Interviewer

You've contributed to open-source projects like the Chapa SDK. From your perspective, why is contributing to open source so valuable for a developer's growth, beyond just writing code?

Interviewee

I contributed to Chapa after encountering an issue integrating Chapa with my website. At first, I thought the problem was my code, and after two days of trying and discussing with other developers, I considered that the issue might be in the Chapa SDK. I examined their code and managed to fix it within two days of investigation, coding, and understanding someone else’s work. Open source teaches lessons that go beyond coding: collaborating with people you’ve never met, following global standards, and building tools used by others. It’s humbling and motivating and helps you grow into a developer who understands both community and impact.

Interviewer

What practical advice would you give to an Ethiopian or African developer who wants to make their first open-source contribution but doesn't know where to start?

Interviewee

Start small and don’t be intimidated. The Ethiopian developers’ community is growing we have many open-source projects both in Ethiopia and globally. Pick a project you actually use, read the documentation, and begin with issues labeled “good first issue.” Beyond that, ask questions openly open-source communities are generally welcoming, and the learning you gain is worth every step.

Interviewer

Quick poll: are you more in a relationship with projects, or an actual person?😁
I am not sure If I asked who your uni crush is, would I get an answer… or just suspicious silence?

Interviewee

Man, I was in love with projects, meeting with clients, selling projects, and chasing remote jobs for some time, but I can't say anything on this question because I spent most of my time in the A2SV Bahir Dar office building at BiT mostly working on something or solving issues with my friends.

I think I had a crush on Python when I saw it for the first time after doing low-level programming instead of chasing someone😂.

Interviewer

Hey fam 👋 We hope you gained valuable insights and inspiration from Dawit Minue in Episode 9 - Part I. 💡
That’s a wrap for today, but stay tuned - Part II drops next week. 🚀

Wishing you all a productive and amazing week ahead.
Bye for now 👋👋

💻 Why Version Control (Git) Matters

Whether you’re coding solo or in a team, Git is a game-changer. Here’s why:

1. Collaboration Made Easy 🤝

- Multiple developers can work on the same project simultaneously.
- Changes are tracked, merged, and conflicts are resolved efficiently.

2. History & Safety 🕒

- Every change is saved. Made a mistake? You can rollback anytime.
- No more accidental overwrites or lost code.

3. Real-World Coding Workflow 🌍

- Git is the industry standard used by startups & big tech companies.
- Understanding branches, commits, pull requests, and merges prepares you for real-world development.

4. Experiment Without Fear ⚡️

- Create separate branches for new features or experiments.
- Merge them only when ready  your main code stays safe.

5. Portfolio & Open Source Impact 🚀

- Showcase your code on GitHub or GitLab.
- Contribute to projects and get noticed by the global dev community.

✅ Bottom Line: Git isn’t just a tool; it’s a skill every developer needs for collaboration, safety, and professional growth.

#CodeBiruh #Git #VersionControl #Collaboration #DeveloperLife #Programming #LearnAndGrow #SoftwareDevelopment

🤖 How AI is Transforming Software Development

AI isn’t just a buzzword it’s changing how developers work every day. Here’s how:

1️⃣ Faster Coding: AI-powered tools like Tabnine and GitHub Copilot help write, review, and debug code in minutes.

2️⃣ Smarter Testing: AI can automatically detect bugs, predict errors, and optimize code performance.

3️⃣ Personalized Learning: Developers can get AI-driven tutorials and suggestions tailored to their skill level.

4️⃣ Enhanced Creativity: From generating UI designs to building prototypes, AI sparks innovation.

5️⃣ Project Management: AI can estimate timelines, manage resources, and improve team collaboration.

💡 Bottom line: AI is not replacing developers it’s empowering them to build smarter, faster, and more efficiently.

#SoftwareDevelopment #TechInsights #Programming #DevTools

🔐 Top 5 Security Mistakes Developers Make

1️⃣ Hardcoding Secrets
Storing API keys, passwords, or tokens directly in code is a big risk. Use environment variables or secret managers instead.

2️⃣ Ignoring Input Validation
Failing to validate user inputs can open the door to SQL injection and cross-site noscripting (XSS) attacks. Always sanitize and validate all inputs.

3️⃣ Weak Authentication & Authorization
Using weak passwords or skipping proper role-based access control can expose sensitive areas of your app.

4️⃣ Exposing Sensitive Data in Logs
Be careful not to log user credentials, tokens, or personal information logs are often overlooked entry points.

5️⃣ Skipping Security Updates
Outdated libraries or frameworks can contain known vulnerabilities. Keep your dependencies up to date.

