5 Signs of an Inexperienced Self-Taught Developer (and how to fix)

Summary

This video script addresses the challenges faced by self-taught developers in the tech industry, often perceived negatively by computer science graduates. The speaker outlines five signs of inexperience in non-traditional developers, such as focusing solely on making code work, making large changes to the codebase at once, constantly learning new languages without mastering concepts, working on too many tasks simultaneously, and avoiding code reviews. The script encourages embracing these criticisms as a learning opportunity to improve and grow in one's programming career.

Takeaways

• 😀 Self-taught developers are sometimes looked down upon by computer science graduates, who believe they give software engineering a bad reputation.
• 🔍 It's important for non-traditional developers to stand out by being good, reliable teammates and producing quality work.
• 📝 Sign 1: Inexperienced developers focus solely on making their code work without considering maintainability, readability, or scalability.
• 📚 Sign 2: They make large, sweeping changes to the codebase at once, leading to big pull requests that are hard to manage and review.
• 🔄 Sign 3: New developers often jump from one programming language or framework to another without mastering the underlying concepts of programming.
• 🔑 Sign 4: Working on too many tasks at once can lead to a lack of focus and reduced quality of work; it's better to complete one task at a time.
• 🚫 Sign 5: A reluctance to have others review and critique code can hinder growth and improvement as a developer.
• 📈 To improve, developers should plan their tasks, commit often with tested code, and break down large features into manageable parts.
• 🌐 Learning programming concepts is more beneficial than learning multiple languages, as the core ideas can be applied across different syntaxes.
• 🤝 Embrace code reviews and feedback as a way to learn and improve coding practices, rather than avoiding criticism.
• 💼 Focus on delivering quality work and becoming a reliable developer rather than juggling multiple tasks and spreading oneself too thin.

Q & A

What is the main concern expressed by the speaker about computer science graduates towards self-taught developers?

The speaker suggests that computer science graduates may view self-taught developers as imposters who are giving software engineering a bad reputation, and they believe the industry should be regulated to ensure only qualified individuals are involved.

What are the five signs of an inexperienced, non-traditional developer according to the speaker?

The five signs are: 1) Thinking only in terms of making code work, 2) Making huge changes to the code base at once, 3) Constantly learning new programming languages or frameworks without mastering the underlying concepts, 4) Working on too many different things at once, and 5) Avoiding having others see or critique their code.

Why is it important for developers to move beyond just making their code work?

It's important because, over time, developers need to consider the readability, maintainability, and scalability of their code, as well as how it fits into the existing codebase, to ensure long-term success and collaboration in a team environment.

What is the recommended approach to handling a new task or feature in software development?

The recommended approach is to first make observations, gather information, and understand the requirements before writing any code. Then, plan the feature, commit often with each completed task, and test each commit. Finally, push the code and create a pull request for review once the feature is fully working and tested.

Why should developers avoid making huge changes to the code base at once?

Making huge changes at once can make it difficult to diagnose problems, as it's hard to pinpoint what exactly caused an issue. It's better to make smaller, more manageable changes that can be reviewed and tested more easily.

What is the speaker's advice on learning new programming languages or frameworks?

The speaker advises focusing on mastering the underlying concepts of programming rather than learning many different languages for their syntax. If learning a new language is necessary, it should be done with a focus on understanding the deeper concepts, such as by learning a lower-level language.

Why is it beneficial to focus on one task at a time as a new developer?

Focusing on one task at a time allows a new developer to fully understand the requirements and deliver high-quality work. It helps in building a reputation as a reliable team member who consistently meets deadlines and produces maintainable code.

What is the speaker's view on code reviews and their importance in a developer's growth?

The speaker views code reviews as a crucial part of a developer's growth, as they provide an opportunity to receive constructive criticism and learn from more experienced developers, ultimately leading to better coding practices.

How can a developer ensure that their code is maintainable and scalable?

A developer can ensure maintainability and scalability by considering the design and structure of their code from the beginning, using best practices, and regularly refactoring to improve code quality.

What is the speaker's suggestion for handling criticism of one's code?

The speaker suggests embracing criticism as a learning opportunity, using it to understand areas for improvement, and applying the feedback to enhance one's coding skills.

Why is it important for developers to commit often and create pull requests for review?

Committing often and creating pull requests allows for continuous integration and feedback from the team, which helps in identifying and resolving issues early in the development process, ensuring code quality and collaboration.