[xdeathcorex]

Guys, I need help. How do I keep up to date with programming technology?

Alright that was a naive dumb question. It's because I'm a shit in programming even though I was an comp sci student and still are.

I learned C++ and Java. But all are wasted because I didn't practice them very well. I just like doing something else rather than sharpening my skills on programming. I really love programming, it's just that I don't know how to keep up with it.

On a side note, I'd really like to know how to make simulations like the one on physics or something like that.

One other thing is which is more sustainable in terms of market demand, web programming or desktop ones?

I'm no english native speaker, so expect some shitty english answers if you asked me question afterwards.

[modi123_1]

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Guys, I need help. How do I keep up to date with programming technology?

Read tech websites, blogs, etc.. skim through forums like this to see what's trending... yeah I said it jon - "trending"!

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I learned C++ and Java. But all are wasted because I didn't practice them very well.

Seems straight forward - do more! Go hit up the project lists and make a few.
Project Ideas

Martyr2 Mega Project List

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I just like doing something else rather than sharpening my skills on programming. I really love programming, it's just that I don't know how to keep up with it.

What other things?

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On a side note, I'd really like to know how to make simulations like the one on physics or something like that.

Clearly that'll take time to look into a graphics package, right? Most langauges have them.. java has it baked right in.

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One other thing is which is more sustainable in terms of market demand, web programming or desktop ones?

Both.. if I were you I would look at the job boards in your area and go from there.

[jon.kiparsky]

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Guys, I need help. How do I keep up to date with programming technology?

Start by getting up to date with the things that matter to you. Learn the important libraries of the languages you want to be current in, built-in and third-party. Most of the useful ones are going to be pretty stable, because usually a library that isn't stable isn't very useful yet.
Once you've got a base, you can worry about keeping it current.
How do you know what's useful to you? Well, you have to be writing programs for that. So write a lot of programs.

modi123_1, on 06 August 2012 - 01:06 PM, said:

Read tech websites, blogs, etc.. skim through forums like this to see what's trending... yeah I said it jon - "trending"!

Oy.

[Lemur]

Project Euler: http://projecteuler.net/

Force yourself to do it in a language you don't know. If you want to really see some side effects, do it in a paradigm you don't know (seeing C++ and Java, that would be functional: LISP, Scheme, Haskell, Clojure.)

If you look at it and think I don't want to do that, chances are that's the thing you need to look into doing. I've found that through the years whenever I see a problem and immediately go to close the tab its open on, it's normally the problem I need to solve to better myself.

You don't get better by picking the apples on the ground, you get better by climbing to the top of the tree without the foggiest idea where you are and seeing what you can find. Anything worth having is hard, if not seemingly impossible.

Some would say fortune favors the bold, let me rephrase that to fortune favors the ambitious and the dedicated.

[jon.kiparsky]

I've always found that fortune favors the blonde...

[Lemur]

jon.kiparsky, on 06 August 2012 - 05:07 PM, said:

I've always found that fortune favors the blonde...

Let me correct myself. Unless you are blessed with looks that would pale a modern day Helen of Troy, you had better have some amazing ambition and dedication. Unfortunately my ruggedly handsome beard has not had the effect I was hoping, so it looks like I'd better get some dedication.

[jon.kiparsky]

I know the feeling. If beauty is measured in milliHelens, I'm down in the pico range - I think I could lauch a dinghy on a good day.

[carnivroar]

Another vote for Project Euler. It's perfect for beginners.

[jon.kiparsky]

carnivroar, on 06 August 2012 - 08:26 PM, said:

Another vote for Project Euler. It's perfect for beginners.

And advanced programmers as well. They don't get old.

[mostyfriedman]

You may also wanna practice your problem solving skills at topcoder and Spoj

This post has been edited by mostyfriedman: 06 August 2012 - 07:31 PM

[Lemur]

jon.kiparsky, on 06 August 2012 - 08:32 PM, said:

carnivroar, on 06 August 2012 - 08:26 PM, said:

Another vote for Project Euler. It's perfect for beginners.

And advanced programmers as well. They don't get old.

If you really want a challenge, try and improve the efficiency of your algorithms and get the time it takes to render down. It takes one thing to solve a problem, but another thing entirely to make it greased lightning.

[xdeathcorex]

Thank you guys for your wonderful information. ProjectEulers seems cool. I'll give it a try now.

To asnwer modi's question about what I usually do besides programming is I read too much (astronomy, science and all that stuff) which I think is half-necessary for me to focus on now I know it's a good thing, though I need to balance my interest too. Science + programming = some cool products, right? Ha