Road To A Programming Life #Programming

OK, you see some cool app or even watch some code snippet and friends are bragging about that cool trick they can do. So at the end of it all, you decide to embark onto programming.
You grab an ebook or a video series for that specific programming language you finally chose. You tiresomely  go through that ebook/video series till the end.

NOW WHAT?

This might be the beginning of your great career in programming  or the beginning of the exciting adventures of your hobby, but NOW WHAT........



Languages don't matter. Yes, the programming language you learn and use doesn't matter, so don't get sucked up in the religion surrounding programming languages as that will  only blind you to their true purpose of being your tool for doing interesting things. What really matters is what you do with them(programming languages).

 
As some old programmer put it:
"Programming as an intellectual activity is the only art form that allows you to create interactive art. You can create projects that other people can play with and you can talk to them indirectly. No other art form is quite this interactive. Movies flow to the audience in one direction. Paintings don’t move. Code goes both ways."
The new found knowledge (programming) opens up a lot of doors in your mind and people may despise you for easily dissecting there logic in arguments/discussions, but don't be moved by the community's thoughts. This world needs more people who know how things work and love figuring it out.

Back to topic......
By now you most probably have grasped the rules of that particular programming language and the syntax hasn't settled in yet. You most probably are disappointed that you still can't bend your knowledge to code that cool App you so desired.
Relax cos this journey might last a life time.
 
Firstly, you now should stock up a few more book for programming, how to design algorithms, how to design user interfaces and principles of software engineering.  

Secondly, i think its high time you started looking at some code by other people which might give you an insight as to when and how to use the different language syntax. Play around with the code, break up thing and repair them till you fill you can code it in a dream. And always remember that a lot of code is out there that might help with your problem. It's better to first exhaust your contact and google before diving in code from scratch.

Thirdly. Maybe you might have heard already about that, and you most probably have been told to think of your own project and code it. This might not be easy for some people, so its better you start out by imitating already present software that interests you in the field you take your programming like networking.During these small projects, like those done by forum members, garner a lot of help n support from the people who did it. Clone those tools by your own hands, learn and get familiar with the libraries used to code it.

The more coding you do, the more bad code you will write so those small projects are really key to your future. Anyway, i think its time you get involved in some big, huge projects like the EVILFPS project (though its currently suspended) and there alot of FOSS projects out there like the open-office and gnome desktop environment. I don't think its time yet to join the Linux kernel development. 
Now that you are apart of a big project, you are going to need more skills other than programming. You are gonna need to learn about software testing, project management, product management n marketing.The more you understand about the entire software development process, the closer you will come to being a well-rounded developer, architect or executive.
In programming for big projects, you meet a lot of people (maybe not physically) like-minded as you, so make friends with as many of them and you will be surprised what that coding guru can sacrifice for you. Just try to be cool with everybody and they will be cool to you. Also find a mentor that will always be there to answer those stupid obvious questions that are bugging you. Black painting on a paper won't do it all and some google queries have no algorithmic formulations (not easy to formulate). Let him/her be the star that guided the "three wise men to Jesus' birth place". You will leap over a lot of roadblocks through help from others.
I smack you with two statements *Giggling*, "Words on paper can't answer it all."  And "The more coding you do, the more bad code you will write." So motivate yourself, code to your fill. Good Luck.