I feel like this is an important area that differentiates newer devs from experienced ones. How do you deal with the unknown? A new problem? A problem with complexities and multiple moving parts?
I'm definitely still learning but when I'm faced with a tough coding task, I start by searching for the simplest example related to my problem on Google, StackOverflow, or through ChatGPT. I focus on fully understanding this basic example, breaking it down to grasp each part.
Next, I rebuild the example from the ground up. This helps me ensure I know why each piece is there and how it works. It's not just about copying code; it's about learning and understanding the foundation.
After getting the basics right, I begin adding complexity—introducing new features and refining the project step by step. This phase involves a lot of trial and error, learning from mistakes, and gradually improving my understanding and the project's sophistication.
I also keep asking for help, utilizing sn, nostr, and my friends here in pleblab.
What's your strategy for handling challenging coding tasks?