One of my biggest growth moments as a programmer was realizing that libraries I use are just code, and I could read them directly rather than puzzling it out from the docs. Even today, I am surprised how much faster I move every time I start reading a layer I'm building on.

Feb 20, 2022 · 7:19 PM UTC

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Replying to @gdb
I do the same with DEFI. It's easier to follow the money than trying to figure out the documentation!
Replying to @gdb
It's great until you get a sight of some of the unholy nonsense that's in some libraries and your faith is eroded for ever... Then you end up having to read every load bearing lib fully
Replying to @gdb
I found this too. And it gives you the confidence to build your own library!
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Replying to @gdb
One of my biggest growth moments was realizing if I just wrote my own library’s I didn’t have to deal with all the problems of other peoples library’s. 👍🏻😂
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Replying to @gdb @paulg
.. and not fear modifying it to suit your own needs
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Replying to @gdb @paulg
I've recently joined a Discord community for some tips on a particular Laravel package I'm using. It's stunning how many devs ask questions and wait a day to get an answer they could have worked out in 10 minutes if they liked at the code.
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Replying to @gdb @paulg
This… is actually such a hack / something I never knew I’d need.
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Replying to @gdb @paulg
Exactly. The ability to switch to different layers of abstraction hierarchy and browse vast code base while not loosing the focus on the original task is important to have skill; good working memory (dual n-back for the help) and spatial data flow / actor visualization is key.
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Replying to @gdb @Peter_shirley
True, but reading code is a skill that you get a lot better at the more you do it.
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Replying to @gdb
I felt that....some libraries jst have 1-2 files that matter.
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