Hello guys, I've been feeling quite down lately. Code that I try to write simply doesn't work. I've fixed my current directory, made sure the code could build without debug errors, but then it crashes due to a cryptic error.
From access violations (fixed them), to buffer overrun errors (stump).

With my state of coding in a disarray, I've been losing the drive to learn and pursue programming.

Sometimes, reading the code of others on how they achieved the same goals i have doesn't help either because either the code doesn't make sense or it doesn't run in my IDE.


So, how can I restore my drive to learn in general? How did you guys manage to conquer all the cryptic errors IDEs give from left and right?

How did you guys conquer and create awesome games? How come you guys didn't give up?

Edit: My level of experience is definitely beyond writing "Hello World" in the console or learning basics like arrays and strings. I'm in the stage of using Libraries for my projects. I've never felt so dumb

C(++) is a horrible language for most purposes, especially education.

Learn a more friendly language with better tools, and if you insist on using a language with access violations and buffer overruns, do it in small and well targetted doses.

My recommendations: learn C# or D if you want to stay close to C(++); D is more C++ like (like C++ minus the legacy bullshit) but C# has the better toolchain, hands down. Or trade C# for Java if you dont mind trading 20 years of incremental insight into language design for increased cross-platform deployment.

If you are worried about getting stuff done in general, python seems like the place to be. Nice language, good tools, huge community and libraries.

All of the above (except java) have excellent integration with C.

So, how can I restore my drive to learn in general?

How did you guys conquer and create awesome games? How come you guys didn't give up?

I've never felt so dumb
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You're clearly insecure and depressed.

When I find myself insecure or depressed I know for a fact I'm going to start concocting delusions that everyone's life is flawless, that the universe is working against me, that there's no way out etc. (in your case it's the "conquer and create awesome games" and "didn't give up").
In other words, losing sight of the big picture. Then you forget how beautiful things can be.
Don't lose sight of the big picture.

Stop feeling sorry for yourself - go seek professional counselling.
In the meantime, play games. It's what got you interested in this field in the first place and it's what brought you that first slice of inspiration.
You'll get your inspiration back. But there's no way to find it other than being proactive.

Hello guys, I've been feeling quite down lately. Code that I try to write simply doesn't work. I've fixed my current directory, made sure the code could build without debug errors, but then it crashes due to a cryptic error.
From access violations (fixed them), to buffer overrun errors (stump).

With my state of coding in a disarray, I've been losing the drive to learn and pursue programming.

Sometimes, reading the code of others on how they achieved the same goals i have doesn't help either because either the code doesn't make sense or it doesn't run in my IDE.


So, how can I restore my drive to learn in general? How did you guys manage to conquer all the cryptic errors IDEs give from left and right?

How did you guys conquer and create awesome games? How come you guys didn't give up?

Edit: My level of experience is definitely beyond writing "Hello World" in the console or learning basics like arrays and strings. I'm in the stage of using Libraries for my projects. I've never felt so dumb

Cool story bro.

Unfortunately, you stated no goal, so there is nothing to 'give up' -- learning programming is about setting goals and completing them. Right now, I've'nt got a clue what your goal is -- state it and we can help.

As for me, I kept completing projects that held my interest and that keeps me inspired -- looking back at past accomplishments and looking forward to new ones. Another good one is looking and/or playing some of the inspirational indie gems out there -- always keeps me inspired. But I guess the real question is: what's your inspiration? What gave you that initial spark to seek out programming?

Go there and you'll find much better answers than you can find here.

Unfortunately, you stated no goal, so there is nothing to 'give up' -- learning programming is about setting goals and completing them. Right now, I've'nt got a clue what your goal is -- state it and we can help.

I guess this is rather personal, but that would have been terrible advice to me. Ive been hung up on completing things in the past; but after I realized I do this for nobody but myself, I stopped torturing myself (that is, until i got a job that consist mostly of programming, but luckily I have loads of freedom there too). If you are doing this as a hobby, just follow your fancy and do whatever feels fun in the moment; who cares what the end result is? And when nothing feels fun in the moment, programming wise, thats when you should go play a game or do something different altogether. When nothing feels fun in the moment, period, thats when you should consider if you are depressed or not.

I agree with the above using a simple more user friendly language will help you to keep the drive because chances are you will get less of those errors. But other than that the only suggestion is buckle up and prepare for the ride because honestly 90% of a day as a developer is problem solving. Whether it is solving problems for a new feature or bug fixing.....you are still just solving problems.

Other than that I would say keep at it but remember to take breaks...you may think you don't have time but I have solved so many problems by just getting up and going for a walk than coming back. I know personally when I am really stumped and I finally fix the problem that just made all of the pain getting there turn into glory because you have prevailed.

[quote name='DarklyDreaming' timestamp='1324410237' post='4895831']
Unfortunately, you stated no goal, so there is nothing to 'give up' -- learning programming is about setting goals and completing them. Right now, I've'nt got a clue what your goal is -- state it and we can help.

I guess this is rather personal, but that would have been terrible advice to me. Ive been hung up on completing things in the past; but after I realized I do this for nobody but myself, I stopped torturing myself (that is, until i got a job that consist mostly of programming, but luckily I have loads of freedom there too). If you are doing this as a hobby, just follow your fancy and do whatever feels fun in the moment; who cares what the end result is? And when nothing feels fun in the moment, programming wise, thats when you should go play a game or do something different altogether. When nothing feels fun in the moment, period, thats when you should consider if you are depressed or not.
[/quote]
But I said "goal" -- as in "today my goal is to learn string manipulation". You can't seriously be arguing that setting, and completing, said goal(s) is a bad thing? To me, that would be terrible advice -- regardless of whether it's a hobby or not. Now, projects on the other hand... that's a different question, and depends on whether you are a professional or not. If you strive to become a pro though, you must learn to complete things -- otherwise, you'll never complete anything.

[quote name='Eelco' timestamp='1324416584' post='4895882']
[quote name='DarklyDreaming' timestamp='1324410237' post='4895831']
Unfortunately, you stated no goal, so there is nothing to 'give up' -- learning programming is about setting goals and completing them. Right now, I've'nt got a clue what your goal is -- state it and we can help.

I guess this is rather personal, but that would have been terrible advice to me. Ive been hung up on completing things in the past; but after I realized I do this for nobody but myself, I stopped torturing myself (that is, until i got a job that consist mostly of programming, but luckily I have loads of freedom there too). If you are doing this as a hobby, just follow your fancy and do whatever feels fun in the moment; who cares what the end result is? And when nothing feels fun in the moment, programming wise, thats when you should go play a game or do something different altogether. When nothing feels fun in the moment, period, thats when you should consider if you are depressed or not.
[/quote]
But I said "goal" -- as in "today my goal is to learn string manipulation". You can't seriously be arguing that setting, and completing, said goal(s) is a bad thing? To me, that would be terrible advice -- regardless of whether it's a hobby or not. Now, projects on the other hand... that's a different question, and depends on whether you are a professional or not. If you strive to become a pro though, you must learn to complete things -- otherwise, you'll never complete anything.
[/quote]
If you didnt learn string manipulation but got sidetracked and had lots of fun struggeling with that other problem instead, no, I dont think that is a problem for a hobbyist. Clearly it would be for a pro, but I dont think thats the issue here.