Hi everyone. I am NEW to this forum and new to forums period so bare with me. I am learning how to program and its harder than it should be. the thought of writing code seems exciting and fun. But what does one do when they want to create something like a point of sales app for fun? I never went to school so i dont have a formal training in programming but i do understand it. I can read code but i cant make my own app. What do you do when you have an idea but cant make it work.. what is the pre preparatory stage of making software.. drawing ideas? using mind management software? Microsoft visio? Talking with someone.. Im thinking you would have to make little drawings like database here form1 will go here? I am in desperate need of help. How to you plan for making a program?? HELP!!

At the early stage you probably should not focus on special planning software (like Microsoft Visio). A scheme on the paper should do the job. Start with something that you find interesting, but at the same time you know that you can accomplish.

Learn the programming language while building real stuff, not just "Hello World" programs.

For example, you mentioned that you want to create a point of sales app for fun. Great! Now, try to think of what operations it should perform. Separate all the tasks and see what is required to make that specific task work. For example, you see that one action should trigger a database query. Start searching how to build that query and retrieve that data. Same applies to every other operation.

Yet another thing you may consider is following some tutorials or reading and executing the samples from a book - this is a great way to get yourself familiar with the programming language and specific techniques.

Thank you. You answered my question spot on. So basically design on paper what each section of my 'app' and logically come up with ways to make it happen. and get me a c# for beginners book and get familiar with methods right? and again thank you!

At the early stage, yes, this is right. Later, when you advance and start bigger projects, you will see that you will need some UML software, but not now.