[{"_1":2,"_64":-5,"_65":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_33":34,"_62":-5,"_63":-5},"root",{"_5":-5,"_6":-5,"_7":8,"_20":-5,"_21":22,"_23":24,"_27":28},"user","shoppingCartId","shoppingCart",{"_9":10,"_11":12,"_13":14,"_15":16,"_17":18,"_19":12},"count",0,"free",true,"updatedAt","2025-12-28T09:21:05.099Z","paymentGateway","STRIPE","cartItems",[],"loading","toast","locale","en","constants",{"_25":26},"paypalClientId","AX53Cwz8jR6rVVzzZiZNWWXl0dGagi-GZrjG-S3Ua14E5nrKMn7DxDQ730O4R8LusLPp49ALn6aRVaEy","publishers",{"_29":30,"_31":32},"companies",[],"universities",[],"routes/_store+/_readers+/email_author.$slug/route",{"_35":36,"_61":-5},"book",{"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48},"id","Z2lkOi8vbGVhbnB1Yi9TdG9yZTo6Qm9va1Byb2R1Y3QvNTEwNg","title","BAAAD: Become An Above Average Developer","state","unpublished","contactAuthorMethod","email","aboutText","

When I started dabbling in the web industry over 15 years ago I knew very little what was involved to become a developer. Back then the Internet had just taken off and the resources were scarce.

Fast forward to present, it is simply amazing to see so many software technologies and techniques emerging rapidly. Yet, I can't help but think one would easily become overwhelmed or even confused in this vast amount of information.

Perhaps you are an aspiring software junkie, or a software engineeing student, or a junior developer, or an established developer who is stuck at where you are at - I would love the opportunity to start a conversation with you on how to become an above average developer.

The goal here is to push you to go even further and to become a GREAT developer - but let's be honest, a great developer cannot be taught, not to mention that I don't even see myself as a great developer, yet. You see, the real goal here is to inspire you to get to a stage where you would have more chance to succeed.

Over the past few years I have started collecting ideas on topics I'd like to cover. Some of the topics are (draft only, in no particular order):

Where to start (your career)?
Attidue: question things
Champion individual vs champion team
Personal / social branding
In for the money? Prospect? Experience? Or something else?
Documentation
They pay for what you do; they pay for what you know; they pay for your wisdom.
Ideas vs execution
Learn to say no
The art of asking questions
Be a responsible developer
Handle politics
Attention to detail
UI / UX
Refactor code, when and how?
Finding leisure activities that boost your productivity
Chicken and egg problem - how to solve?
Optimise readability vs optimise performance
Code tests
Adjust your confidence level
Help vampires
\"Invest\" the right amount in your employer
Effective use of source control
Team dynamics
Communication
Second system syndrome
Software engineering is like playing a real time strategy game like StarCraft II - importance of checking your \"minimap\"
\"Experience is overrated\"
Social investment
Open source
Software architecture
SOLID principles
CRAP principles
Stable team vs stable project
Is agile for you and your team?
Effective agile planning sessions
When and why to switch jobs?
… and more :)

I intend to write the book in a casual tone for an easy read, with not only tips and ideas, but also first hand experiences and stories - funny or sad. ;)

Now, it's time for you to show me how much you value your career by signing up and letting me know what you think the book is worth.

","authors",[49],{"_37":50,"_51":52,"_5":53},"Z2lkOi8vbGVhbnB1Yi9TdG9yZTo6UHJvZHVjdEF1dGhvci81MzA1","name","Fred Wu",{"_54":55},"avatar",{"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":12},"url","https://d39qdlcrvnra4b.cloudfront.net/avatars/141867/medium/fredwu-linkedin.jpg?1425584097","styleName","medium","exists","currentUser","routes/_store+/_layout","routes/_store+/_readers+/_layout","actionData","errors"]

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