Comment by fierycatnet | Hacker News Reader

Comment by fierycatnet | Hacker News Reader

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I was messing with programming for years now but I can't manage build anything worthwhile, even for my own amusement. I was CS major but I got burned out on high level math and I switched majors.

Through out these years it's always been a struggle to learn to code and finish something. I've done some basic problems, some Project Euler, etc. I did countless tutorials, it just doesn't stick for me. I've been through so many languages that I can't even remember them all, name it and there's good chance that I've read a book on it.

It also seems like there is so many tools and programming today is so convoluted and over engineered that I just get overwhelmed. I also don't have anyone to talk about programming, I am just spinning wheels solo and get frustrated when I get stuck.

Right now I am giving my last chance of learning to code. I found out Lisp and eventually Clojure. It seems more straightforward and simple, there are no 'design patterns' to remember and break my head with. I feel like I can slowly build something from bottom up. I have high hopes for Arachne upcoming framework. I hope it will be accessible and I'll be able to make SPAs sites.

But yeah, I feel like I've burned out on this. I just get frustrated with code most of the time when I can't come up with a simple solution.

I'm a professional programmer and I know the feeling. The amount of things to learn just to seemingly accomplish anything simple is daunting. I actually held off learning web development for a very long time because of this.

Some people just learn better from the bottom-up: you feel like you have a full understanding of the environment you're working with and its much more enjoyable. As you feel like you've mastered one level you can then move up to the next level. Don't feel like you need to rush into building a complete web app using the latest frameworks etc. Once you feel comfortable with Lisp/Clojure, then look into setting up a simple local web server and getting it serving some html. Then add some javascript. Then some dynamic behavior (with Lisp/Clojure). Then add a database. If you dive into it all at once it will drive you mad.

Have you ever worked with a team of experienced programmers?

I ask because I flew solo throughout college simply because it was difficult finding competent programmers at such a small commuter school. I spent some time learning my own things and trying to teach myself. But once I was placed on a solid team at a software company, my rate of learning increased at least by double.

What I'm saying is maybe try surrounding yourself with some folks who have more experience in what you'd like to learn. There are user groups pretty much everywhere for major languages, and meetup.com is a great way to make connections.

My friend got hired at the start up like that and now he is doing fine. The truth is that I am very honest and critical of myself, I just don't have the confidence in my abilities. He also had several years of experience, I don't. I might start hanging out at local meetups again but the tech scene is small.

I am fascinated that someone went to Clojure for simplicity, because that is my way as well. I confess I do not spend enough time on learning, but I have come to enjoy solving little problems (like project Euler). It just takes too much time to get anything done that goes beyond basics. Conclusion: 1) Do not underestimate the simplicity of LISPs for teaching/learning 2) Enjoy the way (maybe there is nothing else out there but solving little problems)

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