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SwiftRocks

SwiftRocks is a blog by Bruno Rocha, a software engineer at Spotify. The blog focuses on in-depth articles about Swift programming and iOS development, covering topics such as Swift internals, performance optimization, and general software engineering practices. Bruno also shares his thoughts on the industry and various engineering concepts.

Details

URL: 🔗 https://swiftrocks.com

Authors: Bruno Rocha

Complexity Levels:

  • Beginner: 15%
  • Intermediate: 45%
  • Advanced: 40%

Frequency of Posting: Weekly

Types of Content:

  • Articles: 70% (In-depth articles and best practices)
  • Tutorials: 20% (Step-by-step guides and practical examples)
  • Opinion Pieces: 10% (Thoughts on industry and software engineering)

Additional Features:

  • Newsletter: Available for regular updates and news.
  • Book Recommendations: Curated list of recommended software engineering books.
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Best Practices​

🔴 How Necessary Are the Programming Fundamentals?​

This blog post discusses the significance of computer science fundamentals for developers, particularly how mastering these basics can improve long-term career prospects. The author uses a music theory analogy to illustrate how understanding foundational principles can enhance coding skills and adaptability across platforms. The article also critiques current interview practices at large tech companies and suggests more effective methods for evaluating candidates.

Details

URL: 🔗 https://swiftrocks.com/how-necessary-are-the-programming-fundamentals

Published: 18 May 2021 (Reworked on 05 Nov 2023)

Authors: Bruno Rocha

Tags:
computer-science, programming-fundamentals, interview-practices, career-development

Key Points​

  • Distinction Between Theory and Practical Skills: The blog emphasizes that while one can be a functional programmer without deep theoretical knowledge, understanding CS fundamentals greatly enhances problem-solving capabilities.
  • Misplaced Resentment: Developers often conflate their disdain for outdated interview practices with a dislike for the theory itself, which the author argues is a mistake.
  • Music Theory Analogy: The post uses the analogy of music theory to explain how theoretical knowledge underpins practical skills and can lead to mastery.
  • Career Impact: For developers aspiring to work at top tech companies or who want to diversify their platform expertise, a solid grounding in computer science is crucial.
  • Improving Interview Processes: The author suggests that companies move away from trivia and difficult LeetCode-style questions towards more relevant, product-focused questions that assess real-world problem-solving abilities.

Summary of Contents​

  • Introduction: Overview of the author's personal motivation to write about the importance of computer science fundamentals.
  • Developers' Hatred for Theory: Discusses the common aversion to theoretical knowledge due to its association with difficult interview processes.
  • The Hatred is Misplaced: Argues that the dislike for interview practices should not translate into a dismissal of the theory itself.
  • Analogy: Becoming a Professional Musician: Compares learning programming fundamentals to learning music theory and how it enhances overall skill.
  • The Same is True for Programming: Expands on the analogy, explaining the importance of understanding theory for better coding practices.
  • Who Really Needs to Learn the Theory?: Discusses the relevance of theory depending on a developer's career goals.
  • Why are Top-Tier Companies Obsessed with the Fundamentals?: Explores why companies like Google emphasize theoretical knowledge in their hiring practices.
  • Creating Better Interview Processes: Proposes ideas for improving how companies assess candidates' knowledge and skills during interviews.

Additional Resources​

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