It started with a blinking cursor. That humble underscore in a black DOS window was my first introduction to the world of software engineering. Little did I know that simple prompt would become my canvas, my laboratory, and sometimes... my nemesis.
The Myth of Perfect Code
Early in my journey, I believed every line needed to be elegant and optimized. Then I inherited a legacy system. The messy, pragmatic code taught me more about real-world engineering than any textbook. Sometimes 'good enough' shipped faster than 'perfect'.
Did You Know?
The first computer "bug" was an actual moth found in a Harvard Mark II computer in 1947. Today, we've traded insect removal for endless console.log() statements!
Collaboration > Solitude
My biggest misconception? That coding was a solo activity. The magic happens when:
- Pair programming reveals new approaches
- Code reviews become learning opportunities
- Whiteboard sessions spark innovation
If I Could Start Over...
Here's what I'd tell my beginner self:
- Embrace the struggle - confusion means you're growing
- Build ugly prototypes before pretty products
- Learn to read code before writing it