#DEVDiscuss: Memorization and Learning to Code
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Brian Bethencourt

Brian Bethencourt @devencourt

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#DEVDiscuss: Memorization and Learning to Code

Publish Date: Sep 7 '23
14 6

Time for #DEVDiscuss — right here on DEV 😎

The Odin Project

Memorization and learning to code

Carlos Diaz for The Odin Project ・ Aug 30 '23

#beginners #productivity #programming #coding

Inspired by @bycdiaz's Top 7 post, tonight’s topic is... Memorization and Learning to Code!

Memorization has long been touted as one of the pillars of learning to code effectively, but is that really the case? In the post above, @bycdiaz addresses the anxieties many feel about forgetting concepts and syntax and refutes the idea that good engineers have everything memorized.

Questions:

  • Do you use cheat sheets to help you remember specific syntax or commands? How useful do you find them?
  • Are there any IDE features or plugins that you use to reduce the need for memorization?
  • Do you find some programming languages easier to memorize than others?
  • Any triumphs, fails, or other stories you'd like to share on this topic?

Comments 6 total

  • Fyodor
    FyodorSep 7, 2023

    The title is a bit misleading fwiw

  • Jimmy McBride
    Jimmy McBrideSep 7, 2023

    Why memorize something you can look up? It's helpful for sure, but it's value is less than knowing the steps to take to build something or solve an issue. It's really just the difference of being book smart vs street smart. The insights you gain from actual experience is where the real value lives.

  • Retiago Drago
    Retiago DragoSep 8, 2023

    Not me thinking it was Memoization instead of Memorization 😆

  • Pull Review with Scott Beeker
    Pull Review with Scott BeekerDec 10, 2024

    Do you use cheat sheets to help you remember specific syntax or commands? How useful do you find them?

    I use cheatsheets often throughout my career working with various technologies
    Are there any IDE features or plugins that you use to reduce the need for memorization?
    Copilot ;P

    Do you find some programming languages easier to memorize than others?
    Javascript

  • chrdek
    chrdekJan 30, 2025

    Are there any IDE features or plugins that you use to reduce the need for memorization?

    Best combination for me would be Visual Studio 2019/20 with intellisense built-in. Used to have the older Intellisense in VS 2015 from Redgate which was also great. Works great with .NET and C# programming overall. VS Code also comes with built in autocompletion/command completion features. (Other frameworks such as Js-based frameworks need to be setup manually sometimes).

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