3 ways to become a better _______ (programmer)
Web Development
1. Love what you do: I put this as the #1 thing you must do if you want to really increase your skillset. If you are just trying to do it for your job, or to get a raise, then I don't know the answer for you. But this is THE essential ingredient in this process.
2. Do a lot of it: This one is probably the most difficult one of the bunch. Nobody really wants to sacrifice their free time or miss their favorite TV show. But, there is just no replacement for experience. If you are new to ColdFusion don't worry...there are a lot of "experienced" developers out there who just mail it in on a daily basis. Give yourself 6 months of intense programming and you will begin to feel like not such a noob after all.
3. Finally, do to the hard stuff: Pretty soon (after step 2) things are going to start feeling easy. At this point, many people will plateau and just stop progressing past their comfort level. And for many, this is fine and might actually be a very advanced level. I know I am guilty of not always pushing myself because I am (insert excuse here).
My #3 stuff: I hope to get my hands dirty with Flex this year, and continue to sharpen my Javascript skills.
2. Do a lot of it: This one is probably the most difficult one of the bunch. Nobody really wants to sacrifice their free time or miss their favorite TV show. But, there is just no replacement for experience. If you are new to ColdFusion don't worry...there are a lot of "experienced" developers out there who just mail it in on a daily basis. Give yourself 6 months of intense programming and you will begin to feel like not such a noob after all.
3. Finally, do to the hard stuff: Pretty soon (after step 2) things are going to start feeling easy. At this point, many people will plateau and just stop progressing past their comfort level. And for many, this is fine and might actually be a very advanced level. I know I am guilty of not always pushing myself because I am (insert excuse here).
My #3 stuff: I hope to get my hands dirty with Flex this year, and continue to sharpen my Javascript skills.
Ryan said:
I agree with all of your points. Especially with number 3. I would say I leveled off there in 2005 but moving more into the OOish stuff really got me excited again. Never stop learning!
todd sharp said:
Good advice. I realized lately that coding is not only my job, but it's also become my hobby. I don't game or even watch TV all that much anymore in my spare time. I'm either coding an open source project or ISDX or blogging.
Ryan said:
Todd, I agree! I used to spend a lot of my "free" time playing World of Warcraft in 2005 and early 2006, now it's all about code these days. Interesting..
Aaron Lynch said:
Count me in that list. I very rarely turn on the TV since epoch (9/12/06...InstantSpot is born)
Andy Matthews said:
Right on track...I "wasted" over a year playing World of Warcraft and another web based game called Travian. I enjoyed that time, but it could have been better spent learning or building up my own sites.
I do watch more TV than I'd like to because that's some of the time I spend with my wife. Cest la vie.
I do watch more TV than I'd like to because that's some of the time I spend with my wife. Cest la vie.
Owen van Dijk said:
May i suggest a number 4: Dare to make mistakes (lots of small ones and maybe a few big ones) and learn from them.
Sam said:
Good list.
I'd add 1) love where you work 2) think of at least three ways to solve each problem before you start coding -- you will push yourself to find new methods this way.
I'd add 1) love where you work 2) think of at least three ways to solve each problem before you start coding -- you will push yourself to find new methods this way.
Aaron Lynch said:
Good one, to add to that...#4 1/2) don't be afraid to ask for help when you do make those mistakes.
Aaron Lynch said:
Remember Todd, there are no dumb questions..just dumb people.
ok, j/k. but it was a perfect place to use that one.
ok, j/k. but it was a perfect place to use that one.
John Ramon said:
Right on point Aaron there are no stupid question, trust me if there were Ray Camden would have block my emails when I started out.
Also Owen is right there should be a number 4, on my ColdFusion journey I have made many small mistakes, and a few big ones, like not scoping everything. coming from the PHP world to ColdFusion I didn't scope everything and boy did i regret it.
Keep up the good work Aaron.
Also Owen is right there should be a number 4, on my ColdFusion journey I have made many small mistakes, and a few big ones, like not scoping everything. coming from the PHP world to ColdFusion I didn't scope everything and boy did i regret it.
Keep up the good work Aaron.
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