Personally, I evaluate my abilities at a junior level.
While coding, I often find myself thinking that my code lacks expression or sophistication. It's obvious that it doesn't reflect the skills of a master programmer.
Moreover, it tends to become less scalable as new functionalities are added, making the overall complexity increase exponentially.
So, how can one progress to the next level in programming?

Progressing to the next level in programming involves consistent learning and practice. Here are a few suggestions to help you improve your skills:

1. Continue Learning: Stay up-to-date with the latest programming languages, frameworks, and best practices through online tutorials, books, and courses. This will expand your knowledge and help you write more expressive code.

2. Study Code from Experienced Developers: Analyze well-written code from experienced developers to understand their thought processes and approaches. This can provide insights into writing more sophisticated and scalable code.

3. Work on Real-World Projects: Undertake projects that are slightly more complex than your comfort level. This will challenge you to think more critically and find efficient solutions. Collaborating with others on open-source projects can also expose you to different coding styles and techniques.

4. Refactor and Optimize Your Code: Regularly review and refactor your existing codebase. Identify areas for improvement in terms of efficiency, readability, and maintainability. This iterative process helps you evolve as a programmer and write better code over time.

5. Seek Feedback: Share your code with peers or join programming communities where you can receive constructive feedback. Engaging in code reviews and discussions will help you understand different perspectives and learn from more experienced programmers.

6. Practice Problem Solving: Solve coding challenges and algorithms regularly. Websites like LeetCode and HackerRank offer a wide range of practice problems that enhance your problem-solving abilities and reinforce core programming concepts.

7. Build a Diverse Skill Set: Explore different domains and technologies within programming. This broader exposure allows you to gain expertise in different areas and improves your adaptability and versatility as a programmer.

8. Participate in Coding Competitions: Engaging in coding competitions like Codeforces or Google Code Jam can help you enhance your problem-solving skills under time constraints. These challenges often include complex problems that push you to think creatively.

9. Contribute to Open Source Projects: Contributing to open-source projects allows you to collaborate with experienced developers and contribute to real-world software. It gives you exposure to different codebases, coding standards, and teamwork, helping you grow as a programmer.

10. Practice Design Patterns: Familiarize yourself with common design patterns like Singleton, Observer, or Factory. Applying these patterns appropriately can make your code more modular, maintainable, and scalable.

11. Code Review Others' Work: Reviewing other people's code exposes you to different coding styles, techniques, and problem-solving approaches. It helps you gain insights into alternative solutions and learn from the mistakes and successes of others.

12. Attend Programming Meetups and Conferences: Participate in local programming meetups, workshops, or conferences to network with other programmers and learn from industry experts. These events provide opportunities to stay updated on the latest trends and technologies while connecting with like-minded individuals.

13. Explore Different Programming Paradigms: Experiment with different programming paradigms like functional programming or object-oriented programming. Learning new paradigms expands your thinking and equips you with additional tools for problem-solving.

14. Seek Mentors: Find experienced programmers who can guide you in your programming journey. A mentor can offer valuable advice, provide code reviews, and help you navigate through complex programming concepts.

15. Build a Strong Foundation: Continuously strive to strengthen your understanding of computer science fundamentals, data structures, and algorithms. This knowledge forms the backbone of strong programming skills and enables you to tackle complex problems efficiently.

16. Write Clean and Readable Code: Focus on writing code that is easy to understand, follow coding conventions, and use meaningful variable names. Clean code is not only easier to maintain but also makes collaboration with other developers smoother.

17. Debug and Troubleshoot: Debugging is an essential skill for programmers. Practice identifying and fixing bugs in your code, and learn how to effectively use debugging tools and techniques.

18. Master Version Control Systems: Learn how to use version control systems like Git to track changes in your codebase. Understanding branching, merging, and code collaboration workflows will enhance your effectiveness as a developer.

19. Automate Repetitive Tasks: Look for opportunities to automate repetitive tasks using scripting languages or build tools. This can save time and improve productivity in your development workflow.

20. Learn from Code Reviews: Embrace feedback from peers or senior developers during code reviews. Use these reviews as opportunities to learn and grow, understanding different approaches and perspectives.

21. Practice Pair Programming: Collaborate with another programmer on a coding task using the practice of pair programming. This technique allows you to learn from one another by sharing knowledge, solving problems together, and providing immediate feedback.

22. Optimize Algorithms and Data Structures: Gain a deeper understanding of algorithms and data structures, and explore ways to optimize them for better performance. This knowledge will help you write more efficient and scalable code.

23. Stay Curious and Explore New Technologies: Keep an eye on emerging technologies, libraries, and frameworks relevant to your field. Experimenting with new tools can broaden your skill set and keep you ahead of the curve.

24. Contribute to Online Coding Communities: Engage with online coding communities such as Stack Overflow or Reddit's programming subreddits. Answering questions and discussing topics can solidify your knowledge while helping others.

25. Embrace Continuous Learning: Programming is an ever-evolving field, so commit to lifelong learning. Stay curious and dedicate time to regularly learn new concepts, languages, or technologies.

26. Write Documentation: Documentation helps others understand your code and makes it easier to maintain in the long run. Practice documenting your code effectively, explaining its purpose, usage, and any potential issues.

