say to your streamers/viewers?

A: I love when you’re engaged with me and ask me tons of questions about code.  I love to teach, so you’re giving me something I just can’t get anywhere else.

Q: When did you first learn to code? How did it go initially?

A: I first learned to code in college.  I was a math major originally, and they made me take one java class.  The rest is history.  I took the little bit I knew and started on a Physics engine in XNA, and then started learning iOS programming back in 2008.  Needless to say, I was obsessed.  Now people pay me to make iOS apps. Crazy.

Q: What it takes to be a good programmer?

A: You must really care about problem solving, and have lots of patience-and be persistent. If you’ve played video games your whole life and didn’t put down the controller simply because a boss didn’t die in the first dozen fights, then you probably would be perfect for coding.

Q: What do you do when you get struck at a dead end while coding?

A: Ask for help, or move on to something else.  Usually, the dead end is only a dead end on one small implementation. There’s usually still a bigger picture to focus on.

Q: What role do you think programmers have played in last 50 years or so in the evolution of technology?

A: We were essential.  I mean, everything has software in it now, and this has allowed us learn so much more about ourselves (as humans).

Q: What message do you have for students opting programming/coding as a profession?

A: Only do it if you love it.  If you think being a programmer is the right career choice for you just because of your love of money, then don’t do it.  You’ll be disappointed when you can’t make it through interviews.  If, however, you find yourself going home to script things or tinker with building games or planning/building new mobile apps, then by all means, take some classes to help supplement your passion!  Though I think you’ll find, you’ll learn more online than in (most) schools 😛

Check out one of jpmcglone’s recent streams: Imgur SDK in Swift