Coding Approaches Review

• Break your problems down into smaller problems

  • Corrolary 1: Don't code too much right away. Running code is a leg to stand on. It is easier to work forward from there.

    • Sub-corrolary: Did you get something done? Maybe now is a good time for a commit.

  • Corrolary 2: If you are stumped, solve some small problem right now, that you know is solvable. (Even if it doesn't seem immidiately related to the problem)

• Constantly formulate and test your hypotheses about what your code is doing

  • Example: I know that x but I think maybe y ... test y ... repeat ...
  • Note: use your debugging tools to test those hypotheses: debug console, console.log

• For abstract word problems, try to recognize what the right tool is. Is it a conditional? A loop? An array? An object? These things will develop with practice.

• If you are stuck on a hard problems, start with pseudocode

• If you don't know where to start, start with pseudocode

• If you are stuck on an error look up and down the stack: did you misspell something? Did you save the file? Are you missing a semicolon? Is your computer on?

• Carefully read your error messages. With experience you will know which messages are generic and whcih ones are insightful, but even the generic ones can tell you something. ( x is undefined )

• Write comments for each line of code:

  • As a guide to other programmers
  • To rememebr what you were thinking there

• Try to only do one thing per line of code

  createHouse( createRoom( calculateRoomSize( 23 + currentRoomSize ) ) );

• If your code looks too long, is too nested, is confusing for you to look at, is not commentable, you should take a moment to refactor when it works

• code smell is important https://techbeacon.com/35-bad-programming-habits-make-your-code-smell

• Your mental and virtual environment is very important in helping you focus on the problem at hand http://heeris.id.au/trinkets/ProgrammerInterrupted.png

  • decide on a way to organize your files
  • don't keep too many things open on your environment
  • separate things for yourself to keep track of them