Explain like I'm five

As developers, we often make things more complicated than they need to be. I focus on making ideas easy to grasp before delving into the finer points.

About Me

Hello, my name is Dejan. I am a self-taught Full Stack TypeScript Software Engineer & an empathetic Team/Tech Lead with over a decade of hands-on experience. Since February 2014, I have been leveraging my coding skills professionally, initially as a freelancer and now as a dedicated full-time engineer.

I am recognized for my ability to quickly grasp new technologies and concepts, yet I value taking the time to deeply understand the underlying principles. This approach allows me to see the bigger picture and deliver robust, maintainable solutions. I am committed to best practices and high standards, always striving to build things the right way rather than settling for quick fixes. Attention to detail and a passion for continuous improvement define my work.

The Blog

There are two main reasons I started this blog.

First, it serves as a personal knowledge base where I document my learning journey, making it easy to revisit and reinforce concepts as needed.

Second, I aim to share my understanding with a broader audience. Coming from a non-traditional background, I know how challenging it can be to grasp complex topics without formal training. I believe in clear, accessible explanations—breaking down concepts to their fundamentals before exploring deeper technical details. Therefore, I am a huge fan of explaining things like you talking to a 5 year old.

My goal is to make learning approachable for everyone, regardless of their background, and to encourage others to explore the how and why behind the technologies we use.

Learning in Public

I am a strong advocate of the Learning in Public philosophy. While it can be daunting to expose your thought process and work to public scrutiny, it is an invaluable way to test and solidify your understanding. Through this blog, I commit to sharing my learning journey openly, embracing mistakes as opportunities for growth and continuous improvement.

I am certain that I will make mistakes along the way, but I view them as essential steps in the process of refining my knowledge and skills.

Things I do in my spare time

Outside of work, I continue to pursue personal and professional growth. I enjoy spending quality time with my family and am constantly seeking out new articles, books, and tutorials to expand my knowledge.

Mentorship is something I am particularly passionate about. I have had the privilege of mentoring several junior developers, many of whom have gone on to secure freelance opportunities, internships, and full-time roles.

Additionally, I have been training in parkour since 2011. Although finding time for regular practice can be challenging, my enthusiasm for the discipline remains strong.

I believe that continuous learning and sharing knowledge are key to both personal fulfillment and professional excellence.

Open Source Projects