5 things you should avoid in your dev journey
Tags: webdev, beginners, programming
Published: 2024-04-13 11:32:38

Being a developer in this market is tough. 🥲 It is a marathon, not a quick run. It comes with many challenges, triumphs, and, inevitably, mistakes. Let's reflect on things we shouldn't do (or better avoid doing) as a developer.

### 1. Ignoring Documentation

Documentation is the unsung hero of software development. It provides invaluable insights into codebases, libraries, and APIs, serving as a roadmap for developers. However, it's not uncommon for developers to skim over or completely ignore documentation, either due to time constraints or overconfidence in their abilities.

I found myself in this situation many times. No matter how appealing is to jump into code, this can lead to wasted time, frustration, reinventing the wheel and even MANY bugs. 

Embracing documentation as a vital resource can streamline your development process and prevent unnecessary headaches down the line. ❤️

### 2. Overlooking Code Reviews

Writing software is a collaborative journey and code reviews are a big part of it. They provide an opportunity for team members to review each other's code, identify potential issues, and share knowledge and best practices. 

Unfortunately, some developers view code reviews as a mere formality or a hindrance to their productivity.

Code reviews serve as a crucial quality assurance mechanism, helping to catch bugs, improve code readability, and ensure adherence to coding standards. 

By actively participating in code reviews and embracing feedback from your peers, you can elevate the quality of your code and contribute to a more robust and cohesive development process.

### 3. Skipping Testing

I have worked in many companies that thought testing was just an obstacle to shipping fast. Testing is a fundamental aspect of software development that should never be overlooked or underestimated. Yet, many developers (including myself) are guilty of skipping or skimping on testing. And honestly it is not the most exciting step in the process.

Skipping testing is a dangerous gamble that can have dire consequences for your project. Without adequate testing, you leave your code vulnerable to bugs, regressions, and unexpected behaviour, undermining its reliability and stability. 

Investing time in writing comprehensive unit tests, integration tests, and end-to-end tests can help uncover defects early in the development process and give you confidence in the robustness of your code.

### 4. Not Asking for Help

Software development is a collaborative endeavour, and no developer is an island. Yet, some developers fall into the trap of believing that asking for help is a sign of weakness or incompetence.

In reality, seeking help is a sign of **strength and humility.** Whether you're grappling with a particularly difficult problem, struggling to understand a complex concept, or simply looking for feedback on your code, reaching out to your colleagues, mentors, or the broader developer community can provide invaluable insights and support. Don't let pride stand in the way of progress—embrace collaboration and leverage the collective knowledge and expertise of those around you.

### 5. Forgetting to Refactor

Code is not static; it evolves and is changing requirements all the time. However, some developers neglect to revisit and refactor their code, allowing technical debt to accumulate over time.

Forgetting to refactor is a dangerous oversight that can lead to a host of problems, including decreased code maintainability, increased bug density, and diminished developer productivity. Regularly refactoring your codebase helps keep it clean, organized, and easy to understand, making it easier to implement new features, fix bugs, and onboard new team members. By prioritizing refactoring as an integral part of your development process, you can ensure that your code remains robust, flexible, and scalable in the long run.

### Conclusion

In conclusion, while mistakes are inevitable in software development, some mistakes are avoidable. Remember, software development is a journey of continuous learning and improvement, and embracing best practices is key to mastering the craft.