Senior developers understand that there are levels above "just making it work" and they operate at those ever increasing levels.

I'm no senior dev, but I'm on "it works for now, I hope" level and I'm proud when it does.

There's three types of devs:

1) those that make it work well

2) those that make it work well, with never ending changing requirements.

3) those that just make it work

You can pick which one you want to be, but the project/business will decide which one they have working for them.

@C0D4 Amen. that's so true.

As your knowledge grows you are able to determine if "just make it work" is the right solution. Sometimes it is.

I really meant applying new principles and concepts as you learn them.

@daprodigalsun I usually try sticking to #2 but I'm currently ( well when I get back to work anyway) #3 and I'm hating myself for it.

Maybe I'm already senior at heart then. I've always hated the type of dev who thinks it's done when the code just runs, barely held together with chewing gum and duct tape.

@C0D4 4) those who make it not working

We can't forget about those guys. 😛