Re:Effective Learning Strategies for Programmers
by danieltillett on Sunday October 11, 2015 @06:56PM
(#10371476)
Yes practice is the key, but don’t just spend your time doing the software equivalent of scales, actually try and build something that is difficult and complex. I have always learnt the most when I am trying to solve real problems rather than toy problems, plus I am more motivated when I know the effort is going to result in something useful.
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Re:Effective Learning Strategies for Programmers
by clay_to_n on Sunday October 11, 2015 @08:12PM
(#10371765)
I mostly agree, but for some types of projects I think the initial setup phase can be worth doing as a scale, because it's important and often under-practiced.
Server deployment, setting up a build system, wiring up some system that you know you'll do again, etc - there are benefits to knowing a process that works, rather than stumbling through it each time and thinking it's magic. Another thing that helps is just writing down all the steps you did, after going down a windy path that eventually worked.
Re:Effective Learning Strategies for Programmers
by danieltillett on Sunday October 11, 2015 @08:43PM
(#10371866)
I agree 100% with documenting what you did when setting up a system/server. I do this (most of the time) and the ability to go back and look at what was done is invaluable. I just wish I did it more often - I something think something is so obvious that I don’t need to write it down and 6 months later I kick myself for being so lazy!