Which is better, a Course (Videos) or a Book to learn Software Development

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A frequently asked question is which format is superior for learning a new technology (specifically in software development): a video course or a book/PDF/ePub.

I'll give you the obvious answer upfront: There is no format that is better than the other. The ideal format is the one that best suits your personal needs and preferences. However, below I present my reasons why I prefer the book format.

1. The Book's Fundamental Advantage: Quick Search and Reference

My preference for the book format is due to its versatility and speed as reference material:

The Video Problem: When I return to a technology after a while, I often have gaps about how something was installed or how a specific piece of code worked. My courses are 40-50 hours long, and searching for the exact reference is a nightmare; I have to navigate class by class, minute by minute, since it's difficult to search for the exact content within the video.

The Book Solution: In a book, if I don't remember what a code snippet does, I simply search for the keyword and get the direct explanation. The book offers quick and accurate reference, which is vital when you only need to recall a detail to keep moving forward.

2. Storage and Volatility Aspects

The book format also wins in terms of portability and durability:

Lightness: A book (PDF/ePub) weighs a few KB or MB. I can have an entire library on a tablet or Kindle that weighs negligibly.

Video Heaviness: A 30 or 40-hour course can easily weigh 20 to 30 GB. Not only is it difficult to store, but platforms often limit or complicate its download.

Permanence: A PDF you download is yours (as long as you back it up in multiple locations). Online courses are subject to service volatility (the platform could close, or the course could be unpublished). A PDF is support material that no one can take away from you.

3. Ease of Update (My Particular Case)

For me, as a creator, books are easier to keep up to date:

• Video (Hybrid): Updating a 40-hour course (for example, from Laravel 6 to Laravel 11) is almost impossible to do comprehensively. It results in a hybrid where old and new code coexist.
• Book (Total): Renovating a book is much simpler. References and code examples are quickly updated to the new version (e.g., transition from Laravel 10 to Laravel 11, 12…) without leaving mixed content. This guarantees that the student always receives the cleanest and most recent version of the technology.

4. When is the Video Format Superior?

Despite my preference, video is the dominant format in today's society and has an undeniable advantage in specific contexts:

Complex Graphical Interfaces: If you are learning a technology that involves many windows, icons, buttons, and view management (such as Blender, Unreal Engine, or an IDE like Xcode or Android Studio), video is the best option.

The "Windows" Hell: Reading in a book "click here, then click on option X, then maximize the view" becomes an abstract hell and consumes many pages. It's much more digestible to see the step-by-step with audio and video in real time.

Software with Versions: If the software is constantly updated (like Xcode), video can offer a more faithful demonstration of the latest version than a book, whose printed version can quickly become outdated.

Conclusion: The book is king for quick reference and permanence. However, video is essential when the technology requires a high visual component and explicit interface guidance.