11 Things every Software Developer should be doing in 2012.
Dec 28
2011
Introduction
2011 is winding down and 2012 is upon us. Have you set any goals for 2012 both professionally/personally? Regardless of the answer, I’m sure one or two of the items listed below can help. I usually don’t blog many opinion posts, due to the fact that I like to keep my blog technical. This post is an exception. :)
11 Things every Software Developer should be doing in 2012.
- Get on Twitter – If you’re not using Twitter and are a Software Developer then you are missing out. I believe that Twitter is the one of the MOST important tool a Software Developer can use. Why?
- Regardless if you have 10 followers or 10000 followers, any coding question can be found and answered in a matter of seconds using Twitter Hashtags.
- Get software developer news straight from the source by following other developers.
- Again hashtags – To monitor topics important to you. For example, I use it to monitor #wp7, #silverlight and #wpf.
- To stay engaged in a conversation with other developers and to see what projects they are working on.
- Read StackOverflow Daily – StackOverflow is the number one forum for asking a coding question. Even if you don’t have an account, it’s worth it just for browsing questions and learning. I think it is a wise investment of your time to spend at least 20 minutes a day reading StackOverflow.
- Start a Blog – I believe that every Developer should have a blog. Why?
- It is a footprint that we leave for other developers studying our craft.
- It allows you to become engaged in the community.
- It helps you market yourself as a professional.
- Get out there – Get out of your shell and start talking to other developers at local user groups/other meet ups/conferences. I will let you in on a secret – most everyone is shy at first. If you start a conversation with them then it usually takes off very fast.
- Networking with other developers is big – really big. You start building connections in the industry and if you ever need help then you have someone to go to.
- Carry around a modern phone - If you’re a developer and carrying around an older phone then its time to upgrade. I remember a manager at one of my jobs that had to walk back to his desk to email me something. I remember thinking, “This guy is in IT?” Just like some industries you need to drive a fancy car, have nice clothes or the latest jewelry. In technology, we need to stay current with our computers, software and mobile phones.
- Embrace Mobile – Do you think this “mobile” thing is going away? Well, it is just getting started. You need to know more than how to develop for the iPhone, WP7 or Android. You need to learn how to create web applications that will run on every mobile device. (Including phones, iPads, Windows and Android slates). I believe that every developer will have to create a mobile application in his/her programming career. This is something a modern developer cannot ignore.
- Learn at least one design pattern- I am not going to tell you which one you should learn or focus on, but you need at least one. I prefer MVVM for myself because I am a Silverlight/WPF/WP7 Developer. If you are familiar with at least one design pattern then it would make me feel better about hiring you.
- I’d start with this book: Gang of Four – Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable OOS.
- Set reachable goals each and every year – Create a short-list of goals that you are looking to accomplish in the next year. Not only should you be challenging yourself with a set of goals, you should also create a quarterly outlook/Gmail reminder to evaluate your progress. I am a believer that you should start small with a goal and build up from there. I did this with my MCPD certification. I shot for the MCP, then MCTS then the MCPD.
- Learn a different programming language – Simply put, it broadens your perspective and permits a deeper understanding of how a computer and programming languages actually work.
- If the only tool you have is a hammer, you'll treat every problem as a nail.
- Boost your confidence – It always amazes me how few developers are confident in themselves. If you feel like you’re behind on something then learn it. I can’t find any excuse for staying ignorant in this industry. There is just too many FREE resources on the web.
- Read Blogs/Programming Books/Magazine – How many programming books have you read this year? What about good developer magazines? I believe a good developer would read at least 5 programming books a year and at least a magazine or two monthly. Even if you don’t have a subscription to MSDN you can get the .PDF for free a month after release. How can you get better if your not constantly reading?
Thanks for reading and please leave feedback in the comments section below.
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Comments
Roger Johnson
Excellent list! Agreed all around! Thanks :D
Mike Robbins
That's a great list! Challenge accepted.
Gopal Chettri
Perfect list ! must to follow :)
Lohith
Hi Michael
Thanks for the excellent post ... you have hit the nail when it comes to what other developers need to be doing ... very nicely put and simple lists....couldnt have agreed more with the things you have put up in this post.
Wishing you and your family a very happy XMas and New Year.
regards Lohith @kashyapa
Harvey Keefe
Great list Michael. Thank you.
Jeff
Great post. It was good to see that I started doing most items on your list last year! #patsselfonback!
Bharat
6th point is the best of all
Michael Washington
I agree with all of this, even the few things I have not done (yet).
ssh
thanx for your handy advice list. some of were worthful to me. Happy your new year guys!
Saber Amani
Great list Michael, I'll do that. Thanks.
Senthil Kumar B
Perfect !!!
The point No. 4 "Get out there" definitely makes a difference . Once a developer interacts / talks to others in the community , then there is lot of things that he/she can learn ...
Robert Bernstein
I really liked comment # 9. I know C# and C++, but my colleagues have all been recommending I look into JavaScript, Ruby, Python, etc. Thanks for the advice.
Ramesh
That's a great list, must to follow
ciaoamigos
Hi,
Thanks For posting . Its Really nice . Keep update a more article.Thanks for sharing the knowledge.
Alexander DiMauro
Number 12 should be: Get a hobby.
There was a point when I was feeling 'programmer burn-out'. Sit at work programming all day. Come home and program all night. Repeat, day in and day out. Always something new to read/learn. Etc.
Then I started coming home and learning Photography instead. Not only did my 'burn-out' go away, but my programming actually improved by doing something different from time to time as a way to 'refresh' my brain.
