To get better at writing code, stick to this rule: Never submit a first draft. Always make your code better before you submit it. If you can see the difference

To get better at writing code, stick to this rule: Never submit a first draft. Always make your code better before you submit it. If you can see the difference between ugly, complex code and aesthetic, simple code, and you're willing to spend extra time to go over your code and make it better, you'll develop the skills to write it better in the first place. This won't teach you taste (years of maintenance and exposure to other people's code will do that) but it will teach you the skill of living up to a style.