How to Think like A GENIUS Programmer

Summary

The video script emphasizes the distinction between coders and programmers, advocating for a programming mindset over mere coding skills. It introduces the 'black box' approach for modular and scalable code development, stressing the importance of collaboration, code readability, and the judicious use of existing libraries to enhance efficiency. The script also encourages learning from failures and thinking in terms of processes rather than specific languages, promoting adaptability and continuous improvement as key to becoming a proficient programmer.

Takeaways

• 🤔 A good coder is not necessarily a good programmer; coding is about writing sentences, while programming is about crafting a complete narrative.
• 🔍 The 'blackbox method' encourages focusing on the inputs and outputs of a program without initially worrying about the internal workings.
• 📝 Good programmers prioritize testing and scalability, considering how their code will be used in larger systems and how it will interact with other components.
• 🧩 Modularizing code through the blackbox approach allows for easier updates and optimizations without affecting the entire system.
• 🤝 Collaboration is key in programming; writing clean, well-documented, and understandable code is crucial for successful teamwork.
• 🔧 It's important to consider the long-term maintainability of your code, thinking about how future changes might impact the team.
• 🛠️ A good programmer knows when to leverage existing libraries and frameworks to save time and improve reliability, rather than reinventing the wheel.
• 💡 Using pre-built tools is not a shortcut but a smart practice that exposes programmers to industry standards and efficient ways of solving problems.
• 🌐 Thinking in terms of processes rather than specific programming languages allows for adaptability and the ability to learn new technologies quickly.
• 🔄 Embracing failure as a learning opportunity is essential for growth; bugs and errors provide valuable feedback for improving code and problem-solving skills.

Q & A

What is the difference between a good coder and a good programmer according to the transcript?

A good coder is someone who can write code, while a good programmer is someone who can think at a higher level, focusing on the bigger picture, testing, and scalability of the code.

What is the blackbox method mentioned in the transcript?

The blackbox method is an approach where programmers focus on the inputs and outputs of their code without worrying about the internal workings at first. This helps in focusing on the bigger picture and testing the code effectively.

Why is it important to create test cases with edge scenarios when programming?

Creating test cases with edge scenarios ensures that the code works reliably under various conditions, including empty lists, lists with only one item, or lists with repeating elements.

How does thinking in terms of black boxes help in modularizing and scaling code?

Thinking in terms of black boxes allows programmers to break down a system into independent parts that interact with each other. This makes it easier to focus on relationships and design, and also simplifies updates or optimizations without affecting the rest of the system.

Why is collaboration considered a core skill for programmers?

Collaboration is a core skill because programmers often work in teams and need to write code that is understandable and maintainable by other team members. It also involves considering how code will fit into the existing system and interact with other components.

What does the transcript suggest about using existing code or libraries in programming?

The transcript suggests that using existing code or libraries is a smart practice, as it allows programmers to leverage well-tested solutions and focus their time and energy on unique aspects of the project that require their expertise.

How should programmers approach learning and using new programming languages?

Programmers should think in terms of processes rather than specific languages. They should understand underlying concepts and methodologies that are applicable across different languages and technologies.

What is the importance of failure in programming according to the transcript?

Failure in programming is seen as an inevitable and valuable part of learning. Every bug or error is an opportunity to understand the code better and improve it, which is essential for continuous growth as a programmer.

Why is it important for programmers to make their code clean, well-documented, and easy to understand?

Making code clean, well-documented, and easy to understand ensures that teammates can pick up the code and understand it without needing a deep dive into the original thought process. This is crucial for collaboration and maintaining the code in the long run.

What does the transcript suggest about the mindset programmers should have towards failure?

The transcript suggests that programmers should view failure as feedback rather than a setback. They should continuously learn from their mistakes and improve their code, embracing the problem-solving nature of programming.

