Ask HN: For those programming 10+ years, what do you wish you knew 4 years in?

That shipping stable software that works and meets requirements is what people really want. In other words, what the non-tech business people want, or your customers want, is software that fixes their problems, makes their lives easier or makes them more money.

It's easy for us programmers to become fixated on using a newer JS framework, a slightly tighter Java loop or the latest cool language. Took me a few years to realise that even though I care a lot about those things, other people do not. They are interested in the outcomes, not how it got built.

I'm running my own business and building things for myself these days. I use vannilla JS on the front-end and Java 8 on the back. Since I gave up chasing the new cool tech I have built a bunch of stable systems that have been great, well received, products.

If you become someone who has a history of shipping things that work, you will do a lot better than someone who knows how to write hello world in every JS framework.

Before becoming a professional programmer, be sure you understand that programming for recreation and for money are two completely different things, otherwise the latter has a big potential to take all the joy out of the former.

* Functional is generally better but don't be crazy about it.

* Have tests but don't be crazy about it.

* Keep your development process as streamlined as possible.

* New languages generally aren't as hard as you might think and they might be the right tool.

* The right tool for the right job can make a huge difference.

Why?

As in all the disciplines, the most important 'tool' is the experience, and that - ça va sans dire - needs time.

That said, I think the best advice I can suggest is Divide et impera, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divide_and_conquer_algorithm