How to learn a new library

Learning a library can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. Here are some steps to help you effectively learn a library:

1. Start with the documentation: The documentation is the primary source of information about the library. Go through the official documentation thoroughly to understand the purpose, features, and usage of the library. Familiarise yourself with the syntax, methods, and options available in the library.
2. Implement a sample application: Once you have a basic understanding of the library, try implementing a sample application using the library. This will give you hands-on experience and help you understand how the library works in a practical setting. Experiment with different configurations and settings to see the effects on the application.
3. Validate customisation and extensibility: Libraries often provide customisation options or allow for extension through plugins or hooks. Explore these options and understand how you can customise or extend the library to suit your needs. Validate your customisations or extensions through testing and experimentation.
4. Understand the problem the library solves: Gain a deep understanding of the problem that the library is designed to solve. This will help you identify when and where to use the library in your projects. Understand the performance implications and potential impact on CO2 emissions, if applicable.
5. Evaluate the future of the library: Consider factors such as the number of downloads, stars/ratings, active users, active bugs, last update, community support, future roadmap, licensing/pricing, and dependencies on underlying frameworks/architectures. This will give you an idea of the library’s popularity, stability, and potential for future development and support.
6. Targeted learning: Focus on learning the parts of the library that are relevant to your specific needs. Create a to-learn list and prioritise it based on your requirements and timeline. Avoid trying to learn everything about the library, and instead focus on what is most interesting and useful to you.
7. Keep learning intact: Maintain your learning by actively using the library in your projects, contributing to the community, and keeping up with updates and new developments. Create a Proof of Concept (POC) on a platform like GitHub to showcase your learning and refer back to it in the future. Stay engaged with the community by participating in forums, discussions, and open source projects related to the library.
8. Relate the concepts to your work: Bring your learning into your work by relating the library concepts to your industry or domain. Identify how the library can solve specific problems in your field and use it to enhance your projects or processes. This will help you justify the adoption of the library to stakeholders and demonstrate its value in real-world scenarios.
9. Create a document or blog post: As you learn the library, take notes and document your progress. Summarise your learning, experiences, and insights in a document or a blog post. This will help you solidify your understanding of the library and also serve as a resource for others who want to learn the same library.

Remember to allocate a specific amount of time for learning, and set realistic expectations for yourself. Learning a library takes time and practice, so be patient with yourself and keep persevering.

Happy learning!!!