7 Developer-Tested Tips for Becoming a Better Coder: An Expert‘s Guide

As a full-stack developer with over a decade of experience, I‘ve learned that becoming a great coder is about more than just technical skills. It requires a combination of the right mindset, habits, and soft skills. In this in-depth guide, I‘ll share the tips and lessons that have made the biggest impact on my own career and those of the many developers I‘ve mentored.

Whether you‘re just starting out or are a seasoned pro looking to take your skills to the next level, these 7 principles will help you become a more effective, well-rounded, and successful coder.

1. Think like an architect

A common misconception about programming is that it‘s all about writing code. But as any experienced developer will tell you, the real craft is in the planning and design that happens before you ever start typing.

Just like an architect carefully plans a building before construction begins, the best coders spend significant time upfront mapping out their approach. They consider different algorithms, weigh tradeoffs, and break complex problems down into manageable chunks.

My rule of thumb is to spend at least 30% of the allotted time for a task on planning. So for a feature that should take 10 hours to implement, I‘ll spend the first 3 hours away from my computer, thinking through the design and scoping out the work.

This might seem counterintuitive, like I‘m wasting valuable coding time. But I‘ve found that when I invest in thoughtful planning, I actually end up saving time overall because my code is cleaner, more organized, and requires fewer revisions.

As the famous computer scientist Edsger W. Dijkstra put it: "Coding is not the problem, thinking is the problem." Make thinking and design a priority, and your coding will be faster and better as a result.

2. Pick a language, any language

One of the most common questions aspiring developers agonize over is which programming language to learn first. The short answer? It doesn‘t matter nearly as much as you think.

Now, I‘m not saying all languages are created equal. Some, like Python and Ruby, are more beginner-friendly than others. And if you have a specific career path in mind, you‘ll want to focus on the languages and frameworks that are most in-demand for those roles.

But in general, the core concepts of programming are universal across languages. Things like variables, loops, functions, and objects behave pretty similarly whether you‘re coding in Java, JavaScript, or something else entirely.

Think of it like learning to drive a car. The fundamentals – accelerate, brake, steer – are the same whether you‘re driving a Ford or a Ferrari. Once you know how to drive, you can adapt to any vehicle.

The same is true with programming. Once you grasp the core concepts in one language, you‘ll find it much easier to pick up additional languages later on. So don‘t get too hung up on finding the "perfect" first language. Just pick one that looks interesting to you and dive in.

That said, I do recommend starting with a language that has a large and active community. Programming can be lonely and frustrating at times, so having access to a wealth of online tutorials, forums, and open-source code is invaluable. Some of the most popular and well-supported languages for beginners include:

• Python
• JavaScript
• Ruby
• Java

Whichever you choose, the key is to just start somewhere. Analysis paralysis is the enemy of progress. In the wise words of Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux: "The only way to learn a new programming language is by writing programs in it."

3. Collaborate early and often

Another common misconception about programming is the image of the lone hacker toiling away in isolation. While there are certainly times when you need to focus and work heads-down, the best coders know that collaboration is key to their success.

Numerous studies have shown the benefits of pair programming, where two developers work together on the same task. For example, a study by Alistair Cockburn and Laurie Williams found that paired programmers produce higher-quality code with fewer defects, and they complete work faster than two solo programmers working separately.

I try to pair program for at least a few hours each week, especially when I‘m stuck on a tricky problem or starting work in an unfamiliar area of the codebase. Just talking through my approach out loud to a partner helps me clarify my thinking and spot holes in my logic. And getting real-time feedback saves me from going too far down the wrong path.

Even when I‘m not actively pairing, I make a point to regularly bounce ideas off teammates and solicit code reviews. Many eyes make for shallow bugs, as the saying goes. Collaborating with others also exposes me to new techniques and solutions I might not have considered on my own.

If you‘re new to programming, I highly recommend finding a mentor or coding buddy to learn with. Pair up with a classmate on projects, or find an experienced developer who‘s willing to let you shadow them. You can also get great feedback and support from online communities like Stack Overflow, Reddit‘s /r/learnprogramming, and Codecademy‘s forums.

