3 ms·

* Big-O. It's basically enough to know when an algo is going to perform horribly - e.g. O(n^3) - and even then you might choose it because it's simple or your n

* Big-O. It's basically enough to know when an algo is going to perform horribly - e.g. O(n^3) - and even then you might choose it because it's simple or your n is currently small. Anyway, senior dev or architect can make this call way better than any grad could, CS or not. * Data structures. Many high-level languages now have better basic data-structures than many devs could write, even if they know the theory. I could continue, but most people do fine without these CS 101 basics. Besides, good/interested people will ask questions about the code base and will read up on these concepts when mentioned. Doesn't take a genius. > but team work is a soft skill that isn't hard to teach or learn at all Let me get this straight. You're saying that behaviours you might have established in your teens, and so held unconsciously for almost 10 years by the end of your degree, those are easier to change than something you just learned? Something that people can teach themselves as a hobby, and often do? But, if soft skills are really that easy to teach, I have several, lucrative opportunities for you. Meanwhile, CS courses online are a dollar a dozen or free. Honestly, if you could write up some stuff about this, I'm sure several people on HN would appreciate truly actionable advice on how not to accidentally be an asshole. Even better, if you can somehow make great devs into great managers, that's also worth gold. I will admit that good teachers really help with both maths and CS, and good teachers are rare. Luckily, I had a good mentor by accident when I was 14. This year, our team has been to twelve local schools to help teachers make it more fun. And yeah, some kids struggle, just like any subject, but most actually have no issue at all picking this stuff up. Not worried in the slightest about the next generation's programming skills.

lmm 10y ago
> But, if soft skills are really that easy to teach, I have several, lucrative opportunities for you. Meanwhile, CS courses online are a dollar a dozen or free. Honestly, if you could write up some stuff about this, I'm sure several people on HN would appreciate truly actionable advice on how not to accidentally be an asshole. Even better, if you can somehow make great devs into great managers, that's also worth gold. To be fair a lot of people seem to have their personal identity invested in poor communication abilities, or see it as somehow "fake" to work on them. E.g. I see How to Win Friend and Influence People recommended here, but you'll see a lot of people who refuse to read it on principle.
- guitarbill 10y ago
  "How to Win Friend and Influence People" is a bit dated, but has some good, actionable advice. I find when people hear about negotiations/promotions/job offers they've missed because of poor communication abilities, and change their tune quickly. But once you're into adulthood, it's rare to get constructive feedback about social skills (even from friends). So it can be catch-22, especially if you aren't very attuned to the reactions of others. It isn't that they don't want to change, but if you aren't charismatic or confident, you're going to have different outcomes in the same situation, so it's self-reenforcing. And infuriatingly, the intrinsically high-charisma people don't know what's needed. A book I can recommend is Keith Ferrazzi's Never Eat Alone. I find the name-dropping cringe-worthy, but it made business relationships click for me, which got me to do more social stuff, etc.
BatFastard 10y ago
>Data structures. Many high-level languages now have better basic data-structures than many devs could write, even if they know the theory. I would say that ALL high level languages have basic data structures, and that those data-structures are better then 99% of the data-structures that users would/could write. Just because to be included in the language the coding level is very very high.

lmm 10y ago

> But, if soft skills are really that easy to teach, I have several, lucrative opportunities for you. Meanwhile, CS courses online are a dollar a dozen or free. Honestly, if you could write up some stuff about this, I'm sure several people on HN would appreciate truly actionable advice on how not to accidentally be an asshole. Even better, if you can somehow make great devs into great managers, that's also worth gold. To be fair a lot of people seem to have their personal identity invested in poor communication abilities, or see it as somehow "fake" to work on them. E.g. I see How to Win Friend and Influence People recommended here, but you'll see a lot of people who refuse to read it on principle.

guitarbill 10y ago
"How to Win Friend and Influence People" is a bit dated, but has some good, actionable advice. I find when people hear about negotiations/promotions/job offers they've missed because of poor communication abilities, and change their tune quickly. But once you're into adulthood, it's rare to get constructive feedback about social skills (even from friends). So it can be catch-22, especially if you aren't very attuned to the reactions of others. It isn't that they don't want to change, but if you aren't charismatic or confident, you're going to have different outcomes in the same situation, so it's self-reenforcing. And infuriatingly, the intrinsically high-charisma people don't know what's needed. A book I can recommend is Keith Ferrazzi's Never Eat Alone. I find the name-dropping cringe-worthy, but it made business relationships click for me, which got me to do more social stuff, etc.

BatFastard 10y ago

>Data structures. Many high-level languages now have better basic data-structures than many devs could write, even if they know the theory. I would say that ALL high level languages have basic data structures, and that those data-structures are better then 99% of the data-structures that users would/could write. Just because to be included in the language the coding level is very very high.