This document contains links resources of interest for those studying a computer-based course. These resources are both directly and indirectly linked to the courses that you will study at EKC Dover. ### Programming Resources * [Programming for Everyone](https://www.coursera.org/learn/python?courseSlug=python&showOnboardingModal=checkAndRedirect) - A great and free (click 'Enrol' and then 'Audit') introduction to the world of Python programming from the University of Michigan. * [Sololearn](https://www.sololearn.com/en/) - Learn programming in a more 'Duolingo' style. Web, iOS and Android apps available. * [Harvard CS50](https://pll.harvard.edu/course/cs50-introduction-computer-science) - University-level course, this is a general computer science course - not just programming. It is delivered online for free by Harvard University. * [Full-stack Developer Course](https://www.theodinproject.com/) - Full web development course, completely free! * [Python Zero-to-Mastery](https://www.udemy.com/course/complete-python-developer-zero-to-mastery/?couponCode=OF53124) - This is a paid uDemy course, however I feel that it is worthwhile *if* it is purchased on sale. ### Software and Web Apps Here are some great free applications for coding and developing programs. They include a mix of web-based and desktop applications that are platform agnostic (compatible with Windows, MacOS, and Linux): * [Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/) : VS Code is a free, cross-platform code editor that supports a wide range of programming languages. It also has built-in support for source control with Git. If you prefer to avoid Microsoft telemetry, you can use [VSCodium](https://vscodium.com/), which is a fork with telemetry removed * [JetBrains Pycharm](https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/): PyCharm is an excellent Python IDE available in both free (PyCharm Community) and pro (PyCharm Professional - free for students and teachers) versions. It offers extensive features suitable for larger and more complex projects. If you're dedicated to Python, I'd recommend getting used to PyCharm as it is an industry standard tool. * [Thonny](https://thonny.org/): Thonny is a simple Python IDE ideal for beginners. It supports loading Python modules for easy code extension without the complexities of VS Code and PyCharm. * [Raspberry Pi Editor](https://editor.raspberrypi.org/en/) : This basic web IDE for Python is great for simple projects and code. While it lacks the ability to import modules, it is free, fast, and allows you to save your projects. You can access it [here](https://editor.raspberrypi.org/en/). - [Obsidian](https://obsidian.md) : Obsidian is a note taking/knowledge organisation application, it utilises Markdown for its formatting and allows for documents to be linked together, making it easier for you to organise your thoughts! ### Reading in the Domain of Computing The below recommendations are not in anyway required to complete any taught courses, they are merely here as books of interest to those with a computing specialism. - [Free Programming eBooks](https://github.com/EbookFoundation/free-programming-books) - Maintained by the EbookFoundation, this is a repository of hundreds of free eBooks on many different programming languages. It is a very comprehensive resource for learning to code. - [If It's Smart, It's Vulnerable by Mikko Hyppönen](https://www.waterstones.com/book/if-its-smart-its-vulnerable/mikko-hypp-nen/9781119895183) - Discussing the threats posed by the interconnected world with heavy reliance on the internet. Written by a veteran cybersecurity analyst from F-Secure based in Finland. * [Sandworm by Andy Greenberg](https://www.waterstones.com/book/sandworm/andy-greenberg/9780525564638) - A great book on the ongoing cyber-warfare between Russia and eastern European states. * [Ghost in the Wires by Kevin Mitnick](https://www.waterstones.com/book/chip-war/chris-miller/9781398504127) - Stories from the man widely considered the most elusive computer break-in artist in history. * [Chip War by Chris Miller](https://www.waterstones.com/book/chip-war/chris-miller/9781398504127) - The history of the economic/political events surrounding the development of the integrated circuit. * [Countdown to Zero Day by Kim Zetter](https://www.waterstones.com/book/countdown-to-zero-day/kim-zetter/9780770436193) - Accounts detailing the events leading up to the discovery of the [Stuxnet](https://www.malwarebytes.com/stuxnet) computer virus in the infrastructure of the Iranian nuclear enrichment facility. * [Pegasus by Laurent Richard and Sandrine Rigaud](https://www.waterstones.com/book/pegasus/laurent-richard/sandrine-rigaud/9781529094855) - Behind-the scenes story of [Pegasus](https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/jul/18/what-is-pegasus-spyware-and-how-does-it-hack-phones), one of the most sophisticated surveillance weapons ever created. ### Podcasts Below are a selection of podcasts from experts in the industry. Most of these are available through either Apple Podcasts or Spotify. * [Darknet Diaries](https://darknetdiaries.com/) - Bi-weekly podcast about events relating to the field of cybersecurity and hacking. * [The Brave Technologist](https://brave.com/podcast/) - Podcast from the creators of the Brave, the privacy respecting browser.