Remember, even the most brilliant coders rely on collaboration to do their best work. As Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak put it: "Work alone. You‘re going to be best able to design revolutionary products and features if you‘re working on your own. Not on a committee. Not on a team." But he also acknowledged the importance of having a collaborator: "The best way I'd say to get a good idea is to get a lot of ideas. And the only way to get a lot of ideas is through a lot of people."

4. Embrace the struggle (up to a point)

Learning to code is hard. Even with the best teachers and resources, you will inevitably encounter concepts that are difficult to wrap your head around. You will get stuck on bugs that seem impossible to solve. You will feel frustrated, overwhelmed, and even hopeless at times.

This is all completely normal. In fact, I would argue that if you‘re not regularly struggling, you‘re not pushing yourself enough. Growth happens outside of your comfort zone.

The key is to lean into that productive struggle, but also know when it‘s time to ask for help. There‘s a fine line between grappling with a tough problem and just being stuck.

Here‘s my rule of thumb: if I‘ve been banging my head against something for more than an hour with no meaningful progress, it‘s time to seek assistance. That might mean Googling the error message, searching Stack Overflow, or asking a teammate for guidance.

Earlier in my career, I‘d often stubbornly refuse to ask for help out of pride. I thought needing help meant I wasn‘t a "real" developer. But over time, I‘ve learned that knowing when and how to seek assistance is actually a hallmark of a mature and effective coder.

Nowadays, if I‘m stuck on something for more than an hour, my first step is to articulate the problem in writing. I‘ll open up a new document and explain to myself:

• What I‘m trying to do
• What I‘ve tried so far
• How I expect things to work
• How they‘re actually working (or not working)

Nine times out of ten, the act of clearly formulating the problem reveals the solution. It‘s like rubber duck debugging, but with myself.

If that doesn‘t work, my next step is to Google the specific error message or problem I‘m encountering. Odds are high that someone else has faced the same issue and written about it.

If I‘m still stuck after 15-30 minutes of searching, that‘s when I‘ll reach out to a teammate or post on Stack Overflow. But even then, I make sure to document what I‘ve already tried on my own first. This shows respect for the other person‘s time and also helps them give me more targeted advice.

The key is not to suffer in silence out of embarrassment or pride. Every developer has been there, even the most experienced ones. The quicker you can get unstuck, the more time you‘ll have for the fun and rewarding parts of programming.

5. Test early, test often

One of the hardest lessons I had to learn as a developer was the importance of testing my code. Like many programmers, I used to treat testing as an afterthought, something to be tacked on at the end if there was time.

But over the years, through painful experience, I‘ve come to embrace testing as an integral part of the development process itself. In fact, I now advocate for test-driven development (TDD), where you actually write the tests before you write the code that makes them pass.

Why? Because testing early and often has numerous benefits:

• It forces you to really understand the requirements and edge cases upfront
• It gives you a clearer target to code towards
• It helps validate your design and architecture
• It catches bugs earlier, when they‘re easier and cheaper to fix
• It provides a safety net for future refactoring and changes

Writing good tests is a skill that takes time and practice to develop. But even if you‘re not practicing full-blown TDD, I recommend at least getting in the habit of writing some basic tests as you go, especially for the most critical parts of your application.

Some specific tips:

• Focus on testing behavior, not implementation. Tests should verify what your code does, not how it does it. This makes your tests less brittle and more maintainable over time.
• Aim for full coverage of "happy paths" and key edge cases. You don‘t need to test every single line of code, but make sure the core functionality is thoroughly exercised.
• Write tests that are readable and easily understandable. Other developers (including your future self) should be able to look at a test and quickly grasp what scenario it‘s covering.
• Run your tests frequently, ideally with every change. Tools like continuous integration (CI) servers can automate this for you and alert you if a change breaks the build.

Embracing testing has made me a much more confident and productive programmer. I sleep better at night knowing that my code is battle-tested before it ever reaches users. And when I need to make changes or refactor in the future, I can do so with the safety net of my test suite to catch any regressions.

If testing is new to you, start small. Pick one key feature or component of your application and try writing a few tests for it. Over time, work up to more and more coverage. Before long, testing will become a natural part of your workflow, not a burdensome afterthought.

