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Arif patel Preston Dubai | 9 Top Productive tips for Backend Developers.

Arif Patel Dubai Preston UK — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 07:50:30 +0000

Today I would like to share my 12 productive tips for backend developers to improve productivity and become better at their work.

The topics raised here are based on my personal experience and do not focused on any pattern.

These are general advice on how to improve your personal skills and improve your productivity as a backend developer.

Some of the things in this article are based on my personal experience, while others are from personal research.

AUTOMATION

Automate everything that you do repeatedly including command line (bash scripts), text manipulations and logs, refactoring, building, deploying, integrating, testing etc.

Automated processes need to work well because they are error prone.

If a developer forgot about one step he might get stuck, this means loss of flow and will cost you more time to get back into it.

In my case, I have a list or a library of reusable components or scripts that I found myself using often, things like authentication, registration scripts, SQL CRUD scripts, etc those are part of my automation process because I don’t have to write them over again each time.

DON’T OPTIMIZE YET

The impulse to optimize is usually premature.

Clever solutions to squeeze performance increase complexity and undermine the end goal.

Get the code working then optimize just that code that needs it at the end.

I go with this simple term a lot for my day to day job.

First, Solve the Problem. Then Write the Code before Optimizing

WHAT TO OPTIMIZE:

You can optimize for speed but the most precious thing you should optimize for is your own time.

Optimize for readability, and clarity.

If you have to stop and ask yourself, how does this work? Or why isn’t this doing what it should do? You have just wasted your time.

Don’t use a lot of complex data structures and algorithms or advanced language features as a way of demonstrating your ability unless needed by the project.

K.Y.T (Know Your Tools):

For me, one of the best productivity tricks of all time is this.

Getting myself familiarised with the tools and environment am working with.

For example am a big fan of Atom text editor and Netbeans, so almost all the relevant shortcuts I store them in a book I can easily reference.

Getting familiar with your tools not just limited to IDE and Text Editors, any tool you used frequently will increase your productivity as a back-end developer greatly.

SIDE PROJECTS/LEARNING NEW THINGS:

This could greatly improve your productivity and confidence, having a side project you could do if you are bored with a particular project could be great, but note that it depends greatly on the duration of your main project.

Also always learning and improving your skills by reading other people’s source code, Watching YouTube videos, or reading blog articles (like this one).

Whatever works for you could be a great source of motivation for you to stay productive as a back-end developer.

COLLABORATION

Another great source of productivity is collaboration, see no one is an island of knowledge, you need to collaborate with people so you can ask for help, work on projects together and learn team building and/or management,

What is more sweeter than this…. Collaboration can save you.

You might be the smartest guy, with the best time-management skills and knowledge of all the technical skills in the world and still, there are some problems that you’d find problematic or decisions that should be made by the whole team.

Therefore, always involve other people when tackling a problem or making an important decision.

Introducing collaboration techniques sure as pair programming, code reviews and/or some other collective practice to your development process could be a productive approach.

PRIORITIZE YOUR TASK AND COMMIT TO IT

This will require a little bit of discipline.

It’s not enough to schedule something to do — you want to actively perform well in those activities that are more valuable to you and/or your company.

This requires keeping your mind focused on the task at hand.

You can’t really write a good piece of code or solve a difficult problem when you are thinking a lot of things at the same time.

Therefore, always do one thing at a time.

If you need to get something done in the middle of doing something else, just schedule a break from your original task to finish this secondary task, then be disciplined enough to come back to your original task.

ELIMINATE DISTRACTION:

Stay off social media for a while at work.

Social media could be one of the main distractions for backend developers, including youtube, quora, StackOverflow.

It just requires some degree of discipline at your end to stay committed to your job and be productive.

FIND A MENTOR

This could be a great source of motivation for some developers because where your strength could not reach your mentor can carry you through.

Therefor, finding a good mentor can boost your productivity level.

