Here's how you can enhance your career as an application developer with problem solving skills.

I am a big advocate of understanding the basics of Computer Science (data-structures; sorts; singletons..) then build on it to understand the frameworks that encapsulate these details for you. Using the right framework is part of solving the problem, and you get that by understanding the purpose of the framework. Learning a programming language is the easy part. You’ll choose a language C to code in vs Java based on the level of control you need to solve the problem. Learning a language/framework without understanding the basics is putting the cart ahead of the horse - you run the risk of pigeon holing yourself into one choice, and migrating to any other framework as they come into the market gets that much harder.

Being someone who built their knowledge from very fundamental basics (pun intended) back in the 1980s, I often think that the learning path for modern developers these days must be significantly different. For me, understanding files, directories, disks, drives, system calls, file formats, command line interface is something that I had to understand and be able to use well before even able to launch any development environment. In many ways, modern toolchains make things way better and way easier, but they also tend to hide a lot of fundamental important bits and pieces, as things just automagically work. I think it would be very useful for any starting developer to understand at least superficially how everything works deep down.

Assuming a foundation in data structures, algorithms, and flow functions using a programming language like Java, JavaScript, or Python, you should continue to expand your knowledge by working on personal projects. This will allow you to explore various frameworks and libraries such as: Frameworks: React, Angular, Django, Flask, Node.js, and others. Libraries: jQuery, Pandas, NumPy, TensorFlow, and others. By doing so, you will develop essential debugging and development skills that are crucial for a successful career as an application developer. #Remember to stay updated with the latest industry trends.

Keep learning and staying up to date can't be emphasized enough. I've hired people who have learned software development, but after work did nothing more than play video games. But, it is always the curious, who continue to read articles and explore technology after work, even if it isn't work related, that rises in this field. Not that there is anything wrong with playing video games ??

Understanding the basics is essential, but it's just the beginning. To effectively solve problems, you need a deep grasp of the specific challenges you're addressing & a solid understanding of the foundational concepts in programming languages, frameworks & tools relevant to those challenges. Achieving this deeper understanding involves: 1.Mastering Fundamental Concepts 2.Knowing When, Where, and How to Apply Knowledge: Learn to apply concepts appropriately based on the context of the problem. 3.Engaging in Hands-On Practice 4. Anticipating the Needs of Your Solution: Think ahead about how your solution will handle various scenarios and potential challenges. 5.Adapting to Problem-Specific Requirements: 6. Committing to Continuous Learning

It's true, as engineers, we tend to dive in and three hours later realize that we have to rewrite half of the code because we missed a requirement. It’s important to take a blank piece of paper and write down our goal and what we need exactly. Normally, writing down the goals on paper and creating a workflow will automatically guide us on how to get to where we are trying to go. It also helps us ensure that we are programming what we actually designed. Another benefit is that we automatically create a review plan for testing. In summary, be clear about what you need and write it down.

En el entorno de mi trabajo se utiliza una herramienta, los 5 porqués. Para encontrar la solución al problema se hace una pregunta que te lleva a la siguiente y, en 5 preguntas deberías tener la solución al problema.

When encountering a challenge, the instinct to jump into coding can be strong, but the key to long-term success lies in thorough problem analysis. By dissecting the issue into smaller, more manageable components, you can identify the root cause and develop a more effective solution. This methodical approach not only streamlines the problem-solving process but also helps prevent similar issues from arising later. Prioritizing analysis over immediate action ensures that your solutions are both robust and sustainable.

L’un des aspects les plus importants je dirais parce que l’analyse nous permet de proposer une solution tenant compte d’une vue d’ensemble sur l’existant et donc de conna?tre l’impact de l’évolution que vous voulons apporter. Il est important d’analyser le problème parce que c’est dans cette phase que nous avons la capacité de reformuler en nos propres mots le besoin du client.

I'd say that the most fundamental part of analyzing is to have a big issue and to divide that issue into ever smaller issues, until the smallest issue is simple to understand and easy to resolve. Then move to the next small issue, until the bigger issue is understood and resolved. It's the strategy I use for debugging code: Use debugging to see where the code takes a wrong turn and isolate that part. The small code part should be easy to comprehend and resolve. Then test if the issue still persists and needs additional analysis.

Creative thinking is a catalyst for innovation in application development. It empowers you to explore problems from new perspectives, uncovering solutions that break away from the conventional. By challenging existing assumptions and thinking outside the box, you can craft applications that stand out in both functionality and user experience. Embracing creativity leads to breakthroughs that not only solve problems effectively but also set your work apart in a competitive landscape, making your solutions truly exceptional.

Too often, I see brainstorming sessions that start with just a few sentences without diving deeper into the problem. This lack of depth can lead to ideas that ultimately go nowhere because the real core of the problem remains untouched. You can find the best, most effective solutions by feeling and experiencing the problem yourself. Design thinking is beneficial. Just look at the Empathize phase. This phase forces us to deeply understand the problem, step into the user's shoes, and feel their more profound pain points and needs. By exploring the problem deeply, we lay the foundation for focused and impactful brainstorming sessions and ensure the ideas generated are creative, relevant, and solution-oriented.

