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Ask HN: I've realized I'm a bad software engineer and I'm over 30, what's next?

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Re: Ask HN: I've realized I'm a bad software engineer and I'm over 30, what's next?

#81

Post by bwh2 »

danesparza wrote: post #12

Do you want to be a software developer still? (That isn't clear from your summary). If so, you need to learn better habits. I suggest picking up a book on the subject, like "Code Complete" (at Amazon or wherever books are sold. Pretty sure it's at the library if you'd rather read it for free -- but it'll do better as a reference book on your desk for a few years). Use it and start practicing with personal projects ho…

Yep, read these books and apply the ideas directly to your work as you go: Code Complete (which IMO is more detailed and explanatory than Clean Code) then Clean Architecture.

Re: Ask HN: I've realized I'm a bad software engineer and I'm over 30, what's next?

#82

Post by aerovistae »

epm7384 wrote: post #22

I'd argue differently. Congrats for having the courage to recognize your problem. The analogy that comes to mind is I've been playing basketball in my local town, and now I've gotten promoted to play in the big city. I now feel like a small fish in a big pond. If you enjoy software engineering, I'd say, double down. Now that you're at the medium software company, seek mentorship and coaching from others. In addition,…

Totally agreed! My first thought on reading this was "this doesn't sound like a bad engineer, this sounds like an engineer with potential who's just been exposed to some good practices they hadn't encountered before."

Just set your mind to doing better and in as little as a year it'll be a different story.

Re: Ask HN: I've realized I'm a bad software engineer and I'm over 30, what's next?

#83

Post by vnchr »

Seek an opportunity with mentorship by someone who is committed to your growth, on a team with good hygiene and respect for learning. Rebuild your identity. You have career value. Don't throw it away. Transition to a different direction from a place of success and you'll carry that self-confidence and story of redemption instead of regret.

Re: Ask HN: I've realized I'm a bad software engineer and I'm over 30, what's next?

#84

Post by Tade0 »

I used to sing in a choir and whenever someone said that they can't sing because they're off key all the time our choirmaster would reply with:

"Good! At least you can hear it, which means you can be taught."

If there is someone in the company who will give you the time of the day to work with you on these problems then you're in a good position and your best course of action would be to make the most of it.

As for hardcoded values etc.: you would not believe what passes for working code in large corporations.

Re: Ask HN: I've realized I'm a bad software engineer and I'm over 30, what's next?

#85

Post by mxmpawn »

epm7384 wrote: post #22

I'd argue differently. Congrats for having the courage to recognize your problem. The analogy that comes to mind is I've been playing basketball in my local town, and now I've gotten promoted to play in the big city. I now feel like a small fish in a big pond. If you enjoy software engineering, I'd say, double down. Now that you're at the medium software company, seek mentorship and coaching from others. In addition,…

I really appreciate your (and everyone) help. I've always knew I was behind some things but this real world experience slapped me in the face and now I'm trying to readjust.

My manager has already been aware of my lack of knowledge but I'll talk to him to know if they still want me there. If I keep my job I for sure will be asking for more help at the start of a new project.

Re: Ask HN: I've realized I'm a bad software engineer and I'm over 30, what's next?

#87

Post by MisterBastahrd »

Read code from successful projects in languages you understand on github. Figure out why they're doing what they're doing. When you find something you don't understand, either search online for more context or ask another developer. You don't need to spend fifty hours a week reinventing the wheel, you just need to figure out why successful developers are successful. Books will close some of that gap, but nothing is as informative as understanding what and why something works.

Re: Ask HN: I've realized I'm a bad software engineer and I'm over 30, what's next?

#88

Post by grassgreener »

I have been a semi-similar position, worked 3 years in non-tech world where I was a full-stack tech lead wizard champion. But decided to go into tech, since I wasn't learning anymore and was tired of being considered a senior in my field when I actually was just senior in my role.

Long story short, joined tech, got wrecked and started to doubt about my skills. Things to keep in mind:

- you got hired. unless they did a shit job interviewing they probably know that you are not Martin Fowler

- you made this career move for that very reason: learning, getting your ego shuddered a little bit

- talk to your supervisor and share your feelings

There might also be some other issues here that are not completely tied to your skills/competences. Some projects are tough. I would not consider working on a codebase that is full of hard coded values, magic and hacks "medium difficulty". In fact, this sounds like a really difficult task as you have to make constant trade-offs (refactor/rewrite/leave it alone).

Anyway, don't be so hard on yourself, we all suck at our job. Communicate with your team.

Re: Ask HN: I've realized I'm a bad software engineer and I'm over 30, what's next?

#89

Post by cblackthornekc »

rijoja wrote: post #76
cblackthornekc wrote: post #51

Why do you have to come at me like this? This is a feeling I go through all the time. It's partly imposter syndrome, but partly that you're probably holding yourself to a higher standard than others. > I'd been assigned a medium complexity task Who decided that it was medium? A manger? Some lead? You? You can't really compare what is easy and what is hard when it comes to software. I worked on a project that timeline…

"He assumed that developers were cogs in a machine that can be replaced." Well large corporations do want this very much and there are things you can do to make it work like this. Not without investment of course.

Right, it is understandable that a large company would want you to get going quickly. But yeah, without investing in code quality tools, or something to keep code bases similar, it won't be a fast transition.

Re: Ask HN: I've realized I'm a bad software engineer and I'm over 30, what's next?

#90

Post by shaolinspirit »

you can write perfect code who nobody will use or crap code with millions of users. focus on delivering maximum value over some ideologies or dogmas. purity is overrated focus on value means as well to find the perfect balance between good architecture, timing, maintenance and value for users. good luck and don't get the judge inside your head beat you up.
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