On some math problems on my site I was actually proving the methods (via expansion) rather than solving. However, it was funny how the simple and hard ways got the same answer. So anyway, do any of you do things more difficult than need be? Why? Does it make you tougher?
Making Things More Difficult than Need Be
- Thread starter Jason76
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fantanoice
Madly Diligent
I think people should work smarter not harder. We've only got a limited time on this planet, if you can do something in less time then you have more time for something else.
However, sometimes you don't know the best way to achieve something so you mess around until you get to a solution. This happens in programming all the time. Then when you get to the end, you understand the problem better and can do it better next time.
However, sometimes you don't know the best way to achieve something so you mess around until you get to a solution. This happens in programming all the time. Then when you get to the end, you understand the problem better and can do it better next time.
You know, often, there are times that I will think about this and pretty much slap myself for always choosing the harder route for a particular (web development-related) problem. I just like to think it gives that little bit more experience. Maybe not, but I have to justify it somehow. 😛
The hard way is good for training, hence why universities work you death for that BS, MA, PhD etc.. However, after all is learned, the shorter way is the best time-saver given short time on the planet - as you say.
Training should be for school, not the eventual job.
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fantanoice
Madly Diligent
When I say work smarter, I'm thinking more along the lines of in a workplace. Say you have to fix a programming bug in a system you've never seen before. You spend some time on it (approx 15min) and don't get anywhere. You could bang your head for hours and eventually get it (maybe), or you could ask for help from someone that knows the area already. They can step you through it and may even identify the problem for you. It will cost the business less and you save hours on your deathbed. Sure it's not great to take up someone's time but usually people are pretty happy to help if it means costing the team less in the long run.
Learning something 'properly' isn't the 'hard way.' That's just a thing you have to do. There are 'hard' and 'smart' ways to learn things properly. There are hard ways to not learn things - harder than actually learning them. Just depends on the skill and the method.
Learning something 'properly' isn't the 'hard way.' That's just a thing you have to do. There are 'hard' and 'smart' ways to learn things properly. There are hard ways to not learn things - harder than actually learning them. Just depends on the skill and the method.
I don't agree with that. Learning never stops.
Nah, it's almost impossible for you to learn everything in school that you'll need to work with. I've learned a lot on the job, and school definitely gave me the background to do so.
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