Tuesday, August 26, 2014

To take thy code personally - Yes or No? That is the question...

One area of conversation that tends to come about in software engineering is the degree to which one takes their code personally. Litmus test: that shiny gem you wrote was code reviewed and recommendations are made to make some changes. Do you:
  1. turn red, tell the reviewer how idiotic they are, storm away, and start looking secretly for a new job?
  2. listen to what the other party has to say and make sense of it as a learning experience?
Now this is only one of many examples of taking code 'personally,' and realistically is a bit of an extreme in option 'a.' This behavior though takes shape and evolves in different ways, but I believe if this is an attribute you posses it's one to shake and shed fast for the betterment of your career,

I have for years stated it wasn't the physical lines of code I laid down, but the byproduct of what I learned that is the real personal reward. I've written apps over the years that for one reason or another didn't make it to prod or where short lived. However the experienced gained from what I did was what kept moving me forward.

For example - "Hey Allen, you aren't upset that app you worked on got scrapped because the business did a 180?" Me: "Nope. Because now I know a ton about x, y, and z and am a better developer for it."

I actually had a (technical) debate/argument about this topic with an industry peer within the last few years. I stated I don't take my code too personally and the experience gained was paramount (after all that continued experience helps me move on and do bigger and better things). Sure I absolutely want what I create to succeed, but if it gets thrown out, rewritten, refactored, or the like I will not loose any sleep at night. I will however if it presents itself take note and learn from it to grow. This person couldn't understand why I wouldn't take great pride in what I did and die by the sword if need be for the lines of code I write and that those that took their code personally were more along the lines of what they thought were 'great programmers'. Problem with this is you so much as critique the architecture/design of ones code with this so called 'passion' and get ready... it's like you just told them they have a 3rd eye or something.

Do not confuse taking your code personally with instilling quality in an application. These are separate and one does not depend on the other. If the code you are responsible for is used on an aircraft and in charge of avionics - sure you absolutely care about that code and it's quality. However, the aircraft dev guru that told you your C++ methodologies were outdated and we are programming for Boeing not Pan Am in the 70's - you need not again take this personally. If you care about your craft you will truly try to grow from others suggestions and wisdom, learn from your experiences, and continue to move forward.

Next and also important, do not confuse taking your code personally and having passion for your craft as a software engineer. Again these are not intersecting lines. I have a major passion for my career and craft as a software engineer. It's what keeps me on the computer late at night learning new technologies, preparing for presentations, and blogging. This has nothing to do with taking personally the code I write. Taken from "the grumpy programmer" and said best by someone with uber experience, "Don't fall in love with your code."

Before posting this I read over what I wrote a few times because I don't want it coming across as I don't care - because I absolutely do; ask those I work with and they should concur. However, I don't let that VB6 app I wrote 12 years ago and put my blood, sweat, and tears into and the fact that it's no longer used bother me one bit. However, the knowledge I gained at that time helped get me to where I am today.

So the answer to the title - 'no', do not take your code personally. Odds are the lines of code you write today will not be around in 10 years. Instead try to find great joy in the experience you gain from what you do because you can take that with you from project to project and it will certainly be around for many, many years to come.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Upcoming Speaking Events: Orlando Modern Apps LIVE! (LIVE! 360) and ONETUG Meeting

I really excited to move to the next step in my venture of helping others in the realm of software engineering with (2) upcoming speaking engagements. I'll be speaking in November at Modern Apps LIVE! as part of the LIVE! 360 conference in Orlando, FL. I'll also be speaking in September at the Orlando .NET User group meeting.

Registration for LIVE! 360 in Orlando this fall which runs from November 17-21 is now open. If you have not been to this conference previously, you should really consider attending to get out of the vacuum which is the daily routine and see what's really out there in the world of .NET and related technology development. The conference over the years has done wonders for my career in the way of knowledge gained in addition to helping land me at my current employer Magenic for which I'm truly grateful. The wealth of knowledge and network potential that exists is unparalleled to most other events live or virtual.

The good news is that if you use the code LSPK17 during registration, you will save $600! Click on the image below to go directly to the site to check out the content and sessions available.

Here are the Modern Apps LIVE! session I'll be speaking at during the conference:
MAH05: Building a Responsive Single Page App
MAF01 Workshop: Modern App Development In-Depth: iOS, Android, Windows, and Web

Here is information on the ONETUG meeting I will present at as well in September:
SPA/Responsive Design with Allen Conway

I hope to see you all there!