Top 10 Signs of an Inexperienced Programmer and How to Avoid Them

Inexperienced programmers are all over the world.

They often pretend to be senior engineers in their companies and during interviews.

We're going to discuss tips to identify coders who may be more junior than they appear. And no, I am not referring to tossing them into a medium or hard Leetcode problem and see if they can solve it.

Here are ten ways to tell if someone is a pro or an undercover inexperienced coder:

Number 1: Not Caring About the User

At the end of the day, it's all about the user. Keep in mind, “if you have no users, you have no product.” Inexperienced programmers think they know what the user wants, but they don’t actually know. Feedback from real users is invaluable.

Number 2: Lack of Planning

Imagine this: you've got a project, and you've received the first requirement. But before diving into the code, you should think about what needs to happen. Diving in without a plan is like building a house without a blueprint. Inexperienced programmers may start coding without fully understanding the problem.

This lack of understanding can lead to bugs and headaches. Planning isn’t just about the initial phase; it's about continuously referring back to your design to ensure your code aligns with your goals and your users’ needs. So, before writing that first line of code, take a breath, sketch out your plan, and save yourself future trouble.

Number 3: Spaghetti Code

Inexperienced programmers often write spaghetti code, which is disorganized and hard to maintain. This is usually due to a lack of understanding of coding principles. Remember to keep your code clean and name your variables and functions intentionally to help yourself and your team work more efficiently.

Number 4: Over Complicating Solutions (Over Engineering)

Sometimes, the best solution is the simplest one. Inexperienced programmers can create complex solutions for simple problems. Learning to recognize the most straightforward approach saves time and often leads to more elegant code. Remember the KISS principle: "Keep It Simple, Stupid."

Number 5: Debugging

Debugging is an art that requires practice. Inexperienced programmers might rely on trial-and-error instead of using proper debugging methods. Writing strong unit tests is also important to prevent bugs. Many inexperienced developers do not practice unit testing, making it a reliable way to identify newcomers to the field.

Number 6: Copying & Pasting Code

It's common to find a snippet of code online that seems to solve your issue. Copying code you understand is not necessarily bad practice. However, using code you don't understand is risky. Inexperienced developers often use code they don't understand, which can affect the maintainability and functionality of your program.

Number 7: Neglecting Best Coding Practices

Best practices keep everything running smoothly. Ignoring them – such as version control, code reviews, or testing – is risky. Adopt coding best practices early. If you're interested in improving your coding practices, consider reading “Clean Code.”

Number 8: Not Using Libraries

Not all libraries are good, but not knowing the useful ones is a sign of inexperience. Why reinvent the wheel when it's already been done? Existing libraries and frameworks are there to ease your workload. Not using them, when appropriate, can waste time and affect your team's productivity. Learn when a library can help, and get comfortable integrating them into your work.

Number 9: Understand the Domain:

Knowing your domain is crucial. Inexperienced programmers often claim expertise in areas they know little about. Learn about the industry, users, and problems you're solving to make your code more effective. This is particularly important if you're aiming to join a company. Understand the company's goals and mission, and align your skills with their needs.

Number 10: Not Asking for Help

There's no shame in asking for help; it's a strength. While asking too many trivial questions can be bothersome, not seeking help when truly stuck is worse. Remember, in software development, “you only know what you know,” and many people pretend to know more than they do.

Cheers,

Eric