Do I Really Need to Learn Every Library for Each Programming Language?

It's interesting to dive into how libraries are built, but to use them, you don’t need that level of understanding. Just keep an eye on updates and security advisories to avoid potential issues.

Think of it this way: do you need to know everything about how a car engine works just to drive? Similarly, a library is meant to simplify your work so you can focus on the functionality rather than the programming intricacies.

In general, you won’t need to learn every detail of a library upfront. Usually, you’ll have a specific need that leads you to search for a library that can help. Some libraries, like Django or Numpy, require a better understanding since they create broader ecosystems you'll be working within.

The main goal is to build something! If a specific feature of a library is what you need, then focus on that. You don’t have to dive into the entire library or framework unless it’s essential for what you’re creating.

You don't really have to memorize every single library. It's more about understanding the general purpose of a library when you first encounter it. For instance, I learned that the 're' module in Python can help with regex operations. I might not remember every method, but I'll know there's a way to perform substitutions when needed. This approach works for other languages too, as they often have similar libraries for common tasks.