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The Pragmatic Programmer: 20th Anniversary Edition (2023)

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219 points ahalbert2 | 3 comments | 16 Nov 25 20:46 UTC | HN request time: 0.86s | source
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sfpotter ◴[17 Nov 25 00:33 UTC] No.45949845[source]▶
Alternatively, consider being an idealistic programmer!

  - Fall in love with a single topic, regardless of how trendy.
  - Learn as much as you can about it.
  - Keep learning about it.
  - Learn about it some more.
  - Spend years of your life doing nothing but breathing and thinking about this one topic.
  - Let fads and fashion pass you by.
  - Don't settle for good enough. Try to build the best version possible.
  - Choose where you work based on your ability to reach staggering new heights with this one topic, and disregard whether it seems like an amazing CV line item.
  - Fail to even notice fads and fashions passing you by.
  - Become a master.
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FrustratedMonky ◴[17 Nov 25 13:51 UTC] No.45953536[source]▶
Did that, doesn't pay. Being a technology hipster is like being a master of jazz, it doesn't pay, so you sell out and play pop music.
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1. sfpotter ◴[17 Nov 25 15:56 UTC] No.45954726[source]▶
What I'm describing is actually the exact opposite of being a hipster. From the dictionary, a "hipster" is "a person who is unusually aware of and interested in new and unconventional patterns (as in jazz or fashion)".

And, for what it's worth, following my own advice (I wouldn't give it otherwise), I haven't had major problems finding work. I live a comfortable life: own a house, have a wife and a kid, with another on the way...

Actually, knowing what it's like out there for a generalist programmer, I feel maybe more recession-proof with my highly specialized skill set (knock on wood). There are fewer jobs out there for me, but when I apply to the ones that are available, people tend to be interested in talking to me.

Of course, one thing that helps that I didn't mention in my original list: aggressively network with the other people who do the same thing that you do...

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2. FrustratedMonky ◴[17 Nov 25 16:02 UTC] No.45954808[source]▶
I tend to agree with everything you said.

Was just thinking of this

" - Fall in love with a single topic, regardless of how trendy. "

Sounded hipster.

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3. sfpotter ◴[17 Nov 25 16:09 UTC] No.45954875[source]▶
Fair! Personally, I'm not sure how you can get good at something if you aren't at least a little in love with it.

Here's another take: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75Ju0eM5T2c