4 techniques to improve as a software dev

I spent many years struggling to improve as an engineer. Learning how to use modern tools and frameworks is not the same as actual improvement and in the long run I had not found that it had any kind of meaningful impact on the kind of input I would have in my team and company.

This article is aimed at the software engineer who is wondering how to get to the next level in their learning. Perhaps trying to have a larger input and a more direct impact on all manner of interactions. This can range from reviewing Pull Requests to team meetings.

Today we will be looking at 4 techniques that I have utilised to help me improve as an engineer.

1. Experience more patterns and interesting solutions
2. Improve your general problem solving
3. Identify and learn from your current behaviour
4. Utilise common management principles

1. Experience more patterns and interesting solutions

There is a huge amount to learn from other people’s code. Most are expected to review code written internally but what about code written externally?

The JavaScript ecosystem is a jungle of public open-source tools, many of which have different and interesting designs. I would recommend finding your favourite 2–3 tools/frameworks. Start with some basic questions and dig deeper and deeper into the code, identifying any patterns and solutions which you…