One of the great aspects of being a software developer is the opportunity for continuous learning. There is always something new to learn about our craft. Availing of this opportunity is rewarding both professionally, financially and intellectually.
I enjoy listening, watching and reading about software. Unfortunately, COVID has put an end to the developer meetup scene for now. For podcasts, it’s great to hear the difference in presentation styles on either side of the pond, from the razzmatazz of <.Net Rocks!/> to the more serious, matter-of-factly Software Engineering Radio.
Whether it be languages, frameworks, concepts, tools, methodologies or design patterns - there endless resources out there to tap into. Too much for one person to consume, but don’t let that put you off. Start by finding out what’s relevant to you, listen and read about topics you already know and use - this will improve and enrich your understanding of them, taking you further down the path to mastery of that subject. Along the way, take note of the bloggers, authors and podcasts that you like. Listen or read some other topics that they present, even if they seem unrelated - it’s amazing what little pearls of wisdom you will find in amongst them. And then, put them into your back pocket for further on down the line…..
To misquote Ferris Bueller’s Day Off:
“Software Development moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while you could miss it.”
Online Learning
- Pluralsight
Books
- Code Complete: A Practical Handbook of Software Construction - Steve McConnell
- Working Effectively with Legacy Code - Michael Feathers
- Practical Object-Oriented Design in Ruby: An Agile Primer - Sandi Metz
- The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master - Andrew Hunt and David Thomas
- Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship - Robert C. Martin
- Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code - Martin Fowler
- Phoenix Project: A Novel About It, Devops, And Helping Your Business Win - Gene Kim and Kevin Behr
Podcasts
- <.Net Rocks!/> (https://www.dotnetrocks.com/)
- Javascript Jabber (https://devchat.tv/js-jabber)
- Software Engineering Radio (http://www.se-radio.net/)
- Coding Blocks (https://www.codingblocks.net/)
- HanselMinutes (https://www.hanselminutes.com/)