Legend Of Imposters: How a Beginner Project Helped Me Battle Shame

Ever feel like you're battling your inner critic while coding? This developer's journey through a "Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" API project is a refreshing reminder that even seasoned coders can benefit from revisiting the basics. The author, initially aiming to solidify API interactions and CSS skills, stumbled upon unexpected lessons in architecture, data flow, and DOM manipulation. This project wasn't about building the next big thing; it was about confronting that nagging feeling of "not knowing enough" and embracing the learning process.

The key takeaway? Don't underestimate the power of simple projects. By deliberately using `.fetch().then().then().catch()` chains instead of async/await, the author gained a deeper understanding of Promises, a crucial concept in asynchronous JavaScript. The project highlighted the importance of clean code structure for debugging, especially when tracking data from the API to the UI. The author also emphasized the value of "mental models" – picturing how data flows and pieces connect – as an essential step in API interaction. Furthermore, the experience of raw DOM manipulation served as a humbling (but valuable) contrast to working within frameworks like Angular.

Ultimately, this project was a victory against "imposter syndrome." The author realized the importance of user flows and separating concerns by creating classes that represent behavior and state. By embracing the "lame beginner project," the author not only leveled up technical skills but also gained confidence and a renewed appreciation for the continuous learning that defines the craft of coding. The lesson here is clear: embrace the journey, ask questions, and don't be afraid to tackle the fundamentals – you might be surprised at what you discover.

📰 Original article: https://dev.to/ellieoconnor/legend-of-imposters-how-a-beginner-project-helped-me-battle-shame-jf6

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