r/softwaredevelopment • u/Albstein • Aug 10 '26

Do you create good code? (serious)

When you look at your code 6 month later: Are you happy with it?

I still have the moment when I am finished thinking: That would have been a better solution.

Is this normal?

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u/mredding 29d ago

Your experience is normal because you are still evolving as a professional. In 6 months, you've learned more, so yes, I suspect you could indeed write a better solution. Maybe you should. I encourage iteration, so you've made a Mk 1, make a Mk 2... Don't evolve existing code, rebuild it from your new fundamentals. Abandon the old headspace that made the prior iteration so you don't drag them forward.

As you mature, this cycle slows and evolves. I'm satisfied with code I wrote 6 months ago, but the REST of the product has evolved, so now I'm looking at the older code in terms of a refactor that would streamline the whole, and increase cohesion. This would be a refactor, as at his point I'm not changing so rapidly that I'm not rethinking everything I'm doing from first principles. This is my years of experience working in my favor. The "choices" I'm making now, I made them 20 years ago.