4 Steps To Start And Become A Great Developer (Golden Rules That You Wanna Steal)
“Programming isn’t about what you know; it’s about what you can figure out.” ~ Chris Pine
Here you are, filled with passion to do something big, to create the next Apple. Thinking where to start and where to go. Looking for guidance in the hope that it will solve all your problems at once.
Don’t worry, it is not just you who finds it difficult to bring that clarity of the process to make you a great developer.
1. Choose a Language And Understand The Basic Fundamentals Concepts
What does not work?
Skipping the fundamentals, not trying to learn in-depth from any one course, and not being experimental.
Shiny-object syndrome is quite common in beginner developers. It is the tendency for someone to chase something new, be it a new idea, trend, or goal, rather than to stay focused on what they’re doing.
At the heart of it, the issue with the shiny object syndrome is a distraction. No matter if you call it exploring or what, you are being constantly drawn to new ideas and tools, and abandoning important tasks in the process.
What happens when you do this?
- You never get things done.
- You spend all the time in some fancy tools, of which 95% are noise, rather than building the fundamentals.
- You become a jack of all trades and not good enough in any one thing.
What should you do?
Depending on your end goal choose a language, probably Javascript, C++, Java, or Python, all are awesome in their own ways.
Make programs and learn the basic foundation. There are many free tutorials available that can easily get you started and are probably better than paid ones.
But no matter how much videos interest you, don’t forget to read articles. Many great explanations are written and not recorded.
One simple rule, keep learning a topic until you are able to explain it to someone else in your own way.
2. Build Projects, Projects, and Projects
“The only way to learn a new programming language is by writing programs in it.” ~Dennis Ritchie (creator of C language)
The best way to become a better software developer is by creating better softwares. If not alone, then with a team, but create softwares.
If we are in an elevator and you ask for the one advice to become a great software developer, it will be “Build Projects”.
What does not work?
- Not being experimental
- Following the course only
- Preparing only enough to clear your exams.
What happens when you do this?
- You do not gain the confidence as a developer.
- It may get hard for you to thrive in a job role. (in many ways)
- You will definitely not find yourself enjoying programming to the fullest.
What should you do?
If you don’t have a team, no problem, start small and go slow.
If you have a team, start small and go fast, delegate.
Always, Deliberate Practice to learn.
Deliberate practice is taking a systematic and specific approach to improvement that builds over time, rather than simply doing the same thing over and over and over. It is about being effortful in nature while practicing to improve.
Start simple from wherever you are and make progress by getting good in one thing. Be good in that and then try the next thing in the same field.
Like once you have learned to build a static website, try to build a dynamic one. Then try to deploy it. Then try to add different integrations to your website and so on…
3. Be Consistent
“I’m not a great programmer; I’m just a good programmer with great habits.” ~Kent Beck (Creator of Extreme Programming Methodology)
Harsh Truth of The Day:- Becoming a great developer, even a good one, isn’t easy. It takes a lot and lots of time and practice.
What does not work?
Being overconfident about your skill as a developer just because you created something good by following a course.
Dunning-Kruger effect is also quite common in people who don’t want to work hard and just want to look fancy. It is a type of cognitive bias that causes people to overestimate their knowledge or ability, particularly in areas with which they have little to no experience.
What should you do?
Make programming your habit and learn daily. Enjoy the journey. The main goal is to have a good understanding of fundamentals and concepts. The main goal is to obtain the skill of software development, not to win some races.
Every developer copies code and that is totally okay. Actually, more than okay, it is a great skill. But not being able to write even the simplest code without looking on the internet is worrisome.
It is a journey. Don’t run for a destination and leave stations behind. Be slow, learn properly, learn in-depth, understand the why of every small thing, and the best, try teaching it to someone.
4. Get A Job or Internship
What does not work?
- Not expanding your knowledge by working in a team
- Not using different tech stacks
- Not creating large-scale projects that are used by a lot of users.
What you should do?
When you are confident enough or believe that you know some basic programming you may want to step into the development industry by starting with an internship.
Getting a good internship or a job will let you explore live projects. Working on a live project gives you an opportunity to learn and enhance your skills and sometimes even get paid.
Even if you are not getting paid you get an opportunity to make your network in the industry for future references and placements.
Software development is a field where you will be defined by your skills. So keep learning…
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Hope you enjoyed reading and this blog helped you. Remember there is no shortcut to becoming a good developer. You have to be consistent and keep practicing. All the best in your journey 🚀
Which step was missing from your growth plan? Comment below…
Adios amigos ❤️
