I've noticed that when I spend a lot of time on a project, I often make random assumptions about where things should go in the code and end up placing components incorrectly. This leads to hours of frustrating debugging. For example, in my game, I tried to add a Rewarded Ad to trigger when the player loses, but I mistakenly put it in my RestartGame method. I was confused why the ad didn't show up before the game restarted. Eventually, I realized I needed to place it in the gameover method instead. My question is, is there a technique or mindset I can develop to reduce these mistakes? Should I just slow down and think things through more carefully?
6 Answers
You're definitely on the right track! Gaining better instincts takes practice, but a great way to improve is by reading other people's code—especially well-documented open-source projects. This helps you recognize patterns and improve your coding intuition.
Any recommendations for good Python or Java codebases to study?
There are two things to consider here. First, building intuition comes from making mistakes and learning. Second, when you hit a problem, spend some time whiteboarding your ideas. I often plan more in Notepad than I do coding. It makes the actual coding smoother when you're clear on the logic first.
It's not just about instincts; it's also about knowledge. Spend some time learning about software architecture and clean coding. Check out resources from authors like Martin Fowler or take online courses. This investment will sharpen your instincts significantly.
If you find yourself stuck debugging for more than about 15-30 minutes, take a step back. Go for a short walk or grab a snack. Sometimes a break helps clear your mind and the solution will come to you unexpectedly when you return.
In the end, gaining instincts comes with experience. And let’s not downplay the challenges of programming—joking about ADHD in this context isn’t cool, especially for those who deal with it. Focus on skill development and learning from every coding experience!
You nailed it! Avoid making assumptions. Adding log statements to trace errors is really useful. Instincts develop from repeatedly checking logs and understanding your codebase. The more you know your project, the better you'll get at locating issues without jumping in blind.
I'd suggest checking out some classic programming books like *The Pragmatic Programmer*. It really changed my perspective on coding!