Can't program due to overthinking about everything

Posted by Oruhanu@reddit | learnprogramming | View on Reddit | 5 comments

Hello, for the last month, i've been stuck due to trying to write clean code. Few months ago, i wanted to learn how to write cleaner code, and then went into a rabbit hole. I slowly wrote less and less code each day until i was pretty much scared to touch the keyboard. I am just scared that i'll make mistakes.

I would read any resource i could get my hands on thinking "this time i'll learn it perfectly!" But the only thing i got is impostor syndrome lol. It's not that i dont get them, it's probably about trying to apply them everywhere. Even when not needed, i just think that, if i dont apply them i am not a real programmer.

I started to constantly compare myself, for the last week, all i am doing is going around reading source codes trying to get validation.

To summarize, is there a therapy center for programmers? Lol but I would like to hear others experience about this and if so, how did you guys get over it?

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_Atomfinger_@reddit

And what if you make mistakes? Is that a problem? Can't you fix it once you realise the mistakes?

And why is it important to learn it "perfectly"?

I also had this issue when I was fairly junior, and I got past it by simply starting. Sure, I might not do a perfect job, simply starting. Alright, I might not know how to do something or a concept fully, but let's try. Worst case, I'll learn what, but a done job is better than one that needs doing.

So, rather than thinking without ever getting things done, simply start with one line of code at a time.

After all, code is just text on the screen and can easily be changed.

Oruhanu@reddit (OP)

Thank you so much for the answer. I'll try to follow that

WarPenguin1@reddit

I would suggest using an iterative approach. First make a solution that works. At this stage don't worry about making it pretty. Just do the first solution you can think of.

After you have that you can start thinking of ways you can improve the code and make those changes.

This will hopefully remove your fear of making mistakes.

deantoadblatt1@reddit

I promise you, clean code is not important at all when you’re starting out. In fact, if you saw the codebase I recently inherited you might come to the conclusion that it never becomes important

aqua_regis@reddit

Never compare yourself to others. Compare yourself to your prior self and see what you have accomplished
Reading code will make you as much a programmer as reading novels will make you a novelist (hint: it won't)
Follow the old paradigm:
Make it work
Make it pretty/modular/clean
Make it fast if you encounter bottlenecks (and only then)
Plan before program - plan your programs. Specify their functions. Break them down. Solve each part individually. Then start programming.
Make mistakes. Make plenty mistakes. This is how learning works. We only learn through our mistakes. It is equally important to know how not to do something as to know how to do something. Learn to fix your errors.