How to Become a 10x Dev

Nowadays, everyone wants to be what we call a "10x developer." However, this term is often misunderstood and overvalued.
In essence, a productive or 10x developer, in my opinion, is someone who can use all the tools available to his advantage, by letting these tools take care of redundant and repetitive tasks and enabling him to focus on complex and creative work. Here are some tips and tricks to become a 10x developer:

Automate Repetitive Tasks with scripts:

Automating repetitive tasks through scripting is a game-changer for developers seeking to optimize their workflow.

By figuring out which tasks can be automated like testing and deployment and then letting scripts handle them, developers can focus on the more challenging parts of their job and save a bunch of time in the process.

For example, this script creates a new project folder, named by user input, and opens it in the file explorer:

import os
import subprocess

def create_project_folder(project_name):
    # Create a new folder for the project
    os.makedirs(project_name)

    # Open the project folder in the file explorer
    subprocess.run(['explorer', project_name])

# Get the project name from the user
project_name = input("Enter the name of your new project: ")

# Call the function to create and open the project folder
create_project_folder(project_name)

Keyboard Shortcuts Mastery :

Mastering keyboard shortcuts in your code editor or IDE is crucial for speeding up your coding workflow.

Some shortcuts exemples for VS code:

Ctrl + P: Quick file navigation, allowing you to open files by name.
Ctrl + Shift + L: Select all occurrences of the current word.
Ctrl + /: Toggle line comment
Ctrl + A: Selects all the lines in the current file
Ctrl + F: Finds a specific text in the code
Ctrl + Shift + P: Open the command palette for various commands.
Alt + Up/Down Arrow: Move the current line up or down.
Shift + Right Arrow (→): Select the character to the right of the cursor.
Shift + Left Arrow (←): Select the character to the left of the cursor.
Alt + Click: Hold down the Alt key and click at different locations in the code to create multiple cursors, allowing you to edit or type in those locations simultaneously.

Don't Over-Engineer:

Avoid the temptation to over-engineer your solutions. Adding unnecessary code or architectural complications is a common pitfall that many engineers and programmers encounter.

However, keeping it simple not only benefits your current workflow but also makes it easier for others to understand and collaborate on your code in the future.

Mastering Version Control Workflow:

Becoming good at using Version Control Workflow, like with Git, will tremendously boost your productivity and help your team to work together without stepping on each other's toes.

Especially with tools like GitKraken or any other GUI alternative that provides an intuitive interface that simplifies tasks like branching, merging, and tracking changes, making collaboration smoother.

And if something goes wrong, you can easily go back to how things were before. It's like having a safety net that makes sure everyone's work fits together smoothly, making the whole process of building software much faster and less stressful.

Utilize Existing Components and Libraries:

Instead of reinventing the wheel, use tried-and-tested solutions that are available. This not only saves time but also makes your code more reliable and efficient.

This approach allows you to focus more on the unique aspects of your project. It's a smart strategy to enhance productivity and create robust software without starting from scratch.

Embrace HTML Emmet for Rapid Prototyping :

Emmet is a toolkit for web developers that allows for quick and efficient coding through abbreviations.
If you are using HTML, Emmet can dramatically speed up the process of creating HTML structures.

example:

div>(header>ul>li*2>a)+footer>p

Output:

<div>

    <header>

        <ul>

            <li><a href=""></a></li>

            <li><a href=""></a></li>

        </ul>

    </header>

    <footer>

        <p></p>

    </footer>

</div>

Leverage AI Assistance:

• GitHub Copilot : Is an AI-powered code completion tool developed by GitHub in collaboration with OpenAI. It transforms the way developers write code by generating intelligent suggestions and auto-completions as they type. It's one of the best AI tools I've tried so far.

• TabNine : Is an AI-driven autocompletion extension for code editors. It goes beyond traditional autocompletion by using machine learning models to predict and suggest entire lines or blocks of code. Users can choose to use TabNine for free with some limitations or opt for the Pro version by subscribing to gain access to advanced functionalities.

• Chatgpt : ChatGPT can be a real game-changer for your productivity. For instance, it can provide helpful examples, like suggesting an array for testing or helping reconstruct code snippets.

If you're stuck or need clarification on a programming concept, ChatGPT can offer quick and easy-to-understand explanations. It's like having a knowledgeable coding buddy who's available 24/7 to assist you with coding challenges, making your development process smoother and more efficient.

Extensions in VS code :

Extensions in VS Code can significantly boost productivity by adding functionality, automating tasks, and enhancing the development environment:

• prettier : Prettier is an opinionated code formatter, it automatically formats your code to look clean and consistent, saving you from the hassle of manual formatting. With Prettier, your code becomes easy on the eyes, and you can focus more on writing logic rather than worrying about styling.