Arif Patel Preston Dubai | How to Become a Python Developer.

Arif Patel Dubai Preston UK — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 12:17:30 +0000

Arif Patel Preston Dubai | How to Become a Python Developer.

As there is no specific background or experience required for you to become a Python Developer, there are a number of ways you can enter the field. It all starts, however, with a specific set of skills, and more specifically, a mastery of the Python programming language.

Many Developers find that the Python programming language has a lot of features that give it an edge over other programming languages.

For instance, easy syntax and readability makes learning Python a lot easier, which should help you boost your skills with Python relatively quickly. And based on Stack Overflow question views in World Bank high-income countries, Python is only rising in popularity among programming languages.

How to Become a Python Developer in Three Steps:

1. Learn to Read and Write in Python
Since Python is relatively easy and intuitive for newcomers to learn, a Python Programming course, online tutorial, or coding bootcamp could help you quickly learn how to read and write in the language and leave you feeling like a Python pro in a very short period of time.

Because Python is a versatile, general-purpose, and extremely popular programming language, it’s often considered the best first language for newcomers to learn.

It’s an excellent choice as an introductory language because it is concise and easy to read, even for people with no experience with coding or computer science. And since it’s so widely useful — it can be used for everything from web development to software development or even scientific applications — it’s really a language any programmer should have in his or her stack.

Python is also one of the most widely used languages for Back-End Developers, Data Scientists, and Machine Learning Engineers.

And because it’s relatively straightforward, some courses promise they can make you a Python professional in as little time as 25 hours.

2. Work on Projects With Python to Develop Your Skills
One surefire way to develop your skills with the Python programming language is to work on Python projects.

Getting your hands dirty with a fun project will sharpen your skills and ensure that you’re ready when you face challenges in the future.

Here are just a few ideas to get you started on your first Python project:

Make a website. This one might sound a little obvious, but coming up with an idea for a website and using a framework like Django or Flask to build it is an excellent idea to gain experience with Python.

Create a game. This might not be the first thing you think of when you think of Python, but there are actually some amazing libraries out there (including Pyglet, Panda3D and Pygame) to help you create a game using the program. Bonus points if you have kids who can test it out for you!

Build a web service. You’ll want to have some practice creating a web service, and frameworks such as Falcon or, again, Flask, can be a big help.

Collect data from the Internet. Python is a beloved tool for fetching data, with some terrific libraries available to make your life much easier.

3. Develop a Portfolio of Projects Completed With Python

As you build your experience with the Python programming language, it’s important to develop a portfolio of projects completed with Python to showcase your work, including importing, exporting, and manipulating data sets, as well as visualizations such as graphs, bar charts, and more.

4 Tips for Building a Python Portfolio

Try projects such as organizing files on your machine, keeping track of digital collections, or training a neural network
Visualize your data and projects with graphs, bar charts and more
Add your projects to a portfolio display platform such as Github
Enroll in a Python Programming course and add the coursework and final project to your portfolio

If you’re not actively employed and building your portfolio on a day-to-day basis, take this time to come up with ideas for projects that you can execute and later add to your GitHub. That way, when it’s time to apply for Python Developer jobs, you can show an employer that you know how to get your hands dirty with code. A few ideas for projects include organizing files on your machine, keeping track of your digital collections, or training a neural network.

Another option is to pursue one of many Python Programming courses. That way, you’ll develop your portfolio and master Python under the supervision and tutelage of an industry professional who knows exactly what employers are looking for.

Further, you’ll receive a certification that will help you stand out from the pack and could potentially correlate to a higher Python Developer salary.

What Is Python Programming Used For?

Unlike HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, the “building blocks of the internet,” Python is a general-purpose programming language, which means that it can be used for more than web development, including software development, writing system scripts, and perhaps most importantly for the future – data science.

