Hello everyone, I decided to open this discussion because I started using the online training from OutSystems as a starting point for my learning the technology itself. I would like to have your experienced thoughts on how can one prepare a learning path in a self-directed manner mixing online training, hands-on projects (please, give examples) and certifications in order to apply for an entry-level position in Portugal. My background isn't in IT but I'm a really determined and commited person that wants to do a career reset.Thank you in advance for your time and feedback
Hallo @Miguel Maria
Congratulations on starting with OutSystems! First things first, it's important to define your goal: Are you aiming to specialize in web or mobile development?
Getting Started Steps:
Choose the Right Learning Path Start with the training that aligns with your goal (web or mobile). OutSystems offers different learning paths based on your focus, so pick the one that suits you.
Learn and Practice Go through the online training, but don’t rely solely on videos. The key is hands-on practice — build small features and test them yourself. This will help you understand how to use the tools and functions in practice.
Avoid Overengineering Don’t try to do everything at once. Focus on the core requirements, keep your tasks simple at first, and then add complexity gradually as you progress.
Deep Dive and Architecture Integration:
Depth and Architecture When learning OutSystems, it's crucial to understand the core architectures that the platform is built upon. You should be familiar with:
Model-Driven Development (MDD): OutSystems’ approach to application development, which uses models rather than traditional code.
System Architecture: You need to understand how solutions integrate with backend services, APIs, database management, and the infrastructure that OutSystems uses to manage load balancing.
Best Practices When building applications using OutSystems, you should follow best practices in areas like performance management, testing, and UI development. This includes:
Design Practices: Ensure that the user interface is user-friendly and designed in a way that supports a great user experience.
Performance Testing: Continuously measure and analyze performance using tools like Profiler in OutSystems to identify weak points and improve performance.
Maintenance and Releases: Make sure that every part of your application can be easily maintained and updated when you need to add new features or modify existing ones.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to build robust applications, with a deep understanding of the system architecture and how to apply best practices in the long run.
Thank you @Kerollos Adel Your explanation helped me a lot! Can you specify what would you consider a robust hands-on project in web and another one in mobile? Then I could go from basic to intermiate and then more advanced phases and explain them. I'm still deciding if my learning path will be on web or mobile...
The best thing you can do is follow along with the tutorial videos and build everything with your own hands — that’s what really ensures you fully understand each concept. There are also plenty of tutorial videos that include simple but very useful projects to help you move from beginner to intermediate smoothly.
Hi @Miguel Maria,
Already @Kerollos Adel covered the all the things but additionally I want to add that you can attend OutSystems events, user group meetups (virtual or local) and interact on forums. I have personally learned a lot by just asking questions and watching others solve real world problems.
Try refactoring your own older code. You will see where you overcomplicated or missed best practices.
Download reusable components analyze how they’re built, and try creating your own Forge component later. It’s a great confidence boost.
Mini Project Ideas for Practice:
A Leave Management System (basic CRUD, user roles, status workflows)
A Budget Tracker App (charts, form validations, data aggregation)
Patient Doctor Application for mobile application.
Thanks,
Sriyamini.J
Hi @Miguel Maria
Congratulations on starting with OutSystems. Don't worry, I am also self-studying for certifications and specialisations towards the Expert Developer with good progress, you can also do it. :-)
Besides the advises of @Kerollos Adel and @Sriyamini, I suggest you taking the online guided path "Becoming a Web Developer", then take your first certification (if you are willing to obtain any), in which I recommend taking Associate Developer (O11), then finish the guided path "From O11 to OutSystems Developer Cloud" (https://learn.outsystems.com/training/journeys/from-o11-to-odc-569) to obtain the badge of Associate Developer (ODC).
After becoming Associate Developer, you may decide which path you want to take (Web/Mobile/Front-end Developer, Architecture, Security, Tech Lead, Delivery, Platform Ops, DevOps...).
I'm also new in Outsystems, working in Outsystems i complete my 6 months as a Intern. So i share my experience and suggestions. This 2 Questions are important, what is Outsystems and why we use them. When I was in College Last Semester, I was started my learning journey with Outsytems (Free Online training) and for better understanding i was watching Ankit Lowcode on YouTube.
But when you came in Outsystems industries, you get more Knowledge about Outsystems, i don't know about Outsystems Architecture, dependencies refresh, modules dependencies etc.
So, i suggested you, First you can Start Your online Training and also active in Community to better understand Outsystems. Apply in Outsystems Developer School for free Certification.
Any type of Doubt, you can contact me.
Thank You.
@Abhishek Mandloi
You may take the guided path https://learn.outsystems.com/training/journeys/architecting-sustainable-apps-648 for O11 architectute, or https://learn.outsystems.com/training/journeys/odc-architecture-exam-957 for ODC one.
Hi Miguel,
As a beginner myself i had alot of help with the guided paths. For me it was important to know how the data flows in outsystems. How the aggregates work or data actions. When i've became better with that i've noticed the developing got easier also. Its a small tip but maybe it's usefull. Good luck!
By learning the guided path mentioned below, you will gain an understanding of how to implement a web application in OutSystems.
https://learn.outsystems.com/training/journeys/web-developer-662/outsystems-overview/o11/2155
https://learn.outsystems.com/training
https://learn.outsystems.com/training/catalog
Hello @Miguel Maria,
Plus all fantastic advices you got from our community members, I would like to share with you one more thing.
During your studying and practice journey you may need some coaching, help, or support from an OutSystems expert to explain to you how to solve some technical challenges and make sure that you are following best practice as well as he can encourage you to proceed with your journey.
please try to find a Mentor and start booking mentorship sessions with him, you will find many OutSystems experts on Adplist website and their availability.
Best of luck!
Hi Miguel Maria ,
Starting with OutSystems can be exciting and challenging! Here’s a structured way to approach learning it effectively:
OutSystems Guided Paths:
Hands-on Practice:
Documentation:
Regards,Padmakani M.