• Auto rename tag: The Auto Rename Tag extension is like having a coding assistant for your HTML or XML. When you change the name of an opening tag, this extension automatically updates the closing tag to match.

• Better Comments: The Better Comments extension will help you create more human-friendly comments in your code. With this extension, you will be able to categorise your annotations.

• IntelliSense : IntelliSense is your coding sidekick, offering smart code completion and suggestions as you type. It anticipates your needs and provides relevant options, making coding more efficient.Some examples :

• Peacock : Peacock is super helpful when you're working on lots of projects and jumping around between VSCode windows. It lets you link a color to each project, so whenever you open it, you can quickly see which window you're in by the color.

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In conclusion, incorporating these strategies and tools can genuinely revolutionize your approach to coding, transforming you into a more efficient and effective developer. Embracing a 10x mindset not only enhances individual productivity but also positively contributes to your team. So, go ahead, implement these tips, and watch as your coding journey goes to a whole other level.

This article was originally published on my website idboussadel.me.

Comments

[alessandro cerea]

thanks! good suggestions

[Azhar]

I started reading this post to get better then realized this is covering half of what I'm already doing. Great🥂

[Gurpinder Singh]

The term "10x developer" typically refers to someone who is exceptionally productive and skilled, capable of producing ten times the output of an average developer. Achieving this level of proficiency requires a combination of technical expertise, effective work habits, and continuous learning. Here are some steps you can take to strive towards becoming a 10x developer:

Master Your Craft: Deeply understand the programming languages, frameworks, and tools relevant to your field. Continuously learn and stay updated with the latest industry trends and best practices.

Focus on Problem Solving: Develop strong problem-solving skills. Understand the core concepts of computer science and how to apply them effectively to solve complex problems efficiently.

Write Clean and Maintainable Code: Strive to write code that is easy to understand, maintain, and scalable. Follow coding standards, use design patterns, and refactor code regularly to improve its quality.

Continuous Learning and Improvement: Embrace a growth mindset and dedicate time regularly to learn new technologies, tools, and methodologies. Stay curious and explore different aspects of software development.

Effective Time Management: Improve your time management skills to maximize productivity. Use techniques like time blocking, setting priorities, and eliminating distractions to focus on high-value tasks.

Collaboration and Communication Skills: Being a great developer also involves being an effective communicator and collaborator. Work on your interpersonal skills, communicate clearly, and be open to feedback.

Version Control and Development Tools: Familiarize yourself with version control systems like Git and utilize development tools that enhance productivity, such as IDEs, debugging tools, and automation scripts.

Testing and Debugging: Learn various testing methodologies and techniques. Be proficient in debugging to identify and fix issues efficiently.

Soft Skills Development: Enhance your soft skills, including teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, and leadership. These skills complement technical expertise and contribute to overall effectiveness.

Stay Passionate and Curious: Passion drives excellence. Stay enthusiastic about your work and continually seek to explore and innovate in your field.

Remember that becoming a 10x developer is a journey that requires continuous learning, practice, and dedication. It's essential to focus on both technical and soft skills while also maintaining a balance between personal and professional development. Strive for excellence but also recognize that consistent improvement over time is crucial.

Thanks for reading,
Dgi Host

[Jianchun Wang]

Agreed on most of your points, except that I think "Don't Over-Engineer" might encourage people to write over 1000 code inside one single file - I see that a lot.
Abstraction is developers' basic skill to avoid code redundancy and improve consistency. And how "over" is "over"? It can be very difficult to tell.

And here are some other points:

1. Master the skill of multi-cursor editing
2. Choose CLI over GUI
3. I think JB products provides more productivity

Cheers ☺️

[Samir Alibabic]

Now that you read this, you can call yourself 10X developer.

If it were that easy! 🤣

Being good comes with experience. 🙄

You can’t learn / read it. You have to experience it, over and over again. Expose yourself to the topics you don’t understand yet, get out of your comfort zone and never stop learning.

Just like „get-rich-quick“ schemes, becoming 10X overnight, won’t work.

[Arthur Henrique]

Hey, great tips! I'll find myself going deeper in some suggestions. Thanks!

[Chidera Humphrey]

Nice article here, Abdessamad.

I really like the fact of not over-engineering. Over-engineering often cause more harm than good.

P.S: I'm writing an article on over-engineering, including pitfalls and ways to mitigate it.

[Dave Lapchuk]

One thing I don't see mentioned here that's important is making sure the things you work on add as much real value as possible. If you do 100 things nobody cares about and others do 10, still nobody cares. If you do 10 things people actually care about and others do 1 thing of real value then people will notice.

[Edmundo Sanchez]

I though we all agreed the only ones using the term 10X are PMs and managers in general, all developers know it is a scam, the same as rockstar and unicorn.