ALX

Software Engineering
Programme
The Fountain of Truth
Student Guide
Welcome to the ALX
SE Program Guide.
This is your one-stop shop for all things related
to your participation in this ALX SE Programme
Experience.

02
Introduction
to the ALX SE Programme

03
Welcome to the ALX Software
Engineering Program Guide.
In this document you would learn and discover everything you need
to know about your participation in the ALX Software Engineering
programme.

This is your personal map to understanding everything about this

program, Unsure about the first step to take on your first, second or
fifth day, the answer is probably in here. If you are wondering how to
do something, the process document is probably linked somewhere
in here.

We have carefully designed this document to break down your

journey in this program in terms of approach, principles,
methodology, requirements, and design.

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 1. Introduction

2. Our Goal

3. The Program Objectives

Table 4. How This Program Works

of Contents 5. Your Learning Curriculum

6. The Programme Framework

7. The Programme Structure

8. Intranet 101

9. Project/Task

10. Engagement Activities: Students

11. Programme Modalities

12. Your Learning Community

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 Technical Skills
Our Goal
Hands on experience in developing
Through this programme our major
software as well as establishing theoretical
goal is to evolve the next generation
foundations.
of software engineers which includes
you. This involves providing an agile

+
learning environment that is focused
on getting you started with the basics
of software development and
engaging you in a variety of technical
projects which would increase your
knowledge base and employability
Soft and Professional Skills
potential.
Equipping young leaders with just the right
This program is structured around two amount of work ready skills that could
key categories-- ensure they are connected to paid
opportunities faster.

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Program Objectives

We are on a mission and through It is our hope that through this program
this software engineering programme candidates can discover a new career path
experience our objective is to; that could contribute to the development
of their immediate communities as they
1. Develop a growing pool of Software acquire the necessary developer skills in
Engineering talent their quest of building functional projects.
2. Create and manage a learning
environment that trains technology For us, this program would contribute to
enthusiast with little or no level of the growing pool of talent and play a part
experience at scale. in strengthening the population of SE’s in
Africa that can be connected to
3. Increase the employability potential paid-opportunities.
of participants in this programme.

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How This Program Works

LEARNING THE BASICS PROJECT BASED COMMUNITY FOCUSED

Students get to kickstart Students work on projects All our students are part of a
their SE journeys by alongside peers (PLD’s) to strong community of
engaging with foundation build impact-driven doers and
programming resources programming muscles builders

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Our
Program Curriculum
In this part we take you on a deep-dive into this programme curriculum, what you can
expect as you interface with the technical topics and sessions.

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Curriculum Overview
The software engineering curriculum is a peer-driven curriculum
designed by Holberton with the ultimate goal of teaching you to
“Own Your Own Learning” to ultimately develop the skill and the
muscle to be a better software engineers.

The content, delivery, methodology, ordering, and occasional

vagueness of the curriculum is by design.

Holberton has a deep commitment to providing high-quality

education; we do not just want to help students understand
something in a given project - we want them to have the tools to
continue to learn for life.

Its core components are:

➔ Foundations
➔ Specializations

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 Your Programme Curriculum
FOUNDATIONS SPECIALIZATIONS
Sprint 1 Sprint 2 Sprint 3 Sprint 4 Sprint 5

- Git & command line editors - Python - first statements - Python - Object-relational - ES6 introduction / promise - ES6 introduction / promise
- Introduction to Bash - Python - import & modules mapping - ES6 classes / data - ES6 classes / data
- C - first statements - Python - data structures - Python - Web framework manipulation manipulation
- C - pointers - Python - exceptions - Python - RESTful API - TypeScript - TypeScript
- C - recursion - Python - classes - Python - web scraping - HTML / CSS advanced - Python
- C - static library - Python - inheritance - Javascript - first statements - Developer tools - async
- C - memory allocation - Python - file I/O - Javascript - objects - Responsive design - MySQL advanced
- C - preprocessor - Python - JSON - Javascript - scopes and - Webpack - NoSQL introduction
- C - variadic functions serialization / deserialization closures - React introduction / props - Redis introduction
- C - bit manipulation - HTML/CSS introduction - Javascript - web scraping - React component - API Pagination
- C - file I/O - SQL - basic queries - Search algorithms - React inline-styling - Caching algorithms
- Singly linked lists - SQL - join queries - SSH - React state / immutable - Unit & integration tests
- Create your own printf - C - dynamic libraries - SSL certificate - React Redux - action - i18n
- Create your own Shell - C - makefiles - Web server creator/normalizr - Personal data
- Doubly linked lists - Load balancer - React Redux - - User authentications
- Stack and Queues - Firewall reducer/selector - Node JS introduction
- Hash tables - MySQL primary-replica - React Redux - - Queuing system
- Sorting algorithms - Server monitoring connector/provider - GraphQL API
- Binary trees - Code deployment - Async file API
- Bash - scripting - Postmortem
- Unix processes and signals - Webstack debugging
- Regex - Portfolio project
- Network introduction

