Improve coding skills with some computer science concepts

As technology advances, more and more of the underlying complexity gets abstracted away. Frameworks and tools are built so that you don’t need to know what’s happening beneath the surface and most of the time, that’s fine. But having a clue about the machinery behind the code is a kind of superpower.

Here, “Computer Science” doesn’t strictly mean academic training. It’s about the fundamental concepts that shape how we think and build as software developers.

Computer Science and Software Engineering

Computer Science lays down the principles. Software Engineering applies them to build scalable, reliable systems. As a developer, you’re in the latter camp but you’ll do your best work when you keep both mindsets in sync.

What Computer Science Means for a Developer

Software development is intellectual work. To make sense of your environment and your tools, you need a way of thinking - computational thinking. At its core, programming is about teaching yourself to process information logically. You’re already a builder; the craft deepens when you also study the principles of building.

The Upside of More Fundamentals

Problem framing: Understanding data structures, for example, gives you the instinct to choose between arrays and linked lists. Better fundamentals mean better design and implementation choices.
Debugging power: A bug always sends you digging. Knowing the basics helps you narrow the search. Server errors aren’t as painful if you have some networking concepts in your toolbox.

Why It Feels Hard

The subject is dense. It takes time, practice, and a stubborn willingness to wrestle with ideas.
Self-taught developers often find it harder without structure.
In college, some students grind CS only for grades, missing its practical value. Later, they realize it’s about sharpening thinking, not passing exams.
Formal training often moves too fast. It introduces concepts, but rarely gives enough space to live with them.

Better Ways to Learn

Different people learn differently through books, videos, formal courses, or their own experiments. The best approach is a mix, anchored in your interests. Start with the skills you already have, then pivot toward what you want to understand.

With the internet, you don’t need permission.

Explore MIT OpenCourseWare for free lectures and materials.
Dive into MOOCs on platforms like Coursera. Pick a topic and go deep.

Texts and Practice

Books remain some of the best teachers. Read them slowly, practice often, and let the ideas stick through repetition. Online research is also invaluable, you don’t have to know everything upfront. Incremental learning is how you tame the complexity.

Apply Quickly

The key is not just learning — it’s applying. Break down concepts into small habits and fold them into your work. Keep the fundamentals fresh, and you’ll avoid the fog of mediocrity.

Takeaway

Strong foundations don’t make you old-school; they make you sharper. Tools will change, abstractions will pile up, but the principles stay. Keep learning them, keep practicing them, and you’ll keep your edge.