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

Post by [deleted] » Thu, May 18, 2017, 9:31 PM UTC

umurkontaci wrote: post #310

root_axis wrote: post #254

If you're self taught, get a degree as soon as you can, even if you take night classes over an extended period. No matter how good you are, a large portion of companies and recruiters will autotrash your resume without an education section. If you're not a founder, NEVER take equity in leu of salary. If they offer a competitive salary and equity, that's a significant plus, but equity as a portion of your compensation…

> If you're self taught, get a degree as soon as you can, even if you take night classes over an extended period. No matter how good you are, a large portion of companies and recruiters will autotrash your resume without an education section. Not true. I'm self taught and I had very generous offers from the two of the three big names. Screw spending a time to getting a degree just for the sake of it and build stuff.…

Post by unixhero » Thu, May 18, 2017, 9:32 PM UTC

kzisme wrote: post #151

randcraw wrote: post #128

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Work somewhere where software is the main product and not just a cost center. This is THE big difference between S/W dev and IT. For 20 years I worked in the former, and for the past 10 in the latter. No question about it: IT is hell. Theirs is a never-ending mission to reduce the cost of moving data and being "compliant" with often-meaningless ever-excessive corporate standards (and forever meaningless MBA/CIO fad…

I've noticed this even walking around at work in different areas other than where I sit. "Hey aren't you in IT can you help me with my computer issue" One of the things I dislike the most is being referred to as "The IT Department".

Post by michaelbarton » Thu, May 18, 2017, 9:35 PM UTC

hinkley wrote: post #335

pmarreck wrote: post #315

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Everyone's code basically sucks, including yours. Which is why I'd say, unit-test your code, or TDD, or something. When you look at that crap months later, your mental model of how it all works has completely eroded, and only the test suite is left to preserve your expectations as they existed back then, preventing you from wasting a lot of time stepping on your own toes while you re-grok the big picture, if you ha…

Yeah, I started using TDD, and now I sweat over my tests instead of my code. Same general quantity of perspiration either way.

Post by mattkenefick » Thu, May 18, 2017, 9:37 PM UTC

jczhang wrote: post #210

mattkenefick wrote: post #198

Read more into things than you need to given the opportunity. Let's say you need an icon for something, but don't know much about design. Once in a while, try making it on your own. Learn about the pen tool, image formats, etc. Let's say you need a simple SELECT from MySQL. Read more into how they actually work under the covers, in large-scale environments, or how they change for MSSQL / Postgres. Let's say you need…

That's a luxury that many people probably don't have, as most people have to get things done under certain timelines.

Post by throwaway_4564 » Thu, May 18, 2017, 9:49 PM UTC

bitL wrote: post #56

There is no future in software development as a job. Move to a management position quickly, network, make friends with decision makers, don't spend too much time on crafting your skills, your reward for perfection will be more insane work and crazy interviews where one part not 100% done kicks you out. Work on your appearance, kiss up, lift, dress properly, use anti-aging cosmetics, make cool looking hairstyle, wear…