Re:Imba: A new programming language for web apps
by dennisgorelik on Friday January 15, 2016 @10:32PM
(#10914104)
I am also cautious about learning new technologies and very carefully select what I actually learn.
Using proven techniques and tools makes experienced people more productive even if their raw mental abilities decline with age.
Learning and testing new technologies is expensive and most of the time leads nowhere.
I actively try to avoid learning when pursuing side projects. With side projects, the idea is to explore a domain rather than tools. My current side project, a productivity / accounting app, requires no new knowledge, and I want to keep it that way.
I am very skeptical that, after a certain level of proficiency, that significant time spent in other programming paradigms makes you better all around. I went through HtDP several years ago, and thought it was wonderful, but I don't program that way now. I do not TDD everything, or even most things, even though I know how to do it and why you would want to. You take the best parts of everything you come across, and throw away what you don't like.
The longer I code, the more I default to the tried-and-true. Everything else just seems counter-productive.