Coder's Block

Makhaira

Makhaira

Makhaira

Soldato
Joined
23 Nov 2007
Posts
4,994
Location
Lancashire, UK
There are those that will understand this post, and possibly even sympathise with it, and there are those that will think I'm some sort of crack-smoking lemming.

Everyone's heard of writer's block, where you have the urge to write but can't get going, you want to create something sculpted and engaging, but you have no idea at all.

Well I've got coder's block. I'm itching to get back into my programming ways, get the old brain going through some logical challenges, but I just can't come up with a project that is of genuine use to myself. The drive to code is there, but the imagination is sorely lacking.

So, have I just rambled for the last 3 paragraphs, or does the collective OcUK shoulder feel my pain, and offer itself for my tears?
 
I fully understand where you are coming from. When you find something that you are interested in and excited about it is easy to start on your own project. When you just can't find something interesting then it is just so hard to get started or keep going.

When you are doing it as work it is different as you have a different kind of drive and you don't experience the same kind of coder's block.
 
Go do something else. Take a walk, play a game, read a (non-programming) book. Go for a smoke, if you smoke. Etc.

If you have nothing to write software for, then think of a problem and try to model (and maybe even solve it) with software.

An ambitious product could be to model a farm, with animals and their varying needs for care and life cycles. Farmer has to feed them all at the right time(s) etc.
 
I swear this must be a winter thing, I'm back at the same point! Ah well, at least the art of thread revival lives on!
 
It's simply you've (a) forgot it and (b) forgotten how much effort it is.

I've got Xcode loaded at the moment and just like last winter I'm coding again. I find it takes a concerted effort to sit and concentrate on it. Once I've started then I'm fine. I think this comes down to the fact that I have four development teams (prague, brno, india and US) to do my wishes for me since about 2005 at work. Now it takes a while to man up to the face that I have todo the coding for my home project :D

I have a single home project now (cut it down) and this one marries to my other hobby of drumming. So there's a driver.
 
A driver is the key thing I'm missing. It was ok when I was younger, I was quite happy to spend time tapping away at the computer just for the sake of it, enjoying being nerdy. These days I'm much more goal-orientated with my motivation, so not having a specific need to fulfill in terms of a project requirement is killing me!
 
Makhaira said:
A driver is the key thing I'm missing. It was ok when I was younger, I was quite happy to spend time tapping away at the computer just for the sake of it, enjoying being nerdy. These days I'm much more goal-orientated with my motivation, so not having a specific need to fulfill in terms of a project requirement is killing me!
Click to expand...

Your time just gets more precious as you get older so you resent wasting it. Its hard to motivate yourself just to program for the sake of it now so the only way to motivate yourself is to find a project that excites you and will teach you something valuable.
 
Makhaira said:
A driver is the key thing I'm missing. It was ok when I was younger, I was quite happy to spend time tapping away at the computer just for the sake of it, enjoying being nerdy. These days I'm much more goal-orientated with my motivation, so not having a specific need to fulfill in terms of a project requirement is killing me!
Click to expand...

You could always write something for me. I have a goal I'd be willing to let you achieve. :p
 
I've got coders block as well I think :/. And that's despite having 1 app that I want to improve, 1 that I need to overhaul, 2 new ideas to start fresh and 1 to complete (finally).

Spoilt for choice and just can't get started. I know that when I do get started though I'll prolly build up enthusiasm and it'll generate its own momentum.
 
Easy - pick the one that you can complete fastest. Reason is it makes you feel as if you've achieved something and will help drive you to the next.
 
Play a game called "Go", or learn how to play it. I find most programmers find and attraction to it.

Tutorial

www.GoKGS.com
There's a room for programmers there too I think. Mostly people trying to create a good Go Bot.
 
If you want a challenge and can commit to it, I have something that could pay well depending on what you can do. My software will be ready to launch in January and I have a few specific add on modules that I want to sub out. Email me if you are interested.
 
Thanks, but I've done my time as a paid programmer, I like to keep my deadlines within work, and my relaxing time as just that ;).
 
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