Hey everyone! I hope you're all doing great. Lately, I've been struggling with problem-solving as a developer. It feels like I often hit a wall and don't know what step to take next, which leads to spending days on a problem or feature without making much progress. For instance, while tackling challenges on FrontEndMentor, I frequently find myself completely stumped by features I've never implemented before. Although I do try to research solutions on platforms like StackOverflow, I often end up just turning to AI for answers, which I feel is damaging my development skills, as I truly want to improve.
Just recently, I got stuck on a specific problem for five days with very little advancement. The problem involves functions for handling DOM elements with active and inactive clicks, and I'm struggling with making my code DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself). I'm aware of concepts like callbacks and event delegation, yet I still can't find a solution. This cycle of getting stuck is common for me with CSS, React, JavaScript, and more. I'm wondering if I simply need more knowledge, if there's a gap in my understanding, or if my approach to problem-solving needs to change. I'm really interested in your thoughts and any suggestions would be appreciated!
2 Answers
When I get stuck, I usually dive deep into my memory for what I know, scour the internet for answers, sometimes ask AI for help, and occasionally just get frustrated. But eventually, I’ll go back and reassess things and often find a way to fix the problem. It's a messy cycle for sure!
It can help to break your tasks into smaller, manageable parts. For your situation, I’d start by asking questions like:* Can I select a single DOM element?* Can I handle event listeners?* Breaking it down into these smaller steps can help clarify the process and make it less overwhelming.
That’s true! I sometimes sketch things out using tools like Excalidraw to visualize the flow of my thought process. But I still find myself stuck at connecting the dots!
Haha, I can totally relate. It feels like a roller coaster! I think it's essential to take breaks too; a fresh mind can do wonders.