10 Git Features You Probably Didn’t Know About (But Should!) | Issue #21


Hi there,

Did you know Git has a ton of hidden features that can seriously level up your coding game?

In this week’s video, I explore 10 Git features most developers don't even know about! 😲 From the clever use of Git Notes to the lifesaver that is Git Worktree (ever wish you could work on two branches at once?), I’ve got some cool tips to share.

If you're looking for ways to make your Git workflow smoother and more efficient, you don't want to miss this one. Let’s "git" going! 💻💪

Enjoy the video and happy coding!

Cheers,

Arjan

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# News

The First PyCon NL Conference!

I’m super excited to be speaking at PyCon NL on October 10th at the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht!

If you’re attending, be sure to stop by and say hi! 👋 I’ll be diving deep into functional programming and how it can transform your Python code. 🐍✨

Let’s make it an awesome event—see you there! 😉

Why I’m Switching to Polars

In his latest post, Ari Lamstein shares why he’s making the leap from Pandas to Polars for data manipulation.

He highlights Polars’ intuitive syntax and how it simplifies working with dataframes, much like the Tidyverse did for R users. While performance gains are a bonus, it’s the ease of use that sealed the deal.

If you’re looking to level up your data game with something both faster and simpler, this is a must-read. Check out the full blog here.

# Community

Plant_Boy, one of our community members, recently kicked off a great discussion on Discord about what really defines a Senior Engineer/Developer. Is it just a title, or are there concrete differences in responsibilities and expectations?

I’ve covered similar topics in my videos, like “8 Tips for Becoming a Senior Developer” and “How to Prepare for a Python Senior Developer Interview,” but this thread has sparked some insightful conversations, touching on:

  • The different ways companies define senior roles.
  • The key traits of leadership, mentorship, and handling complex challenges.
  • Whether or not budgeting is part of a senior engineer’s role.

Want to dive deeper or share your thoughts? Join the conversation on Discord and be part of the discussion!


Do you enjoy my content on YouTube and would you like to dive in deeper? Check out my online courses below. They've helped thousands of developers take the next step in their careers.

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The Friday Loop

Every Friday, you'll get a recap of the most important and exciting Python and coding news. The Friday Loop also keeps everyone posted on new ArjanCodes courses and any limited offers coming up.

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