How to Become a Programming Guru
So you want to be an expert developer? You want to be a "guru"? Well, I have a "Guru Mantra" for you and it's simple.
The programming paradigm has changed drastically in the last decade. When I started programming in 1996, things were different. Software wasn't changing rapidly. We had common languages including C/C++, Pascal, Basic and then we had UI tools such as Visual Basic, Visual C++, and Delphi. Every few years, you would get a new version with not too many changes.
Than Microsoft introduced .NET and C# in 1999 and it took off in 2003. Microsoft also opened up its doors for open source projects, APIs and Frameworks. This is what non-Microsoft developers do not realize, how much free open-source projects, APIs, and Frameworks are out there.
So here is my Mantra – "Know Your Stuff".
To become a guru, all you need to know is what stuff is out there, what it does, and how to use it. Trust me, I like to write everything myself, from scratch. But it does not make sense for me to write everything from scratch when the same logic has already been developed by some of Microsoft's expert engineers and available for free. Some most used examples are Prism, Enterprise Library and Entity Framework. There are thousands and thousands of code projects are there as well. C# Corner has over 10,000 code samples. All you need to know is to, “Know Your Stuff.”
I still see developers writing their own database classes. I still see developers writing their own style and skin frameworks, spending weeks and months doing so. All you need to follow is to, "Know Your Stuff."
CodePlex has thousands of open source projects, APIs, and Frameworks. Let's not forget communities that include
C# Corner, Code Project, CodePlex, and MSDN.
So once you know, "Know Your Stuff," how do you really master your mantra?
Well, it's called practice. Not really! You don't need to practice anything. All you need is to hang out on these communities regularly and get involved and keep yourself up to date. Follow these communities. Hang out on the forums and get involved in the discussions so you know what is out there. Go to user group events and meetings and watch online webcasts.
All you need is to, "Know Your Stuff." You don't have to really use it. Just play with it and keep in your mind, what's out there, and what it does and how to use it. You will be on your path to become a "Guru."
Cheers!