PSA: I was totally wrong about copying and pasting example code

I used to think the smart move was to copy and paste code snippets directly from tutorials to save time. It felt like a shortcut, especially when the example was long or seemed complicated. But man, I messed up a project for days because of it. I pasted in a function that worked, but I had zero clue how it actually ran. Later, when I needed to change just one small part, I was totally lost and couldn't fix it because I hadn't typed any of it myself. It's like trying to build furniture with pre-assembled parts you didn't put together, you don't know what holds it up. Now I force myself to type every single line, even if it's slower, because my brain actually learns the patterns and the mistakes. It hurts at first, but typing it out is the only way it really sticks for me.

4 comments

4 Comments

rubym621mo ago

Prefer retyping too, @lindabarnes. Muscle memory sticks better.

alice_bailey621mo ago

You've got the right idea about typing things out, but sometimes copying can be good for structure. I'll paste a whole block just to see how it fits together, then go back and retype the tricky parts. It saves time without skipping the learning part.

lindabarnes1mo ago

Avoid copying blocks and retype everything to learn structure properly.

kim.nina1mo ago

What if you blend copying and retyping based on what you're stuck on? Like, when I'm learning CSS, I'll copy a whole style sheet to see how the pieces connect (which saves my brain from frying). Then I retype the selectors and properties that seem weird, like flexbox stuff, until it clicks. This way, I don't waste time on easy parts but still get the muscle memory for tough spots. It's like building a map in your head before hiking the tricky trails.