Go Ahead – Write the “Stupid” Code Rhys Johns reflects on his journey into programming, starting after finishing school in 2010 when he initially wanted to pursue music but was encouraged by his mother to have a backup plan. He enrolled in a TAFE computing course in Australia, despite initial struggles, and gradually developed a passion for programming. Early Learning and Growth Completed game design and development diplomas and a bachelor’s degree blending computer science and game design. Wrote a lot of “stupid code” throughout education, game jams, and early career to practice and improve skills. Emphasizes that this trial and error was crucial for learning and growth. Recent Experiences and Realizations Currently exploring JavaScript/TypeScript, NodeJS, Deno, and other runtimes. Initially hesitant to write code without a clear practical purpose. Created simple projects like a stock ticker and a daily inspirational quote app to play with new technologies and learn. Realized the fear of writing “dumb” or imperfect code comes from being overly harsh on oneself. Acknowledges that self-criticism can prevent experimentation and learning. Encouragement to Programmers Advises giving yourself grace when writing code, especially for personal projects. There is no such thing as stupid code—only code. Encourages enjoying the process, experimenting with new languages or runtimes, and maintaining curiosity. Views this mindset as essential for continuous learning and keeping passion alive in a programming career or hobby. --- © 2025 Rhys Johns. All Rights Reserved.