Do Programmers Keep Notes of What They've Learned?

Having a system for taking notes is akin to:

Principles of Effective Note-Taking

One of the most important aspects of being a skilled programmer is the ability to effectively manage and retrieve information. This can be achieved through various methods. For instance, a programmer can take notes in various formats to help reinforce learning, serve as a repository for complex topics and code snippets, and track personal growth.

About My Notetaking Habits

When I became a professional programmer, I realized that the approach to taking notes entirely changed. As beginners, programmers tend to jot down almost everything. However, as experience accumulates, they develop the wisdom of filtering out less important information. For instance, while many junior programmers might find it necessary to take notes on every detail, a more experienced developer would recognize which notes need to be kept handy and which can be left behind.

For specific skills such as Linux command options, a seasoned programmer like me won't require notes since Linux provides a comprehensive documentation suite. Often, complex commands are scripted for easy recall, making notes redundant. If a useful website is encountered, a programmer might bookmark it for future reference.

Why Many Programmers Keep Notes

Despite this, many programmers do maintain notes. Here are several reasons why:

Reinforcement of Learning

Writing down complex concepts or formulas can help solidify understanding, similar to how students take notes in class. This process of writing can help reinforce the knowledge and improve long-term retention.

Quick Reference

Notes can serve as a quick reference for complex topics, code snippets, or best practices that programmers might not use frequently. This is especially useful for recalling information that's not regularly accessed.

Documentation

Programmers often document their thought processes, solutions to problems, and lessons learned from projects. This documentation can be tremendously helpful for future work or when collaborating with others on a project.

Personal Growth

Keeping a record of what they've learned over time allows programmers to track their progress and identify areas for improvement. It's a valuable tool for continuous self-assessment and growth.

Sharing Knowledge

Notes can be valuable not only to the individual programmer but also to the broader programming community. Sharing knowledge can contribute to collective learning and development.

Common Methods for Keeping Notes

There are several popular methods for programmers to keep notes. Here are a few:

Digital Notebooks

Digital notebooks such as Notion or Evernote are popular for their ease of use and organization. They allow for quick searches and easy sharing of notes.

Code Repositories

Code repositories like GitHub, where projects are stored, can be used to keep notes about codebase structure, known issues, and development progress. This can be particularly useful for collaborative projects.

Personal Blogs

Writing a personal blog about programming challenges, techniques, and lessons learned can serve as a valuable documentation process. It can also be used to share knowledge with others.

Physical Notebooks

For some programmers, a simple physical notebook and pen are the best tools. This method is straightforward and allows for tactile engagement that can aid in memory retention.

Ultimately, the choice of the right tool depends on personal preference, project requirements, and the type of information being managed.

Conclusion

In essence, while not every programmer needs to take extensive notes, the practice of keeping notes can be highly beneficial for personal growth, project documentation, and sharing knowledge within the programming community. The key is to find a method that works best for individual needs and ensures the information is easily accessible when needed.