Mastering the intricate art of software development requires more than just coding skills. To advance in your career, you must excel in source control, code reviews, DevOps, monitoring, reporting, project management, and importantly, collaborating with others. I'm here to guide you through this process.
The Thrill of Shipping Software
The excitement of being responsible for delivering software to your client or boss is unparalleled. By successfully shipping software, you create value and influence, fulfilling the core purpose of this profession: transforming user experiences through robust software solutions. While coding is undoubtedly enjoyable, the true magic lies in delivering complete products. However, it takes more than enthusiasm and determination; it requires deep knowledge of tools and processes.
Essential Skills for Senior Developers and Project Leads
As a senior developer or project lead, mastering skills such as source control management, Agile practices, container orchestration, effective testing techniques, and quick debugging methods is crucial. These capabilities are developed over time. With luck, you have a mentor guiding you through these skills — and if not, like me, you're self-taught and learning on the job. If you're navigating this path, this book is precisely for you.
A Glimpse into My Journey
I’m Rob Conery, and I've been crafting software for over 25 years without holding a formal computer science degree. My career path includes developing applications for major corporations such as Ameritech and Southwest Bell. I’ve collaborated with industry giants like Visa, Google, Starbucks, and PayPal, where I contributed to their first developer portal back in 2005.
Proven Experience and Leadership
My achievements include writing an open-source e-commerce site for Microsoft, showcased by Steve Ballmer at Tech Ed, Microsoft’s premier developer event (now known as //Build). My experience extends to serving as a CTO three times and managing multi-million dollar projects for Fortune 50 clients globally. I have learned the nuances of shipping software through personal challenges, and I am here to ensure you don't have to face the same hardships.
