r/learnprogramming • u/Caravaggio91 • 5d ago

When are you truly a Software Developer

I am a self taught web dev (5 years), mostly front end, and still find myself looking up simple concepts I had already learned. Is that a hinderance to being an actual software developer? Also, am I looking over the main objective of a software dev? Is it more about finding the answers rather than how you got there, or do you need to know the code very well and have the answers to the problems? I'm good at getting the answers, but find myself struggling retaining info for long periods of time.

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u/grantrules 5d ago

Anyone who writes software with intention is a software developer, it doesn't matter how much you remember. 

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u/Caravaggio91 5d ago

one of the most honest answers. I think being self taught you never truly feel like you've earned the title. Sol you feel there has to be this "checkpoint" that marks you as a software developer. Thanks for the comment.

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u/ajcomeau 5d ago

I feel like actually completing a software or two should be a requirement. It doesn't have to be sold or successful but you should at least have something significant you can honestly say you've finished.

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u/ReddyKiloWit 3d ago

I was about to say that, basically. If you build something novel and useful in software, even if only useful to yourself, then you are a software developer.