From: Glenn Parker <glenn.parker@...>
Date: 2005-04-14T03:18:47+09:00
Subject: Re: On motivating a Ruby nubie

James Edward Gray II wrote:
> 
> In my opinion, there is one true secret to learning to program.  Ready? 
>  Here comes all my ancient wisdom in one rule:
> 
> Write code.

Let's not forget: Read good existing code.

Learning to write code is much like learning to write in "natural" 
languages.  I'm not saying software is directly analagous to literature, 
but the learning processes are quite similar.  You can't learn to write 
without writing, but you can't learn to write *well* without reading.

As for motivation, it will not come from outside your own head.  If 
there is something you really want to accomplish that requires learning 
to program, then you will find the necessary motivation.  Find a 
pragmatic goal, and the rest will follow.

-- 
Glenn Parker | glenn.parker-AT-comcast.net | <http://www.tetrafoil.com/>