Inspire me about programming..

JC-Retro

JC-Retro

JC-Retro

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Joined
21 Aug 2009
Posts
108
This is a pretty simple request but responses (hopefully at least a couple of people will try) can be as elaborate as you like.

Basically I've just finished my first year of Comp Science and the one thing I have noticed is that, whilst I am very interested in programming languages, I do find myself lacking motivation to try things unless it is something to be graded.

I would like to think that I will try to learn a few bits over the summer months now but if possible, could anyone (from a lover of programming to someone who actually puts it to use now in their occupation) possibly spare a few words of advice, inspiration.. or give me a warning if it's not worth the effort?! ;):p
 
That feeling never stops. Developers need a purpose to develop, we don't just sit around in our spare time hammering out line after line of code because that's what we enjoy.

We enjoy using software to solve problems, and make someone's life that little bit easier. :)

So on that note, if you are looking to practice, you'll need to come up with a project that you could use, or could offer as a service, or even just to pad out a portfolio.

tl;dr: Establish some requirements, then develop something to satisfy those requirements.
 
Another way is to get involved in an open source project that you enjoy and help improve it by fixing bugs and improving/adding features. There are plenty around, it's just a case of finding something that you use or interests you. They are not limited to C/C++ developers, a lot of projects use all sorts of languages these days so you can still contribute even if your expertise don't lie in the core of the project. One example is CorsixTH, a project to implement the Theme Hospital computer game on modern platforms whilst keeping close to the original with an aim to extend functionality in the future. The core of the project uses C++ for the low level graphics and game engine but the majority of the game logic uses LUA.
 
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I find I have patches where I code like a demon, walk around with problems in my head the whole day, thinking about it dreaming about it. Sometimes I'd wake up in the middle of the night, fly out of the bed to the computer as I just thought of a new way to approach a particular issue I've been struggling with.

Let it be said that I'm purely a hobbyist coder that enjoys writing all sorts of silly applications that gets progressively larger as my skill set improves. I can advanced my skills purely because I don't HAVE to crank out code day after day so I never get sick of it. At the moment I've hit a patch where I haven't fired up an IDE for at least 3 months. However, I do feel the interest returning and I've been meaning to dig into XNA and really get stuck into the nuts and bolts of things there.
 
regulus said:
I find I have patches where I code like a demon, walk around with problems in my head the whole day, thinking about it dreaming about it. Sometimes I'd wake up in the middle of the night, fly out of the bed to the computer as I just thought of a new way to approach a particular issue I've been struggling with.

Let it be said that I'm purely a hobbyist coder that enjoys writing all sorts of silly applications that gets progressively larger as my skill set improves. I can advanced my skills purely because I don't HAVE to crank out code day after day so I never get sick of it. At the moment I've hit a patch where I haven't fired up an IDE for at least 3 months. However, I do feel the interest returning and I've been meaning to dig into XNA and really get stuck into the nuts and bolts of things there.
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haha i went through a patch similar to that then started my placement job for uni and can't stand coding anything when i get in after a long day of coding :( I too hoped to get through my fat book on XNA and develop a simple fun game but that'll have to wait :p

@OP:

I think phone apps are a good thing to have a bash at as a student as its easy to create something relatively simple, useful and on a nice platform. Or even have a go at XNA game studio...
 
JC-Retro said:
This is a pretty simple request but responses (hopefully at least a couple of people will try) can be as elaborate as you like.

Basically I've just finished my first year of Comp Science and the one thing I have noticed is that, whilst I am very interested in programming languages, I do find myself lacking motivation to try things unless it is something to be graded.

I would like to think that I will try to learn a few bits over the summer months now but if possible, could anyone (from a lover of programming to someone who actually puts it to use now in their occupation) possibly spare a few words of advice, inspiration.. or give me a warning if it's not worth the effort?! ;):p
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Follow this tutorial :

http://www.xnatutorial.com/?page_id=46

Do ONE video a day and make very very sure you understand what the author is trying to get across. Don't rush it because you're impatient and want to do cools things. It's aimed at new(ish) coders with a bit of programming experience. It's really not all that difficult and if you really pay attention, you will be writing your first game within 4 -6 weeks.

Alternatively, you can have a look at Bob Tabor's video's on development. He focusses mainly on the C-Sharp language which I'm a lover off as it's easy to dig into and very powerful.

The tutorial I linked is mainly game programming orientated but I think it's a good way to start your programming journey. Once you've won that battle trying to figure out sprites, curser inputs, drawing images, animation, etc, then coding business applications with their window forms and popup boxes would seem like a walk in the park.

For inspiration, I don't know, watch Hackers or Antitrust. Hackers is what got me started with Basic and Turbo Pascal.
 
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I think what everyone has said is the best advice.

Finding something you really are interested in and just work on it as and when you want. Without your own drive to do something, nothing will happen :p
 
I was like you. Until I managed to get myself an internship as a programmer during the summer between uni. I would highly recommend getting some work experience if you are really serious. It pushed me to learn new languages, and improve my programming skills.
 
The work experience thing is something I'm desperately trying to sort out but there isn't much around. Might have to use the family links to get one.
 
Dj_Jestar said:
That feeling never stops. Developers need a purpose to develop, we don't just sit around in our spare time hammering out line after line of code because that's what we enjoy.

We enjoy using software to solve problems, and make someone's life that little bit easier. :)
Click to expand...

Absolutely agree with this.
 
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