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90% of devs are damn bad!

90% of Programmers Are Pretty Damn Bad Programmers

Gopal Verma
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Gopal Verma
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@bettercallgopal• Dec 16, 2023 • 5 min read

The Harsh Truth About Programming Talent

It's a bold statement, but one that many experienced developers would likely agree with: the majority of programmers out there are not particularly skilled or talented. While the field of software engineering has grown exponentially in recent years, the quality of code and programming ability has not kept pace.

Why So Many Programmers Underperform

There are a few key reasons why so many programmers fall short of expectations:

1. Lack of Fundamental Skills

Many programmers, especially those new to the field, lack a strong grasp of core computer science concepts like data structures, algorithms, and software design principles. They may be able to piece together working code, but their solutions are often inefficient, buggy, and difficult to maintain.

2. Overreliance on Tutorials and Stack Overflow

In the age of the internet, it's easy for programmers to find pre-written code snippets and solutions online. While this can be a helpful learning tool, too many developers simply copy-paste code without understanding how or why it works. This leads to a shallow knowledge base and an inability to solve novel problems.

3. Insufficient Practice and Experience

Programming is a skill that requires consistent, deliberate practice to master. Many programmers, however, are content to coast on the bare minimum, rarely challenging themselves with new technologies or complex projects. As a result, their skills stagnate, and they fail to develop the depth of experience needed to become truly proficient.

The Importance of Raising the Bar

The prevalence of mediocre programmers has serious consequences for the tech industry and the quality of software products. Poorly written code leads to bugs, security vulnerabilities, and technical debt that can haunt a project for years.

To address this issue, the programming community needs to raise the bar for what constitutes acceptable skill and expertise. This means:

  • Emphasizing fundamental computer science education.
  • Encouraging continuous learning and skill development.
  • Fostering a culture of code quality, testing, and best practices.
  • Holding programmers accountable for the quality of their work.

By elevating the standards of the profession, we can ensure that the next generation of developers is better equipped to tackle the complex challenges of the modern digital landscape.