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Ask HN: What's more important, theory or practical knowledge

3 points by cobookman ↗ HN
As a computer engineering student the majority of my course load is theoretical and/or low level C code. My question for you is what should I be learning outside of class, more CS theory or striving to become a rockstar @ python/ruby/...etc.

3 comments

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ColinWright
Bad question - false dichotomy - but here's some advice that's probably worth what you pay for it ...

Work on finishing things. Find a small project, start it, get feedback, improve it, then finish it.

It's the act of getting things done that will drive you to acquire the additional skills you need. You will be judged by your accomplishments, so make sure you have many to show.

Make your finished projects clean, clear, and usable. As you get better, tackle bigger challenges.

But here's the deal: Always be finishing them.

(Yes, sometimes things should be abandoned, but if you're doing that a lot, ask yourself why.)

BrentRitterbeck
A third, unstated, option is the most important: domain experience. Work in a field for a few years. Learn its pain points. Learn what drives people crazy. There's tons of broken things to be fixed. You don't have to invent a new industry. You simply have to do something faster, or cheaper, or higher in quality.
keefe
it's important to keep them balanced. Imbalance favoring theory can lead to crippling over complications and imbalance favoring practicality can lead to unbounded waste of time.