The 2 “modes” of learning: Acquiring new software dev skills

So I was having the usual discussion of what is the best method of learning a new technology/framework/programming language.

“This is 2020 right? Are we really discussing what is the best method of learning new stuff?”

Well… This is not exactly about the best method, but the two different conditions/circumstances under which developers are expected to acquire and use a new skill. So this has less to do with the developers and more to do about the environment that these developers operate in.

First mode: The warzone

It usually starts with:

“We need this xyz software module implemented using [insert unknown javascript framework that has been released 6 months ago and you have never used here] ASAP”.

There is not much to say about this mode, other that

• we’ve all been there
• it will happen again
• most of devs will acquire the biggest amount of their skills that way

However some skills are not supposed to be acquired this way. This is simply because some topics should be studied end-to-end without having to skip parts because you are in a hurry. Googling your syntax errors away is of course fun and vitally useful, but the value of this method is multiplied if you take the time to RTFM first.

In order to read the documentation you need to allocate enough time to do it and because it never is just about reading, unless it is the newspaper, you also have to code/build as many examples as possible within the first hours of studying a new technology/framework/stack.

So make sure to apply this principle:

The first thing you build with a newly acquired skill or during acquiring a new skill (skill = technology/framework/stack) should NEVER be used professionally. ESPECIALLY if you operate within a warzone.

Start a pet project to apply this new skill, even if you dump it a few weeks later. Yeah this requires you to learn some things “on your own time”…

which takes us to the second mode.

Second mode: The Pinky and the Brain

Yeah I named it after the famous animated duo, because it involves 2 different kinds of mentality. One kind is the “I am having fun typing whatever crap comes to my mind without thinking, I just want to see something happening”. The other kind is the “No one is seeing what I am building but with this new skill under my belt I’m going to take over the world!!!”.

This approach in my opinion cultivates the best balance between

• Fun — Curiosity — Low blood pressure

and

• Goals — Determination — Discipline

to achieve the goal, which is acquiring a new skill in its entirety without being forced to take shortcuts and taking it to the open road, only when it is ready to roll…

However both modes involve “blood sweat and tears” being shed.

Unfortunately evolution never comes to us while we are chilling within our comfort zones…

Peace and Love!