This tag is for questions on self-guided improvement and how you can make yourself be a better programmer. Questions should focus on things you can change about yourself and not your situation.
-4
votes
0answers
57 views
What is a program/software suite that you learned that made you a better programmer? [closed]
I am interested in picking up programs that would me a better programmer. I can think of Github and SVN, but nothing else stands out to me. I know this may be a bit vague, but what are useful tools in ...
3
votes
1answer
74 views
How can this deterministic linear time selection algorithm be linear?
Im trying to understand the basic concepts of algorithms through the classes offered at Coursera (in bits and pieces), I came across the deterministic linear time selection algorithm that works as ...
0
votes
2answers
108 views
How important is common-sense in programming? [closed]
Are there any basic concepts one needs to apply in order to be a good programmer?
Like being punctual, ambitious or scrupulous?
What are the most important qualities one needs in order to do quality ...
-1
votes
1answer
129 views
How to connect with more programmers? [closed]
I am not interested in finding out about any specific community (which are many out there).
I just want to know how to make yourself known as a programmer. I think I am an experienced one and, even ...
6
votes
2answers
272 views
How to gain experience?
This is a problem that I think many people will find very common and some guidance from the expert users around here will be appreciated.
Background
Basically I'm a junior web developer in a team of ...
7
votes
3answers
261 views
How to gain personal practice at heavyweight development methodologies?
I'm in a new job where the project needs to meet strict quality standards, be heavily documented, managed in great detail, UML diagrams, and all those things that are opposite of "cowboy coding" where ...
-2
votes
0answers
102 views
An internship is asking for a front end code sample, but I already sent them a link to the site I've built. What should I send them? [closed]
Why couldn't they just view the source and see the front-end code?
-3
votes
2answers
172 views
training plan for asp.net and c#
I would like to create a self-taught training plan for C# / ASP.NET. Assume that I have the basics in place.(I know how to use VS2010, understand HTML/CSS etc)
How would you structure this training ...
63
votes
17answers
2k views
How important is self-teaching in the programming field? [closed]
I'm 16. I've started programming about a year ago when I was going to start high-school. I'm going for a career in programming, and I'm doing my best to learn as much as I can. When I first started, I ...
0
votes
1answer
74 views
Bad idea to display mail server info in public github project?
I have the project for work that requires me to send e-mails to people using our work mail server. The server doesn't require authentication. Part of my project is using a Java-Helper I'm developing ...
4
votes
3answers
144 views
Internship vs Open Source in terms of experience [closed]
I'm currently a second year undergraduate Computer Science student. I'm having a hard time deciding to either apply for an internship or spend the summer back home, working on some fields I feel I ...
-1
votes
0answers
133 views
Improve my programming skills. Advice please [closed]
What would you advise someone to read/do who is looking to improve their programming skills.
Background: I took Computer Engineering in college and graduated in 2004 (.Net 1.1). We had a horrible ...
0
votes
2answers
125 views
Procedure or Event Driven Language For Education [closed]
I am here to ask a question that has been asked many times before. What programming language should I learn to become a intelligent conceptual programmer?
Many people agree, you do not have to ...
4
votes
2answers
163 views
XP, TDD or DDD - Which one should I learn first? [closed]
I want to learn XP, TDD and DDD to improve myself. My problem is I have general ideas of what they are but I don't know which one should I learn first, do I need to learn something before other?
...
0
votes
1answer
167 views
How can I find ideas for small projects? [closed]
I'd like to start a small software project to do on my own in my spare time, but I don't know what to do.
How can I find ideas? When I ask most people, their ideas are way too big in scope.
Thanks.
8
votes
4answers
419 views
How important is knowing functionality before coding?
I work for a software development company where the development work have been off shored to us. The on shore team handle the support and talk directly to the clients. We never talk to the clients ...
18
votes
12answers
1k views
Techniques for getting off the ground in any language
When I start learning a new language, I have a couple of simple implementations that I like to complete to familiarise myself with the language. Currently, I write:
Fibonacci and/or factorial to get ...
