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You’re a Real JavaScript Developer Only If...

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TL;DR

You're a real JavaScript developer when common struggles like debugging with console.log, fighting CORS, and refactoring code become second nature. This article humorously lists experiences that define a seasoned JS dev, from framework migrations to production mishaps.

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Some people say you become a real developer when you build your first app.
JavaScript developers know that’s not true.
You become a real JavaScript developer when the hard moments become your comfort zone.

So, you’re a real JavaScript developer only if...

JavaScript Developer

🧩 The Classic Moments

  • You’ve used console.log() as your main debugging tool, and it worked.
  • You’ve seen undefined and said, “Yeah, that’s expected.”
  • You’ve added === instead of == without fully knowing why, but it fixed everything.
  • You’ve written code that worked yesterday but doesn’t work today, without touching it.
  • You’ve used map, filter, and reduce, all in the same line, just to feel powerful.
  • You’ve spent 15 minutes wondering why something isn’t working, only to find a missing }.
  • You’ve installed a package just to use one line of code.
  • You’ve said “just one more npm install” and broken your entire project.
  • You’ve fought with CORS and lost.
  • You’ve googled “How to center a div”, and you’ll do it again.

⚙️ The Framework Era

  • You said, “I’ll learn React this weekend”, 6 months ago.
  • You’ve started a project with Create React App, then migrated to Next.js “just to test.”
  • You’ve built a simple landing page but ended up configuring Webpack.
  • You’ve updated your npm packages and suddenly have 42 vulnerabilities.
  • You’ve used ChatGPT to explain why your component won’t render.
  • You’ve copied an error message, pasted it in Google, and found an unanswered StackOverflow question from 2014.

🧠 The Developer Energy

  • You know the difference between null, undefined, and “Why does this exist?”
  • You tell yourself, “I’ll just refactor this function”, and end up rewriting the whole app.
  • You say “it’s just JavaScript” before breaking production.
  • You’ve named a variable data, res, or temp more than once.
  • You’ve pushed console.log('test') to production.

If you’ve done at least five of these…
Congratulations 🥳, you’re officially a JavaScript developer.

💬 What’s the most “JavaScript dev” thing you’ve ever done? 😅

🎁 Bonus Resource: Check out my article, From Zero to 373 Days: How Daily LeetCode Challenges Transformed My Programming Journey 🔥

Thanks for reading! 🙏🏻
I hope you found this useful ✅
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Made with 💙 by Hadil Ben Abdallah 		LinkedIn GitHub Daily.dev

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