Dev's Glow-Up Saga: From Vercel Hosting Fiascos to Docker/S3 Mastery & Hetzner Servers – AI Crutches Included, Self-Doubt Not

A software developer has reflected on their progress over the past year, noting significant growth in their skills and knowledge. At the beginning of last year, they had only basic knowledge of back-end development, struggling to set up authentication and host their app on platforms like Render or Vercel. However, through dedication and practice, they have since built complex back-end systems, handling large files and streaming them to S3 buckets, and have become proficient in using Docker containers, PostgreSQL databases, and Linux. They now maintain servers on Hetzner and have grown more confident in tackling challenges, thanks in part to the use of AI in their workflow. The developer encourages others to challenge themselves and learn new skills, emphasizing that failures are an essential part of growth and improvement. By sharing their personal experience, the developer highlights the importance of perseverance and self-reflection in the tech industry, where continuous learning and adaptation are crucial for success.