💡Security isn’t an afterthought it’s part of good development practice. Build safe, build smart! 🧠💻

#CyberSecurity #CodeBiruh #Developers #SecureCoding #EthicalHacking

🎙 Code Biruh Podcast Episode 9 (Part II)

The wait is over! 🚀
Our Part II of Episode 9 featuring Dawit Minue, an innovative developer and AI enthusiast, is packed with insights, lessons, and real experiences to inspire every aspiring developer. 💡

🧠 What’s Inside:

- How AI is transforming software development

- Balancing innovation with stability

- Lessons from his 5-year Software Engineering journey

- The story behind DotCode, an award-winning final-year project

- Honest advice for African developers

- Why collaboration, curiosity, and community matter 💬

✨ Whether you’re just starting out or already deep in tech, this episode will keep you learning, thinking, and inspired.

📅 This Friday at 1:30 PM (Local Time) Don’t miss out!

#CodeBiruh #Podcast #AI #SoftwareEngineering #Innovation #Developers #Inspiration

💡 How to Learn Programming Faster & Smarter 🚀

Learning to code doesn’t have to be slow or confusing it’s all about how you learn. Here are some smart ways to level up your programming journey 👇

1. Build While You Learn
Don’t just read tutorials create something Even a small calculator, portfolio site, or note app helps ideas stick.

2. Focus on One Language First
Master one language before jumping to the next. Start with Python, JavaScript, or C++ depending on your goals.

3. Learn the “Why” Behind the Code
Don’t just memorize syntax. Understand why the code works. This builds problem-solving skills the real key to becoming a good developer.

4. Join a Coding Community
Being part of groups like @CodeBiruh helps you stay motivated, ask questions, and learn from others.

5. Practice Consistently
Spend at least 1–2 hours daily coding. Consistency beats intensity.

6. Teach What You Learn
Explaining concepts to others is the fastest way to understand deeply.

Smart learning = hands-on projects + consistent practice + curiosity.
Keep building, keep breaking things, keep growing. 🌱

#CodeBiruh #ProgrammingTips #LearnCoding #Developers #Motivation

🚨 Episode 9 – Part II is Here! 🎙
Code Biruh Podcast

⏰ Dropping TONIGHT at 1:30 PM (Local Time)!

Meet Dawit Minue, an innovative developer and AI enthusiast whose journey inspires every aspiring coder. 🌍💻 From exploring AI’s role in software development to building award-winning projects like DotCode, his story is packed with lessons, insights, and real experiences.

🔥 Highlights from Part II:

• How AI is transforming software development

• Balancing innovation with stability

• Lessons from his 5-year Software Engineering journey

• The story behind DotCode, an award-winning final-year project

• Honest advice for African developers

• Why collaboration, curiosity, and community matter 💬

💡 “Coding isn’t just writing lines of code, it’s creating solutions that make an impact.”

📍 Don’t miss out – join us on Telegram: @codebiruh

#CodeBiruh #Podcast #AI #SoftwareEngineering #Innovation #Developers #Inspiration #PartII

🌟 Good evening, everyone!
It's almost time! ✨
Episode 9, Part II with Dawit Minue is about to start. Read along, dive in, and get inspired!

Interviewer

With your hands-on experience in AI, from generative UI to RAG pipelines, where do you see this technology taking the software development industry in the next 3-5 years?

Interviewee

AI will transform how we build software. We’ll move from developers writing everything from scratch to developers orchestrating AI systems that generate, test, and optimize code. I believe the developer’s role will shift toward creativity, problem framing, and oversight essentially becoming “AI engineers of engineers."

Interviewer

How can developers best balance the need to build stable, practical applications today with the desire to experiment with and learn cutting-edge, but often unstable, AI technologies?

Interviewee

It’s all about context. For production systems that impact real users, stability and trust must come first. But setting aside time in safe environments hackathons, internal labs, side projects allows us to explore the cutting edge without risking reliability. That balance keeps you innovative while staying grounded. Don’t waste time by over-learning; learn when it’s needed as you work on projects.

Interviewer

We have many future software engineers here. You completed a 5 year Software Engineering program. What was the most valuable thing you learned both technically & socially?

Interviewee

Technically, the most valuable lesson was thinking algorithmically and breaking problems into manageable pieces. Socially, the key lesson was collaboration learning to work with people from different backgrounds. Big projects are never built alone. Your connection to people is as important as your skill. Try to reach out via email, LinkedIn, and other channels to people you admire and want to learn from. Always seek to connect with people who energize you. I've gotten into a job because of an email that I sent more than 1 and a half years ago and connected. After 10 months there was a job, and that person recommended me, and what I want to say is that you should reach out to people and join communities, which will push you further every day.

Interviewer

Your final year project, DotCode, was recognized as the Best Project of the Year at BIT. You built it together with Miki and some of your friends. Could you tell us a bit about what it does and what made it stand out?