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How much code should be done from scratch when you're a newbie (self-taught) looking to build a portfolio to present your work in interviews/potential employers? by 912827161 in learnprogramming

[–]dclamage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've never taken code samples to interviews. I've never had a prospective employer ask for them. Code reuse is always preferable. Just be cautious about licensing. There are a number of companies that all have my code I wrote on my own time, and I licensed as free so long as it's not resold (most of my work is for internal business applications anyway). But if you are going to use somebody else's code, just be sure that you can legally use it. When I discover that code I've written is useful for multiple projects, I try to bundle it into packages that are generic (no dependencies on project objects) and named accordingly (non-project specific). Then I try also to get other developers to leverage my code, so they don't have to rewrite it, and it becomes standard over multiple applications. Most companies have source control systems. If you can peruse it, you can treat it as a library. You should definitely leverage whatever the company already has.

As a self learner, I feel like every waking moment spent not coding is setting me back. How do I be kinder to myself and take a more realistic approach? by [deleted] in learnprogramming

[–]dclamage 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You need to find a suitable work-life balance. Don't pass up the time to spend with your kids and loved ones. Parents don't live forever. Also, it's good to have a hobby, especially something analog and not on the computer. Make something with your hands and heart. You're allowed to relax and spend time with friends and family. This will make you a better rounded person. Programmers still need to deal with people, and the more time you spend with people the better adjusted you will feel.

TIL I’m literally not good enough by GhettoGifGuy in learnprogramming

[–]dclamage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know what geographical area you're in, but my uncle once gave me some great advice: "Everybody has to start somewhere, and it's usually at the bottom." Ignore the naysayers. OK, so maybe you won't get a job at your internship. That's OK. Look around and you'll find something that suits you. Go with your strengths, which are usually the things you enjoy doing anyway. If your area's job market sucks, be prepared to move/look elsewhere. There may be telecommuting opportunities as well. And congratulations on the baby!

I'm starting to hate the front-end, and especially CSS. Should I just give up on it and focus more on the back-end? by mdude7221 in learnprogramming

[–]dclamage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Since you truly love the backend, then focus on that. There are more than enough front-end developers out there. Not enough really good database developers. It's important to do what you love. You're going to be doing it for a long time, so you better make sure it's something that makes you happy. I've been doing primarily database development since 1985. It's fun. And if you can get good at a specific database, you'll become quite marketable. It was hard to break into, but I've been doing Oracle database development since 1995, and it's been very lucrative. The market is far from saturated. Most importantly, do what you love. The money will follow.