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Hello guys, many Java developers ask me how to become a better programmer. How do I improve my programming skills? Or I am good at Java but not so good at problem-solving ability etc.
This is a reality, today's era is full of language experts than real programmers. It's easy to understand keywords, methods, and API of the Java programming language.
Still, at the same time, it's challenging to solve practical problems, design reusable, and robust software, and get the best of data structure and algorithm.
I have often seen Java programmers are not doing so well when asked to design and code a solution in a limited time, but at the same time, they are really good with Java concepts and all theories.
Even senior programmers with 4 to 6 years experience in Java programming, sometimes fail to solve questions like designing coffee-maker, coding Vending Machine, or sometimes even reversing a linked list. I may be just moving off from becoming a better programmer, but it's essential to know your limitations and then work out to resolve those.
If you feel resistance in coding, then you should code as much as possible, if you feel stressed and lost in designing using Object-oriented analysis and design. You should do a design using a pen and paper as much as possible. This resistance is what actually prevents you from being a better programmer.
I have personally found that coding and System Design presents a lot of resistance to an average programmer because most of them in their professional job don't do enough coding and development.
By the way, there could be numerous tips to become a better programmer, I will stick with my list, which I personally follow and which has continuously helped me.
You may find them useful but if you are on a more senior level and looking for tips to become a Software architect, you may like to see the Software Architecture 101 course on Educative.io
10 Tips to become a better Programmer in 2024
To become a better programmer, you need to be good at the data structure, algorithms, designing using OOP, multi-threading, and various programming concepts like Recursion, divide and conquer, prototyping, and unit testing.
Programming is a combination of many skills, which means it's not possible to learn it in a quick time, instead it will come with time and experience, but that won't happen automatically.
You can spend 5 years doing a Java programming job without being a good programmer. Since most Java, interviews focus on theory rather than programming and coding skills.
Not many programmers practice these essential programming skills. If there is a mandatory problem-solving programming test, I will bet, the average programmer would have been much better. Anyway, here is my list of things that can help you to become a good programmer.
1. Coding, Coding, and Coding
Why have I put coding at the top of this list? Because it's the most difficult and at the same time its central piece of programming.
By doing coding, you also realize your mistakes in designing, error handling, threading, and then go back to those respective skills to improve. You just can not work in designing only; coding produces output, which is vital to learn and act as a success.
By the way, do not stop just after solving the problem, it's always better to throw away your first solution, that is just a prototype, your next solution should address issues, missing requirements that you have found building a prototype.
You can also see the Clean Code with Java course on Udemy to learn more about writing production-quality code, which can stand the test of time.
2. Reading Books
Coding is easier said than done, and there is a massive difference between good code and bad code, but how do you know? Until you have seen a good code and know why a particular code is good, you can not understand the difference.
This is where books come to help; more often than not, authors are great programmers themselves. They offer their experience in the form of a book. I love books, but one book, which is particularly helped me, is Clean Code by Uncle Bob
By reading this book, I have found myself finding problems in my code and applying the advice given in this book every now and then.
My advice is if you ever find such books, grab them. I also recommend reading these classic books many times and refer them every now and then.
Another similar book is Effective Java by Joshua Bloch, which is full of good advice.
Also, by reading books, you are learning from someone else's experience, and there are only two ways to improve yourself, either by learning from your own experience (which is very limited) or learning from others' experience (which is unlimited).
Remember more is not always good, rather than reading 5 books, I suggest read two books, which you enjoyed reading multiple times. These two books are also from my list of must-read books for Java programmers.
3. Contributing to Open Source, Signing-up mailing lists
Contributing to the Open source code, especially from Apache, Google, and some other projects is another way to improve your programming skills and become a better programmer. Just signing their mailing list and the following discussion teaches you a lot.
Since most of the discussions happen between good programmers, listening to them and understanding problem and their approach, solution, and view, automatically develop good programming habits for you.
To get most of it, do not just sit passive, ask questions, offer your view, but same time value others as well. If you need guidance, this Open-Source Contribution: Guide for Developers course on Udemy is worth checking out.
4. Practicing Data Structure, Algorithms, and Design related problems
I was thinking of putting that as the second item, but it ended up fourth. In my opinion, this is the most critical of things to do to become a better programmer.
Most of the good programmers I have seen and met are really good in data structures, algorithms, and Computer Science basics.
By learning these things, you take better advantage of what is available. Since data structure is a key piece of any program, solid knowledge of them helps during problem-solving.
Similarly, knowledge of key programming principles, search and sort algorithms, and other well-known algorithms develop programming skills on you.
You can join a comprehensive course like Data Structure and Algorithms: Deep Dive Using Java to learn more about basic data structure, their properties, and when to use them in your program. It's one of the better courses I have found on the internet.
And if you like reading books more than online courses, then you also refer these books to improve your knowledge of data structure and algorithms.
