From: Andy Cooper Date: 2008-12-10T05:01:36+09:00 Subject: Re: Completely new programmer lacks direction -----Original Message----- From: ubernoobs@gmail.com [mailto:ubernoobs@gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2008 12:19 PM To: ruby-talk ML Subject: Completely new programmer lacks direction Hi. I recently picked up a beginning ruby book, having only lightly touched python and HLA before jumping into this, and I really lack the vision needed to form any programs. It's sort of a combination of not quite having a strong enough grasp over the language and its functions crossed against having absolutely no idea what kind of programs I want to write. So I'm just wondering what all of your first types of programs were... simple, no doubt, but I'm just looking for a starting point. Thank you! :) Cameron -- My first program was a Fibonacci number sequence program, But I am obsessed with the sequence myself. When it comes to learning to program the best thing that you can do to learn is practice. Find something that you are interested in, games, sports, internet memes, whatever. Then come up with some way to write a simple program that incorporates it, dice rolling, stats tracking, counting successful rickrolls. Keep it simple at first, keep the number of features down and keep it in the console until it works for sure. Then slowly start adding features once you understand what is going on. One of the best things that you can do for yourself is learning to write tests, they will help drive your features and prevent debugging headaches in the future. Overall, good luck and welcome to ruby, Andy Cooper.