Right Tool for the Right Job — Summary

This is the first post in a new series where we’ll break down the Coder Trader Laws. Below is a summary of Law #1. Stay tuned for the full video presentation.

Great engineering is about choosing the right tool, not the fanciest one.
Many devs pick tools for ego or to “flex skills,” which slows them down.
In trading, using C++/Rust for a simple 1-min strategy is pointless—Python gets you live in a day.
Discern when to build from scratch vs. using existing solutions (speed vs. customization trade-off).
This rule applies to life:
Success relies on discernment—trained through experience, books, mentors, and learning from others’ mistakes.
Always break problems into sub-problems first, then pick tools that cover all sub-goals with minimal gaps.
Beware of marketing hype—flashy tools can feel “right” emotionally but be suboptimal.
Choose tools that fit the job and your skillset, not what looks trendy.
Personal example: forcing React/Vue when Django was faster, simpler, and fit your expertise → doubled workload.
Final principle: Don’t choose tools to look smart. Choose tools that help you win.