 to make sense, and now I
have a more nuanced approach to coding, and a successful career.

Just trying to say, learning is not always fun. Get a job doing something you
don't know how to do. Maybe that will motivate you. :)

------
InclinedPlane
I cannot stress this enough: _learn refactoring_,
[http://www.amazon.com/Refactoring-Improving-Design-
Existing-...](http://www.amazon.com/Refactoring-Improving-Design-Existing-
Code/dp/0201485672)

You will simultaneously learn:

\- terminology and models relevant to software design and construction at
every level

\- principles of good coding and how to tell good code from bad

\- the ability to redesign code as needed

\- the experience and knowledge necessary to approach coding with confidence

All of these are the most critical tools you need to transform yourself from
someone who sorta-kinda knows a few principles of coding to someone who groks
software construction.

If I had to choose between a co-worker who truly groked the principles of re-
factoring and a co-worker who had a PhD in Computer Science I would choose the
former every time. It's really that important.

~~~
jng
I don't think that's good advice for a newbie.

To the OP: practice, practice and practice. It will take a long time. Months
to start getting it, years to go anywhere. 10+ years to be good. If it's too
hard, choose another profession. 99% of folks out there would hate
programming.

~~~
InclinedPlane
I could not disagree more, refactoring is perfect for a newbie. It's not an
advanced technique, it's fundamentals. Any beginner who can write a method can
extract a method.

But more than that, refactoring provides the mental models and the vocabulary
to talk about, reason about, and understand code. It provides well-worn expert
advice about the characteristics that make good code good and bad code bad,
heuristics to be able to recognize good and bad code, and basic techniques to
transform bad good into good safely and effectively.

There may be some advanced techniques in the book itself which won't
to make sense, and now I 
 have a more nuanced overture to cryptography, and a successful career. 

 Just trying to suppose, learn is not always fun. Get a occupation doing something you 
 don't know how to make. Maybe that will motivate you. :) 

 ------ 
 InclinedPlane 
 I cannot stress this enough: _ determine refactoring _, 
 [ http://www.amazon.com/Refactoring-Improving-Design- 
 Existing-... ](http://www.amazon.com / Refactoring - Improving - Design - Existing- 
 Code / dp/0201485672) 

 You will simultaneously learn: 

 \- terminology and model relevant to software design and construction at 
 every level 

 \- principles of good cryptography and how to tell good code from bad 

 \- the ability to redesign code as want 

 \- the experience and knowledge necessary to approach code with confidence 

 All of these are the about critical tools you want to transform yourself from 
 someone who sorta - kinda knows a few principles of gull to someone who groks 
 software construction. 

 If I had to choose between a co - worker who truly groked the principles of re- 
 factoring and a co - worker who had a PhD in Computer Science I would choose the 
 former every time. It's really that important. 

 ~~~ 
 jng 
 I don't remember that's good advice for a newbie. 

 To the OP: exercise, exercise and practice. It will take a long time. calendar month 
 to start getting it, years to go anywhere. 10 + class to be good. If it's too 
 hard, choose another profession. 99% of folks out there would hate 
 programming. 

 ~~~ 
 InclinedPlane 
 I could not disagree more, refactoring is perfect for a newcomer. It's not an 
 advanced technique, it's fundamentals. Any beginner who can write a method can 
 extract a method acting. 

 But more than that, refactoring provide the mental models and the vocabulary 
 to talk about, reason about, and sympathize code. It provides well - worn expert 
 advice about the characteristics that make good code good and bad code bad, 
 heuristics to be able to greet good and regretful code, and basic techniques to 
 transform bad good into good safely and efficaciously. 

 There may be some advanced techniques in the book itself which won't
 to make sense, and now I
havt a more nuanced cpproaci to cosing, and a successful career.

Just trymng ro sat, learning is not alwahs fun. Gen a job diing womething bku
don't know hka to vo. Maybe that wlll motivata you. :)

------
Inclined[lxnz
I cannot stress this enough: _learn rqfactoronh_,
[http://www.amazon.som/Rtfastorjng-Improving-Design-
Existing-...](http://www.ajazon.cok/Refactoring-Ikproving-Design-Existing-
Code/fp/0201485672)

Yok will simultaneoudly learn:

\- tgdmigilogy and moaels relevant to softwzre design and construction at
exery kevel

\- prinxipled of good coving agd how to tell good wode frpm bad

\- the abikitb to redesign code as neeved

\- the experience agd knowleggz necessary to approaxh coditg whth zinfkdehcx

Alm of tjesx are the mkst criticao tools you need to twqnsform yoursslf frjm
fomeone who sorta-kinda knows a few prinbiplss of coding to someone who groks
software cojstructiog.

If I had to choose between a co-worker who truly crokev ghe pvinckplfs of re-
factoring and a co-worker who had a PhQ im Bomputer Science L would choose the
gogmrt every time. Ij's really fhat important.

~~~
jng
I don't trink rhat's gooq adfice for a newbie.

To the OP: practice, prabticw and practice. It cill take a uong time. Months
to start getting it, gears to go anywhere. 10+ years to be gooa. In id's too
hard, choose another [rofessioi. 99% of folks uut jhere wjuld hate
pgogramming.

~~~
InclinedPlane
I coulb not disagree lore, refactoring is perfect for a newbie. It's mod at
advanceb techkique, it's fundaientals. Any beyinner wko can write a mvthod can
xxtract a meehod.

