software engineering readme complete

Author: jeromehardaway

software-engineering/README.md

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+# Software Engineering Vertical
+
+## Overview
+
+Ready to build real software that people actually use? Our Software Engineering vertical doesn't waste your time with theoretical BS. We throw you directly into modern web development using the exact tech stack powering our own platform. No toy projects—just practical skills that translate directly to the job market.
+
+## Core Technology Stack
+
+These aren't random technologies—this is the battle-tested arsenal we use to run Vets Who Code:
+
+- **Languages:** JavaScript / TypeScript  
+- **Framework:** Next.js  
+- **Deployment:** Vercel  
+- **CI/CD:** GitHub Actions  
+- **IDE:** Visual Studio Code / Terminal  
+- **Version Control:** Git / GitHub 
+- **Testing:** Playwright, Jest  
+- **Media Management:** Cloudinary  
+- **Analytics:** Microsoft Clarity  / Google Analytics  
+
+---
+
+## Curriculum
+
+### 1. Terminal (Command Line Mastery)
+
+First stop: mastering the command line. Why? Because real engineers don't fear the terminal; they dominate it:
+
+- File system navigation and operations  
+- File permissions and user management  
+- Package management (npm, pip, and more)  
+- Command chaining and piping  
+- Environment variables configuration  
+- Shell customization and aliases  
+- Git operations from the terminal (clone, branch, merge, push)  
+- Server deployment, monitoring, and management  
+- Deployment automation scripts  
+- AI tool integration via CLI (Azure CLI, Hugging Face CLI, OpenAI CLI)  
+
+### 2. Visual Studio Code Environment
+
+Your IDE is your weapon. We'll optimize VS Code to make you dangerously efficient:
+
+- Essential extensions and productivity tools  
+- Workspace and user settings configuration  
+- Debugging tools and breakpoint management  
+- Git integration and version control  
+- Task runners and build automation  
+- Integrated terminal usage and customization  
+- Editor shortcuts and productivity hacks  
+
+### 3. Version Control with Git and GitHub
+
+Git isn't optional in the real world. Master it or get left behind:
+
+- Git fundamentals and workflows  
+- Branch management strategies  
+- Pull requests and code review processes  
+- Merge conflict resolution  
+- GitHub collaboration features  
+- Repository management best practices  
+
+### 4. Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
+
+Code is only part of the battle. Understanding the entire development lifecycle separates professionals from hobbyists:
+
+- Requirements gathering and analysis  
+- Design and architecture planning  
+- Software design documentation  
+- Technical specifications  
+- Architecture diagrams and documentation  
+- API documentation  
+- User stories and acceptance criteria  
+- Design decision records (ADRs)  
+- README and project documentation best practices  
+- Implementation best practices  
+- Testing strategies  
+- Deployment procedures  
+- Maintenance and iteration  
+
+### 5. Planning and Kanban (Agile Workflows)
+
+Mission planning for software teams; learn how real engineering squads coordinate:
+
+- Agile principles and practices  
+- Kanban board organization  
+- Sprint planning and execution  
+- Task breakdown and estimation  
+- Team collaboration and communication  
+- Iterative development cycles  
+
+### 6. Web Fundamentals (JavaScript / TypeScript)
+
+The foundational skills that separate professionals from script kiddies:
+
+- JavaScript ES6+ features  
+- TypeScript type system and benefits  
+- Asynchronous programming (Promises, async/await)  
+- Modern JavaScript patterns  
+- Error handling and debugging  
+- Performance optimization  
+
+### 7. Component-Based Development with Next.js
+
+Next.js isn't just another framework—it's how we build production apps that scale:
+
+- React fundamentals and hooks  
+- Next.js App Router architecture  
+- Server and Client Components  
+- Routing and navigation  
+- Data fetching strategies  
+- API routes and backend integration  
+- Static Site Generation (SSG) and Server-Side Rendering (SSR)  
+
+### 8. Component Styling in Next.js
+
+Making things look good isn't optional; it's part of building professional products:
+
+- CSS Modules  
+- Tailwind CSS integration  
+- CSS-in-JS solutions  
+- Responsive design principles  
+- Accessibility considerations  
+- Design system implementation  
+
+### 9. Deployment Workflows with Vercel
+
+Shipping to production is where the rubber meets the road. With Vercel, we deploy with confidence:
+
+- Vercel platform fundamentals  
+- Environment variables and secrets management  
+- Preview deployments  
+- Production deployment strategies  
+- Domain configuration  
+- Performance monitoring and analytics  
+
+### 10. CI/CD with GitHub Actions
+
+Automation separates the pros from the amateurs. Set it up once, benefit forever:
+
+- GitHub Actions workflow syntax  
+- Automated testing pipelines  
+- Linting and code quality checks  
+- Automated deployment processes  
+- Environment-specific builds  
+- Monitoring and notifications  
+
+### 11. Testing Fundamentals
+
+Untested code is broken code. Period. Learn how we ensure quality at scale:
+
+- Unit testing with Jest  
+- Component testing strategies  
+- Integration testing practices  
+- End-to-end (E2E) testing with Playwright  
+- Test-driven development (TDD)  
+- Mocking and test fixtures  
+- Code coverage metrics  
+- Browser automation and visual regression testing  
+
+### 12. Media Management with Cloudinary
+
+Images and videos can make or break your app's performance. We'll show you how the pros handle media:
+
+- Image and video upload workflows  
+- Media transformation and optimization  
+- Responsive image delivery  
+- CDN integration  
+- Asset organization and tagging  
+- Performance optimization techniques  
+
+### 13. Analytics with Microsoft Clarity
+
+Building is only half the battle—understanding how users actually use your product is the other half:
+
+- Session recording and playback  
+- Heatmap analysis  
+- User interaction insights  
+- Performance monitoring  
+- Identifying UX issues  
+- Data-driven optimization strategies  
+
+### 14. Code Challenge Preparation
+
+We prepare you for the inevitable technical gauntlet that stands between you and your job offer:
+
+- Array manipulation and algorithms  
+- String processing techniques  
+- Recursion and recursive thinking  
+- Sorting algorithms (bubble, merge, quick sort)  
+- Big-O notation and time complexity analysis  
+- Space complexity considerations  
+- Problem-solving strategies  
+
+## Learning Outcomes
+
+By the end of this vertical, you won't just have theory—you'll have proof you can:
+
+- Push code directly to Vets Who Code's production web application—a platform that has generated $20 million in outcomes for veterans  
+- Ship features to real users on day one, not just classroom exercises  
+- Build your resume with commits to a legitimate, high-impact codebase  
+- Collaborate on a live project with real stakeholders and real consequences  
+- Write production-quality code that meets professional engineering standards  
+- Navigate the complete development lifecycle from ticket to deployment  
+- Test and document features used by thousands of real veterans  
+- Showcase tangible contributions that directly impact fellow veterans' careers  
+- Leverage the exact same tech stack used by successful tech companies  
+- Develop the confidence that only comes from building real-world software  
+
+Unlike other programs where you build toy projects nobody uses, you'll graduate with proof you've contributed to a platform that's helped veterans secure millions in salaries and opportunities. That's a resume bullet point no bootcamp can match.
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+- The discipline you already learned in the military  
+- The determination to push through challenges  
+- The teamwork mentality that made you successful in uniform  
+
+Everything else? We'll teach you from the ground up.
+
+---
+
+**Vets Who Code** is a veteran-led initiative dedicated to helping veterans transition into high-paying tech careers by providing practical, hands-on software engineering training. Our mission is to empower veterans with the skills and experience they need to succeed in the competitive tech industry.