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Ask HN: How can I tell if I am a good developer?

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Re: Ask HN: How can I tell if I am a good developer?

#41

Post by Clubber »

>Now I got hired at a really big brand and I joined the team last month. And oh boy, these guys are good. I mean they come up with solutions I couldn't even remotely think of.

This seems to be your sticking point. The reason they can "come up" with solutions is, in most cases, experience. They've seen those solutions before. If not those exact solutions, the pieces of the solution, and are able to put them all together.

Make sure you take the time to really understand their solutions so you too can have them in your toolbox.

Re: Ask HN: How can I tell if I am a good developer?

#42

Post by correct_horse »

quickthrower2 wrote: post #32
thepaulstella wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is such good advice. As the saying goes: 'If you are the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room.'

Corollary: Someone in the room is in the wrong room.

Corollary to Corollary: no two people can be equally smart

Re: Ask HN: How can I tell if I am a good developer?

#43

Post by CodeWriter23 »

Fast doesn’t imply good. How many regressions are the fast guys introducing? How fragile is their code? How much are they expanding technical debt? How well can you see any of that?

Someone else said it sounds like a great learning atmosphere, and they’re correct. Let your new crew be your mentors. Take the best you see in them and make it yours. Still having something to learn at 6 years isn’t a bad thing. I’ll tell you what, anyone in the 4-10 year range who thinks they are super expert is only deceiving themselves. Maybe if they focus in only one domain like front end.

Re: Ask HN: How can I tell if I am a good developer?

#45

Post by techslave »

toomuchtodo wrote: post #15
annoyingnoob wrote: post #2

In 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…

Spot on. If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room. Failure is necessary for growth.

i like to say: our failures define us, not our successes.

Re: Ask HN: How can I tell if I am a good developer?

#46

Post by toomuchtodo »

techslave wrote: post #45
toomuchtodo wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Spot on. If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room. Failure is necessary for growth.

i like to say: our failures define us, not our successes.

I like that. Thanks for sharing.

Re: Ask HN: How can I tell if I am a good developer?

#47

Post by QueensGambit »

Aeolun wrote: post #11

If 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.

This is excellent advice! On top of this, you seem to have a great attitude - humility and objectivity. It will help you learn faster!

Re: Ask HN: How can I tell if I am a good developer?

#48

Post by j88439h84 »

quickthrower2 wrote: post #32
thepaulstella wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is such good advice. As the saying goes: 'If you are the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room.'

Corollary: Someone in the room is in the wrong room.

Corollary. It is wrong to be alone in a room.
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