How to Get Better At Coding - Practical Tips from Years of Development

codingfrontendbackendlearning

background

Getting better at coding is a journey, not a destination. Over my years as a developer, I've discovered several strategies that have consistently helped me improve. Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up your skills, these practical tips can accelerate your growth.

Read Code (A Lot of It)

One of the best ways to improve is to read code written by others. When I contribute to open source projects like Dayjs and Redux, I spend significant time reading through existing codebases.

Why it works:

  • You see different patterns and approaches
  • Learn how experienced developers solve problems
  • Understand code organization and architecture
  • Discover libraries and tools you didn't know existed

Start by reading code in projects you use daily. Look at how popular libraries implement features you use. Try to understand not just what the code does, but why it's structured that way.

Build Projects, Not Just Tutorials

Tutorials are great for learning concepts, but building real projects solidifies that knowledge. When I built the Returns module at Dentira or the Labs Scanner Service, I learned far more than any tutorial could teach.

What to build:

  • Solve problems you actually face
  • Recreate features you admire
  • Contribute to projects you use
  • Build something that interests you

The key is to build something you're genuinely interested in. Passion drives you to overcome obstacles and learn deeper.

Practice Problem-Solving

Coding isn't just about writing code—it's about solving problems. I've learned more from debugging complex issues than from smooth implementations.

Practice techniques:

  • Break down large problems into smaller ones
  • Use rubber duck debugging (explain the problem out loud)
  • Read error messages carefully—they're clues, not obstacles
  • Use debugging tools effectively (React DevTools, browser DevTools)

When you encounter a bug, don't just fix it—understand why it happened and how to prevent similar issues.

Write Code Regularly

Consistency beats intensity. Writing code regularly, even for just 30 minutes a day, is more effective than coding for hours once a week.

Create a habit:

  • Code something every day, even if it's small
  • Work on side projects regularly
  • Contribute to open source
  • Participate in coding challenges

Regular practice keeps your skills sharp and builds momentum. You'll notice patterns and solutions more quickly when coding is part of your routine.

Learn From Code Reviews

Code reviews are goldmines for learning. At Dentira Labs, conducting code reviews taught me as much about best practices as writing code did.

What to look for:

  • How others structure their code
  • Different approaches to the same problem
  • Best practices and patterns
  • Common mistakes to avoid

Don't just wait for reviews of your code—review others' code actively. You'll learn new techniques and improve your ability to spot issues.

Master Your Tools

The tools you use daily can significantly impact your productivity. Learn your IDE shortcuts, debugging tools, and build processes.

Essential tools to master:

  • Your IDE/editor (shortcuts, extensions, debugging)
  • Git (beyond basic commands)
  • Browser DevTools
  • Terminal/command line
  • Build tools (webpack, vite, etc.)

Invest time learning your tools. The productivity gains compound over time.

Understand the Fundamentals

Frameworks and libraries change, but fundamentals remain. Understanding JavaScript/TypeScript fundamentals, data structures, algorithms, and web fundamentals makes learning new tools much easier.

Core concepts to master:

  • Language fundamentals (closures, scope, this, etc.)
  • Data structures and algorithms
  • Design patterns
  • System design basics
  • HTTP, REST APIs, GraphQL
  • Databases (SQL and NoSQL)

When I migrated our codebase to TypeScript, understanding JavaScript fundamentals made the transition much smoother.

Learn by Teaching

Explaining concepts to others forces you to understand them deeply. Write blog posts, answer questions on Stack Overflow, or explain your code to colleagues.

Teaching formats:

  • Write technical blog posts
  • Create tutorials or guides
  • Explain solutions to teammates
  • Record video explanations
  • Contribute to documentation

When you have to explain something, you often discover gaps in your own understanding.

Embrace Challenges

Don't shy away from difficult problems. Some of my biggest learning moments came from tackling challenging tasks like building the scanner integration service or optimizing React performance.

How to approach challenges:

  • Break the problem into smaller pieces
  • Research and learn as you go
  • Ask for help when stuck (but after trying yourself)
  • Document what you learn
  • Reflect on what worked and what didn't

Remember: every expert was once a beginner. The developers you admire have all struggled with similar challenges.

Stay Curious

Curiosity drives learning. When you encounter something you don't understand, dig deeper. When a library does something interesting, read its source code. When you see a cool feature, figure out how it works.

Cultivate curiosity:

  • Follow developers you admire
  • Read technical blogs and newsletters
  • Attend meetups and conferences (virtually or in person)
  • Experiment with new technologies
  • Question how things work

Final Thoughts

Getting better at coding is a continuous process. There's always something new to learn, and that's what makes this field exciting. Focus on consistent practice, read lots of code, build real projects, and stay curious.

The most important thing is to keep coding and keep learning. Every bug you fix, every feature you build, and every line of code you read makes you a better developer.

Remember: the goal isn't to know everything—it's to keep getting better, one line of code at a time.