27. Network with Other Programmers: Connect with fellow programmers through social media platforms or professional networks like LinkedIn. Building a strong network can open up new opportunities for collaboration and learning.

28. Take Breaks and Rest: Avoid burnout by taking regular breaks and prioritizing self-care. Resting and recharging will help you maintain focus and enthusiasm for programming.

29. Reflect on Your Progress: Regularly reflect on your programming journey and assess your growth. Celebrate your achievements, identify areas of improvement, and set new goals for continuous advancement.

30. Embrace Challenges: Don't shy away from difficult problems or projects. Embracing challenges helps you develop problem-solving skills, resilience, and adaptability.

31. Teach Others: Teaching is a powerful way to solidify your understanding of programming concepts. Consider mentoring or sharing your knowledge through writing technical blog posts or creating video tutorials.

32. Attend Hackathons: Participate in hackathons to work on real-world projects within a constrained timeframe. These intense events foster creativity, teamwork, and provide exposure to various technologies.

33. Develop Soft Skills: Effective communication, collaboration, and time management are crucial skills for any programmer. Invest in improving your soft skills to effectively work in teams and communicate your ideas.

34. Build a Portfolio: Create a portfolio of your projects, showcasing your abilities and range of work. This can be valuable when applying for jobs or freelance opportunities.

35. Explore Computer Science Theory: Dive deeper into computer science theory by studying topics like algorithms, operating systems, networking, or databases. A strong theoretical foundation can enhance your problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.

36. Focus on Security: Stay informed about common security vulnerabilities and best practices to ensure the code you write is secure and resilient against potential threats.

37. Contribute to Documentation and Tutorials: Share your knowledge and experiences by contributing to documentation, tutorials, or technical articles. This helps you solidify your understanding while giving back to the programming community.

38. Join Coding Bootcamps or Online Courses: Consider enrolling in coding bootcamps or online courses specifically designed to help programmers level up their skills. These programs provide structured learning paths and mentorship.

39. Develop a Growth Mindset: Embrace challenges and failures as opportunities for growth. Adopting a growth mindset allows you to persist and learn from setbacks, ultimately accelerating your progress.

40. Participate in Code Retreats: Attend code retreat events where you can collaborate with other programmers and focus on improving your coding skills through deliberate practice.

Developers who are continually growing and refuse to remain stagnant understand that development encompasses action, problem-solving, and feedback from others or introspection.

TL;DR: Engage in reading, practical tasks, and analyzing others' code.

What steps can I take right now to improve as a programmer?

1. Dive into the world of databases, algorithms, networks, cryptography, architecture, operating systems, browser devices, compilers, and more. Understanding these concepts provides insight into real-world challenges and how experts tackle them. This knowledge will prove invaluable.

2. Secure a position within a robust team, even if it's an entry-level role. I believe the only way to evolve as a developer is to work full-time on a genuine business product. This experience teaches you to address scalability issues, think ahead, establish efficient development processes, resolve long-term operational challenges, create user-friendly environments, and align your work with business objectives.

3. Although writing code isn't the primary focus of senior developers, comprehending the purpose and intricacies behind your code is crucial. There are timeless books mentioned in programmer competency matrices, as well as valuable modern reads such as "The Art of Readable Code," which I highly recommend. Reading books is essential. During interviews, I always inquire about an applicant's reading habits, and a negative response is seen as a significant drawback.

4. Engage in open-source projects. This enables you to encounter diverse coding styles and thought processes. You'll learn to analyze and critique others' code, identify flaws, and provide well-reasoned alternative solutions. Unlike business development, open-source projects offer the opportunity to write high-quality code for the sheer joy of it, an experience that is not always possible within commercial settings. Open source allows you to benefit from the wisdom of individuals who may be smarter or possess more experience in certain areas.

5. Be patient. Growth takes time. Pay attention to naming conventions, delegate responsibilities, study algorithms and the development ecosystem, optimize your workspace, explore new technologies, read articles, and consistently apply yourself in the coming years. Gradually, you will develop a new mindset and create reliable and well-supported software. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix or shortcut to success.

To increase your level, you must identify and address your weaknesses.

In my opinion, the path to improving your skills is unique to each individual. Let me share my experience with you:

1) I used to work in a web studio, designing websites one after another, but it became monotonous. I believed I was skilled, so I aimed for a promotion. However, after my first interview, I realized I still had a long way to go.
Level up - recognizing that you aren't as good as you think

2) I started learning and implementing new technologies such as git, laravel, gulp, and more. I took a gradual approach, not overwhelming myself with everything at once. Some things didn't stick, while others became invaluable tools.
Level up - understanding the importance of continuous learning

3) Over time, people started reaching out to me for help and advice on technical issues. I even began conducting technical interviews. It became clear that I needed to grow into a role of team management. So, I read a lot of books, which proved to be extremely beneficial.
Level up - gaining knowledge through books

4) Eventually, I realized that I had hit a skill ceiling. To overcome it, I started going for interviews, which helped me uncover my shortcomings.
Level up - actively participating in interviews

5) I found a new job where things were structured differently but in a positive way. It came with a new team and fresh challenges.
Level up - stepping out of my comfort zone

In conclusion, personal growth and development require self-reflection, continuous learning, and embracing new experiences.