10 Habits of Successful Developers that Will Boost Your Career

Have you ever wondered what sets apart developers who just "write code" from those who truly shine in their careers?

It’s not just innate talent or memorizing Laravel’s documentation by heart. The key lies in cultivating powerful habits that will propel you toward success.

In this post, I’ll reveal the 10 essential habits I’ve observed in the most successful developers. Get ready to take your skills to the next level and become the developer you’ve always wanted to be.

1. Embrace Continuous Learning

In the world of development, the only constant is change. New technologies, frameworks, libraries... they appear faster than remote job offers on LinkedIn! If you stay stuck with what you learned in college or at your first job, I can assure you that you’ll be left behind.

How to be a voracious learner?

• Dive into the documentation: Yes, I know it can be a bit dry sometimes. But the official documentation of Laravel (and any technology you use) is your best friend. Learn to love it, consult it, and squeeze it for all it’s worth.
• Explore new frameworks and languages: Don’t limit yourself to Laravel. Play around with React, Vue.js, Node.js… broadening your horizons will make you a more versatile developer and open new doors.
• Devour blogs and tutorials: Laravel News, Medium, dev.to… there’s a wealth of online resources packed with valuable information. Follow experts, read their articles, and stay updated on the latest trends.
• Attend conferences and meetups: Connecting with other developers at events is an incredible way to learn, share ideas, and expand your professional network.
• Never stop experimenting: Create small personal projects, try new tools, experiment with different approaches. Practice is the key to solidifying your knowledge.

2. Write Clean and Maintainable Code

Imagine inheriting a project from another developer. You open the code and find yourself in a maze of nested functions, cryptic variable names, and zero comments. Sound like a nightmare? It is!

Writing clean code is not just a matter of aesthetics; it’s a necessity for any serious developer. Clean code is easy to read, understand, modify, and maintain. It will save you time, headaches, and help you collaborate efficiently with other developers.

How to write clean code?

• Follow the coding style conventions: Laravel has its own code conventions. Follow them religiously. Use tools like PHP CS Fixer to automate the formatting of your code.
• Use descriptive names: Forget variables like $x or $data. Use names that clearly indicate the purpose of the variable, function, or class.
• Write clear and concise comments: Don’t overuse comments, but use them to explain the logic behind your code, especially in more complex parts.
• Break your code into small functions and classes: Modular code is easier to understand and reuse. Follow the single responsibility principle: each function or class should have only one responsibility.
• Refactor your code frequently: Don’t be afraid to rewrite and improve your code as the project evolves. Refactoring is key to keeping code clean and efficient.

3. Master the Art of Automated Testing

Can you imagine releasing a new feature without thoroughly testing it?

That would be like jumping out of a plane without a parachute. Automated tests are your safety net. They help you catch errors before they reach production and give you the confidence to make changes to your code without fear of breaking everything.

How to become a testing master?

• Write unit tests for every function: Ensure each unit of your code works correctly in isolation.
• Use integration tests to verify interaction between different components: Check that your controllers, models, and views work in harmony.
• Implement end-to-end tests to simulate user behavior: Make sure the application works as expected from the end-user’s perspective.
• Adopt a TDD (Test-Driven Development) approach: Write your tests before writing code. This approach helps you design more robust code and consider all possible use cases.
• Use tools like PHPUnit and Dusk to automate your tests: Laravel provides excellent support for automated testing. Take advantage of the tools at your disposal.

4. Become an Expert Problem Solver

Being a developer is like being a detective. You face mysterious bugs, look for clues in the code, and use your logic to find solutions. The ability to solve problems efficiently is critical for any developer.

How to sharpen your detective skills?

• Learn to read error messages: Don’t just panic when you see a red screen. Carefully read the error message, identify the line of code causing it, and look for a solution.
• Use a debugger to analyze the execution flow: Xdebug is an invaluable tool for understanding how your code executes step by step.
• Break down the problem into smaller parts: If you’re dealing with a complex problem, break it down into more manageable pieces.
• Seek help from the community: Don’t be afraid to ask for help in forums, Stack Overflow, or Laravel groups. Sometimes a fresh perspective is all you need to fix a problem.
• Document the solutions to the problems you encounter: Keeping a record of the bugs you’ve solved will help you remember the fixes and avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future.

5. Master SOLID Principles and Design Patterns

SOLID principles and design patterns are like a developer’s superpowers. They enable you to write more robust, scalable, maintainable, and reusable code. They form the foundation for building high-quality applications that stand the test of time.

How to become an architecture master?

