4 things you can do to immediately become a better programmer if you've not focused on these areas. 0) Master recursion. 1) Learn how to write a parser

4 things you can do to immediately become a better programmer if you've not focused on these areas. 0) Master recursion. 1) Learn how to write a parser in whatever language you're happiest with. 2) Learn to treat error handling like a complete and utter frothing maniac. If it can go wrong, it needs to be checked. Without rigorous error handling large programs are impossible. Furthermore, parts of the program need to be easily and quickly tested. 3) Learn git and branching so that you can easily experiment without worrying about losing everything. Beyond that, being proficient with an editor is key to reducing repetition. learning to use flexible tools will make everything easier.