Ask stupid questions as a new software developer
nikitakazakov.com
Ask stupid questions as a new software developer
1–10 of 87 posts
Re: Ask stupid questions as a new software developer
#2Communicating effectively is way more complicated than applying a 4 paragraphs long blanket advice.
Re: Ask stupid questions as a new software developer
#3Please ask me any question, regardless of how dumb you think it will make you look, after you've spent at least 5 minutes trying to answer it yourself.
Bonus Points if you summarize your quick research efforts.
Extra Bonus Points if this leads to more questions.
(Caveat emptor: _many_ engineers are decidedly antisocial, but if you show that you did prior research before asking, you're showing to them that you value their time as much as your own, and there's a better chance that they will be receptive to collaboration.)
Re: Ask stupid questions as a new software developer
#4Just as important: ask "stupid" questions if you're a Lead or a Principal or whatever. First, you don't know everything, no one does. Second, it makes it easier for the Junior devs to ask their questions.
Re: Ask stupid questions as a new software developer
#5To be honest, ask stupid questions even as an experienced developer!
We all have brain farts, and don’t know everything!
Re: Ask stupid questions as a new software developer
#6Please ask me any question, regardless of how dumb you think it will make you look, after you've spent at least 5 minutes trying to answer it yourself. Bonus Points if you summarize your quick research efforts. Extra Bonus Points if this leads to more questions. (Caveat emptor: _many_ engineers are decidedly antisocial, but if you show that you did prior research before asking, you're showing to them that you value t…
Bingo - just constantly asking relatively trivial beginner's questions will quickly make any busy senior lose patience. Key is to be somewhere in the middle - trying to understand, but needing that extra glue to make sense of the facts.
Re: Ask stupid questions as a new software developer
#7The job interview hell that we go through these days selects for people unwilling to do this.
Re: Ask stupid questions as a new software developer
#8Please ask me any question, regardless of how dumb you think it will make you look, after you've spent at least 5 minutes trying to answer it yourself. Bonus Points if you summarize your quick research efforts. Extra Bonus Points if this leads to more questions. (Caveat emptor: _many_ engineers are decidedly antisocial, but if you show that you did prior research before asking, you're showing to them that you value t…
Bingo - just constantly asking relatively trivial beginner's questions will quickly make any busy senior lose patience. Key is to be somewhere in the middle - trying to understand, but needing that extra glue to make sense of the facts.
Collect your questions, research them yourselves, come with the bundle.. when im obviously not concentrated or it really holds up your work.
Re: Ask stupid questions as a new software developer
#9Sure. But I would expect you to go through the first page of Google results first.
Re: Ask stupid questions as a new software developer
#10Please ask me any question, regardless of how dumb you think it will make you look, after you've spent at least 5 minutes trying to answer it yourself. Bonus Points if you summarize your quick research efforts. Extra Bonus Points if this leads to more questions. (Caveat emptor: _many_ engineers are decidedly antisocial, but if you show that you did prior research before asking, you're showing to them that you value t…
I've read "How To Ask Questions The Smart Way" by ESR when I was young. It had a rather big impact on me.
Of course now I realize people who need the message won't read it.