1
vote
2answers
259 views
What precautions should be taken when joining a software company? [closed]
I am joining a software company very soon as a fresher. But I am afraid that no one knows me and also every one there will be professional.
So I want to know, what precautions should be taken in ...
2
votes
3answers
187 views
Development processes, the use of version control, and unit-testing [closed]
Preface
I've worked at quite a few "flat" organizations in my time. Most of the version control policy/process has been "only commit after it's been tested". We were constantly committing at each ...
-3
votes
1answer
97 views
App Development books for intermediate level [closed]
This question seems to be asked previously on this site but the audience targeted are different.
I am an Engineering student who knows Python, C and familiar with Java(learning now; good at ...
4
votes
4answers
254 views
I Want To Program! [closed]
I am highly interested in learning how to program but I am unsure whether I want to lean towards web developing or software programming. Or does computer programming cover both in a nut shell? Where ...
-2
votes
3answers
99 views
What is effective source to get experience and to improve skills? [closed]
daily job
my own project
website and forum.
books
code I read everyday
others
I have seen different people do different things to get them improved. which one is the effective way?
-3
votes
1answer
260 views
Why learning new things is not important on a job hunt? [closed]
I have just finished my job hunt. I think it was about 40 job interviews, I like to travel and get to know many companies. One thing I did not like is that they don't care about new technologies.
I ...
18
votes
11answers
1k views
Should I be concerned that I can't program very fast without Google? [closed]
Possible Duplicate:
Google is good or bad for programmer?
I'm currently in college to be a software engineer, and one of the main principles taught to us is how to learn for ourselves, and ...
2
votes
2answers
274 views
How do you deal with the details when reading code? [closed]
After reading some projects, I find that it is not the architecture of the software that is really hard to know. It is not hard to figure out the architecture immediately if the project is clearly ...
6
votes
5answers
365 views
Which way is practical for improving your skills with pet project?
About your own project, in which way does it give you more improvement?
Read high quality code in the same domain, implement your own.
Write one project from scratch with your imagination.
My ...
41
votes
17answers
2k views
How would you know if you've written readable and easily maintainable code?
How would one know if the code he created is easily maintainable and readable? Of course in your point of view (the one who written the code) your code is readable and maintainable, but we should be ...
3
votes
2answers
112 views
Looking for a digital developer book service
I just started managing a small team of developers for my company and I would like to give them access to a library of books that would help them improve their skills.
Before I buy a bookshelf worth ...
0
votes
1answer
112 views
going from C,C++ to php [closed]
I need some good professional advice from some of you.
Till now I had worked in c and C++ with having a good exposure to telecom background.This is around 8 years since I am working on these ...
1
vote
1answer
180 views
Good resources for advanced C++ topics? [closed]
What are some good resources for advanced C++ topics. I know C++, but have little knowledge of threading, advanced meta-programming and inner-workings of meta-programming and I'd like to get better.
1
vote
2answers
125 views
Methods of ordering function definitions in code
When I work on some programming project (usually command line application in Python with many switches), I'm usually creating about 30 and more functions. Most of the functions are in one file (except ...
2
votes
4answers
275 views
job prospects for a 45 year old beginner in programming [closed]
I am about to finish my associates degree in programming and want to know if it its a good idea to go for bachelors program for someone of my age (45)?
If your answer is yes which language or skills ...
2
votes
1answer
261 views
Where should I start learning math with regards to programming
I've created several systems already, a web based menu system, a payroll system and I am currently developing a patient administration system, I know java,C,C++ C#, javascript PHP and other ...
9
votes
7answers
678 views
Checking if a method returns false: assign result to temporary variable, or put method invocation directly in conditional?
Is it a good practice to call a method that returns true or false values in an if statement?
Something like this:
private void VerifyAccount()
{
if (!ValidateCredentials(txtUser.Text, ...