You would be required to complete learning contents and projects in all of these. All of these learning activities are scored and 11
graded– On completion of this learning requirements, you would be offered a transcript as proof of engagement
 Read
The Framework
(Overview) Think

We built out this framework to represent a Think more &

learning methodology that fosters a safe, Whiteboard
collaborative space for you to critically Ask
think as well as grow in your career while Why
offering encouragement and development Ask a
across the our learning community. Peer
Ask more
We believe that this framework is the result Peers
of a balance between self-development
and collaboration- one that supports the Ask a Technical
concept of Owning Your Learning but mentor assistant
subscribes to the truth that we, indeed, go
farther when we go together. Ask a
Technical
Mentor
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Our
LEARNING APPROACH
In this part you would understand better the learning approach that we have mapped
out for you. These includes technology languages, learning platforms as well as
learning resources and engagement exercises that could foster learning.

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 Programme Structure
FOUNDATIONS(9 Months) SPECIALIZATION (3 Months)

Low Level High Level DevOps Specialization

Create a complete web

Understand programming Create a complete web Create a complete web
service from databases,
languages and Unix service from databases, service from databases,
back-end and an amazing
system work or “what is back-end and an amazing back-end and an amazing
front-end website with
going on under the hood”. front-end website with front-end website with
the latest technologies.
the latest technologies. the latest technologies.

TECHNOLOGIES
TECHNOLOGIES TECHNOLOGIES TECHNOLOGIES
-C programming
-C programming - Python -C programming
-Graphic programming
-Graphic programming - Front-end -Graphic programming
-Unix programming
-Unix programming - Object Oriented -Unix programming
-Data Structures &
-Data Structures & programming -Data Structures &
algorithms
algorithms - Databases algorithms
-Reverse engineering &
-Reverse engineering & -Reverse engineering &
security
security security

These are foundation languages you need to launch your career in software technology, we have carefully mapped out these 14
technologies in terms of their level of complexity.
The Intranet
The Intranet is our learning, communication and engagement
platform used to provide learning resources, engage with students
and also support all key stakeholders who interface with this SE
programme.

www.alx-intranet.hbtn.io

Program
Intranet

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Project/Task
This provides an overview of the nature of projects
you will take on while engaged in the programme.

You would be required to complete all of these

projects on time and support other students with They are solo projects
reviews when necessary. that often times,
though not exclusive
In this first week we have mapped out mandatory Standard shorter in duration.
assignments for you to take on– Let’s get started! Projects

They are group and team

projects that are longer in These are blogs. As
duration. These facilitate not projects you’ll
only technical growth in expected to write a
Group/Team
regards to repository blog of your experience Blog
Projects
management, but also learning particular Projects
emotional intelligence and concepts
conflict resolution 16
How We Engage With You As A
Learner.
We have designed dedicated activities to foster your learning by connecting
with your community for support while equipping you with key work-ready
skills; Collaboration, communication across teams.

Activity Description/Function

Peer Learning PLD’s start at 9 am and end at 3 pm unless stated otherwise. However, given the nature of
Days the programmes [remote], execution of PLD’s are left in the hands of the participants.

Live Coding Live coding sessions are a great way for participants to review and reinforce your
Sessions knowledge and concepts with the guide of mentors..

Evaluation Evaluation quizzes are taken monthly to test comprehension and understanding of
Quizzes concepts.
They are a good indication that the students need to work on reviewing concepts.

Mock Interviews Mock Interviews are one of the ways we kick-off work-readiness and talent preparations
before learners from a cohort graduate and begin to take on job interviews.

Campus slack This is your campus(country)-specific channel for engagement and interaction.
channel

Buddy System The buddy system is an opportunity for you to grow and develop your network. It’s a
chance to form a close-knit circle of deep friendships that works as a support system and 17
motivation for you as you navigate the program.
Our
PROGRAM MODALITIES
In this section we take a deep dive into all key modalities involved in this Programme
We leverage these modalities to not only properly engage with you but also support
you as you interface with this SE programme.

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Component 1: Staying Active In
The Programme
A key participation metric for this programme is staying active on the
Intranet. This includes login in daily to digest learning resources,
completing assigned task and project and reviewing attached projects.

The intranet is designed to automatically validate active participants who

have an average score of 80% in their foundations and assign
specialization tracks to them.

It is important that you hit a 80% mark during the Foundation stage of
your curriculum.

The following criteria are used to manually validate your participation and
to also identify if you have hit the mandatory 80% cutoff.
➔ You must be an active students on the intranet.
➔ You must have completed 80% of the projects in all the 3 sprints.
➔ In each sprint, You must have an average score of 30% on each
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project per sprint.
Component 2: An Introduction To
Your Technical Mentor(Role)
We have assigned some of the best technology experts to guide you in this
programme. Their role is really simple;
➔ Focus on amplifying your technical expertise.
➔ Clear blockers and obstacles that you may face while in the programme.
➔ Support you towards programme success, by engaging with you in
specially designed facilitator sessions.
➔ Monitor your progress as you engage with this curriculum
➔ Guide and prepare you for potential career opportunities

How Can I Access A Technical Mentor

Step 1: Meet your technical mentors

By completing the resources provided in the onboarding package, we have gone
ahead to identify all technical mentors available to you in this program.

