10 things I learnt in 2024 to increase my developer productivity.

Introduction

This tutorial covers ten valuable lessons learned in 2024 that can significantly enhance your productivity as a developer. Each step offers practical advice and tools to streamline your workflow, improve your coding efficiency, and foster continuous learning.

Step 1: Touch Typing

• Learn to type without looking at the keyboard.
• Use online typing courses or software like TypingClub or Keybr to practice.
• Set a daily goal for typing speed and accuracy to track progress.

Step 2: Split Keyboards

• Consider switching to a split keyboard to reduce strain and improve comfort.
• Test different models to find one that suits your typing style.
• Adjust your workspace to accommodate the new keyboard layout.

Step 3: Custom Layouts

• Explore customizing your keyboard layout for efficiency.
• Use tools like QMK or Karabiner for macOS to create personalized layouts.
• Focus on frequently used keys and shortcuts to minimize hand movement.

Step 4: Development Environment

• Optimize your development environment for better performance.
• Use integrated development environments (IDEs) like Visual Studio Code or IntelliJ IDEA with extensions that enhance functionality.
• Organize your workspace to minimize distractions and improve focus.

Step 5: Snippets

• Implement code snippets to save time on repetitive coding tasks.
• Use snippet managers like SnippetsLab or built-in features in your IDE to create and store snippets.
• Categorize snippets for easy retrieval based on project needs.

Step 6: Relearning New Things

• Embrace continuous learning and revisit concepts you may have forgotten.
• Allocate time each week for learning new programming languages, frameworks, or tools.
• Utilize resources like online courses, tutorials, and coding challenges to stay updated.

Step 7: Code Generation

• Utilize code generation tools to automate boilerplate code creation.
• Explore frameworks and libraries that offer code generation features (e.g., Yeoman for web applications).
• Familiarize yourself with command-line tools that can aid in generating code templates.

Step 8: Automate Everything

• Identify repetitive tasks in your workflow that can be automated.
• Use automation tools like Zapier or GitHub Actions to streamline processes.
• Write scripts to handle routine tasks, improving your overall efficiency.

Step 9: Using Only One Language

• Focus on mastering a single programming language to deepen your expertise.
• Choose a language that aligns with your career goals or project needs (e.g., Python for data science, JavaScript for web development).
• Invest time in understanding its ecosystem, libraries, and frameworks.

Step 10: Use a Starter Kit

• Consider using starter kits or templates for new projects to save setup time.
• Explore popular starter kits in your programming language of choice, such as Create React App for React projects or Django for Python web apps.
• Customize these kits to fit your project's requirements while maintaining efficiency.

Conclusion

By implementing these ten lessons learned in 2024, you can significantly boost your productivity as a developer. Focus on continuous learning, optimizing your tools and environment, and automating repetitive tasks. Take time to explore each step, and consider integrating these practices into your daily routine for lasting improvements.