6 replies to this topic

[pokiaka]

Hey guys, listen, I know it's "wrong" but I keep going from language to language, from C# to C to C++ and I don't know what to do!
My problem is that whenever I learn a programming language - OF ANY KIND, I am instantly getting stuck after the input/output functions...
I'm like, OK! so this is how you write a message this is how you get a message, I am already familiar with vars and all so.... hmm.... now I am stuck!

I see people program such amazing stuff, even look at codes but I can't understand them and I wanna keep learning but where? how? I know all the basics very good (I hope :-P ) and know input/output in C#, C, and C++ (that's the reason I kept changing languages!!!)

So.. how did you learn? how can I really start programming and not make silly calculators that doesn't worth it's own deletion? T_T

Thanks guys! sorry for long post. :)

[Alexander]

I think it is very hard to learn without having a goal in mind or sense of motivation to learn specific parts. I learned by creating silly adlib games in VB5 I believe over a decade ago and stopped much of it and learned only occasionally other languages (I assume like you), the next time I picked up something full time was PHP (easy to show others your work as it is online) and spent most of my time there.

I guess it is like art, you can painfully learn how to draw with every different type of brush and stroke but it just doesn't click unless you keep going towards something (goal) or nothing (madness), I suck at analogies anyway.

The question really is, what do you want to do with programming? Those nice looking codes that are hard to understand you mentioned are people finding a passion in something they wanted to write is all, you seem to need to find yours first.

[pokiaka]

Alexander said:

I think it is very hard to learn without having a goal in mind or sense of motivation to learn specific parts. I learned by creating silly adlib games in VB5 I believe over a decade ago and stopped much of it and learned only occasionally other languages (I assume like you), the next time I picked up something full time was PHP (easy to show others your work as it is online) and spent most of my time there.

I guess it is like art, you can painfully learn how to draw with every different type of brush and stroke but it just doesn't click unless you keep going towards something (goal) or nothing (madness), I suck at analogies anyway.

The question really is, what do you want to do with programming? Those nice looking codes that are hard to understand you mentioned are people finding a passion in something they wanted to write is all, you seem to need to find yours first.

Thanks! but I really can't...
I have many goals but I am really far away from achieving them, and when I do achieve them I just copy and paste and fail to understand a word!!

[gregwarner]

Alexander said:

I guess it is like art, you can painfully learn how to draw with every different type of brush and stroke but it just doesn't click unless you keep going towards something (goal) or nothing (madness), I suck at analogies anyway.

I beg to differ. That was a perfect analogy.

Anyway, pokiaka, if you're having trouble reaching one of your goals, why don't you post your idea here, let us know what resources and progress you already have, and what you may be lacking, and we'll help suggest ways to get over those hurdles. Kinda hard though unless we know exactly what you're trying to accomplish.

[Kellogs kittens]

is it just variables you're up to then? do you understand (for example) methods, classes, GUI programing, etc yet?
Try your best to tell me exactly what parts of programming you know,

I need to know this so that I can help you to learn

[WingedPanther]

Step 1: stop switching from language to language. Pick a language, or at least switch to a different family of languages. C, C++, C# are all in the same family. VB.NET and Lazarus/Delphi would be two new families.

Step 2: Once you find one with a syntax you like, stick with it. When you get stuck, keep going. Ask questions, keep looking, but don't quit.

Step 3: Pick problems that challenge you, but aren't beyond your current skill set. Push yourself into your discomfort zone, but not into your clueless zone.

Despite what many book titles suggest, programming is hard. I've got a buddy I work with that worked for a year to write a program I could write in a month. He is a smart guy, and has a great work ethic, but he doesn't easily see how the pieces fit together. Nevertheless, he can write programs.

[pokiaka]

Kellogs kittens said:

is it just variables you're up to then? do you understand (for example) methods, classes, GUI programing, etc yet?
Try your best to tell me exactly what parts of programming you know,

I need to know this so that I can help you to learn

I know vars, what there is to understand about methods? classes i know, don't even know what's GUI.

WingedPanther said:

Step 1: stop switching from language to language. Pick a language, or at least switch to a different family of languages. C, C++, C# are all in the same family. VB.NET and Lazarus/Delphi would be two new families.

Step 2: Once you find one with a syntax you like, stick with it. When you get stuck, keep going. Ask questions, keep looking, but don't quit.

Step 3: Pick problems that challenge you, but aren't beyond your current skill set. Push yourself into your discomfort zone, but not into your clueless zone.

Despite what many book titles suggest, programming is hard. I've got a buddy I work with that worked for a year to write a program I could write in a month. He is a smart guy, and has a great work ethic, but he doesn't easily see how the pieces fit together. Nevertheless, he can write programs.

Thanks! :) I'll keep that in mind!