The One Tip That Will Help You Learn To Code 10x Faster

[Terrence Dorsey]

CodeSimple by Brad Milne[^]:

An incredible developer that I work with gave me a piece of advice I won’t be forgetting anytime soon: The key to being a good developer is to be able to find your answer as quickly as possible without learning anything else. To be honest, it hurt when I heard it because I literally have spent probably close to 100 hours so far looking for answers online and getting caught up into learning something else. You know how it is...

Cuiosity killed the cat. So did looking at animated GIFs of cats. Only more slowly.

[Gary Wheeler]

While Brad's intentions may have been good, his expression of them was poor and ill-advised. Too many inexperienced developers are going to read his statement and think that, if the information they're reading doesn't immediately apply to the problem at hand, it's worthless. They will miss opportunities to improve their skills and to expand their repertoire for the sake of 'gimme codez'. If you find yourself following a path that isn't immediately related to the problem, save a link to it. When you've got some free time :rolleyes:, go back and review those links. Maybe if you had more than a hammer in your tool chest, you'd realize that not all problems are nails, and wouldn't need to spend as much time searching for answers.

Software Zen: delete this;

[szukuro]

Gary Wheeler wrote:

save a link to it

This advice somewhat implies that you also do this yourself, so may I ask what method/tool you prefer, more precisely is there a better alternative to Evernote or Pocket? Thanks! Also for on-topic: I disagree with the author, just searching only for the solution with a tunnel vision actually doesn't help you learn anything, it mostly just solves the given problem. The beauty of the web is that there is so much information out there, you are bound to find a real gem every once in a while. Do agree though that this shouldn't distract you from the main problem at hand.

[Gary Wheeler]

szukuro wrote:

what method/tool you prefer, more precisely is there a better alternative to Evernote or Pocket

My solution is pretty brainless. I use IE, and I keep the Favorites bar displayed. I've made a folder in the bar called 'Interesting'. When I find something interesting that I don't want to finish reading right now, I drag the link to the 'Interesting' folder. I eat my lunch at my desk. I'll use that time to review the contents of the Interesting folder. As I read items, I delete or move them elsewhere in my favorites. I'll admit it's low-tech, but it's simple.

Software Zen: delete this;

[R Hartley]

Yep bookmarking. Works best for me too. That's how I postpone reading too much and not getting sucked into other topics/diversions.

[Forogar]

That's almost exactly how I do it except for using Chrome. I even called the folder "Interesting"! I also sync my favourites so that I can follow up at home, at work or anywhere.

- Life in the fast lane is only fun if you live in a country with no speed limits. - Of all the things I have lost, it is my mind that I miss the most. - I vaguely remember having a good memory...