Things I Wish I Knew Earlier As A Developer

Quami Killy
4 min readSep 18, 2022

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Photo by Desola Lanre-Ologun on Unsplash

Software development is challenging, especially when you first start. It’s easy to feel like the only thing standing between you and success is that one piece of code you can’t seem to crack. You might spend hours searching for answers on Google or reading tutorial after tutorial, but sometimes nothing beats real-world experience. As someone who just started their career as a software developer, there are many things I wish I knew earlier. But luckily, we all have the opportunity to learn from our mistakes and grow as an individual. Here are some of the things I wish I knew earlier as a software developer:

Everyone Is Different — Don’t Feel Bad If You’re Not Great At Everything

When you’re learning to code, there are going to be times when you feel like you’re not a great coder. It’s okay to feel this way because everyone is different. You may have a better understanding of certain things, but that doesn’t mean you’re a better coder than someone else. Remember to take things one step at a time and don’t be afraid to ask questions when you don’t understand something. After all, no one knows everything. There are also a lot of resources out there that can help you learn to code. So don’t be afraid to explore them.

Learn To Write Good Code

Programming is a craft; like any craft, it needs to be learned. There are no shortcuts to good code. The best way to learn is to write code every day. There are many different ways to write bad code — from typos to logic errors and design flaws. Learning to recognize these issues will help you write better code in the long run. One way to improve your writing skills is to practice! Writing code isn’t easy, so taking breaks to review what you’ve written can be helpful. When you’re done, take time to make sure your code is working as expected. If something looks off, make sure you understand why it’s wrong before fixing it.

Working Remote Means, You Need Good Communication Skills

Being a developer who works remotely, I know how important it is to have good communication skills. But communication doesn’t just mean talking to your team. It also means communicating with your clients, communicating with your manager, and communicating with people who can help you grow as a developer. You might be working remotely, but it’s important that you stay connected to your team.

You can do this by setting up regular catch-up calls where you discuss your progress, ask for help, and provide updates on what you’re working on. You should also make sure to have regular calls with your manager so they can see how you are progressing. The same goes for your clients — stay in regular communication with them so they know what’s happening and can also provide feedback on what you’re doing. Lastly, don’t be afraid to reach out to other developers or even your managers to ask for help. There’s no such thing as a silly question; there are always people willing to help.

Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help

One of the things I wish I knew earlier as a developer is that you don’t have to go through everything alone. Some people know more than you, people who will help you, and people who have been in your shoes before. Don’t be afraid to ask for help — whether it’s from other team members, online communities, or even your manager, don’t let pride get in the way of your progress in your career. Sometimes the best way to learn is by looking at other people’s code or even asking someone to walk you through a problem step by step

Photo by Desola Lanre-Ologun on Unsplash

Conclusion

After reading this, you might feel like you have a lot to do. That’s completely normal! Becoming a successful developer takes time, and it’s not something that happens overnight. But don’t let that discourage you. We all have to start somewhere. If you’re just starting, don’t feel bad if you don’t know everything. Everyone has to learn at some point, and every mistake is an opportunity to learn something new. You’ll get there, and you’ll enjoy the ride.

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