3 Secrets to Unlocking Elite Developer Productivity - Joshua Plicque - Elixir Meetup #10

About Joshua Plicque

Joshua Plicque is the founder of Or Equals, a US-based software consultancy specializing in Phoenix LiveView and Elixir. With years of experience as a semi-professional poker player and a keen interest in decision-making under uncertainty, Joshua brings a unique perspective to software development.

The Challenges of Project Rescue

Understanding Project Rescue

Joshua begins by discussing the concept of project rescue, where consultants are brought in to save failing projects. He highlights the desperate situations that lead companies to seek outside help and the unique challenges consultants face.

Key Points:

• Development Slowdown: Projects slow to a crawl due to codebase issues.
• Immediate Value Delivery: Consultants must deliver value quickly or risk being fired.
• Unique Perspective: Consultants bring a fresh, objective view to troubled projects.

Secret 1: Shipping Working Software

Importance of Shipping

Joshua emphasizes the primary objective of shipping working software. He shares a valuable lesson from his early career: the importance of time boxing work to ensure continuous delivery.

Key Techniques:

• Time Boxing: Allocate a fixed amount of time to tasks and ship the best possible outcome within that period.
• Focus on Delivery: Prioritize delivering working software over perfecting code.

Secret 2: Humility and Asking for Help

Overcoming Pride

Joshua addresses the industry's pride problem, where developers hesitate to ask for help. He recounts his experience of consistently seeking help early in his career and the benefits it brought.

Key Lessons:

• Humility: Be willing to ask questions and seek help from peers.
• Community Engagement: Participate in communities and share knowledge openly.

Secret 3: Writing Tests and Refactoring

Power of Testing

Joshua explains the counterintuitive nature of writing tests and refactoring code. He demonstrates how these practices ultimately lead to greater productivity and a cleaner codebase.

Key Practices:

• Writing Tests: Automate tests to ensure code reliability and facilitate safe refactoring.
• Refactoring: Regularly improve code structure to maintain a high-quality codebase.

Practical Applications

Real-World Examples

Joshua provides practical examples of how to implement these secrets in everyday coding practices. He shares his experiences with integrating testing and refactoring into his workflow, leading to significant productivity gains.

Key Examples:

• CSV Uploads: Automate tests for common tasks to save time and ensure accuracy.
• Legacy Code: Write tests before making changes to legacy code to prevent introducing new issues.

Embracing Efficient Practices

Keyboard Shortcuts and Tools

Joshua highlights the importance of using keyboard shortcuts and efficient tools to minimize reliance on the mouse. He shares practical tips for improving coding mechanics and speeding up development.

Key Tips:

• Avoid Using the Mouse: Use keyboard shortcuts for navigation and code manipulation.
• Documentation Tools: Use tools like Dash for quick access to documentation.

Conclusion

Joshua Plicque's presentation at Elixir Meetup #10 provides valuable insights into achieving elite developer productivity. By embracing practices like writing tests, refactoring, and maintaining humility, developers can significantly improve their efficiency and code quality.

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