[simianparrot]

I keep myself in check by exploring software -- and most things in life -- from a first-principles perspective.

Last few weeks I've been writing a software 3D renderer from scratch not because there isn't countless of great engines out there ready to use, but because I need to understand the base principles of 3D rendering much better than I did before I tackle the technologies that have presumptions and bias towards specific problems baked in.

For my intended use case, my own 3D software blitter in JS is probably going to be good enough, but if it isn't, at least I know why it didn't work for me and I can make a much more informed choice.

This is how I approach programming as a senior developer at my job as well. And I find that asking the right questions and reframing problems before looking for technologies to solve them is one of the key benefits of age and experience. It's also why the last few places have hired me, specifically because I reframe questions and break down assumptions before I start typing away at the keyboard.