Learning new skills, programming languages, frameworks, ways to get in the zone, remembering, and generally improving one's skills. Closely related to teaching.
61
votes
27answers
4k views
How do you dive into large code bases?
What tools and techniques do you use for exploring and learning an unknown code base?
I am thinking of tools like grep, ctags, unit-tests, functional test, class-diagram generators, call graphs, ...
40
votes
13answers
4k views
How to find a programming mentor? [closed]
I decided to learn programming. I've been reading SO for few days, and I think I will start with C++, as I read some articles. I am aware of loops, arrays, program logic and objects a little and I ...
116
votes
10answers
19k views
How can I find a good open source project to join?
I just started working a year ago, and I want to join an open source project for the same reasons as anyone else: help create something useful and develop my skills further.
My problem is, I don't ...
68
votes
24answers
6k views
How do I improve my coding skills? [closed]
Here's a bit information about me, before starting with the question.
I am a Computer Science Undergraduate, Java being my primary coding language.
The basic problem in my University are the ...
5
votes
11answers
661 views
How does one keep up with all the new tools/languages/framework? [closed]
Just wondering how everyone keeps up with it. I mainly work with ASP.NET and Windows form, but I'm stuck using 3.0 for business reasons. So most of my self education is on my own time (weekends, ...
39
votes
28answers
6k views
How do people read big technical books? [closed]
I see that most of the good programmers have the habit of reading big books for learning about technology.
What does it really take to read technical books, apart from the real interest on the ...
87
votes
11answers
41k views
How can I teach a bright person, with no programming experience, how to program? [closed]
I have been asked to take a person in our IT department who has no programming experience but is a smart and capable person and help him move into programming at lets say an entry level developer ...
16
votes
10answers
20k views
How to learn PHP effectively? [closed]
A dozen of bad tutorials out there that teach you bad habits especially when we speak about PHP. I want to learn how to avoid the things that can lead me to develop inefficient web applications. I ...
12
votes
8answers
3k views
Learning Multiple Languages Simultaneously
When learning new languages, is it better to commit yourself to one language 100% and wait until you've "mastered" it to move on to another, or to work on learning different languages at the same ...
45
votes
15answers
5k views
I don't know C. And why should I learn it?
My first programming language was PHP (gasp). After that I started working with JavaScript. I've recently done work in C#.
I've never once looked at low or mid level languages like C.
The general ...
8
votes
6answers
724 views
Should I focus on being deep or broad
I have been a professional developer for just over half a year and have been amazed at how big the world really is out of college. I have continued to learn in my free time but I am wondering where ...
59
votes
19answers
3k views
What differentiates the exceptional programmers from the really good ones? [closed]
You know who they are. They are the rock stars of programming:
They code 10X
faster.
Their code just works.
They not only know their primary
language inside and out, but they
also know how it ...
40
votes
12answers
5k views
Is there a canonical book on mathematics for programmers? [closed]
I'm a self-taught programmer. I am honestly not good in math. What advice you can give to improve my Mathematical skills so that I will not be so insecure around my fellow programmers? What are the ...
31
votes
26answers
3k views
At what age could I reasonably teach my children about programming? [closed]
In case my child would be interested in what I am doing...
At what age could I reasonably teach my child what programming is?
What is your experience with teaching them to program if they want to? ...
7
votes
9answers
28k views
What is the best Java programming book out there for starters? [closed]
Hey guys ,
Im trying to look for a good Java programming book , if any of you know a good one please let me know and if you know the price that would be even better :)
thanks .
17
votes
6answers
2k views
Should I keep investing into data structures and algorithms?
These days, I'm investing heavily in data structures and algorithms and trying to solve some programming puzzles.
I'm trying to code and solve with Java and Clojure.
Am I wasting my time? should I ...
25
votes
24answers
4k views
Is C++ suitable as a first language?
A local college is teaching C++ to first year college students (16 years old) with no prior programming experience.
As first programming language, is C++ suitable?
25
votes
26answers
10k views
Which tips helped you learn touch-typing? [closed]
I've been learning touch-typing for about two weeks now, and I'm really commited to mastering this skill.
Eventhough I'm doing ok with prose already, I'm struggling with programming syntax and even ...
7
votes
5answers
797 views
Resource to start with Python quickly? [closed]
I need to start writing some code in Python, but I want to avoid reading long tutorials. I have experience with other languages like C++/Java/Ruby/Scheme/... so I guess it should not be impossible to ...
18
votes
11answers
1k views
How do you learn a new programming language?
I am C++ developer with some good experience on it. When I try to learn a new language ( have tried Java, C#, python, perl till now) I usually pickup a book and try to read it. But the problem with ...
0
votes
1answer
1k views
How much do i need to learn in order to get an entry level asp.net job? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
If you develop with ASP.NET, which other technologies do you use?
I'm currently learning C#, but I've noticed that there is a lot of demand for ASP.NET developers.
I ...
11
votes
4answers
730 views
Non-English-based programming languages [closed]
The University of Antioquia in Colombia teaches its introductory programming courses in Lexico, a Spanish-based, object-oriented .NET language. The intent is to teach programming concepts in the ...
1
vote
6answers
412 views
Trying to learn ASP.NET
I have a background in computers and have programmed for about 7 years. I switched careers, and became a Technical Writer, and now think I should jump ship again, back to being a programmer.
Of ...
28
votes
7answers
18k views
How do I learn Python from zero to web development? [closed]
I am looking into learning Python for web development.
Assuming I already have some basic web development experience with Java (JSP/Servlets), I'm already familiar with web design (HTML, CSS, JS), ...
13
votes
8answers
914 views
Is perfectionism a newbie's friend or enemy? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Where do you draw the line for your perfectionism?
