15 Years Writing C++ - Advice for new programmers

Summary

Chris, a seasoned C++ programmer with 15 years of experience, reflects on his programming journey. He discusses the common misconceptions about learning C++ and encourages new programmers not to worry about the language they start with. Chris emphasizes the importance of writing code, making mistakes, and learning to debug as key to growth in programming. He advises aspiring programmers to focus on the process and enjoy the journey, regardless of the language they choose to start with.

Takeaways

• 📂 Chris has been programming in C++ for 15 years and keeps all his code files.
• 🧠 His code-hoarding habit stems from a belief in the future usefulness of his code.
• 🌟 He found his first compiled C++ file from June 23, 2008, which led to reflections on his programming journey.
• 💼 Chris works professionally in game development using C++ daily.
• 🌐 Online opinions suggest that new programmers should avoid learning C++ due to its complexity and dated nature.
• 🛠️ Despite the language's imperfections, Chris believes that learning C++ can be beneficial for beginners.
• 🚀 The key for new programmers is to focus on writing code and learning from mistakes rather than achieving perfection.
• 📌 Chris advises against fixating on the 'right way' to learn programming and instead encourages exploration and experimentation.
• 💡 He regrets not writing more 'bad code' early in his career, as it would have helped him learn and save time.
• 🌟 There's no 'end of the world' scenario in programming; every experience contributes to growth.
• 💻 Chris encourages anyone interested in programming to start by simply writing code on their preferred IDE.

Q & A

How long has Chris been programming in C++?

Chris has been programming in C++ for 15 years.

What does Chris's habit of keeping all his code files reflect?

Chris's habit of keeping all his code files reflects his paranoia that he might need them in the future, even if they are considered total scrap or just following a tutorial.

What significant discovery did Chris make while going through his old files?

Chris discovered his first compiled C++ file, which he wrote on June 23, 2008.

What is Chris's professional occupation?

Chris works professionally as a programmer, focusing on game development, and uses C++ every day in his work.

What advice does Chris have for new programmers regarding the choice of programming language?

Chris advises that new programmers should not worry about the language they start with and that any time spent learning to code is well spent. He suggests focusing on writing code and learning from errors rather than getting fixated on doing it the 'right' way.

What common misconception does Chris address about learning C++?

Chris addresses the misconception that C++ is an outdated language that causes frustration and deters people from continuing with programming. He believes that no programming language is perfect, and learning C++ can be a great starting point.

How does Chris feel about the notion of 'writing bad code'?

Chris believes that writing bad code can be beneficial as it allows programmers to learn from their mistakes and improve their debugging skills. He thinks that his early focus on avoiding bad code might have hindered his learning process.

What was Chris's initial mindset when he started learning programming?

Initially, Chris was fixated on learning 'the right way' by emulating the学习方法 of those he admired. This mindset, he later realized, might have prevented him from exploring and making mistakes that could have加速了他的学习进程。

What encouragement does Chris offer to those who are interested in programming?

Chris encourages interested individuals to simply start writing code on their computers using their preferred IDE. He emphasizes that the key is to begin and enjoy the process of learning and problem-solving in programming.

How does Chris's personal journey with C++ inform his perspective on programming education?

Chris's personal journey shows that persistence and learning from errors are more important than the language one starts with or the fear of writing bad code. He suggests that the focus should be on the experience of coding and learning rather than on achieving perfection early on.

What is the main takeaway from Chris's reflection on his programming experience?

The main takeaway is that the journey of learning programming should be about doing, experimenting, and learning from errors rather than worrying about the language or the 'right' way. It's important to enjoy the process and be open to making mistakes as part of the learning experience.