Step 2: Reason for engagement.

Due to the growing size of our learning community we have built a standardized
process for engaging with technical mentors. The first step to this engagement is
utilizing the slack #Ask-Mentor channel. 20
Component 2: An Introduction To
Your Technical Mentor(Role)
How Can I Access A Technical Mentor

Step 3: Mentor Feedback & Response time

Our standard response and feedback time is between 6-18 hours. This is
due to the size of our learning community and the intricacy involved in
mentors response and feedback.

Our technical mentors have been trained to deal with students needs on a
case by case basis.

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Component 3:
Deferment/Withdrawal/Dismissal
What’s the difference between deferment, withdrawal, dismissal
Deferment: the student asks to be integrated in the first or second next cohort
and will restart its studies when he paused
Withdrawal: the student decides to withdraw and restart again
Dismissal: the student get dismissed from the Programme
Who can defer?
a. Participants who have completed probation in sprint 1 agreed by the Program &
Community team; b. Any student between sprints 2-4 whose reasons fall under
those agreed by the Program & Community team
Who can withdraw?
a. Participants who are yet to complete onboarding (first 2 weeks of the
program); b. Participants who are yet to complete probation (80% cut-off mark);
c. Any participant who has made it past probation but wishes to leave the
program
Who can be dismissed?
a. The student is dismissed from the program by the Program & Community team
or Technical Mentors as guided by the code of conduct; b. Student do not reach 22
the 80% threshold during the probation phase
Component 3: Deferment/Dismissal
Can you withdraw if you are during the Probation period?
Yes, but you cannot defer

What is considered a “controllable life change”?

a. I got a job; b. Mild illnesses ie Headache, Malaria etc

Can you defer if you face a controllable life change?

No

What is considered an “uncontrollable life change”?

a. Death/loss; b. Instability in country; c. Government/country instability; d. Severe
health challenge

Can you defer if you face an uncontrollable life change?

Yes

Can you defer if you do not have a PC or it is temporarily unavailable?

No, it is possible to code with your phone, unless you are in Sprint 2 or 3 - in this
last case you can defer

Can you defer if you lack motivation?

No, you can do it! 23
Component 3: Deferment/Dismissal

How can you defer or withdraw?

Fill out this form (link) and you will be redirected to the right path

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Our
LEARNING COMMUNITY
In this section we take a deep -dive into our community, from engagements, to our
support structure as well as our network. From this section you can access all tools.

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The ALX SE Community
Our community is made up of every participant and learning stakeholder in this program. Our community
prides itself as a hub of aspiring technologists. As a community we leverage support from each and every
member and our watchword is paced growth.

Support Structure Slack Support Network Asking For Help

How we will support students The support you receive on our Our SE community creates an
throughout the programme; Peer slack community, all the relevant environment for you to get help
Support, Squads, Check-In, Live channels, and what to expect when needed.
Sessions. from them. 25
Peer Support
Our first approach towards peer support is through a concept called
PLD’s

What is a PLD
Peer Learning Days are one of the ways we can ensure that every
student in our community understands the available learning content and
resources shared.

We leverage this method to ensure that you on the right part to

collectively growing in technical, soft, and professional skills.

PLDs are when you will collaboratively review prior projects with an
intranet-assigned group of cohort peers.

With your group, you will review these recent concepts and tasks by
defining your objectives and clarifying action items for success.

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Campuses
What is a Campus?
You are paired with other student of approximately 30 participants or
more within the same country or region. This is a smaller subset of
participants that you can engage with and you can work closely
together, think of them as your cohort buddies.

What our expectations are from Campuses?

➔ Sharing of Weekly Standups

➔ Team engagement to solve blockers

➔ Live Weekly Check-in Call including a practice peer coaching

breakout session

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Peer Support
How often do we check-in on students?
Every week

How do we check-in/keep in touch with students?

Students are expected to keep in touch through weekly standups

Standups are to be shared every week on your Campus channel and your
peers will do the same as well. Below is the weekly standup script;

Last week I accomplished : (include task you worked on last week).

This week I'm planning to : (include task you plan to achieve this week).

Blockers : (include things you need help resolving).

Appreciation : (include shouts out to individuals who helped you while stuck
last week).

Channel: Campys channel

When: Weekly on Monday 27

Live Sessions
Live sessions are one of the ways we keep you engaged as well as foster your,
we hold several live sessions on a routine basis;

Activity Description/Function

Monthly Students are expected to attend and engage in monthly check-in

Campus sessions
Check-in

Live Learning The ALX Software Eng team holds Live Learning sessions lead by our
Sessions Technical Mentors. During these sessions, our mentors do a
deep-dive into a particular topic

Walk-in These are weekly spaces held by our Technical Mentors to bond,
sessions assist and engage with our participants

Technical We hold meetups led by our technical mentors and external speakers
Meetups where we focus on specific topics.

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Thank you!
ALX Software Engineering Program

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