I've been diving into Django and working on a project, but I'm unsure if I'm genuinely learning or just following along with the documentation. So far, I've used Django, Docker, and JWT authentication, and with some assistance from documentation and AI, I've managed to develop functional features. I can explain my code and understand what each function does, but I still don't feel confident enough to design a backend system entirely on my own. I don't rely on tutorials or constant AI support, and I'm wondering if I can truly say I know these technologies at this point. What steps should I take to become a better programmer?
5 Answers
For sure, it's a solid start! Everyone goes through this phase, so don’t stress too much. Just keep building and pushing yourself a little further each time.
If you don't completely grasp the concepts yet, don't worry—you'll learn as you go! A good next step is to challenge yourself: could you write a Django framework from scratch? Understanding the design patterns in Django can deepen your knowledge of programming. Knowing the 'why' is as crucial as knowing the 'how.'
This is totally how learning works! You read about what you need and then just keep practicing until it sticks. When you feel ready, tackle bigger projects and keep repeating the process.
You're definitely on the right track! Over time, as you keep using the same parts, you'll start to memorize everything. Plus, the fact that you can explain your code shows you're learning!
Yes, you're definitely learning! Using documentation and understanding your code is how real developers operate. To get better, build projects that challenge you, debug your own issues, and start relying less on AI. That transition will show you're evolving from just following docs to designing your own systems!

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