5 Tips I Wish I Had Received When I Was a Junior Developer
Tags: career, beginners, programming, learning
Published: 2024-03-04 17:22:20

Welcome to the world of software development! If you've taken your first steps in this amazing journey, you've probably realized there's a lot to learn. But fear not! I'm here to give you 5 tips I wish I had received when I was a Junior Developer, which will help you on this journey.

This is the first of three posts I will make as a way of giving back for all the learning that the tech community has provided me with over more than 10 years of career. So, without further ado, let's go!

## Code Versioning

Learning to use version control systems, like Git, is indispensable in the modern development world. These tools not only make managing code changes easier but also allow for easier collaboration with other developers.

Code versioning acts as a digital diary of your project, where each commit tells a part of the story. This practice helps not only in keeping a detailed record of changes for bug fixing but also is crucial when collaborating on projects with many people, allowing everyone to work simultaneously without overriding each other's work.

**Practical example:** start using Git in your personal projects. Practice making small and meaningful commits, and don't forget to write clear and descriptive messages; your future self will thank you for these messages. This will help you better understand the history of your project, in addition to preparing you to work as a team.

Besides using Git to manage your code, familiarize yourself with code hosting platforms like GitHub or GitLab. These platforms not only offer a place to store your repositories in the cloud but also provide powerful tools for code review, project management, and continuous integration, which are fundamental for collaborative and professional development.

## Mastering the Art of Googling

Knowing how to search efficiently is as important as knowing how to program. The ability to quickly find solutions, answers, and explanations not only saves time but also accelerates your growth. It's not just about typing a question into Google; it's about crafting a question in such a way that you find the most relevant and helpful answer possible.

**Practical example:** Imagine you're working with Django, a popular web development framework in Python, and you encounter an error when trying to migrate your database. Instead of just searching “Django data migration error”, include specific details of the error, such as “Django db.migrations.exceptions.InconsistentMigrationHistory”. This narrows down the search to discussions and solutions highly relevant to your specific problem. Moreover, exploring forums like Stack Overflow can be incredibly useful, as others often have faced and solved similar problems to yours.

Important, when you find the solution to your problem, take a moment to understand the cause of the error and how the proposed solution resolves it. This not only solves the current problem but also broadens your overall understanding, making it easier to solve or even prevent similar problems in the future.

## Learning from the Community

The journey of a developer is marked not only by the code they write but also by the connections they create. Learning from the community not only accelerates your professional growth but also opens doors to new opportunities, ideas, and collaborations. The exchange of knowledge in a collective environment enhances innovation and problem-solving in ways that solitary work seldom achieves.

**Practical example:** Participate in local developer communities, whether through meetups, conferences, or specific technology groups, is a very valuable way to learn from others in the field in addition to building your professional network.

## Write Code Regularly

This is a golden tip: write code. And then, write more code. Theory without practice is like a car without fuel; you know where you want to go, but you can't get there. Therefore, practicing constantly is what turns raw knowledge into refined skill, allowing you not only to understand but also to effectively apply what you've learned.

**Practical example:** Participate in coding dojos, meetings of developers who practice programming together. The idea of these meetings is to collaboratively solve a challenging problem, aiming to improve coding skills, teamwork, and problem-solving. It might be scary to write code in front of others at first, but that starts to change when you realize that much more experienced people also make mistakes, making the environment welcoming and a great learning experience.

Another possibility is to solve coding problems online on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, and CodeSignal. They offer a variety of challenges that can help you improve your programming logic and algorithmic skills.

Don't be too hard on yourself; every mistake is a lesson, and every challenge overcome is a step forward in your development journey. Continuous practice not only helps solidify what you already know but also reveals new areas of knowledge and skill you didn't even know you needed to explore.

## Keep Curiosity Alive

In programming, curiosity doesn't kill the cat; it turns it into an exceptional developer. Besides staying up-to-date with new technologies, it's crucial to go further and understand the fundamental concepts that drive the tools and languages you use. Knowing “how” something works is useful, but understanding “why” it works that way opens a new level of proficiency.

This approach not only improves your ability to solve problems more effectively but also enriches your understanding of the design choices behind the technologies you use. This empowers you to make more accurate choices in your projects.

**Practical example:** when learning a new library or framework, take time to explore its architecture and the problems it aims to solve. For example, if you're working with a certain language, don't just learn its syntax; seek to understand the language's data structures and how they work.

It's important to remember that technology is constantly evolving, and what is standard today may be replaced tomorrow. However, fundamental principles often remain relevant. By nurturing your curiosity and seeking to understand the “whys” and “hows”, you not only adapt more easily to changes but also stand out as a developer who brings value to any team or project.

### Enjoy the Journey

Everyone started somewhere, and every challenge is an opportunity to grow. These five tips are just the beginning but are fundamental in establishing a solid foundation in your career. So, continue learning, be curious, and if possible, share your experiences and learnings with the community. Maybe you'll be the inspiration someone else is looking for!

Do you find these tips interesting? Leave your comment to further enrich this discussion \o/