Introduction

Hello, world-changers aka engineers! 🌟 Are you ready to turbo charge your dev skills? Becoming a F.A.S.T. Engineer is more than just a sprint through code or design; it is about embracing feedback, asking the right questions, keeping it simple, and always being eager to learn. Let us dive into these traits with relatable examples that show how they can rev up your coding game!

F.A.S.T. - Smooth is Fast, Fast is Smooth!

F.A.S.T. stands for Feedback, Asking, Simplicity, and Training. These are the principles of the framework you need to navigate the coding universe.

In racing they always say the fastest way around the track is always the smoothest. Having the fastest lap time will not win you the race. It is about having consistency of great lap times every time no matter what the obstacles or conditions. That is what wins races. And when you do hit that perfect lap, it feels effortless. Like a smooth Sunday afternoon drive through the countryside.

Use these principles as guidelines to help you remember to focus on the basic core framework of being a F.A.S.T. Engineer.

Feedback

Feedback is like a compass for your coding journey. It guides you and keeps you on track with your team’s goals.

Example:

Imagine you are baking a cake for the first time. You follow a recipe, but you are not sure if it tastes right. So, you ask a friend who is an experienced baker to taste it. They suggest adding a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors. You try it, and voilà, the cake tastes better! Similarly, in coding, getting feedback helps you improve your work. It is like having a taste-tester for your code, ensuring it is delicious before serving it to users.

Asking

Asking questions is a sign of a proactive engineer. It helps you understand the project better and find efficient solutions.

Example:

Think of assembling a piece of furniture with a confusing manual. You could guess your way through, but it might take longer, and you might make mistakes. Instead, you call customer service and ask for clarification. With their help, you assemble it quickly and correctly. In engineering, asking questions is like calling customer service. It saves time and helps you build things right the first time.

Simplicity

Simplicity in coding means choosing the clearest and most maintainable approach.

Example:

Remember playing with building blocks as a kid? You could create complex structures, but the simplest designs were often the sturdiest and easiest to understand. In coding, simplicity is about building with 'blocks' in a way that is easy to manage and support. It is like choosing to build a sturdy, simple fort that will stand the test of time over a complicated castle that could collapse.

Training

Continuous learning keeps you updated and ready to tackle new challenges.

Example:

Learning to ride a bike did not happen overnight. You started with training wheels, practiced, and gradually learned to balance. In the tech world, continuous learning is your 'training wheels.' It helps you stay balanced in the ever-changing landscape of technology, ensuring you can ride smoothly through any challenge.

Conclusion

Embracing the F.A.S.T. Principles are essential for any engineer looking to excel in their field. By focusing on feedback, asking, simplicity, and training, you can ensure a smooth and efficient development process. Remember, being fast is not just about speed; it is about being smart and strategic in your approach. So, keep these principles in mind, and you will be well on your way to becoming a top-notch F.A.S.T. engineer. 🚀