• Study the SOLID principles:
  • Single Responsibility Principle
  • Open/Closed Principle
  • Liskov Substitution Principle
  • Interface Segregation Principle
  • Dependency Inversion Principle
• Learn the most common design patterns: Factory, Singleton, Strategy, Observer… there’s a wide variety of design patterns. Start with the basics and go deeper from there.
• Apply SOLID principles and design patterns in your projects: The best way to learn is by practicing. Try implementing these concepts in both personal and professional projects.
• Analyze Laravel’s code: The Laravel framework is built following SOLID principles and uses various design patterns. Studying its source code is an excellent way to learn from the best.

6. Cultivate Effective Communication

Being a brilliant developer doesn’t mean much if you can’t communicate your ideas clearly and concisely. Effective communication is essential for teamwork, explaining technical concepts to non-technical people, and presenting your projects convincingly.

How to become a communication expert?

• Write clear and concise documentation: Learn to document your code and projects so others can easily understand them.
• Practice your presentation skills: Get used to presenting your ideas clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Learn to listen actively: Pay attention to what others say, ask questions, and make sure you understand their perspective.
• Be respectful and empathetic in your interactions: Remember, you’re working with people, not machines.
• Use efficient communication tools: Slack, Microsoft Teams, email… master the tools you use to communicate with your team.

7. Manage Your Time Efficiently

Time is the most valuable resource a developer has. Learning to manage it efficiently will allow you to be more productive, meet deadlines, and avoid stress.

How to become a master of time?

• Plan your tasks: Use tools like Trello, Asana, or Jira to organize and prioritize your tasks.
• Break large tasks into smaller subtasks: Large tasks can be overwhelming. Break them into smaller, more manageable subtasks.
• Set realistic deadlines: Don’t commit to deadlines you can’t meet. Be realistic when estimating how long a task will take.
• Eliminate distractions: When you’re working on a task, focus on it 100%. Eliminate distractions like email, social media, and notifications.
• Learn to say “no”: Don’t be afraid to say “no” to tasks that are not a priority or not your responsibility.

8. Work Collaboratively in a Team

Software development is rarely a solitary activity. Most of the time, you’ll work in a team with other developers, designers, and stakeholders. Learning to collaborate effectively is crucial for the success of any project.

How to be a star team player?

• Share your knowledge and experience: Don’t hesitate to help your teammates and share what you know.
• Ask for help when you need it: Don’t try to do it all alone. If you run into a problem, don’t hesitate to ask for help from your colleagues.
• Participate actively in meetings: Share your ideas, listen to others’ opinions, and contribute to decision-making.
• Use version control tools like Git: Git enables efficient collaboration in the code with other developers.
• Respect others’ opinions and work: Remember that everyone is working toward a common goal.

9. Stay Up-to-Date with the Latest Trends

The web development world is constantly evolving. New frameworks, libraries, and tools appear all the time. Staying up-to-date with the latest trends will make you more competitive and help you offer innovative solutions.

How to stay on the cutting edge?

• Follow industry leaders on social media: Twitter, LinkedIn… follow Laravel and web development experts to stay informed about the latest news.
• Read blogs and specialized publications: Laravel News, Medium, dev.to… there are many online resources with up-to-date information.
• Attend conferences and webinars: Conferences and webinars are an excellent way to learn about the latest trends and meet other professionals.
• Experiment with new technologies: Don’t limit yourself to what you already know. Try out new tools, frameworks, and programming languages.
• Join online communities: Forums, Facebook groups, Slack… connecting with other developers will help you stay current on the latest trends.

10. Cultivate a Positive, Proactive Attitude

Your attitude is fundamental to your success as a developer. A positive and proactive attitude will help you overcome challenges, stay motivated, and achieve your goals.

How to be a positive, proactive developer?

• Celebrate your achievements: Recognize your successes and celebrate your progress.
• Learn from your mistakes: Don’t get discouraged by mistakes. Analyze them, learn from them, and move on.
• Maintain a growth mindset: Believe in your ability to learn and improve.
• Seek constructive feedback: Ask your colleagues and mentors for feedback on your work.
• Be proactive in finding solutions: Don’t wait for someone to tell you what to do. Take the initiative and find solutions to problems.

Conclusion

Becoming a successful developer isn’t easy, but it’s not impossible either. By cultivating these 10 habits, you’ll be on the right track to achieving your professional goals and becoming the developer you’ve always wanted to be. Remember, consistency and dedication are key!

Now it’s your turn! Which habits have helped you boost your career as a developer? Share your experiences in the comments.