Reading Other Peoples Code

Explore techniques for effectively reading and understanding large codebases in this 56-minute conference talk by Patricia Aas. Learn methodical approaches to build mental models of other programmers' work, developed over 18 years of programming experience. Gain practical strategies for tackling new codebases, from navigating thousands of lines across hundreds of files to understanding the thought processes behind the code. Discover how to approach unfamiliar code with curiosity and gain insights into fellow programmers' minds through their work. Walk away with a concrete plan for approaching new codebases and a renewed sense of enthusiasm for exploring others' code.