4 Things I Wish I Would Have Known When I Started My Software Development Career

The author says his software development career improved only in the last five years after years of slower progress. He revisits the choices he would change, especially around learning, community involvement, and time spent outside work.

Reading notes

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• He argues there is no single right way in software development, because most decisions depend on current circumstances.
• He says reading technical books cover to cover was less useful than skimming for an overview and then practicing by building something real.
• He says learning a technology in depth is less valuable than becoming strong in the programming language and in broader skills that last longer.
• He says he should have reached out to the software development community earlier through conferences, user groups, blogging, and contributions.
• He says side projects would have helped his career more than time spent watching TV or playing games, and that working for yourself matters as well as working for an employer.