1
vote
4answers
228 views
Should a novice programmer learn several languages at once? [closed]
Possible Duplicate:
Is it worth being computer languages polyglot?
I am half way through my first year at university studying computer science. I have been learning Java on the course and ...
-1
votes
4answers
203 views
programming language vs algorithms what to study? [closed]
Since the proliferation of programming languages? Also increasing algorithmic innovations across the software technology be it a storage or transfer (wired/wireless) trillions of algorithm are ...
8
votes
5answers
274 views
Transforming theoretical knowledge into practical knowledge
I have got good grades and ~ 10 years of professional embedded s/w development. However I have come to realize that and also been pointed out in performance appraisals that although I have good ...
-1
votes
3answers
162 views
how can I improve my c++ skills [closed]
Possible Duplicate:
Why c++? Where to start?
I consider myself a java and python coder.
For python (usually not so big project but more scripting and fast stuff) I use vim, for java I use ...
3
votes
5answers
171 views
Is specializing beneficial in IT industry?
For the past few years I started wondering if it makes sense to learn advanced techniques in some fields of IT, or is it better to be just good at everything, and use the simplest code possible ...
3
votes
3answers
203 views
Software testing for developer
I'm a software developer. What do I need to know about software testing (apart from TDD, unit-testing and stuff) to make my software work as it should? For example, there are cases when TDD is not ...
-1
votes
1answer
65 views
Guidelines on how to give of a project demo over conference calls to the client? [closed]
I have read the guidelines on how to be prepared for conference calls but no matter how good I prepare I have the following problem.
I usually encounter unexpected questions towards the end of the ...
-1
votes
1answer
335 views
Advice for improving analytical skills and thought process [closed]
Possible Duplicate:
Improving analysis skills
My questions are, how can I improve my analytical skills and what can I do to improve my thought process?
8
votes
1answer
157 views
Is there a correlation between some software engineering practices and software engineering success stories?
I've been reading the book "The Drunkard's Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives" by Leonard Mlodinow and it's a truly enlightening read. The book deals with probabilities and human reasoning. And ...
0
votes
1answer
143 views
Which skills should I improve in order to become a professional software engineer? [closed]
Possible Duplicate:
most desirable skills for a graduate software engineer
I'm currently doing my PhD in physics and will be finished in about two years from now. I plan to become a ...
2
votes
0answers
88 views
Fun Learning Exercises Recommendations [closed]
Possible Duplicate:
Where can I find programming puzzles and challenges?
Recently in our workplace we have been playing Design Pattern Poker. This is fun and really helps the participants ...
3
votes
8answers
387 views
Is it possible to learn maths via programming, or you should learn maths for programming?
I am not the best in maths, not very horrid either, but lower than the average, I've always been thinking to improve my maths, but schools and books didn't do the job because I get bored too fast. The ...
5
votes
6answers
440 views
How long does it take for one to become really comfortable in a programming language and coding starts being fun? [closed]
I am just starting out in programming learning Aspect and I'm nearing the end of the introduction. I've learned about algorithms and functions and types of code and Python and briefly the basic ideas ...
5
votes
3answers
265 views
How do you prevent getting stuck in “research-mode” on a big project you're unfamiliar with?
I'm in a situation where there's a big project that I need a lot of background know-how to accomplish. yet I'm not moving fast enough in the research/study phase - and seeing myself off-track ...
10
votes
7answers
660 views
After writing code, why do I feel that “I would have written better” after some time? [closed]
I have been working on my hobby project in C++ for more than 2 years. Whenever I write a module/function, I code it with lot of thinking. Now see the problem,
do {
--> write the code in module ...
1
vote
3answers
103 views
What are some possible accreditations I could get over 4 months toward being a software developer? [closed]
We have a family business and I need to be in India, Delhi for 4 months as a part of a business trip.
I won't be doing much all day. I already have a degree in economics, but I also love software. ...
