I just finished a course focused on Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) and SOLID principles. While I feel like I grasped the core ideas during the lessons—like Single Responsibility Principle (SRP), Open/Closed Principle (OCP), and Dependency Inversion—I'm now left with a big question mark. It's like I've received a toolbox but don't know what to build! I'm feeling a bit lost about how to apply these concepts in real projects and when I should use them.
Is this a common experience? I'd love to hear from others who have been through this phase. How did you make the jump from theory to practical application? Any recommended projects or tutorials to practice with? Personal stories on what helped it all click would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
I've been there too! After years in the industry, I found that the best way to solidify OOP concepts is by embracing them in hands-on projects. Even if OOP didn't resonate with me at first, experimenting with challenges and problems allowed me to see the advantages. Don't hesitate to tweak rules as needed. Also, keep experimenting with different programming paradigms—like pure functional programming—because sometimes those can give you a fresh perspective on OOP.
It's totally normal to feel this way! A lot of newbies have a similar experience after learning OOP and SOLID principles. The key is to start applying them in real projects. Try working on something that genuinely interests you, like a personal project. As you code, you'll start facing challenges that these principles help address. Understand that the real learning happens through practice, not just theory. And make sure to reflect on your work—ask questions about your decisions regarding OOP and SOLID as you build.
Thanks! That's good to know. Should I focus on trying to understand OOP concepts completely now, or should I let it come naturally over time?