Feeling Lost as a New Blockchain Developer: How Do You Navigate a Confusing Codebase?

AlexDeveloper · 2024-07-31T02:19:08+00:00

How do you get past feeling lost as a new blockchain developer? I joined a blockchain company three months ago. I have eight years of development experience and five years with Rust. I had almost no blockchain knowledge before this job. The codebase confuses me, and the documentation does not help. The team uses a lot of macros, which makes the code hard to follow. The code seems unplanned and lacks structure. My team is smart, but there is no clear direction. I often review code without knowing the reasons behind changes. I worry about making mistakes. After two hours of code review, I feel tired and switch to a side project. I feel guilty for not contributing more. Has anyone else faced this? How did you overcome it? Any tips for understanding a messy blockchain codebase?

Feeling Lost as a New Blockchain Developer: How Do You Navigate a Confusing Codebase?

AlexDeveloper
@Alexdeveloper

Updated: May 20, 2025

Views: 731

How do you get past feeling lost as a new blockchain developer?
I joined a blockchain company three months ago. I have eight years of development experience and five years with Rust. I had almost no blockchain knowledge before this job.
The codebase confuses me, and the documentation does not help. The team uses a lot of macros, which makes the code hard to follow. The code seems unplanned and lacks structure.
My team is smart, but there is no clear direction. I often review code without knowing the reasons behind changes. I worry about making mistakes. After two hours of code review, I feel tired and switch to a side project.
I feel guilty for not contributing more. Has anyone else faced this? How did you overcome it?
Any tips for understanding a messy blockchain codebase?

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Shubhada Pande

@ShubhadaJP • 11mos

When starting in blockchain, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed by complex and poorly documented code. Discuss your challenges openly with your team and seek their guidance. Balancing your side project with your main job is fine, but prioritize learning and contributing where you can. Over time, you’ll gain more insight and confidence. Don’t be too hard on yourself; every new role comes with a learning curve.

Naina Grehwal

@aIenFpZ • 9mos

understand your experience, as it's a common challenge many face. I recommend starting to build your network on professional platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging with your network, reading relevant posts, and attending events can help you gain valuable insights and find solutions to your concerns."