When we talk about the art of coding, there’s a phrase that resonates deeply within the developer community: “Make it work, make it right, make it fast.” This mantra has become a guiding principle in programming, encouraging coders to prioritize functionality, correctness, and efficiency—in that order. But where did this phrase come from, and why has it become so influential? Beyond that, why should you consider learning to code in 2024? Let’s dive into these questions and explore coding from multiple angles, from how to start learning to why it’s worth the journey.
Who Said “Make It Work, Make It Right, Make It Fast”?
The phrase “Make it work, make it right, make it fast” is often attributed to Kent Beck, a software engineer and pioneer in extreme programming. Beck believed that successful software development should prioritize getting something to work before refining it and, finally, optimizing it. His perspective has shaped how many developers approach coding, especially when balancing speed with quality. The idea is that the first goal should always be functionality; if something doesn’t work, nothing else matters. Once it works, you make sure it’s right—that is, bug-free, well-structured, and understandable. Finally, you make it fast by optimizing performance.
This approach isn’t just for elite programmers—it’s useful for anyone learning to code. When you start building something, you’ll often face bugs, and maybe your code won’t look perfect, but the first step is getting it functional. Once you have that, you can start refining.
Make It Work: The Foundation of Functionality
The first step—“Make it work”—emphasizes getting your solution to function as intended. At this stage, the primary focus is not on elegance or optimization but simply on making sure the job gets done. Here, it’s about practical steps and solutions that achieve the desired outcome, regardless of the finer details.
Think about this step as setting up the basic mechanics of a car engine. You need it to run, even if it sputters or makes noise. You might not worry too much about the mileage or smoothness at this point; the main goal is to ensure it operates.
Key Approaches for Making it Work:
- Focus on Essentials: Prioritize what absolutely needs to be achieved.
- Minimal Viable Solution (MVS): Deliver the smallest and simplest solution that meets the fundamental needs.
- Quick Testing & Adjustments: Test as you go. Small, frequent adjustments can help you keep things on track.
Example in Real Life:
Consider a developer working on a weather app. In the “Make it work” phase, the goal might be to fetch weather data from an API and display it to the user. It doesn’t matter if the interface is clunky or if the response time is slow; it just needs to show the data.
Make It Right: Crafting Quality and Precision
Once you’ve ensured that your solution works, the next step is to “make it right.” Here, the focus shifts to quality, correctness, and user experience. This phase requires addressing any issues that might have been overlooked in the rush to get things working. It’s about following best practices, refining code, eliminating bugs, and ensuring that everything operates as expected.
Imagine a painter finishing the initial layer of paint on a canvas. The shapes are there, but now comes the detail work—adding shades, highlights, and tiny adjustments that make the painting feel complete and intentional. The “Make it right” phase is much like this; it’s about making a rough solution into a refined, polished one.
Steps to Make it Right:
- Code Refactoring: Improve the readability, structure, and maintainability of your code.
- Detailed Testing: Go beyond basic functionality testing. Consider edge cases, potential failures, and user experience.
- Follow Standards: Apply best practices, such as clean code principles, security measures, and user-friendly designs e.g. rails scopes.
Real-World Illustration:
Think about the infamous Boeing 737 MAX issue, which involved flight control software that wasn’t designed or tested thoroughly for certain conditions. If more time had been spent in the “Make it right” phase, with thorough testing for rare but critical scenarios, the major failures might have been avoided.
Make It Fast: Optimization for Efficiency
When your solution is working well and is built right, it’s time to “make it fast.” This phase is all about optimization—finding ways to make the solution perform better, reduce latency, use fewer resources, or respond more quickly. Here, we’re seeking to maximize efficiency without compromising on functionality or quality.
Optimizing for speed and efficiency can sometimes involve difficult trade-offs. You might need to prioritize certain processes or find more efficient methods to achieve the same result like using the DRY approach. The “Make it fast” phase is like tuning an athlete after they’ve learned all the skills—enhancing their stamina, reflexes, and timing to maximize their performance.
Tips for Making it Fast:
- Optimize Algorithms: Select the most efficient algorithms for your task, keeping in mind time complexity.
