You may find that they’re not quite as amazing as they first seemed a few months or year down the line. But if they are, your own progress is likely to be much higher than at another place.
Ask HN: How can I tell if I am a good developer?
11–20 of 49 posts
Re: Ask HN: How can I tell if I am a good developer?
#12I am not a developer, but a founder and product designer, so take my opinion with a grain of salt please. From my perspective, what separates great developers from good ones is the ability to accurately predict how long something will take to build. This helps so so much with product development, sales etc. You also need to be able to build things quickly and correctly, but as long as you can say how long it will tak…
You'd be better off injecting a large amount of uncertainty into your estimates, and planning around that. If that kiboshes a project, it kiboshes it. Better to fire your devs because you have nothing (feasible) to work on, than to fire them three months later because the project was late, because you have to pay them in the second scenario.
Re: Ask HN: How can I tell if I am a good developer?
#13The fact that you're asking the question indicates that you are a good developer. The bad ones don't care enough about their work to worry about it.
Re: Ask HN: How can I tell if I am a good developer?
#14Re: Ask HN: How can I tell if I am a good developer?
#15In my experience, its not good to be the smartest or most capable person in the room. I like to surround myself with smart people that I can learn from. I'm good at what I do but there is always room for improvement and learning new things. Being in over your head is a good way to learn a lot, it might be hard but you will have new skills on the other side. My advice, being willing to fail and stick it out - you are…
Re: Ask HN: How can I tell if I am a good developer?
#16If everyone around you is much better than you, and you are aware enough to see it. Stay! This is a fantastic place to learn new things and improve your perspective. You may find that they’re not quite as amazing as they first seemed a few months or year down the line. But if they are, your own progress is likely to be much higher than at another place.
Education is evolving and people come to the industry much better prepared compared to a few years go. I feel the problems haven't changed much and it's normal to see people with less experience be more productive than you'd expect. You can contribute by helping them :)
Re: Ask HN: How can I tell if I am a good developer?
#17If everyone around you is much better than you, and you are aware enough to see it. Stay! This is a fantastic place to learn new things and improve your perspective. You may find that they’re not quite as amazing as they first seemed a few months or year down the line. But if they are, your own progress is likely to be much higher than at another place.
Re: Ask HN: How can I tell if I am a good developer?
#18I am not a developer, but a founder and product designer, so take my opinion with a grain of salt please. From my perspective, what separates great developers from good ones is the ability to accurately predict how long something will take to build. This helps so so much with product development, sales etc. You also need to be able to build things quickly and correctly, but as long as you can say how long it will tak…
Unfortunately, this is only one signal among many, and it's not a reliable one. It's like saying a good gambler is one who is lucky at the slots. Sure, but... You'd be better off injecting a large amount of uncertainty into your estimates, and planning around that. If that kiboshes a project, it kiboshes it. Better to fire your devs because you have nothing (feasible) to work on, than to fire them three months later…
I think less experienced people do this because they are excited / eager to please, but it only hurts in the long run.
Re: Ask HN: How can I tell if I am a good developer?
#19Re: Ask HN: How can I tell if I am a good developer?
#20Drowning to the top is a great way to learn, always work with people who are smarter than you. If you want to know how good you are, do volunteer teaching at an off hours coding program.
This is really great advice!