Outlines

00:00

💡 Thinking Like a Programmer: The Blackbox Method and Collaboration

This paragraph emphasizes the distinction between coding and programming, highlighting that being a good coder doesn't necessarily equate to being a good programmer. The key to programming is thinking like a programmer, which involves the use of the blackbox method. This method involves focusing on the inputs and outputs of a piece of code without initially worrying about its internal workings. This approach is crucial for creating test cases, including edge cases, and for modularizing and scaling code. The paragraph also stresses the importance of collaboration, suggesting that writing code is not just for oneself but for the entire team. It's essential to write clean, well-documented, and understandable code to facilitate team collaboration. The blackbox method is a form of abstraction that helps manage complexity by breaking down problems into smaller, manageable pieces.

05:01

🔧 Embracing Reusability and Learning from Failure in Programming

The second paragraph discusses the importance of reusability in programming, suggesting that a good programmer knows when to leverage existing code and libraries to solve problems efficiently. It argues against the notion of reinventing the wheel and encourages the use of well-tested libraries and frameworks to save time and effort. The paragraph also touches on the importance of understanding the tools being used, rather than just copying and pasting code without comprehension. Furthermore, it stresses the value of learning from failure, viewing bugs and errors as opportunities for learning and improvement. The mindset of embracing failure as feedback is highlighted as crucial for continuous growth and development in programming.

Keywords

💡Coding

Coding refers to the process of writing instructions in a specific programming language to create software or applications. In the context of the video, coding is likened to writing sentences, which are individual and self-contained, whereas programming is like crafting an entire storyline, requiring a broader perspective and understanding. The video emphasizes that being a good coder doesn't necessarily equate to being a good programmer, as the latter involves more complex problem-solving and system design.

💡Programmer

A programmer is someone who designs, writes, tests, and maintains software. The video distinguishes between coders and programmers, suggesting that while coding is a skill, programming is an art that involves a deeper understanding of how different parts of a system interact. The video encourages aspiring programmers to think in terms of 'black boxes,' focusing on the inputs and outputs of their code without getting bogged down in the details initially.

💡Blackbox Method

The blackbox method is a programming approach where developers focus on the functionality of their code as a whole, without initially worrying about the internal workings. The video uses the example of merging two lists to illustrate this concept, emphasizing that the programmer should first consider how to test the code and how to scale it, rather than jumping straight into writing the code. This method helps in creating a clear vision of what the code should achieve, which is crucial for effective programming.

💡Modularize

Modularize refers to the process of breaking down a complex system into smaller, independent, and interchangeable parts, or modules. The video explains that by thinking in terms of black boxes, programmers can naturally modularize their code, making it easier to manage and scale. This approach allows for individual components to be updated or optimized without affecting the rest of the system, which is a key aspect of effective programming and collaboration.

💡Collaboration

Collaboration in programming involves working with other developers to create, maintain, and improve software. The video stresses that collaboration is not just a soft skill but a core skill for programmers. It highlights the importance of writing code that is clean, well-documented, and easy to understand, so that team members can work together effectively. Good collaboration ensures that code is maintainable and that team members can understand and build upon each other's work.

💡Abstraction

Abstraction in programming is the concept of hiding the complex reality behind a simpler interface. The video uses the blackbox method as an example of abstraction, where the internal workings of the code are not the initial focus. Abstraction allows programmers to manage complexity by dealing with smaller, more manageable pieces of the problem, which is essential for handling large and complex software projects.

💡Algorithm

An algorithm is a set of steps or rules used to solve a problem or perform a computation. The video mentions the importance of considering how an algorithm will fit into the existing system and interact with other components when it is being developed. This highlights the need for programmers to think beyond the immediate task and consider the broader implications of their code, which is crucial for creating maintainable and scalable software.

💡Documentation

Documentation in programming refers to the written instructions and explanations that accompany the code to help others understand how it works. The video emphasizes the importance of well-documented code for effective collaboration. Clear documentation ensures that team members can understand and maintain the code, which is vital for the long-term success of a software project.

💡Refactoring

Refactoring is the process of restructuring existing computer code without changing its external behavior to improve nonfunctional attributes of the software. The video suggests that programmers should build code that is easy to refactor, which means it should be adaptable to changes in requirements or improvements in technology. This ability to evolve the code is a sign of good programming practice.