Not all problems are solved with conventional approaches. Sometimes the most effective solution comes from thinking outside the box. Explore creative and unconventional solutions.

Creative thinking revolutionizes application development by offering diverse perspectives and innovative solutions. Embrace unconventional thinking and challenge assumptions. Sometimes, the most effective approach isn’t conventional. By nurturing creativity, we can create unique applications that excel in functionality and user experience.

Get the base idea written down. Once the idea is there, think how to brake it. In the next step think about the end user Needs. If the bases needs are solved, now think about the part of how to get an extra smile from the end user. Analyze what could make the product excellent. For example: cold beer from the fridge, you know it’s cold by touching it, but if I add a sticker that changes to blue when te temperature is perfect… now the client can touch it and also Knows over a visual way that the beer is on perfect temperature

This might be the single most important tool in a developer’s toolbox. It’s the basic skill we all should have learned in kindergarten, but so few truly develop this skill to an expert level. So many people believe that if you’re an individual contributor and can prove how amazing you are by yourself that you will achieve the highest level. Not true. It’s how you treat others, how you respect others, how you communicate and build off each other’s shared and unique skillsets together. If there’s one top skill to practice: it’s how to communicate and collaborate effectively and efficiently. You’ll get work finished faster, better, and more creatively by incorporating a diverse set of insights, ideas, and perspectives.

As part of our childhood school memories, most of us fondly remember circle-time, where we learnt the art of taking turns, listening to our friends, and speaking on our turn. That should be our attitude as we enter our professional life as well - relearn, if needed, the art of collaboration where we listen to ideas and thoughts, share ours and have a healthy debate on the step forward knowing the constraints we operate in. Listening with an open mind is just as important as sharing, collaboration is a two-way street.

Teaming up is a game-changer when you're knee-deep in app development or trying to crack a tough bug. Getting everyone on the same page - whether it's your immediate crew or folks from different teams - can work wonders. It's like having a bunch of different brains all focused on the same puzzle. You'll be amazed at how quickly you can solve problems when you've got a mix of viewpoints and skills in the mix. Plus, it's way more fun than going solo. Bouncing ideas around, building on each other's thoughts - that's where the magic happens. You might stumble on solutions you'd never dream up on your own. So don't be shy about roping others in - it could be the difference between banging your head against a wall and having that sweet "Aha!".

Collaboration is essential in application development, where teamwork often drives success. By engaging with colleagues, sharing challenges, and brainstorming collectively, you can tap into the collective expertise of the group. Effective communication fosters synergy, enabling the team to discover innovative solutions that might elude an individual working alone. Embracing diverse perspectives illuminates different facets of a problem, leading to more comprehensive and robust solutions that elevate the quality of your work.

Daily practice is vital for sharpening problem-solving skills as an application architect. It enhances analytical thinking by breaking down complex problems into manageable parts, and improves debugging efficiency through repeated exposure to various issues. Regular problem-solving also fosters creativity, leading to innovative solutions and unique design patterns. Building experience from diverse challenges deepens understanding of tools and technologies, while refining decision-making skills helps in selecting effective solutions. Overall, integrating problem-solving into your routine makes you more agile and adept at tackling complex development challenges.

Like any skill, problem-solving in application development strengthens with consistent practice. By taking on new projects or contributing to open-source software, you expose yourself to diverse challenges that refine your ability to quickly identify and resolve issues. Each problem you tackle broadens your experience, making you more adept at finding creative and effective solutions. Embrace each challenge as an opportunity to expand your problem-solving toolkit and enhance your expertise in the field.

I've seen companies where it's possible to float between squads in order to get more exposure to different scenarios/applications. This is an idea that I value a lot. Not practicing the same thing all the time

There is no standard approach to handle issues. I would start by trying to find out if something has changed. If the code was updated, this should be the 1st point to investigate. Verify if there is any integration that should have been updated and was not. If the problem happens in a program that was not updated, it is a good sign that the problem is outside the program. In addition to programming languages and frameworks, it is important to understand the whole architecture of the application, and have information about database, connectivity, network configuration, firewall, load balancers. Depending on the issue, it may be necessary to adopt a multidisciplinary approach, and involve different teams to help in the analysis.

Reflecting and learning are crucial practices for software developers. Involves the team reflecting on recent work to identify successes, challenges, and areas for improvement. Set aside time for personal reflection. This could be at the end of each day or week, where you review what you’ve learned, what went well, and what could be improved. Keeping a journal can be a helpful tool for this practice. Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities. When something goes wrong, analyze the situation to understand why it happened and how it can be prevented in the future. Stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in software development. Attend workshops, webinars, and conferences, and participate in online courses.

Documents usually get outdated quite frequently, but I do see a value in documenting the reflections after a project is done. This way we learn what works and what doesn't. Also, postmortem docs is an example of docs that we should keep.