3 Essential Tips for Beginning and Current Programmers
Approximately 12 years ago, I wrote my first program on a TINY PC. My first program, like many others, printed the words “Hello, World” onto my computer screen. As the years passed I have become acquainted with dozens of programming languages, built many applications and currently hold various programming and development roles.
Based on these experiences and my reflections, along with readings of programming books, articles and viewings of many technology talks, keynotes and tutorials — here are my three fundamental tips for beginning and current programmers.
1. Learn the basics, and learn them well
Elon Musk is the CEO and CTO of a number of multi-billion dollar companies (notably Paypal, SpaceX and Tesla Motors), and is particularly renowned for self-developing a proficient understanding in aerospace, mechanical, electrical and software engineering. In his Ask-Me-Anything thread on Reddit, he was asked: “…Do you have any advice on learning? How are you so good at it?”.
His response was: “make sure you understand the fundamental principles, ie the trunk and big branches, before you get into the leaves/details or there is nothing for them to hang on to.”
To become a good programmer, it is important to learn the underlying concepts and to learn them very well. The art of programming extends further and further, and the absence of these important underlying principles can leave a programmer lost when they are confronted with more advanced topics.
2. Learn programming by working on a project
Aristotle, a Greek philosopher and scientist, once said that “For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.”
Programming is much like Mathematics; you learn best by practicing problems and failing during the process — as the key is how you recover from failure effectively.
To learn effectively, you need to think of a potential programming project and work on it. Maybe an app, a website, a game or even a collaboration with a friend who has an idea. Spend time researching into similar ideas, what approaches were taken and how you should aim to start.
Through this approach, you will not only learn programming — but also learn how to turn your idea into a reality, a skill in itself.
3. Learn how to Google
I often say “Do not ask a question that you can Google”. I live, breathe and operate by this as it enables me to ask the right questions at the right time, and spend my own time researching into a topic when required.
Googling is an art — and programmers do this on a daily basis. A programmer should aim to be efficient, have a strategy for problem-solving and aim to strike the right balance between cost and benefit.
As an example, it is better to avoid spending 5 hours figuring out a problem if you can spend 5 minutes Googling for an answer— as you can almost guarantee another programmer has faced a similar problem, asked for answers online and has received a ton of different solutions. Some may argue that the former enforces a discipline in figuring out a problem yourself, along with the satisfaction of doing so. However, in my experiences, I have found that I learnt more by working ‘smart’ as much as I did by working ‘hard’.
Conclusion
There are many more lessons to learn along the path to becoming a good programmer, but I believe these are the fundamental first steps that must be mastered early on and will have a huge impact in the long run.
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About Me
A to-be computer science graduate with interests in education, web and security. Read more at imdadahad.com.
Credits
Special thanks to @uharoon94 for early draft comments
