Dear new developer, I appreciated this post which talks to people who are interested in being a developer, rather than someone who is newly a developer. I still think a lot of things apply. This especially resonated: ...programming is terrible, so learn to enjoy it. If you are “on the net” learning about what programming … Continue reading Programming Is Terrible, So Learn To Enjoy It
Beware Of Your Arrogance
Dear new developer, I wrote this post years ago, but it still applies today. Ah, the arrogance of software developers. (I’m a software developer myself, so I figure I have carte blanche to take aim at the foibles of my profession.) Why, just the other day, I reviewed a legal document, and pointed out several … Continue reading Beware Of Your Arrogance
Egoless programming
Dear new developer, This post is worth reading in full, but is advice that holds for all developers, not just folks starting out. I especially liked Fight for what you believe, but gracefully accept defeat. Understand that sometimes your ideas will be overruled. Even if you do turn out to be right, don't take revenge … Continue reading Egoless programming
Work through the first month of trepidation
Dear new developer, I remember the first month of my first job. I wasn't sure who was who, what was what or even why was why. It was hard to find tasks that I felt helped the team. I wasn't sure what words people used off-handedly meant. I'd read and re-read instructions, fearful that I … Continue reading Work through the first month of trepidation
Be a great developer today
This is a guest post from Tim Tyrrell. Enjoy. Dear new developer, New developers are making mistakes. They are making mistakes every day. As a new developer, one’s job is to recognize one’s mistakes, implement a change in behavior, and help others implement that same change when similar mistakes bubble to the surface of one’s … Continue reading Be a great developer today
Work for a place where people care
Dear new developer, Every company has its warts (aka issues, aka problems). I have never met anyone who worked for the perfect company. So, go in with your eyes wide open and choose what warts your company has. You may be able to help fix some of them, but some will be permanent. One wart … Continue reading Work for a place where people care
It will turn out mostly fine… if you have the passion
This is a guest post from Jenn Chu. Enjoy. 'Passion is one great force that unleashes creativity, because if you're passionate about something, then you're more willing to take risks' ~Yo-Yo Ma Dear new developer, I've always taken the quote above to heart… fast-shooting myself into the named camp of 'Career Switchers` when talking about … Continue reading It will turn out mostly fine… if you have the passion
Learn automated testing
Dear new developer, If you want to build good software, learn automated testing. Depending on your platform of choice, you may have good defaults or you may need to investigate options. But I think of a test suite as a "fat suit" for your code. Sure, your code can still "fall down". But it will … Continue reading Learn automated testing
‘You get what you give’
This is a guest post from Rylan Bowers. Enjoy. Dear New Developer, 'You get what you give' isn’t just a late '90s catchy pop song set in a late '90s mall that gives me late '90s cringe (and nostalgia, but those go hand-in-hand, eh?). It’s also a great way to approach your career! This is … Continue reading ‘You get what you give’
Know your runway
Dear new developer, When you are considering a career move, whether to a startup, a sabbatical or further schooling (basically any time when your income will exceed your expenses) it pays to calculate your runway. There are various kinds of runway (social, emotional, financial) but the easiest one to calculate is financial. You do this … Continue reading Know your runway
Letters To A New Developer 