💡Libraries and Frameworks

Libraries and frameworks are pre-built collections of code that provide specific functionality. The video argues that a good programmer knows when to use existing libraries and frameworks to their advantage, rather than reinventing the wheel. This approach allows programmers to focus on unique aspects of their projects and leverage proven solutions to common problems, which is a smart and efficient way to program.

💡Processes

In the context of the video, processes refer to the underlying concepts and methodologies that are applicable across different programming languages and technologies. The video encourages programmers to think in terms of processes rather than being limited to specific languages. This mindset allows for greater adaptability and the ability to learn and apply new technologies effectively.

💡Failure

Failure in programming is presented as an inevitable and valuable part of the learning process. The video encourages programmers to view bugs and failures as opportunities for learning and improvement, rather than as setbacks. This mindset is crucial for continuous growth and for developing robust and reliable software.

Highlights

Most coders aspire to work in big tech but the reality is that not all will succeed due to the difference between coding and programming.

Coding is like writing sentences, while programming is akin to crafting an entire storyline.

The blackbox method is introduced as a way to think like a programmer by focusing on inputs and outputs without initial concern for internal code workings.

Focusing on the bigger picture through blackboxing helps in creating test cases and modularizing code for scalability.

Collaboration is not just a soft skill but a core skill for programmers, emphasizing the importance of working with others in tech jobs.

Writing code is not just for oneself but for the team, requiring clean, well-documented, and understandable code.

The importance of considering long-term maintainability and the impact of coding decisions on the team is discussed.

Using existing code and libraries is encouraged as a smart practice, not laziness, to save time and effort on well-solved problems.

Understanding the tools and libraries used is crucial, even when leveraging pre-built code.

Learning from pre-built tools exposes programmers to industry standards and new ways of thinking.

Thinking in terms of processes rather than specific programming languages is key to adapting to different technologies.

Understanding underlying concepts and methodologies is more important than knowing syntax for specific languages.

The ability to iterate on ideas and adapt approaches is essential for a programmer's growth.

Failure in programming is inevitable and should be seen as valuable feedback for improvement.

Bugs and errors are opportunities to understand and improve code, rather than setbacks.

Continuous improvement on failures is a hallmark of a good programmer.

