The most useful thing I've learned in CS is to define and keep stringent rules while programming. These can be time/space constraints, programming time constrai

The most useful thing I've learned in CS is to define and keep stringent rules while programming. These can be time/space constraints, programming time constraints, keeping the code modular, readable, or reusable, etc. Define rules that make the most sense for the project you have to do and write code with these rules in mind regardless of your own personal coding preferences. All CS knowledge learned enables you to keep to these rules. Of course, good rules to follow can be 'learn as much as possible' or 'enjoy yourself', but when it comes down to building something, enjoying yourself doesn't mean you've written good code.