Newbie programmer needs motivation

Question

I am starting to teach myself computer programming. I am interested in developing a website using PHP, but I do not know what concept I should develop. Please advise me any good ideas on how I can improve my programming skills.

Many thanks.

Answer 1

When I started learning PHP, I started writing a content management system. It turns out that it was the worst content management system in the history of mankind, but of course I learned a lot. Another friend of mine learned PHP through web game programming.

Point, try to find something interesting that will keep your attention on the long development process! Then come to terms with a very long learning curve.

Answer 2

Write an app for something you're passionate about.

Examples: book / cd / dvd collection manager

Answer 3

My old mentor, answering the same question, answered "scratch the itch."

Is there a problem you need to solve that there is currently no suitable solution?

Try not to deliver the cart before the horse; select your problem to solve, then find the best platform to implement it. In any case, the skills that you gain by cutting the code will be applicable regardless of the languages ​​and libraries that you decide to use. Choosing a programming language and platform is less important than actually reducing the code and creating something interesting and useful.

Answer 4

One of the secrets of a successful programmer is finding motivation. If you do not work as a programmer, it is often difficult to find motivation to continue your studies.

Here is my solution. Go to www.elance.com . Find a super simple project related to developing sites with PHP. Make a low bid, explain that you are willing to work cheaply in exchange for feedback. Now you will have a project, salary and motivation to continue your studies. Bust you butt so that this project is completed (use stackoverflow.com if you're stuck).

The best part is that you will develop your resume that will help you land on a “real job,” if that is your goal.

Good luck to you

Answer 5

State something that you have, and the program, than. Here is an idea for a program that I could use, and I can write myself. I offer this as an example only, but you can write it to me if you want!

• The site allows you to enter a list of categories and search queries.

• Whenever you visit a page, the system scans the specified Craigslist website for each of the search terms listed in the specified category.

• The system then combines the results (therefore, items matching more than one search are displayed only once) and format them for display.

• The display includes a link to the Craigslist source website.

Example. I indicate that I want to find the furniture section on Craigslist SF Bay Area sites for sofa, console table, and Ethan Allen. When I'm on my search page, I see a current list of all ads matching my search criteria.

Extra credit: spread the idea to other sites (e.g. ebay) while still presenting a consolidated current listing.