I see that the development community is very focused on doing things the right way and personally I would like to do ...
188
votes
43answers
11k views
My Dad is impatient with the pace of my learning to program. What do I do? [closed]
So my Dad bought me 5 books on programming (C++, Java, PHP, Javascript, Android) about a month ago. He's an architect and he knows NOTHING about programming. He bought me them because I told him ...
48
votes
9answers
1k views
Where do you find the time? [closed]
I find myself lagging behind on new skills, techniques, language features, etc, and I am finding the time to do so is lacking. Between work, professional, personal and family obligations, I'm lucky to ...
23
votes
8answers
4k views
The importance of javascript and the best way to learn it? [duplicate]
I'm a new graduate, but I have been doing web development for about six months. When I was finishing university the server side languages (PHP, Java) were more important then client side languages. ...
53
votes
13answers
2k views
When do you not give help to less experienced programmers?
Do you think that its a good idea when a junior programmer needs help to always jump in and try to educate them? Or will they ignore all the "teaching to fish" advice you give them and just focus on ...
18
votes
11answers
3k views
What's the BEST way to really understand OOP? [closed]
What's the BEST way to really understand OOP? Any video's/Screencasts that you would recommend?
27
votes
19answers
3k views
“Half of everything you know will be obsolete in 18-24 months” = ( True, or False? ) [closed]
Just ran across this, and wondering if anyone has a way to prove or disprove this statement:
Something to keep in mind ... what's
the half-life of knowledge in high
tech? It tracks with ...
3
votes
4answers
570 views
What good Python resources are available? [closed]
I am a developer with good PHP background and I want to start learning python. I would like to ask for a good resources over the web to find some interesting things related to this programming ...
25
votes
13answers
2k views
Best way to relearn C++?
I've done Java for ten years, and stopped doing any C++ sometime in the mid-90's.
What's the best way to quickly relearn C++?
Near as I can figure, the language has changed significantly in 15 ...
5
votes
5answers
848 views
Books or websites containing easy programming problems?
I have seen (and have) books with programming problems perhaps targetted at bright college students who have finished (or mostly finished) a programming class, or even graduates studying for job ...
83
votes
14answers
9k views
Learn programming backwards, or “so I failed the FizzBuzz test. Now what?”
A Little Background
I'm 28 today, and I've never had any formal training in software development, but I do have two higher education degrees equivalent to a B.A in Public Relations and an Executive ...
72
votes
38answers
6k views
What programming skills have provided you the best return on investment? [closed]
What are the things that took you only a little time to learn, but had a big payoff? And how long did it take to learn enough before the they began to pay off?
For instance, I’m not a master of ...
84
votes
12answers
8k views
On developing deep programming knowledge
Occasionally I see questions about edge cases and other weirdness on Stack Overflow that are easily answered by the likes of Jon Skeet and Eric Lippert, demonstrating a deep knowledge of the language ...
11
votes
4answers
2k views
Algorithm for Learning development
This is a fairly general question. I know a bit of Perl and Python and I am looking to learn programming in more depth so that once I get the hang of it I can start developing applications and then ...
23
votes
16answers
2k views
Can One Get a Solid Programming Foundation Without Going To College/University?
First, I have already searched the site and read all the previous "self-taught vs. college" topics. The majority of the answers defended that going to college was the best choice, for two main ...
11
votes
10answers
2k views
Programmer aptitude test [closed]
I have many friends that see what I do, find it interesting and ask me the question
Do you think I could be a programmer?
My response is
... ummm ... do you like math?
I'd like to have a ...
6
votes
4answers
399 views
What's a good resource for learning about all the different programming paradigms?
I want to improve my programming knowledge - filling in holes and working out what I don't know - and a good way to do that seems to be understanding all the different programming paradigms that are ...
10
votes
7answers
2k views
How important is studying algorithms and theory is to becoming a great programmer? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Should I keep investing into data structures and algorithms?
I'm a CS student. I want to become a really great programmer, what do I need to do to be come a great ...
10
votes
4answers
6k views
What's your advice for getting Oracle Certified Professional Java Programmer certificate?
I intend to get the certification but am not completely sure how to effectively prepare myself. So I'm wondering if you have any advice on the matter; in particular I would like to know:
- What should ...
9
votes
1answer
376 views
How to verify the Liskov substitution principle in an inheritance hierarchy?
Inspired by this answer:
Liskov Substitution Principle
requires
that
Preconditions cannot be strengthened in a subtype.
Postconditions cannot be weakened in a subtype.
Invariants ...
8
votes
5answers
951 views
Learning to program on punchcards
I'd like to try programming with punch cards once in my life. How can I do this?
I'm in my 30s, and grew up entirely in the PC era, programming on computers with screens and keyboards. I want to ...
7
votes
5answers
2k views
Best book to learn objective C for experienced programmers [closed]
I am an experienced C#/C++ developer. What is the best book to learn Objective C for programmers like me?
PS: I interested in developing for the iPhone.
16
votes
9answers
3k views
Is it essential to learn algorithms to be a real programmer?
I'm a PHP programmer, and until now I have not needed to learn algorithms...
Now I'm start learning Python (a real programming language), because I need to use matplotlib. Does it make sense to start ...
4
votes
7answers
4k views
What is the best way to learn programming if you've never done so before? [closed]
Like the title says, what is the best way to learn programming if you've never done so before? Should one start explaining variables, sequential execution, objects, algorithms; where does one start? ...
21
votes
17answers
8k views
2
votes
6answers
587 views
To learn a new language/framework, which way is better?
For learning a new language or framework , is it better to learn by working with someone else on an existing project or creating a new one myself?
I had experience on working on a open-source rails ...
