Learning Record 0001
Learner is an experienced web dev (PHP, jQuery, CSS, some JS + a little React) with no Python and no modern-stack experience, targeting a UAE full-stack role in 6–8 weeks at 3–4 hrs/day. Strong on web fundamentals (HTTP, server-rendering, DOM), so Python is a syntax shift rather than a from-zero learn, and React is a refresh not a new concept.
Decided the curriculum is built around one capstone project ("DocChat": upload documents → ask questions via RAG), threaded through all phases, because UAE interviews reward being able to demo and talk through one real end-to-end app. Ordering: Python → FastAPI → Postgres/SQL → React refresh → Next.js → RAG → DevOps/deploy → polish & apply.
Implications: start lessons at Python (mapped from PHP), skip beginner padding, keep everything concise and interview-framed. Differentiator to emphasise = RAG, since it's the rarest skill in the target stack. See Mission.