Turn the Knob to 11

By Zee Spencer

Artworks by Tim Barnard

Junior developers make complex solutions for simple problems.

Average developers make simple solutions for simple problems and complex solutions for complex problems.

Senior developers make simple solutions for complex problems. — Unknown

I was pairing with a friend of mine who is working as a junior developer. We were reviewing and rewriting some of the code, and he asked “I can see this is better, but how did you know to do it?”

Well. That’s a hard question. I mumbled something about “When you’ve been doing this as long as I have…” And that’s a bullshit answer.

Much of my judgement comes from seeing what has worked and what didn’t; yet that’s only part of the story. I take several deliberate actions to hone my judgement: