Wordpress development course or code generator?

[andreasnrb]

Hello gang
I got two ambitious WordPress related services that I need help to decide on.

From what I can tell there are a few people that want to learn how to develop stuff for WordPress or just hack away at it.
I taught quite a few people how to develop and program when I was in university and they all passed their exams. So I know I can teach.
I'm thinking of a course that goes from the ground up in regards of plugin development for starters. New lessons each week. Theme development is not the priority. Also use screencapture and talking through how some popular plugins work.

The other idea is for those that already can program.
Basically a tool to generate the base for plugins. Menus, tabs, actions, filters etc.
You select what you want write menu names etc and it generates a zip with the code.

Both projects will cost money to participate in and use.

[davecoveney]

We do a WordPress Alpha course for people who can already code. Two days - first is how to use WordPress professionally, and second goes through all the steps of creating a threme.

It's pretty intensive though, has to be one to one, and quite tiring for both parties. But people seem happy.

[Ryan]

@davecoveney - do you do that in person or online?

[dancole]

The other idea is for those that already can program.
Basically a tool to generate the base for plugins. Menus, tabs, actions, filters etc.
You select what you want write menu names etc and it generates a zip with the code.

There are already some free WordPress plugin generators out there. Fun with WordPress has a basic one, but I seam to remember one that did a lot more. I'd be interested in seeing how popular this kind of service is, because I can't see much of a demand for it. People new to making WordPress Plugins don't know the Plugin API, but their better off reading tutorials and the Codex. This tool either creates a black box around the plugin API or it's a personalized tutorial that actually involves more work.

I see teaching as the way to go.

[andreasnrb]

The one at Fun with Wordpress ain't much of a codegenerator. Have checked the others and they are extremely basic. I've always viewed automated tools as a huge help when your over the first hump. Obviously the services wouldn't be targeted at the same group.
There is a lot of mundane work with wordpress plugins that a tool could do just as well.

Yep teaching will probably be the way to go gonna do some fast track market research first though.

[aaronwaggs]

The other idea is for those that already can program.
Basically a tool to generate the base for plugins. Menus, tabs, actions, filters etc.
You select what you want write menu names etc and it generates a zip with the code.

Personally, I don't see this as providing much value to a coder. Most coders enjoy figuring this stuff out on their own. Once they do, they can just reuse their own code in future projects and learn any additional pieces as they go.

[andreasnrb]

I get it you have never used a codegenerator before.

Some rambling
Most coders like to reinvent the wheel each time . They have never heard of or used TDD, BDD, Continues Integration, refactoring, agile development, design patterns, MVC, separation of presentation logic and business logic and more methods and principles.

But anyway theres no point in discussing it.

[davecoveney]

@davecoveney - do you do that in person or online?

In person. I think it would be hard to do online.

But, everything we do eventually gets out there in a different form.

We're planning a book, perhaps for later this year.

[andreasnrb]

Based on some search research I would say 0 people want either of this stuff hehe.
And given Matts responses in the interview here I would say he frowns upon anyone making money from wordpress related services.

[hallsofmontezuma]

Matt certainly does not frown on anyone making money from WordPress related services.