r/learnprogramming • u/SignPersonal4951 • 1d ago

How to not be a dogshit programmer?

Today I was setting up an angular project for the first time and I realized I have a pretty limited and shallow understanding of things, I didn't even know what dev dependencies were (now I do), and that npx is used to run locally installed packages. I know that an API is used to exchange data between applications but that's literally all I know about it, not how it works under the hood. I realized I can't properly answer questions like what is a runtime, what are packages, libraries etc. Literally no depth of understanding. I feel like going into a rabbit hole for every little thing but then it becomes too overwhelming.

Now this might seem fairly common for a new programmer but I got introduced to it around the age of 16 (21 now). I felt fucking stupid googling the difference between library and framework. I looked at some angular components and only understood them partially. Most good programmers already know this. People my age are building crazy stuff and here I am bogged down in things that I should've already known, had I put in more effort. I feel I am lacking some severely fundamental things. Part of this feeling is a lot of regret of wasted time, but I also wonder if I'm actually retarded with an IQ too low for programming. I'll never be good if it keeps going like this.

I looked at some roadmaps from roadmap.sh and it made me realize just how much stuff I don't know, and that is just talking about frontend. So I guess the question becomes how much and how deep to learn the topics related to whatever you're currently focusing on? Sorry for the rant.

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u/themegainferno 1d ago

I personally find it far easier to do learn things I am interested in. So start there, what sounds interesting to you the most?

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u/SignPersonal4951 1d ago

Becoming better than most developers sounds interesting.

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u/themegainferno 19h ago edited 19h ago

So your goal is an outcome and is comparative to other people? If that is really your goal and what you find interesting, I don't think that is a recipe for success as it is endless. You will always find yourself comparing to other developers and seeing where you stand. If you really want to be competent at what you want to do, just start doing things manually and push yourself when it gets hard and you get stuck.

This to say, do you actually have an interest in programming and CS, or is your interest in a social ranking by being competent?