What Habits Did I Develop When I Was Learning Software Development?
A question has been rattling around in my head lately. Is there a symbiotic relationship between software development and me? While I am developing software, is it also developing me? For me yes, as a Junior Developer, there are lots of habits I acquired and developed while I was learning software development such as being really patient, reading documentation, analytical thinking, and problem-solving.
Firstly, I will discuss how software development made me a really patient person. Before I headed my way to software development, I need to mention that I had a wide business experience in various sectors including hospitality and media. For example, when I was working as a translator, I never searched for the meaning of a word or a sentence for more than one day. At least it did not block me to go forward with my project. Now I am searching for the solution to my technical problems, reading lots of documentation for days to go forward. I can say I am more patient in my life than before.
Reading the documentation, oh, most of us hate this, I know. But most of the time it is the best, most efficient, the smartest way to learn to use anything. It is not much different than reading the user’s manual of any product you freshly bought. Sometimes you realize a feature of the tool you had for 10 years and you start to think ‘Oh, I wish I would have known this before, it would save a lot of time!’ That’s the regret coming from not reading the user’s manual aka documentation.
Software Developers, similar to engineers, are generally known as problem solvers and analytical thinkers. No doubt, they are. For example, this is what I do almost every day. Pick a problem from your list. It might be an icon set that left your website some time ago or a component that does not want to work today, reading other developers’ code, or mostly the bugs while you build your software piece. Analyze the components of the problems and understand the relationship with the bigger picture. And find the solution. Right now it seems like a habit as Junior Developer but I feel it will be my second nature very soon.
So here you read my thoughts as a Junior Software Developer and I am sure you have more to add to these good habits. I would love to hear them down below in the comment section!