- Reduce Redundancies: Identify any unnecessary steps in the process and eliminate them e.g. filter_map in ruby.
- Resource Management: Ensure that your solution is resource-efficient, especially if it’s a system that needs to scale.
Case Study of Speed and Efficiency:
Take, for example, the way Amazon optimizes its website for speed and scalability. Every millisecond matters to Amazon, which operates at a scale that processes millions of transactions. By constantly tweaking and enhancing their systems, they can provide a seamless experience that meets high user expectations.
Putting It All Together: Why Each Step Matters
The process of making something work, making it right, and making it fast isn’t just limited to software development or engineering; it’s applicable in almost any field, from cooking to construction.
Consider building a house. The “make it work” stage is about constructing a solid, stable structure that can withstand the elements. “Make it right” involves adding insulation, fixing leaks, and ensuring that it’s comfortable and safe. Finally, “make it fast” could mean improving the heating and cooling systems or using energy-efficient materials to reduce long-term costs.
Benefits of Following These Steps:
- Efficiency: Each step helps prevent wasted resources and time by focusing on one priority at a time.
- Quality Assurance: By addressing each aspect separately, you’re more likely to achieve high standards across all facets.
- Scalability: This process is inherently scalable because it allows you to handle each phase separately, making it easier to apply improvements as needed.
Why Learn How to Code?
Coding is no longer just a niche skill for a select few tech experts. Today, it’s an essential skill across industries and roles, from data science to marketing, product design to finance. Here’s why learning to code can be so beneficial, especially now:
- A Tool for Problem-Solving
Learning to code teaches you how to break down complex problems, analyze them, and find creative solutions. For example, if you’re running an e-commerce store, you might want a script that automates inventory updates or customizes customer experiences. - Career Opportunities
The job market for coders has only expanded. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in software development are expected to grow by 22% from 2020 to 2030. Coding skills can open doors to careers in web development, data science, cybersecurity, and beyond. - Empowerment to Build Ideas
Coding lets you build things from scratch. Have an idea for an app? With coding skills, you could make it a reality. Want to improve a process at work? You could automate repetitive tasks with a bit of scripting. - An Ever-Adapting Skill
The tech industry is constantly evolving, and so are the languages and tools available. Learning to code teaches adaptability, resilience, and a willingness to learn—skills valuable in any career.
Should I Learn Coding in 2024?
The answer to whether you should learn coding in 2024 largely depends on your goals, interests, and industry. Let’s break it down by looking at some current trends and data.
- The Rise of AI and Automation
AI is transforming how we work, and coding is at the heart of these changes. Learning to code could give you insights into how AI works or even allow you to build AI-driven tools yourself. For instance, knowing Python can let you dive into machine learning and data science. - High Demand for Tech Skills
Even non-tech industries are increasingly tech-driven. Health, retail, and even agriculture sectors are looking for people who understand data, automation, and digital tools. - Remote Work Opportunities
Coding opens up the possibility of remote work, allowing you to work with companies across the globe. Whether you’re a freelance developer or working for a company, many tech roles are remote-friendly.
In short, learning coding in 2024 could give you a significant edge in your career, even if you don’t plan to become a full-time developer.
How Do I Learn to Code?
Now that we’ve explored why coding is valuable, let’s talk about how to get started. Here’s a practical roadmap for beginners:
Start with the Basics
Begin by choosing a programming language that aligns with your goals. If you’re interested in web development, start with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. For data science, try Python. Want to understand how websites work? Start with JavaScript or Ruby on Rails.
Practice by Building Projects
Theory is useful, but the real learning comes from doing. Start with small projects that are personally meaningful or exciting. Build a personal website, create a to-do app, image to base64 converter, or set up a blog from scratch. These projects will not only improve your skills but also give you something tangible to show to potential employers.
Use Online Resources
From Codecademy to freeCodeCamp to Khan Academy, there are endless resources for beginners. These platforms offer structured courses in almost every programming language and cover foundational topics like data structures, algorithms, and software design.
Join a Coding Community
Learning alone can be tough. Consider joining online communities like Stack Overflow, Reddit’s r/learnprogramming, or local coding meetups. Coding communities can offer support, motivation, and answers to your questions.
