I'm curious about how others keep track of all the algorithms, syntax, commands, and useful built-in functions they encounter while coding. I often find myself making mistakes or needing to recall specific concepts, especially when I need to perform well in interviews, exams, or hackathons where using resources isn't allowed. What's the best way to organize and retain this crucial information?
5 Answers
Frequent practice and applying what you learn really help. You might want to consider organizing your notes effectively—some folks suggest using digital tools like Obsidian to create connections between concepts, which can enhance your understanding.
For over 20 years, I've relied on Google. When working with libraries or frameworks, I reinforce my memory by actually using them, but for anything new, I always check the documentation. I think closed-book interviews are silly; they don't really measure true skill if you're quizzing on syntax instead of practical knowledge.
Most people don't memorize everything permanently; they learn what's needed for interviews and tend to forget it shortly after. Coding isn't just about memorizing algorithms. The more you use something in practice, the more it becomes second nature to you.
I use tools like Anki and Obsidian for broader concepts rather than individual syntax bits. The goal is to write notes that are concise and straightforward. If you type things out yourself rather than copy-pasting, you'll actually remember them better.
I find that when you frequently interact with concepts, they stick pretty well. For things I don’t use as often, I keep organized notes in plain text files that I can search easily. I keep it simple and avoid complicated tools—just plain text files work best for me!

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