The Journey of Compound Learning

This chapter emphasizes the significance of compound learning and maintaining momentum in becoming a skilled developer. It explores the crucial skill of reading error messages and troubleshooting programming errors, promoting a debugging mindset for long-term growth. The speakers encourage tackling challenging concepts and the importance of persistence, likening overcoming struggles in programming to achieving progress in physical fitness.

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In this episode of Syntax, Scott and Wes talk about advice for new devs, our advice and opinions for how new devs can level up.

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Show Notes

01:59 - Get comfortable with your code not working

All of our code is broken much of the time.

02:40 - Compound learning and momentum is your biggest tool

There is no formation without repetition.
It sucks to hear, but honestly, if you get a little bit better every single day, you will be WAY ahead in years to come. Keep at it, keep chipping away, take the lows and the highs.

04:05 - Learn to read error messages

Is this error coming from my code?
Is this coming from the library? If so, maybe the library wasn’t expecting that.
Is this coming from the browser? An extension? Is it even related?
Stack trace is a treasure map

09:42 - Take the time to learn the concepts that scare you

They are often easier than they seem (though not every time).

10:40 - We all struggle

This stuff is hard — give yourself a break.

12:56 - Taking a walk is good for solving bugs

It’s hard to walk away from broken code, but it really helps.

14:33 - Get comfortable with the command line

You’ll need it

18:09 - The ability to replicate a design pixel perfect is a valuable skill

You will be shocked at how many devs can’t or don’t do this. If you want to avoid spending extra time on something, don’t make the designers tell you to go back and fix simple spacing, color, and detail things.

21:26 - You are on a team

Don’t get stuck in the "us vs them" mentality of internal company teams (e.g. devs vs designers). You are all working together to make something.

24:10 - You are not an expert

Even if you think you are an expert, you should always be seeking out alternate viewpoints and ideas. You are a student forever in this game.

26:14 - Scaffold with comments

It helps keep you organized once you get into the mess

28:30 - From Twitter

Tweet thread - https://twitter.com/wesbos/status/1417139639861735424

29:30 - Ben Newton

Soft skills are about as important as coding skills if you want to go far.
https://twitter.com/BenENewton/status/1417140062211526658

32:46 - Eric McCormick

Don’t be afraid to push yourself beyond your comfort zone.
https://twitter.com/edm00se/status/1417140503527792640

33:31 - Jason Liggi

You don’t have to code for fun.
https://twitter.com/Liggi/status/1417141600124346371

35:34 - Andrew Nickerson

Start by building a project that’s interesting to you. https://twitter.com/Nickvisual/status/1417140742531674118

37:15 - Michael Powers

Ask questions, break things once in a while, learn vanilla everything even if it feels like a waste of time.
https://twitter.com/mgrpowers/status/1417141364525912064

39:33 - Jason Liggi

Doesn’t matter how long you do this job, MOST stuff out there will probably be unknown and confusing.
https://twitter.com/Liggi/status/1417141322478235653

40:14 - Swashata