5. Reading Good Blogs
Reading good blogs is a small part of reading books. How does reading blogs help you to become a better programmer? Well, it does. Since blogs are often written by programmers themselves, and most of them share their personal views, experience, you often find them relevant.
Also, blogs are a small piece of information, so it digests well. A blog also helps to learn new technology and new features of existing language and API.
Many times, I have seen something subtle or missed things from a really well-known part of Java described in a small blog post. When it comes to reading good development articles, I prefer to go to websites like Dev.to, FreeCodecamp, and Medium, particularly some dev focused publications.
6. Reading Code
If reading blogs help to become a good programmer, then reading code help more than that, but at the same time, reading a blog is easy, but reading the code is tough. Do you see resistance? Then you should do it.
Look at code of open source projects, your fellow programmer's code, your existing proprietary code, code from Java SDK, code from your favorite JSON parsing libraries like Jackson and Gson, and try to understand how they work, try to see what they are doing and why they are doing.
Find patterns, develop navigation skills, initially you will find it boring and difficult, but with time you will develop a good code sense, which will alert you when you make a mistake, help you to spot others' mistakes, gaps, and code smell.
This Code sense is one of the signs of a better programmer, they often tend to look, what you missed. If you want to improve your coding skill, both reading and writing, and need a resource then you can also check out the Pyramids of Refactoring(Java) - Clean Code gradually course on Udemy. It's one of those courses where you will fall in love with the first lesson.
7. Writing Unit tests
The unit test complements the thinking and coding process, and subsequently, helps you to design better. Anything which is difficult to test has a chance of improvement. Also, writing unit tests helps a lot in finding better names, better abstraction, better interface, abstract class design, and overall improves code quality.
But like coding and designing, unit testing is also a tough job for average programmers, you will see a lot of resistance there. Some programmer writes trivial test, instead of thinking hard on usage scenario.
Remember, there is no substitute for due diligence, and thinking through the process, after analysis, design, and development, unit testing is another opportunity to think through scenarios and gaps in your code. Make it a rule, always write a Unit test for your code.
If you want to learn Unit testing in Java, I suggest you learn JUnit and Mockito, two essential frameworks for unit testing in Java, and if you need a course, I suggest you join the JUnit 5 in 20 steps course by Ranga Karnan on Udemy.
8. Doing Code reviews
Like Unit testing, Code review is another development practice that helps to become a good solid programmer. Code review helps both reviewer and author, the reviewer improves his code sense and offers genuine advice while the author learns from his mistakes.
It often helps that the code you think is rock solid, has some bugs which only other programmer can see, Code review and four eye check does that for you.
If you are lucky and get a chance to work in a company that has unit testing, code review as a discipline, then you are likely to be a better programmer than the rest. These two things immensely help to improve programming skills.
If you are wondering what to check on Code reviews, I suggest you check if the code is functionally correct, if standard practices have been followed like SOLID design principles and Java naming conventions. Another thing you can check is if there are enough unit tests or not, which is often neglected.
9. Talking to a fellow programmer
Reading is a passive event compared to talking. Talking about a program and discussing that with a fellow programmer, often leads to a better solution, it's natural because your mind tends to involve more when you talk and listen to others.
I have then found gaps, missing requirements, bugs, and design flaws while discussing with teammates. In the software industry, where programmers tend to isolate them with their computer, talking, sharing, and doing whiteboard sessions helps immensely.
Don't just sit and code, talk, listen, and think and hang out with fellow programmers. Participating in the event also helps. You may also get some useful and practice tips to become a better developer overnight, like this one :-)
10. Participating in Stack Overflow and forums, Commenting in Blogs
This is another form of activity, which helps you to revise knowledge. By sharing knowledge, the first person who benefits is the one who shares. Since programming is big and vast, you tend to forget most of the things which you don't use for more than 3 months.
Participating in StackOverflow and answering others' queries, commenting on blogs, and forums is a nice little way to revise knowledge and same time correct your misconception.
By putting our knowledge in front of others, we not only help others but also put them to the test. Many times you will see someone benefiting from your knowledge, but also you are getting your misconception corrected.
Every programmer wants to become a better programmer, but not everyone succeeds. Apart from the natural talent of programming and problem solving, it requires a lot of hard work, constant learning, and perseverance to become a better programmer.
The more you do real work like coding, design, Unit Testing, and Code review, the better you will become. If you just want to do one thing at this moment, I would say go and read clean code.
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Thanks for reading this article so far. If you like these tips, then please share it with your friends and colleagues. If you have any questions or feedback, then please drop a note. If you have any other tips to improve programming and coding skill, then feel free to share with us.
P. S. - If you are a Java developer and looking for some Java-specific tips to become a better Java developer, then you can also check this list of tips to become a better Java programmer this year.
P.S.S. - If you are an experienced programmer with 5 to 10 years of experience and looking for tips to become a solution architect or move ahead in your career on the technical side then you may like to see how to become an outstanding solution architect course by Mark Farragher on Udemy. One of the best online courses to learn all the soft and hard skills required to become a solution architect.
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