6. Read the classics

As a self-taught developer, I used to mainly stick to reading tutorials, blog posts, and documentation related to whatever tool or framework I was using at the time. It was only after a more experienced colleague recommended some classic programming books that I realized what I was missing out on.

There are certain foundational texts that every developer should read, regardless of their specific language or domain. These books teach timeless principles and patterns that will make you a better coder, no matter what you‘re working on.

Some of my favorites:

• "Code Complete" by Steve McConnell – A must-read guide to software construction best practices. Covers everything from high-level design to low-level coding techniques.
• "Clean Code" by Robert C. Martin – A deep dive into what makes code readable, maintainable, and elegant. Full of practical examples and exercises.
• "The Pragmatic Programmer" by Andrew Hunt and David Thomas – A wide-ranging collection of tips, tricks, and philosophies for becoming a more effective and adaptable programmer.
• "Refactoring" by Martin Fowler – The definitive guide to improving existing code without changing its external behavior. An essential skill for any developer working on long-lived codebases.

I try to read at least one programming book each quarter, even if it‘s not directly related to my current work. I always come away with new insights and ideas that make me a better developer.

In addition to books, I also recommend regularly reading blogs and articles by thought leaders in the field. Some of my go-to sources:

• Martin Fowler‘s blog
• Kent Beck‘s blog
• Coding Horror by Jeff Atwood
• Joel on Software by Joel Spolsky

The key is to not just passively read, but to actively engage with the material. Try out the techniques and principles you learn about in your own code. Discuss them with other developers. Write about your own experiences and insights.

The more you immerse yourself in the larger world of programming ideas, the more tools and perspectives you‘ll have to draw upon in your own work.

7. Sharpen the saw

As a programmer, your greatest asset is your own brain. Just like any tool, it needs regular maintenance and sharpening to perform at its best.

One of the most common causes of burnout and stagnation among developers is working too hard for too long without proper rest and renewal. It‘s easy to fall into the trap of grinding away for long hours, fueled by caffeine and adrenaline. But sooner or later, that pace will catch up to you.

To stay sharp and avoid burnout, I‘ve learned to prioritize self-care as an essential part of my job. That means:

• Taking regular breaks throughout the day to rest my eyes and move my body
• Sleeping at least 7-8 hours each night
• Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
• Exercising regularly, even if it‘s just a short walk
• Pursuing hobbies and interests outside of coding
• Spending quality time with family and friends

This might sound basic, but it‘s amazing how many developers neglect these fundamentals. We‘re so used to measuring our worth by how much we produce that it can feel like "wasted" time to step away from the keyboard and take care of ourselves.

But the research is clear: well-rested, nourished, and balanced individuals are more creative, productive, and resilient. They make better decisions, catch more errors, and collaborate more effectively.

Personally, I‘ve found that the time I spend "sharpening the saw" more than pays for itself in terms of the quality and efficiency of my work. When I‘m well-rested and mentally fresh, I can often accomplish in a few focused hours what would have taken me a whole slogging day in a state of fatigue and brain fog.

Of course, self-care looks different for everyone. The key is to find what works for you and make it a non-negotiable part of your routine. Treat it as an investment in your most important professional asset: yourself.

Putting it all together

Becoming a great coder is a lifelong journey. There‘s always more to learn, new challenges to tackle, and room for improvement. But if you consistently practice these 7 habits – thinking like an architect, continuously learning, collaborating with others, embracing the struggle, testing thoroughly, staying sharp, and maintaining your own well-being – you‘ll be well on your way.

Remember, progress is more important than perfection. You don‘t need to master all of these principles overnight. Start where you are, and focus on getting a little bit better each day.

Keep showing up, keep pushing yourself, and most importantly, don‘t forget to enjoy the process. Coding can be incredibly fun and rewarding when approached with the right mindset.

I‘ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes by the mathematician and computer science pioneer Richard Hamming: "If you don‘t work on important problems, it‘s not likely that you‘ll do important work."

So dream big, stay curious, and happy coding!

This article was written by an experienced full-stack developer and coach. To learn more programming tips and insights, subscribe to the Acme Coding Blog or check out our mentorship program for new developers.