A lot of people are turning to coding and programming as a career. Partly because it is such a lucrative choice, but mostly because it is an essential skill to have with all the technological advances around us.
Being a coder also means that you will have to continue learning for as long as possible. Software algorithms and artificial intelligence is evolving so fast that your skills as a coder must also evolve as time goes on.
Whether you have been a programmer or coder for many years or you are just starting out, constantly working on your skills is vital to success.
In this post, you will find quick and basic tips that you might have forgotten or never thought of. These seven tricks will enhance even the most dedicated developer.
Get the Tough Stuff Out of the Way
It is a simple technique that is useful when writing a test or exam. Focus on the longest and hardest aspects first. Use your brain power to work through the one programming task that you dread the most.
Not only will it give you a great sense of relief to get it out of the way, but you will also be able to spend the rest of your day working on more pleasant and easier tasks.
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Read Other Code
A lot of coders like to stick to what they know. If it works, why fix it right? Well, by reading other people’s code you might discover a shortcut or a solution to a problem that you have been struggling with.
Read articles and books by other coders, and learn as much as you can. When you look at someone else’s work, it can enhance your critical thinking skills and help you think out of the box.
Take Time Naming Your Variables
Sometimes you have a deadline to meet so you do anything just to make the code work. The problem for a lot of coders is that after a few months or years, they don’t even recognize their own code. This is a common issue but one that is easily solvable.
Follow proper naming conventions and assign the right name to your variables. This includes writing comments and parameter descriptions so that you can make sense of your work if you have to go back and change something.
Invest in Better Hardware
If you truly want to up your game, make sure that you have the right equipment to get the job done. A minimum of 8GB RAM is needed and no less than a 500GB hard drive. You will also need a Quad-core CPU of 3GHZ or higher.
A dual monitor will also be beneficial if you work with more than one set of code. Find a rig that has all of these features, such as these Lenovo Programming PCs. If you have any chance of making a career of coding from home, this is the very basic setup you will need apart from your software.
Refactor Your Code
If your code works then why put in the time to refract? It might seem like a simple and meaningless task but refactoring code will make it run smoother and it will be easier to maintain in the future.
Refactoring means that you restructure your existing code without having to change it. It merely improves the construction of your code to make it work better.
Spend enough time on your code to clean it up and remove redundant algorithms by learning different refactoring methods.
Practice Every Language
The best way to get good at something is to practice. To become a better coder, you need to learn all languages. Even if you don’t use some of those languages, you might encounter a time when even just the slightest bit of knowledge can be the greatest help.
Don’t be afraid to explore uncharted territory and move away from HTML or JavaScript by attempting Python or SQL.
Different programming languages require different levels of skill and understanding. Practicing multiple languages will strengthen your brain and give you new creative ideas for unique problem-solving.
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Visualize Your Code in Writing
Sounds counterproductive, but spending all of your time just coding isn’t the best way to go. You only really need to dedicate about 70% of that time inputting lines of code. Take some paper and visualize what you want the program to do, and what processes occur at every step.
Split your code into easy-to-manage parts. Draw graphs and write out exactly what your code needs. This method is the best when a project is particularly complicated. If you effectively plan your code before you write, you might even find that you save time and resources.
Enhancing your coding skills comes down to hard work, practice, and dedication. Focus on these few tips to continue evolving your capability and never stop learning.
