Today, I Learned…
Today, in a very unexpected way and moment, I realized something that if my big head keeps reiterating and I hold unto for a while, I think would greatly influence my career and learning journey.
Learning programming isn’t linear.
I know.
You probably already knew that.
But bear with me for not understanding and realizing it on time.
At the moment, I’m currently setting up docker and it’s taking eons, so why not write an article yeah? lol
How did I get to my realization?
I'm coming back from my PPA (NYSC — if you're Nigerian you should get this), and I'm wondering why I haven't grown as much as I'm expecting to, and then I'm comparing myself to this other (badass!) lady I know who writes a bunch of languages and we started at almost the same time — I know, we all have our individual journeys, but it doesn't mean we shouldn't reflect and try to figure out what we’re doing wrong in certain circumstances.
So, I was wondering how she picked up a lot of languages in so short an amount of time and how another lady I know also writes other languages although she describes herself more as a Javascript dev, and then…
…it came to me; the term is software engineer, not *insert language* engineer here.
It means I should be flexible enough to understand these concepts to know that all programming languages are alike and the point is to use one to learn these basics then use a language as needs be.
So if I want to deploy a smart contract or get into blockchain, instead of being stubborn and saying “I like python, i’m a python dev, i’d stick to python until a solution is brought for it”, I could just pick up solidity for the time being that I need to use it for, be done with my work and then go back to whatever language I like more.
The point is, can python be used to write smart contracts? Yes, there are examples of it (web3.py). But is it the best-suited language for it? Or at least the most supported for it? The honest answer is no.
Can you delve into web3.py just because you want to? Yes, by all means.
But in a fast-moving world, where our theme is to look for the easier to pick up and “easier to use/get support” technology, it is an added skill to have what employers are looking for. Else you'd just stay behind and the tide will leave you.
I used to think I needed to be a master in at least one language to be able to transition until I realised today that that's probably what has been holding me back from growing or putting myself out there and learning in public because of the fear of failing when actually that’s what is supposed to help me grow and be better.
Nah, it ends today.
From here on out, I commit to:
- Being a better developer/engineer.
- Not being scared of learning (new technologies, etc).
- Perfectionism, because this hinders creativity and the will to learn more.
- Coding more; because I really really really love to build things.
- Understanding that no language is better than the other, they are all just tools. Can a plier be used to drive in a nail? Yes, it is possible. But would a hammer be better suited? Definitely. But as a carpenter, you must first understand which tool is which and know the basics. So shall thy ways be smooth, lol.
- Increase my portfolio and experiment with new languages.
So dearest Precious(which is me), and whoever else is reading this, the long and short of this whole text is this:
You Cannot Be Close Minded In The Tech Space.
