About the Book

Those who do not learn from history, are condemned to repeat its mistakes.

Synopsis

As we live our lives, we tend to learn a great deal about a wide variety of topics. From time to time we are stumped by how elegantly, or easily, someone solves a certain problem. You are left wondering why you have not been tackling similar problems in the same way. It could have saved you vast amounts of frustration, if only you had known earlier.

What you have in front of you is a collection of “tales from the trenches”, aimed at helping you stand on the shoulders of the giants that have come before us. Learn what worked, but more importantly: learn why it worked.

If you come across a piece of advice that sounds like it might apply to you, try it out and see what results you achieve with it. When it did not work out as expected, figure out why it did not work. If you are feeling particularly charitable, share you newfound knowledge with your friends, coworkers, or post it for everyone to see.

Intended Audience

The book is designed to be a reference guide, a source of inspiration, and a collection of best practices.

It aims to share information and useful practices with technical professionals, particularly those who are new to the industry and seeking guidance from experienced practitioners. The book includes insights, interpretations, and experiences gathered from various sources, combined with the author’s personal experiences.

As there is a lot of overlap between software development and other knowledge work, significant parts of the book are likely also of interest to professionals in other fields.

The primary goal is to share knowledge and help others improve their skills while navigating the challenges of working in the software development field.

Ultimately, if this work contributes to making someone’s life a little more enjoyable, the mission is accomplished.

About the Author

Stijn Dejongh

Stijn Dejongh is a software developer, architect, and coach. He lives in Belgium with his wife, child, and cat.

Amongst his interests are such diverse elements as software development, board games, philosophy, martial arts, personal growth, and productivity.

Stijn has been working in the software industry for over a decade, specializing in government and large enterprise software development.

he has been an independent consultant since 2020, helping organizations improve their technical practices and processes.

Beyond his consultancy, he is fueled by a passion for knowledge-sharing and skill improvement.

Over the years, he has been a mentor to many junior developers and has written numerous articles and blog posts on software development, personal growth, and productivity. Some of his writing can be found on his knowledge sharing website, patterns.sddevelopment.be.

Driven by the belief that continuous learning is the key to success in the dynamic world of technology, Stijn invites everyone to embark on a journey of discovery and improvement.