At some point I had the realization that I had not been “stumped” by a bug in a long time. Aside from a few very exceptional circumstances, I am nearly always able to identify the cause of incorrect behavior within 15-30 minutes. When I first started programming, it was common for me to be frustrated with a bug for hours, only to discover an obvious logic or framework error the next morning.
In my experience (self taught and also CS major), the best way to get better at programming is to consistently adopt a few core habits: Read good code, read your own code (I often review the day’s commits before bed), and prioritize defensive programming above all else. If you do these things, you will naturally evolve into a better programmer as you gain more experience.
In my experience (self taught and also CS major), the best way to get better at programming is to consistently adopt a few core habits: Read good code, read your own code (I often review the day’s commits before bed), and prioritize defensive programming above all else. If you do these things, you will naturally evolve into a better programmer as you gain more experience.