How to Become a Better Programmer: Practical Tips from a Veteran Engineer

At React Conf, James Long, a former Mozilla engineer, shares the lessons he has learned over a decade of programming to help others become better developers.

Find inspiring people, but don’t idolize them – Follow experts to learn new techniques, but remember they are ordinary people who solve problems with ordinary tools.

Don’t belittle your work – Even newcomers can offer valuable ideas; every attempt, successful or not, contributes to community knowledge.

Avoid constant pressure – Resting improves clarity and creativity; not every new technology requires immediate adoption.

Ignore unnutritious content – Focus time on deep concepts rather than superficial syntax or API variations that offer little long‑term benefit.

Research past work before starting – Reviewing existing solutions can dramatically reshape your approach; learning to read academic papers is valuable.

Take on large projects – Tackling ambitious challenges, like building a compiler, teaches more than small tasks.

Learn a new language – Studying languages such as Scheme forces functional thinking and a deeper understanding of code execution.

Below is a list of concrete recommendations that have profoundly impacted the author’s career:

Learn C – A solid foundation in C is essential for understanding low‑level concepts.

Write a compiler – Building a compiler pushes you out of your comfort zone and teaches core principles.

Explore macros – Study Scheme, Lisp, or Clojure to see how macros can change your view of code.

Read SICP – The classic "Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs" remains valuable for grasping fundamental ideas.

Read "Lisp In Small Pieces" – An in‑depth look at building interpreters and compilers.

Understand continuations – Scheme’s continuation support offers a unique perspective on control flow.

Try new languages – Experiment with Clojure, Rust, Elm, OCaml/Reason, Go, or Scheme to broaden your thinking.

By following these practices, you can steadily improve as a programmer and develop a mindset that embraces continuous learning.