The Joy of Solving Problems as a Developer

Aug 18 / 1 min read
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Being a developer is an endless cycle of discovering bugs and fixing them. I share how I automated payments and order workflows, solved a tricky issue, and why problem-solving is what keeps me in computer science.

Outline

  • The problem-solving cycle of being a developer
  • Automating payments and workflows
  • A bug with partial payments
  • Fixing the issue
  • Why computer science is fulfilling

The Never-Ending Cycle

Being a developer is fun because it’s a constant loop of discovering new bugs and fixing them. Every fix opens the door to new challenges, and that cycle keeps the work exciting.

Automating Payments and Workflows

For one of my apps, all payments are online. That means I can set up automated processes that trigger different workflows:

  • Subscription renewals
  • Customer onboarding
  • Special offers like “buy 6 months, get 1 year”

Each payment is tied to an order and a target, and completing it sets off a chain of automated tasks. For a new customer, that might mean creating their subscription, activating their GPS device, and setting its duration — all without me lifting a finger.

The Partial Payment Bug

This morning, I ran into a frustrating issue: customers who made partial payments couldn’t pay the remaining balance. The system only allowed the full order amount, not just what was left.

Fixing the Issue

The fix was simple but powerful. I changed the payable amount from the total order value to the outstanding balance. With that tweak, customers could now pay the remainder seamlessly.

Why It Matters

Depending on who you ask, this problem might seem simple or complex. To me, it shows the kind of mindset computer science rewards — one where problem-solving is the core. And the joy comes when a challenge that felt like a roadblock minutes ago simply disappears.

The Bigger Picture

I studied computer science, but most of what I do today I’ve taught myself. The field is forgiving like that: you don’t need a formal background to start. What matters is persistence and the love of solving problems.

Fulfillment in Problem-Solving

The happiness I get from fixing something that was broken just moments before is unmatched. It’s the reason I’m still in this field today.

Babacar Cissé DIA
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A Solutions Architect and Developer who thrives on crafting digital solutions. Passionate about learning and innovation, he sees challenges as opportunities to build secure, responsive, high-quality applications that drive business growth through cutting-edge technology. His blog serves as a tech memoir, documenting his coding journey and sharing insights into software architecture. It’s a blend of lessons, musings, and tech expertise, providing a glimpse into the art of crafting solutions in an ever-evolving digital landscape.