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I Wrote Down Everything I Learned While Programming for a Month

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Re: I Wrote Down Everything I Learned While Programming for a Month

#31

Post by misiti3780 »

swaggyBoatswain wrote: post #16

The approach the author used here is similar to using flashcard apps like anki, except not as well fleshed out. Normally, in a flashcard app, you would write down a question and an answer. So you can review the question, and see if you can answer it or not. He wrote this down all as a oneliner for each of his "learnings". Its nice to see a frequency graph to see how often you are learning, but it doesn't really serve…

I came here to say exactly this. I can see his software as being useful if you an export it into csv -> anki. But in the end, the data needs to wind up in flash cards for schedule reviews

Re: I Wrote Down Everything I Learned While Programming for a Month

#32

Post by lukewrites »

When I started my current position (my first as a developer), I was given a company notebook that I use as a learning log. For each PR I write a bullet point or two of things I learned/mistakes I made in creating the PR.

I go through it every so often to look for patterns, and use them to focus my learning. It helps avoid repeating mistakes, and makes my professional development much more directed/intentional.

I prefer keeping the learning log in a notebook than on the computer, as looking for patterns requires me to review everything I've written. I've found that unexpected connections pop out at me when I do that.

Re: I Wrote Down Everything I Learned While Programming for a Month

#33

Post by askafriend »

lwerdna wrote: post #11

Here's a poor man's version of dnote in my .bashrc. It's the only thing I've used consistently: notes() { local fpath=$HOME/notes.md if [ "$1" == "gvim" ]; then gvim + $fpath elif [ "$1" == "vim" ]; then gvim + $fpath elif [ "$1" == "date" ]; then echo '' >> $fpath echo '# '`date +"%m-%d-%Y-%T"` >> $fpath echo '---------------------' >> $fpath elif [ "$1" == "" ]; then less +G $fpath else echo '' >> $fpath echo $@ >>…

Why not just use Notes.app?

Re: I Wrote Down Everything I Learned While Programming for a Month

#34

Post by swat535 »

henrik_w wrote: post #23

I wrote down everything I learnt from 13 years of solving tricky bugs (194 entries in the file). A very useful and interesting habit that I'm still following. I distilled the most important lessons here: https://henrikwarne.com/2016/06/16/18-lessons-from-13-years-...

This was really valuable to read! Thank you so much

Re: I Wrote Down Everything I Learned While Programming for a Month

#35

Post by cloverich »

Personally I've found in multiple fields its often harder to quantify, categorize, and explicitly memorize things than it is to just learn them. Usually the most important items are semi abstract (how to organize, when to optimize) or just keep coming up so frequently, you don't really need to plan around it. The repetition that comes from regular work cements a _ton_ of knowledge you don't even realize you are picking up -- its just part of the job. I do take regular notes (on a notes app I'll finish one day, https://www.striatum.io/) but I use them more for reference, reflection, and to just off-load my mind when I have too many thoughts floating about.

Re: I Wrote Down Everything I Learned While Programming for a Month

#36

Post by JoshMnem »

Looks great. I would try it if I didn't already use Org Mode capture templates. In Emacs you can hit `C-c c` and then choose a template (`n` for "note template" in my system). Then write your note in the box that appears (with Vim keybindings available if Evil is installed). `C-c C-q` to add tags, then `C-c C-c` to save and close the note. Each capture template files the notes away in locations and formats that you designate with short lisp snippets. I have 12 different capture templates for various kinds of information that I want to save.

Re: I Wrote Down Everything I Learned While Programming for a Month

#37

Post by dgritsko »

demilicious wrote: post #26
dgritsko wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I really appreciate the minimalism of this approach. Going to give this a try, thanks for sharing!

Yeah, this is really useful. I think it'll break on single quotes: `notes we'll need oranges tomorrow`, but otherwise, it's a very low-friction method, to me.

Yeah, had a similar issue with parentheses while using it today (but escaping them with '\' worked just fine).

Re: I Wrote Down Everything I Learned While Programming for a Month

#38

Post by joaomacp »

yathern wrote: post #9

Interesting study - I think it's a great idea! Though I disagree with the statement 'we do not actually learn much'. Most learning is very hard to condense into a short note. For example, "Booleans have a toString method in JS" is a tiny factoid that, yes, is something that can be learned. But I think it is only a minor fraction of what is actually learned. An tennis player may write down what they learn in a month,…

Beautiful comment! It really lines up with my experiences.

Especially the fact that "you may not even realize you learned until after the fact". Most skills I have, I cannot point to a specific point in time when I learned them, it's a really gradual process. You just have to pursue the things you want / like, and practice regularly. No point thinking about the big picture too much. It'll come.

Re: I Wrote Down Everything I Learned While Programming for a Month

#39

Post by guessmyname »

askafriend wrote: post #33
lwerdna wrote: post #11

Here's a poor man's version of dnote in my .bashrc. It's the only thing I've used consistently: notes() { local fpath=$HOME/notes.md if [ "$1" == "gvim" ]; then gvim + $fpath elif [ "$1" == "vim" ]; then gvim + $fpath elif [ "$1" == "date" ]; then echo '' >> $fpath echo '# '`date +"%m-%d-%Y-%T"` >> $fpath echo '---------------------' >> $fpath elif [ "$1" == "" ]; then less +G $fpath else echo '' >> $fpath echo $@ >>…

Why not just use Notes.app?

> Why not just use Notes.app?

Because not everyone uses macOS.

This shell script works on most Unix-like systems unlike Notes.app

Re: I Wrote Down Everything I Learned While Programming for a Month

#40

Post by guessmyname »

Froyoh wrote: post #28
lwerdna wrote: post #11

Here's a poor man's version of dnote in my .bashrc. It's the only thing I've used consistently: notes() { local fpath=$HOME/notes.md if [ "$1" == "gvim" ]; then gvim + $fpath elif [ "$1" == "vim" ]; then gvim + $fpath elif [ "$1" == "date" ]; then echo '' >> $fpath echo '# '`date +"%m-%d-%Y-%T"` >> $fpath echo '---------------------' >> $fpath elif [ "$1" == "" ]; then less +G $fpath else echo '' >> $fpath echo $@ >>…

Can this be used with nano as well?

Yes, if you change all references of "gvim" to "nano".
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