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RubyConf AU 2013: http://www.rubyconf.org.au Over the last two years, I've traveled the world to pair with expert designers and developers on short projects to learn their day to day secrets and understand their philosophies. I've condensed this to 45 minutes of tricks, insights, opinions, and old-fashioned rants from Ryan Singer (37signals), Kyle Neath (GitHub), Neven Mrgan (Panic), Zed Shaw, Gary Bernhardt (Destroy All Software), and others.
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In the video titled "Lessons from the Masters," presented by Geoffrey Grosenbach during RubyConf AU 2013, the speaker shares insights gained from interviewing various expert designers and developers over two years. The primary aim is to extract valuable programming philosophies and tips from seasoned professionals. Grosenbach uses the example of Rodney Mullen, a skateboarder known for inventing new tricks, to illustrate that there are foundational techniques in programming that can be learned from observing others. Key points discussed in the video include: - **Importance of Observation:** Observing the programming process is crucial; it's more informative than simply reading source code. - **Diverse Tool Usage:** The majority of developers, including those from prominent companies, often use Vim, highlighting a trend in programmer preferences, while others like Grosenbach himself use Emacs. - **Problem-Solving Techniques:** Different developers have unique approaches to tackling problems. Ryan Singer emphasizes using sketching as a tool for thinking through UI design, while Neven Mrgan relies on established concepts for communication. - **Workflow Variability:** Each developer's workflow can be distinct. For instance, Zed Shaw prefers to delete and restart projects to maintain clarity and focus, contrasting with the more iterative approaches of others. - **Managing Distractions:** Kyle Neath discusses how to balance experimentation and focus on core objectives within projects, ensuring simplicity and avoiding over-complication. - **Flexibility and Adaptability:** The ability to pivot in response to challenges is crucial for developers. This is illustrated by Tim Caswell, who demonstrates adaptability during difficult phases of projects. - **Sunk Cost Fallacy:** Developers should recognize when to shift directions rather than waste resources on unproductive pathways. Concluding thoughts emphasize that learning from expert developers and sharing knowledge within the community can foster improvement and adaptability in programming practices. Grosenbach plans to publish a blog post with projects discussed, encouraging peer review to enhance community learning.
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