Hey everyone, I'm working on a native writing app in JavaScript that's packed with features, like a WYSIWYG rich text editor and built-in version control, similar to what you'll find in LibreOffice and other classic word processors. I'm trying to build this without too many dependencies unless I trust them completely, which I know can make things take much longer. I'm not working on this full-time since it's not my job, but I still feel like I've been making slow progress. When people ask how far along I am, I can't really say because each feature ends up taking way longer than I expected, especially when trying to create a good user experience. It's frustrating when I sense they're not impressed with my speed, even though I appreciate their interest. Also, a friend suggested that maybe I'm slow because I'm self-taught. I have been taking online courses and trying to improve my skills, but it feels like programming a solid product is always a slow process. Is this normal? I also want to avoid burnout while keeping my sanity on this long-term project. Any advice would be appreciated!
5 Answers
It sounds like you might have taken on more than you needed with this project. Trying to recreate so many features from existing software can definitely slow you down. Focus on a few key functionalities that really matter and consider using existing libraries to speed things up. You’re gaining valuable programming experience, but efficiency is also important!
Releasing early and often can really help maintain momentum! Instead of waiting until the project is 'perfect', put out smaller versions and keep improving based on feedback. It’ll help you stay sane and give you a better sense of progress.
That's great advice! I’ll try to push out smaller updates instead of waiting.
A good mantra to remember is: 'You can have it fast, high quality, or cheap; pick two.' It seems like you're aiming for high quality, which is fantastic, but just know that it can prolong the project considerably. Also, keep in mind that many developers work in teams, so comparing your solo project to larger teams with more resources might not be fair.
Thanks! It really helps to hear that quality takes time. I’m learning to be more mindful of using pre-existing tools.
If this is a personal project, then there shouldn't be any pressure on you! But if you want it to be commercial, you'll definitely need a unique selling point to stand out. Start focusing on one strong feature and launch it, then you can build on your app from there. Oh, and don't forget to dedicate time to marketing along with development.
True, I'm building it out of a personal need but I've been considering marketing. It's all about creating something I enjoy and learning in the process.
Have you identified what specific part of your development process is slowing you down? Is it debugging, design, etc.? Discovering the bottlenecks can help you target what areas need more attention or learning.
Good point, I haven't quite pinpointed it yet. I’ll take a step back and evaluate!
Yeah, I've cut some features to prioritize the most important ones. I'm definitely focusing on key features and learning a lot along the way!