10 programming lessons from the past

src: 10 Programming Lessons From the Past • Garth Gilmour & Eamonn Boyle • GOTO 2022 - 2022-10-26

Abstract

10 programming lessons from the past

1. Draw more pictures

• analysis level diagrams ⇒ design level diagrams ⇒ blueprint of code
• get into the habit of drawing diagrams of architecture
• define notations for different domains (mobile, serverless, etc…)
• create modeling tools that work and don’t cost the earth
• differentiate between the different levels of abstraction

2. Review at the right level

• make design reviews part of our process
• run the code we are supposed to be reviewing
• look for and promote the use of pattern in code
• step back from syntax and focus on algorithms

3. Value stability

• break the cycle of badly written documentation
• educate ourselves to write quality documentation
• resist the temptation to “wait for the next big thing”
• take a deep interest into how frameworks work
• push vendors to create and comply to specifications

4. Invent it here

• take control of the dependencies of your applications
  • evaluate the cost / benefit of using external libraries

5. Learn to test

• have more respect for the tester’s role
• understand the whole scope of testing
• realize not all testing can be automated
• take non-functional testing seriously

6. Master the tools

Optimise your workflows

• learn keyboard shortcuts
• master your IDE
• be comfortable with the terminal
• try to be “lazy”
• automate the boring stuff

7. Focus on fundamentals

• focus on re-useable skills
• algorithms, data structures, clean code, design principles, etc…
• avoid spending time (re)learning the next shiny framework

8. Remain accountable

• take responsibility and be accountable for your work
• focus principles over process - understand the why
• be a professional

9. Prepare for rain

• prepare for extreme changes (downturn) in the industry
• think about your career
• educate yourself
• keep in demand

10. Remember what matters

• this is something everyone from the 1990s knows
• time passes far more quickly than you think
• don’t forget to smell the roeses
• have other things important to you in your life