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Discussion on: What is your greatest weakness as a software developer?

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kayis profile image
K • Edited

Jumping into the code right away.

It's a strength when doing maintenance work. I usually feel pretty comfortable combing through other people's code.

But it's a big weakness when starting new projects. I often feel like I have no skills what-so-ever in planning a project in a meaningful way. I always throw things together and iterate until it works.

I mean, after over 10 years of working as a developer have an idea what reasonably good things are to throw together for a project, but besides that I'm often lost.

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cheetah100 profile image
Peter Harrison

What else would you do? I mean code is the expression of a developer. You don't hear painters talking about how their main fault is jumping into painting right away. Or maybe they do? Perhaps they sketch a painting in pencil first? Now if you are developing a system for someone it is a good idea to do storyboards, rough mockups of how things will look, simply to communicate with the customer to ensure you have a common understanding. But there are reasons detailed up front design fails. youtube.com/watch?v=wCFKKDbfoVg

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kayis profile image
K

Often, I get the feeling, that if I go on, I will end up with a big ball of mud.

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moopet profile image
Ben Sinclair

I am this comment

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mrwensveen profile image
Matthijs Wensveen

The reverse can also be true. Over-analyzing, perfectionism and fear of doing something wrong can be pretty paralyzing at times.

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kayis profile image
K

Yes.

I could certainly use some light-weight software project planning framework, haha