Name: How To Learn A New Codebase Fast
Uploaded: 2022-03-23T22:17:37+00:00
Duration: 7 min 47 s
Description: The best way to learn a new codebase is to learn by doing

How To Learn A New Codebase Fast

What is the best way to learn a codebase?

True or false: In software, experimenting and making changes is cheap, so a great way to learn is by trying a lot of things and seeing what happens, even if you do not fully understand the overall codebase yet.

Why is structured learning like tutorials and courses not effective for actually learning a codebase?

True or false: Before you jump into a codebase, you should ideally get a certificate in that tech stack before working with it.

Which of these is a good way to learn a codebase with your first code changes within it?

True or false: Breaking something locally is an effective way to learn a codebase.

- The best way to learn a new codebase is to learn by doing.
- Don't get paralyzed reading documentation or getting a certificate before jumping into a codebase.
- Start tinkering ASAP. It doesn't matter if you don't fully understand the codebase - Just do small changes like deleting a line or flipping a variable and then see what happens after you build the code.
- Alex's standard: Put out a commit/pull request for a new codebase within 2 days.
- You want to get code into review as soon as possible, because the feedback you get on your pull request is where the real learning happens. Don't worry about the quality; it's going to be bad in the beginning like with any newbie - The important thing is that you submit something out there into the world so your teammates can tell you how to get better.

Related resources:
- [How To Figure Out Which Parts Of A Codebase Matter](https://link.jointaro.com/PdpWBjAzU7NVTamf6)
- [Learning A New Codebase Fast As An Intern](https://link.jointaro.com/SMaLvqCVeoH9MmvV7)

The best way to learn a new codebase is to learn by doing

Alex worked at PayPal and then as a tech lead across Course Hero, Meta, and Robinhood. He's now building Taro, empowering software engineers to be happier and more effective.

Almost every software engineer starts their full-time career journey here. The content here breaks down how you can start your career off with a splash and grow past this level as quickly as possible.

Tech has so much to learn, making learning how to learn one of the most important things for any software engineer to do. Figure out what you need to do to pick up new skills quickly and properly.

With how often software engineers change teams, it's crucial to be efficient at this. Learn how to get coding within a new codebase fast, build the proper relationships, and hit the ground running in general.

[Masterclass] How To Learn Quickly In Tech

Related resources:
- ["How do I identify the core things to learn when picking up a new tech stack?"](https://www.jointaro.com/question/0VfjTWl2gxCKS0PRHpRT/how-do-i-identify-the-core-things-to-learn-when-picking-up-a-new-tech-stack/)
- ["What’s the most effective way to switch domains in tech?"](https://www.jointaro.com/question/eFr9vsyTSiYLCbtsj7RR/whats-the-most-effective-way-to-switch-domains-in-tech/)
- [Presentation Slides](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1C0RYphpovijVp8s3JVjG9iYFT6hgPJNHabIeP8WF7V4/edit?usp=sharing)