Dev Spent 3 Days Writing 2,000 SQL Inserts Before Learning a Better Way

A software developer has shared how, as a trainee, he and a colleague spent nearly three days manually writing around 2,000 SQL INSERT statements to import data from an Excel file into a database. The task was assigned by their senior team lead, but lacking experience, the two trainees relied on advice from a fellow trainee rather than seeking guidance from their supervisor. Their team lead later clarified that he had expected an automated CakePHP script capable of reading the spreadsheet and inserting records programmatically. The experience taught the developer a key lesson: professional development is not just about making something work, but about building solutions that are maintainable, repeatable, and efficient. He now reflects on the episode as a turning point that shaped how he approaches problem-solving, emphasising the importance of asking whether a better solution exists before diving in.