Understand the Core Concepts
Concepts like loops, conditions, and variables apply across programming languages. Learn them well, as they’ll make transitioning between languages much easier.
Keep a Beginner’s Mindset
Coding isn’t something you master overnight. Be prepared for frustrations and challenges, but approach them with curiosity and persistence. Every coder started as a beginner, and mistakes are part of the learning process.
Is Coding Hard to Learn?
The truth is, coding isn’t easy. But it’s not impossible, either. Like learning a new language or playing an instrument, coding takes time, practice, and persistence. Here are a few common challenges and ways to overcome them:
- Learning to Think Logically
Coding requires logical thinking, which may feel foreign at first. Think of it as solving puzzles. Start with simple exercises to strengthen your problem-solving skills. - Understanding Syntax
Every language has unique syntax. HTML is relatively straightforward, but languages like JavaScript or Python may seem daunting at first. Start with a beginner-friendly language, and don’t be discouraged by mistakes. - Debugging Can Be Frustrating
Debugging is a major part of coding. Beginners often find it frustrating, but this is where the “make it work” part of Kent Beck’s mantra is crucial. If your code doesn’t work, don’t worry. Break the problem into smaller pieces, and tackle each one until you find the issue. - Imposter Syndrome
Feeling like an imposter is common, even for experienced developers. Remember that learning to code is a journey, not a race, and every programmer, no matter how experienced, is always learning.
What Can You Achieve with Coding?
Coding empowers you to create solutions, automate tasks, and even start your own projects. Let’s look at a few real-world examples:
- Startup Founders and Entrepreneurs
Many successful startups began with a founder who knew how to code. Think of companies like Facebook or Airbnb—their founders had basic coding skills to turn their ideas into a prototype, which helped them secure investment. - Freelancers Building Side Income
Freelancers with coding skills can take on a range of projects, from building websites for local businesses to creating custom tools for clients. This can be a valuable source of income and independence. - Problem Solving in Everyday Life
Coding can even be useful in your daily life. For instance, you could write a script to organize your files, scrape data from websites for personal analysis, or automate repetitive tasks.
Beyond Development: Applying the Principle in Everyday Life
The “Make it work, make it right, make it fast” approach can also be applied to personal development and project management.
In Personal Development
When learning a new skill—like a language, for instance—the first step is to “make it work” by learning enough basics to communicate. Next, “make it right” by working on accuracy, grammar, and fluency. Finally, “make it fast” by practicing until the language comes naturally and effortlessly.
In Project Management
In managing a project, “make it work” involves getting all the parts moving—allocating tasks, setting deadlines, and ensuring everyone understands the objectives. “Make it right” is the refinement phase, checking in with each team member, refining deadlines, and ensuring quality output. “Make it fast” might mean streamlining communication or introducing new tools to boost productivity.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Each phase has its own challenges, and it’s common to encounter some obstacles along the way. Here are a few pitfalls that can derail progress:
- Skipping Phases: Jumping straight to optimization without first establishing functionality can lead to wasted time on refining a flawed approach.
- Perfection Paralysis: Spending too much time on “making it right” can prevent you from ever reaching the “make it fast” stage. It’s a balancing act—getting it right without overdoing it.
- Neglecting the Big Picture: Focusing too narrowly on one aspect can lead to a solution that doesn’t meet broader needs.
Conclusion: Make It Work, Make It Right, Make It Fast
The journey of learning to code is one that requires patience and determination. Kent Beck’s motto—“Make it work, make it right, make it fast”—serves as a reminder that perfection comes in stages. Get it working first. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes along the way. Then, polish it. Refine your skills, understand best practices, and make sure your code is solid. Finally, as you gain experience, focus on efficiency and optimization.
In 2024, coding remains one of the most valuable skills you can learn, opening doors across industries, empowering you to bring your ideas to life, and positioning you for the future of work. Whether you’re aiming to become a professional developer, build side projects, or simply gain a better understanding of how technology works, coding offers a unique path to achieving these goals. And remember, the most important step is to start—so, make it work, make it right, and eventually, make it fast.
