Becoming a Better Developer

Sometimes, you stumbled upon a video that can change lives!

Here are my notes on this wonderful tutorial on becoming a better developer.

The Dunning-Kruger Curve

• Illusory Superiority: New developers are often more confident in their abilities than they should be
• Imposter Syndrome: Experienced developers are often less confident in their abilities than they should be

Learning Stages

What's important is to understand your learning preferences:

Once you know them, it will be easier for you to learn.

Choose a destination

For instance, if you want to build websites for e-commerce businesses, then learn about the important themes & plugins (from a WordPress developer perspective) that are required for such websites.

Focus on next steps

Focus starts with elimination, improves with concentration, and compounds with continuation.

 Get eyes on your code

• Code mentor
• Peer
• Pay a developer
• Run through ChatGPT

Tighten Feedback Loops

• Set up a local development environment
• Learn how to debug code
• If you're stuck after 1 hour, ask for help

Find a Code Mentor

• Imposter syndrome is real
• A good code mentor can help counteract your lack of confidence

Pair programming

Everyone has a different perspective. This allows you to learn from someone else's perspective.

Other important things to consider

• Learn version control (i.e., GitHub)
• Scaffolding
• Automation
• Code formatting
• Linting tools
• Code quality checks
• Build tools
• Workflow automation
• Testing

Reuse

Architecture & design patterns

Look into PHP & JS design patterns (aka understanding how to put code together).

Example: https://refactoring.guru/design-patterns/php

Vary Inputs, Influences & Experiences

Don’t get stuck in the WP bubble. Make sure to explore outside of WP. For example, take a look at Laravel, Symfony, etc.

Leadership

• Teach & mentor others
•  Innovate
•  Lead technical initiatives
•  Improve processes
•  Support non-developers
•  Help recruit and onboard
•  Provide technical direction

Developer Self Assessment

• Wheel of learning
• If you’re closer to the center, you know less. And if you’re closer to the outside edges, you know more

That's a wrap!

And remember:

Whether you think you can or think you can't you're right.

Source