Is Memorizing Syntax Crucial in Tech? Unveiling the Experience Developer's Secret
I, just like many aspiring developers, embarked on my self-taught journey armed with a misguided approach. I initially believed in the need to memorize every piece of code from Django docs before I started building project work. Months into this approach, I realized the inefficiency and shifted to a project-based learning model.
Another challenge emerged when I found myself struggling to memorize syntax, often feeling disheartened and frustrated for not recalling code instantly. One day, I stumbled upon a quote online emphasizing stating that learning thrives on building, and not cramming code..
This new found wisdom changed everything. With each new concept I grasped, I would build, experiment, and when I can't recall, I would consult the web. Slowly, a shift occurred. The code, which i can't seem to recall, began to stick through repeated use, it embedded itself in my memory.
This piece aims to open the eyes of those, like me, who may be struggling. Is memorizing syntax crucial? Let's delve into the opinions of experience developers.
Disclaimer: The images used in this article are sourced from the internet and are not the property of the author.
A survey was conducted by Stack Overflow across 57,910 professional programmers shows that about a whooping 90% consult Google when stuck with a problem. These experts have an average range of 5 – 19 years of coding experience.
Does this make them less of a programmer? Absolutely not.
They simply understand that they don’t need to memorize every piece of code and they rely on research to get their problems solved.
Research is an important skill required to be a good programmer and also an integral part of your software development journey.
I hope this admissions give you courage, you don’t have to be ashamed that you can’t remember every detail of the syntax.
As developers, we are not paid for what we remember, we are paid for our ability to solve problems. And those are not the same. My ability to solve problem arises from the my bank of knowledge, creative exploration, and external intellectual resources.
Let's end it here with a story I found on the internet written by Carey Gister
I once knew a man who was a very successful attorney. His office in his house in Princeton was filled with thousands of law books. The first time I was there I asked him if he knew what was in all of those books (I was pretty young and inexperienced at the time). "No.", he responded. "Why then, do people pay you $500 / hour?", I asked. "Because I know where to find what they need to know and, more importantly, I know what it means."
Thank you for reading.
As Albert Einstein wisely said, "Never memorize something that you can look up." Our ability to solve problems comes from a diverse array of skills and resources. The next time you feel overwhelmed by syntax, remember this piece, and share it with your fellow developers.
So, code warriors, how do YOU deal with remembering all those weird symbols?
Thank you for reading.
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