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viswanath
nice ideas
Phillip Haydon
This year (2011) I did:
1 / 2 / 3 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 9 / 11
This year has been my most productive year in 8 years :)
kkm
Awesome. Now I have some sense of direction.
Christian Crowhurst
Setting reasonable goals is vital, so is making sure you balance time between computers, loved ones and friends.
meh
ma73i
I've got another point: - take a rest
..but there's no time for this when trying to follow all the points... I agree we should improve ourselves and leave a footprint but there is no time for this sometimes :(
24-hour day wasn't very good design approach :)
The swede
As a swede, I immediately get very sceptic as soon as someone says you "should" or "have to" to keep up with things.
Most important thing to understand as a developer is that you don't have to be an expert at everything. Focus on one thing at a time, and don't feel pressured by ppl stating you have to start blogging or twittering. That's just BS in my oppinion. The ppl who blog and twitter are great, but it doesn't mean you have to do it yourself. Let your free time be more important than your work time. Work to live, don't live to work.
Make as much money as possible on the least amount of time possible. Take as little responsibility possible for the least amount of effort possible.
Take long vaccations! Ask yourself, what makes you the most productive? An American might work 10-12 hours a day 5 days a week with 2 week vaccation a year, but is less productive (money making per worked hour) than a Swede that works 8h day 5 days a week, plus enjoys 6 weeks paid vaccation. Rest, and you will work twice as fast. It's all about time effiecency and feeling good in life outside of work.
Personally, my next project is writing a novel, and it's gonna be far far away from the topic of programming. Blogs and twitter, will have to wait..
Yours sincerely, Swedish developer in a successful business
Maggie Longshore
I would extend number 2 to say you should register and participate in StackOverflow - even if you only vote for useful questions and answers. My co-workers all find useful info on SO but very few actually have registered.
Ashish
thank god i am engaged in almost 9/11 things on the list ;-) Now I feel like a true Software Developer :-) its a good post ! thanks.
itoctopus (blog)
Number #6 (Embrace Mobile) should be #1. The future of mobile, any programmer worth his salt will know that. The future is development for Android, iPhone, and Windows Phones (in that order).
Craig
I'll do #5 as soon as the phone companies offer a plan that doesn't cost me $80 or more a month. Currently I carry a Motorola Razr and pay $30 a month for 200 minutes that I share with my wife. I'm sure it's a great idea for the list, but I'm not going to go from $360 a year to $1000+ just because some blog thinks it's a good idea.
david
Nice conceptually, but who is this actually directed at? If you don't have a good handle on patterns, learning them is far more important than picking up mobile skills. If you don't have an in depth knowledge of the programming language you work in, trying to pick up a second language is an excellent way to level out your understanding and conceptual growth. And points like twitter and owning a modern phone have about as much to do with being good at development as being a gamer.
If you want a solid game plan, read The Passionate Programmer.
Rick
Thanks for the nice post. I agree with most, disagree with the suggestion to get a modern phone. For me, I'm most productive when I have fewer distractions, so I try to avoid using the phone (and even email) as much as I can. I'll deal with all my outgoing calls and email in 'batches' when the time is optimal. But if you have a job where you are interrupt-driven, then you may have to use the phone-- in that case, go ahead and get one that makes you happy.
Wishing you a happy 2012,
Rick
Shan
Good one indeed
Amit Mittal
absolutely right... All ideas are great and perfect.
One more thing I would like to add.. apart from stackoverflow.com every developer should also join codeproject.com also. It's worth joining and participating in both the communities.
Arunachalam
Very neat list. I also believe that every software developer should write code for mobile devices.
Thanks for the list.
pelumini
'Am gonna print this and paste on my wall.
George
Great post and nice list. I really liked item 5. I was one of those guys carrying an old phone but this year I finally realized that it is really important to get current.
Thanks, George.
ricardopons
Thanks for a hice post . :D i will try to read more books
hety
great list ! thanks !
idiot
Ok,I have more goals I can list in next year.Thanks.
ordinary_guy
Go get a life!
deepak
I liked the suggestion about mobile phone. Only recently I got a new mobile phone with new features and the good part is I am using them :-) ; had a mental block earlier about keeping away from mobile phones. It definitely boosts your productivity.
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Vishwajit Mankar
Excellent and very relevant list for every new year!!!. Excellent read on first day of the year. I will definitely start blogging this year. Thanks Michael.
MJanoska
For the 7th : I'd suggest Fowler's Refactoring as the second one. It fills the patterns with living semantics based on OOP principles. After all patterns are manifestations of single responsibility on an abstract level.
ammaro
many thanks for the nice article
Aftab
That's a great list, I will try to follow as many points.
musaid
smthing special :)
Ahmed
Thankyou for all your advice. I am going to start working on it right now by buying new phone :)
crump shaft
its obvious the michael crump is living in cuckoo land.
most of those points are complete garbage
the people who succeed are those that do the least amount of work possible and get other morons like you lot on here to do it for them
if anything this article just sums up that most of you lot are sad pathetic people.
get a life
Nick
Anyway post is good, Except few points rest all gud job for those who doesn't have any work in office... :)
prabhakar kankanala
Nice article
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Sirwan Afifi
Excellent.
Ivaylo Nikolov
Agreed for all.
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Cannot logon twitter in China Mainland....
Pavan
Great list. Thank you for it.
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Add: Learn to use the keyboard. You type for a living. Quit wasting time grabbing the mouse for every little thing there is a keyboard shortcut for.
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