The problem with 99% of online tutorials

They're always missing something, aren't they?

In the vast void of online tutorials, there's no shortage of content promising to teach you everything you need to know. A quick Google search yields countless results, all screaming for your attention.

Yet, despite this apparent abundance, there's a problem that plagues most of them, have you noticed?

The lack of details.

This leaves many aspiring developers stranded in what is commonly known as "tutorial hell."

The Lure of Basics

Don't get me wrong; mastering the basics is essential. Understanding fundamental concepts and syntax is the first step on your coding journey. However, the trouble arises when tutorials don't progress beyond this point.

They lure you in with promises of enlightenment but leave you thirsting for more.

How many “To-Do” app tutorials have you seen online? How many “Build a full SaaS from scratch” tutorials or videos have you watch only to be left with tons of links to follow and no implementation details?

This tendency to focus solely on basics is one of the main reasons developers find themselves trapped in a never-ending cycle of tutorials. Hoping against hope, that maybe the next tutorial will cover what they’ve been missing.

Spoiler alert: it won’t.

The Tutorial Hell Conundrum

As you embark on your coding journey, you may have experienced what's often referred to as "tutorial hell." You start with an introductory course, you understand the basics, and you feel confident.

But when it comes to applying your knowledge to real-world projects, you hit a wall. It’s the equivalent of the writer’s block, only you’re trying to write code, but you just don’t know where to start.

The tutorials you've followed lack the depth, complexity, and real-world context required to tackle more advanced challenges.

This frustrating scenario can leave you feeling lost, discouraged, and questioning your abilities. The abundance of shallow tutorials may have led you to believe you were making progress when, in reality, you were merely treading water.

The Missing Details

One of the glaring issues with most online tutorials is their failure to provide the necessary details.

They offer cookie-cutter solutions to problems that are rarely encountered in the real world. They lack explanations of why you're doing what you're doing, omitting the crucial 'why' behind the code. These tutorials often skip over common pitfalls and debugging techniques, leaving you ill-equipped to handle real coding challenges.

Have you noticed that too? Or am I alone in this?

I want to help

I’m working on a set of full tutorials that will guide new and old developers through the process of building apps from scratch all the way to deploying them into a real production environment.

I don’t want to miss anything along the way.

So let me ask you again: have you noticed this? Or am I alone in feeling like 99% of tutorials are not enough?

What parts where you missing on the last tutorial you read/watched that wished it had been covered?

Drop a comment if you could, that will help me understand exactly what to include and what to ignore (if anything).

As usual, thank you and I look forward to reading you!