Created by Guido van Rossum in 1991, the intention behind Python was to help Developers write clear, logical code, and this philosophy has made it one of the most popular programming languages. According to BrainStation’s 2020 Digital Skills Survey, Python is used by 25.4 percent of Developers – a number that’s on the rise.

The introduction of Python 2.0 brought the language into its modern form in the early 2000s. But at its core, it remains the same. Python code uses the “object-oriented” paradigm, so it’s usually the best option both for large-scale projects and smaller programs.

The Python Package Index shows thousands of third-party modules for Python.

Some of Python’s uses include: web and Internet development (using frameworks such as Django and Pyramind); scientific and numeric computing; teaching programming, both at introductory and advanced levels; software development; and building eCommerce platforms.

6 Ways to Improve Your Software Developer Skills On Your Own | Arif Patel Dubai Preston UK

Arif Patel Dubai Preston UK — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 05:19:46 +0000

Studies show that the productivity of great developers is three times that of an average developer and 10 times that of a below-average developer. It’s no wonder that the best in the software-development field often receive bigger raises, promotions and the chance to work on high-profile projects.

What does it take to go from good to great? Here are six tips for becoming a faster, better developer.

Set Strategic Goals

What’s “better” is subjective depending on where you work, explained Kurtis Pykes, a machine learning engineer who drastically improved his programming skills over the last three years.

Some companies just want the code to work, while others want the code to be more efficient. Other companies prioritize developers’ coding speed over everything else. Don’t spin your wheels: Figure out where you are relative to the company’s desired performance level and focus on skill-building activities that will push you toward your career and financial goals.

How? Consider using the Feynman Learning Technique. Ask your colleagues for feedback to see which skills you need to improve throughput and quality. “Compare your actual performance with the desired standard, then reverse-engineer the incremental steps to meet your goal,” Pykes suggested.

Get Better at Problem Solving

To go from junior to mid-level in programming, keep solving problems, advised Danny Forest, software engineer, obsessive learner and founder of SkillUp Academy.

“The more you solve problems, the more the patterns become clear,” Forest noted. “When you apply those patterns to new problems, you’re able to solve them faster and better.”

To sharpen your problem-solving skills, consider taking an online course, reading books, listening to podcasts, and solving problems on different platforms and in different contexts.

Read and Write Lots of Code

What’s the best way to improve your coding skills? Read more, especially the code created by exceptionally good programmers. Reading high-quality code helps you identify your flaws and weaknesses, as well as the skills you need to develop. Plus, understanding and emulating the style of experts is the fastest way to develop your own style and improve.

For example, Pykes studied the code on the following GitHub repositories to take his skills to the next level:

_Scikit-Learn
Findings from Stackoverflow by JJruner
Bootstrap

_
Strive for incremental improvement by practicing and applying what you learn as you go. The accumulation of numerous small improvements will boost your confidence and help you surmount plateaus. “Make it a habit to code every day,” Forest added. “Set 30 minutes aside and try to solve a problem you or someone you know cares about.”

When you’re ready, transition from writing lots of small programs to larger ones, which forces you to face and conquer increasingly complex challenges.

Learn Abstractions

If you’ve gotten into the habit of copying and pasting code throughout the day, you may be inadvertently reproducing unnecessary, reductant lines of code. To limit duplication (often referred to as the DRY principle), increase your understanding and use of abstractions and learn to write cleaner code.

The better your abstractions, the more you improve as a programmer.

Practice Refactoring

To become a better developer, devote a lot of time to refactoring code. The process of restructuring or editing existing computer code without changing or adding to its external behavior and functionality can help you learn how to make your code more efficient, readable and modifiable.

Learn New Stacks

By developing experience in multiple technology stacks, you learn when and why to use specific languages and frameworks, which makes you a better problem-solver and developer. In turn, this also helps you achieve your career goals by boosting your market value.

“When I felt like I was getting advanced in Python, I’d take a job in Ruby next,” Forest noted. Over time, he not only became well-versed in many languages, but he also learned how to see problems from a different perspective.