For reader's context, I'm a 22-year-old software engineer with interests in philosophy, software, and music. This article is an attempt to pen my thoughts on a topic I contemplate in my day-to-day life. It's my fourth piece where I reflect on my professional journey from an eagle's eye view. As always, while most of these thoughts are just noise, a handful are worth sharing.
Having immersed myself in the world of tech and software for about two years now, including internships, I've often contemplated what crafting good software (note: software, not just code) is all about. My journey of writing software began in my freshman year of college, and this unwavering devotion to software craftsmanship continues to this day. During my time as a Teaching Assistant under one of my professors in my pre-final year of engineering, and while conducting workshops, I would often elaborate on the sheer joy of writing code.
It's this fundamental excitement that drives me to write high-quality code. I frequently share this perspective with my juniors who are embarking on their coding journey.
Earning money through software is the outcome, not the goal.
As a young professional, you build projects and software simply for the joy of creation. While you gain invaluable expertise through this process, the crucial aspect is falling in love with the process itself. In tech, I believe, money cannot be the primary motivation for learning.
Furthermore, crafting code is akin to constructing with LEGO blocks. When you begin building a website, for instance, it's like connecting two LEGO pieces. Gradually, these pieces take shape, forming a complete structure. The joy a toddler experiences while building a house with LEGO mirrors the satisfaction an engineer feels after deploying software to production.
While exploring any new technology, I search for those "Aha!" moments. Whether it's unraveling the intricacies of browser architecture, deciphering the underlying mechanisms of Kubernetes, or exploring any other technology, these moments of revelation are precious. This is also a note to my future self - Soham 15–20 years from now - who might be reading this article while being comfortable in life, still searching for the next moment of technical enlightenment.
If you're still reading this, I sincerely thank you for your support. With this modest article, I complete my first month of publishing articles every weekend. This practice has not only helped me articulate my thoughts but has also enabled me to think more clearly about my goals and objectives.
Peace.