Hi.
I’m a dev with 3 YOE, mostly in ML and MLOps, and more and more I’m trying to pivot into traditional software engineering. As of now I’m trying to really learn the fundamentals of backend engineering (as opposed to the bootstrapping DIY learning attitude that I had during my ML roles towards backend engineering), and I’m learning Node.JS. I’m getting familiar with the the concepts and the syntax, and so far so good. But one thing that I really lack is the imagination of what a good side-project might be.
So I ask experienced devs here, can you recommend me some good project ideas to work on, to make myself a better dev?
Do you run your own server/VPS? If you are looking into backend development I can highly recommend running your own, and setting up things you’re interested in, stumble over, or find useful.
I’ve gained a lot of experience through working on what interested me, I found useful, or needed, and setting them up on my server too.
Do you not have things you stumble over or tools you would find useful? Or FOSS you use?
I’ve made tools for myself for file checksums, for practicing things, for storing resources/information, for publishing and integrating my services, for visualization and debugging, for parsing data formats, for cutting video, for downloading and converting things, and many more.
If you are looking into backend specifically, what kind of backend? For what kind of service or application?