Transcripts

most coders want to work in big Tech but

most coders won't most coders want to

become good programmers but the reality

is most coders won't and the reason why

is because a good coder does not equal a

good programmer think of coding like

writing sentences and think of

programming like writing an entire

storyline and if you can't think like a

programmer well how do you expect to do

that so this is how to think like a

programmer the blackbox method let's say

you need to develop some code that takes

in two lists and outputs the merged

results of these two lists a good

programmer will immediately think of two

things how to test this code and how to

scale and notice how we haven't actually

implemented any code yet this is what

the blackbox method is essentially we

know the inputs and outputs of our code

but we deliberately don't worry about

the internal workings just yet now why

is this important well first it forces

you to focus on the bigger picture by

treating your code as a black box you

have clear expectations for what the

code should do for example if I give it

two lists one containing 135 and the

other 2 46 the output should be 1

through six how the code achieves this

isn't important at this stage but what

matters is that it takes these inputs

and reliably produces the correct output

for one this allows you to create test

cases with Edge scenarios like empty

lists list with only one items or

repeating elements and two this method

is essential to help modularize and

scale your code because let's say you

have a much bigger project with several

components by thinking in terms of black

boxes you naturally break your system

into several independent parts that

interact with each other this allows you

to focus on relationships and a clear

goal driven design when coding this also

means that if one of these boxes needs

to be updated or optimized you can do so

without affecting the rest of the system

so basically the black box method is

just a cooler term for abstraction and

as you can tell abstraction allows you

to manage complexity by breaking down a

problem into much smaller pieces without

getting bogged down in the details too

early which is an essential mindset for

a programmer collaboration isn't just a

soft skill it's a core skill for any

successful program if you're not good at

collaborating with others how do you

expect to ever land a tech job for

example let's say you need to come up

with an algorithm that's going to be

reused in other parts of the codebase

this isn't something you can just whip

up in isolation and call it a day you

need to think about things like how this

algorithm will fit into the existing

system how it'll interact with other

components and how other team members

will use it so basically you need to

realize you're not just writing code for

yourself you're writing it for your team

and the last thing they want is to look

at your code and not understand it at

all so it's up to you to ensure that

your code is clean well documented and

easy to understand make sure you use

meaningful names follow coding

conventions and use comments basically

try and make your code as easy to

understand as possible you'll know

you're on the the right track when your

teammates can pick up your code and

understand it without needing a deep

dive into your thought process and you

also need to recognize that the

algorithm you write today might be

maintained by someone else tomorrow so

it's important you consider how your

coding decisions can impact the team in

the long run will it be easy to update

if the requirements change have you

built it in a way that makes it easy for

extensions or refactoring and the more

you think about these things the more of

a habit they'll become and trust me if

you can get in the habit of making

readable and adjustable code you'll

already be thinking more like a

programmer than a coder improve the

wheel this one might be controversial

but in my experience a good programmer

knows when to use other code for their

advantage now when I say use other code

I don't just mean use chat gbt to write

your whole project let's say you need to

develop some sort of user authentication

system you could spend weeks or even

months developing this from scratch but

why do that when there's countless well-

tested libraries and Frameworks like

ooth or JWT which have already solved

this problem so basically what I'm

saying is you need again the habit of

using tools like these to solve your

problems for you it's not about being

lazy it's about being smart as a

programmer your time and energy are the

most important things you have and they

should be spent on the parts of the

project that truly require your unique

input but let me be clear using other

code doesn't mean just blindly copying

and pasting without understanding what's

happening under the hood you should

always take the time to learn the tools

you're working with this way you're not

just assembling code you're building a

deep understanding of the systems as

well now some might argue that using

pre-built libraries or Frameworks means

you're not really learning or improving

but that's not true at all in fact by

using tools you're exposing yourself to

the industry standards and new ways of

thinking you're learning how to

integrate different components how to

read and understand other people's code

and how to make informed decisions about

which tools are right for the job which

are all essential skills to think like a

programmer think in terms of processes

if you're a beginner you've probably

spent the majority of your time

mastering one or two programming linku

and this is great because it helps you

build a strong Foundation but what

happens when you need to learn a new

language because let's face it every

company uses different Technologies and

you'll inevitably need to adapt the key

is to think in terms of processes rather

than just code because when you focus

only on the specifics of one or two

languages you limit yourself to that

language's Paradigm but programming is

more than just knowing how to write for

Loops or functions in Python it's about

understanding the underlying Concepts

and methodologies that are used

everywhere so you need to start by

really understanding the different

possible solutions for a problem before

even thinking about the code for example

if you're asked to build a feature that

sorts a list of items instead of

immediately writing code think about the

process what's the most efficient way to

sort this data what are the trade-offs

between different sorting algorithms or

let's say you get asked to create a

class that can insert and remove

elements you need to think about which

data structures will be best fit for

your specific constraints and

specifications these are all examples of

what makes a good programmer knowing

what to use and when to use it and if

you get really good at understanding

these processes figuring out how to

apply it into code will become 100 times

easier because from here all you have to

do is convert your process into the

specifics of whatever language you're

using and it's also important to

understand that your first processes

might not always be the best so it's up

to you to be willing to iterate on your

ideas and adapt your approaches because

overall if you want to think like a

programmer you need to be willing to

adapt to new ideas and change your

existing on let's talk about something

that can make or break a programmer

failure in programming failure is not

just inevitable it's valuable every

error bug and failure to solve a problem

is one step towards your learning you

see pretty much everyone at every level

makes mistakes and it's impossible to

write perfect code all the time which is

why you need to start seeing bugs as an

an opportunity to understand your code

and to better improve it you need to

recognize that failure isn't a setback

it's feedback when something goes wrong

view it as an opportunity to learn from

your mistake this mindset is crucial

because programming is all about problem

solving and real world problems are

often really messy and error Pro so

instead of viewing failure as a

roadblock if you really want to be a

good programmer you need to continuously

improve on your failures and not be

discouraged overall I hope I helped you

gain a better understanding of how to

think like a programmer