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There's usually quite a strong "time crunch" element. In my more snooty moods I say hackathons only teach bad habits and how to throw together software in a dreadfully hacky rushed manner. But in truth these are not always bad habits. Delivering a quick prototype to a tight deadline is a useful skill. I usually fail miserably at hackathons, which I find interesting. I think it means I should hone my dreadful hackery skills, because I can be too slow and considered and perfectionistic as a developer.


>I think it means I should hone my dreadful hackery skills, because I can be too slow and considered and perfectionistic as a developer.

very nicely said.


If it's all you practice, yeah you'll have had habits in longer software development. However, hackathons are good for figuring out how to reduce friction when you do need to sprint




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