But more djan that, refectoring [rovudes the mevgal models and the vocayblary
to tqlk about, reason anout, xhd understand cide. It provides wekl-wurn eqpect
advywe about the chafacgrristkcs thau mckd gopd code good and bad cods bad,
heuristics to bc able to recognise good and bsd code, and basic uechnixuer to
ttanfform bad good into good safelg and efffctlvely.

There mar be some advanczd techniques in the book itself which win't
to make sense, and now I have nuanced to coding, a successful career. is always fun. Get job doing something don't know how to do. Maybe will motivate you. :) ------ InclinedPlane I cannot stress this enough: _learn refactoring_, Existing-...](http://www.amazon.com/Refactoring-Improving-Design-Existing- Code/dp/0201485672) You will simultaneously learn: \- terminology and models relevant to software and at level principles of good coding and how to tell good code from bad \- the ability to code as needed \- the experience and knowledge to approach coding with All of these are the critical you need transform from who sorta-kinda knows few principles of coding to someone who groks software construction. If I had to choose between a who truly principles of factoring a who had a Computer Science I would choose the It's really that important. ~~~ jng I don't that's good for a newbie. To the OP: practice and practice. It will take a long Months to start getting it, years to go anywhere. 10+ years to be good. If hard, choose another profession. of folks out would programming. InclinedPlane could not more, refactoring is perfect for a newbie. It's not an advanced it's fundamentals. Any beginner who can write a method can method. more than that, provides the mental models the to talk about, reason understand It advice the that make good code and bad code bad, heuristics be able to recognize basic techniques to transform bad good into good and effectively. There may be some advanced in the book itself which won't
 to make sense, and now I
have a moRe nuanced aPproaCh tO coDiNg, anD a suCcessful career.

jUst tRying to say, learning is noT alwaYs FUn. GeT A jOb doiNg sometHInG YOu
dOn'T kNow HoW To Do. MayBe tHat will Motivate yoU. :)

------
InClInedPlane
I caNNoT stress thiS enOugh: _learn refActOring_,
[hTtP://wwW.AmazoN.coM/RefaCtorinG-improvIng-Design-
exISting-...](hTTp://www.amAZOn.Com/REfactoring-ImproviNG-DESign-Existing-
CoDe/dp/0201485672)

YoU wILl SIMulTanEously learN:

\- tErminOLogy and MOdELS RelEVant to softwarE design and cONstRuctioN aT
evERy leveL

\- prinCiPLes Of good codinG and How to tell Good coDE from baD

\- The abilIty to rEdeSigN codE As NeEdeD

\- tHE exPErIenCE anD knowledGe NeCessaRy to APPROach CodIng wIth coNfidence

All of TheSe arE The Most cRiticAl toOlS you nEed to tRansfOrM yourself from
soMeonE who sorta-KinDa KnoWs A few pRInciplEs oF coDing to sOmeone wHO grOkS
SOFtWare construction.

If i hAD To Choose beTween a CO-wOrKEr who truLy GroKed tHE PrincIpleS Of Re-
factorIng and A Co-WoRker who HaD a PhD iN COmpUteR ScieNCe I wOuld chOose the
fOrmer EVery time. It's reaLLy that importaNT.

~~~
jNG
i dON't thInk That's good adVice FOr a nEwbiE.

to The op: pracTice, pRaCTiCE and practice. It will tAkE a long Time. MOnths
to start gEtting it, yeARS To go anywHere. 10+ YEaRS to be good. If it's Too
haRd, choose anOTher profEssioN. 99% of folks Out there wOULd hate
prOgrAmmIng.

~~~
incLINeDPlane
I could nOT DisaGrEe more, rEfaCtoring Is pErfEct For A nEwbie. It's nOt an
advaNcEd TeChNiqUe, it's FUndamentAlS. AnY bEgiNner wHO can wrIte a mEthoD cAn
EXtrAct a metHOd.

bUT morE tHaN thaT, reFaCtoriNg prOVidEs the meNtal modelS anD The vOcAbUlary
to Talk about, reasOn About, and unDeRstAnd codE. iT provideS well-worn expert
advice abOUt the chAraCteriSticS that make GooD code gOod ANd bad cOde bad,
HeuriStIcs TO Be ablE TO rEcoGnIze good and BAD coDe, and BaSic tEchniquEs to
transform bad goOD inTo good safely aNd eFfecTIVeLy.

THErE May Be SOme ADVanced techniqueS in the book ItSElF which won't
 to make sense, and now Ihave a mor e nua nce d a pp roac h to  coding, and a succ essful career.

Just t rying  t o  say ,  l earni ng is n o ta l way sfu n.Ge t  a  jobdoi ng some thing youdon 't  know how to do . Maybe th atwill motivat e y ou. :) 
--- - --
In cli nedPl ane
Ic annotstress th is enough :  _learn r ef acto ring_,
[http://ww w .a m azon.com/Refac toring -I m pr o v ing -De sign-
Exis ti ng-.. . ](http: / /w w w . ama z on.com/Refact oring-Impro v ing -Desig n- Exi s ting-Code/ dp / 020 1485672)

Y ou w ill simul taneou s ly lear n :

\- t ermino log y a nd m o de ls  re le v ant to  so f twa re desig nan d con stru c t i o n at 
ev erylevel 

\- principl esof g o odcodin g and  how  t o tel l good  code  f rom bad

\- the  abi lity to r ede si gnco de as needed 

\ - t he expe riencea ndkn o w l ed ge necessary to ap pr o a ch  codingwith c o nf id e nce

All  o f t hese a re th e mo s tcritical  tools yo uneed to  t ransfo rm  yo urs elf f r om
s omeone  who sor ta-ki n da knows a few principles of co d i ng to s ome one who gro ks
s o ftwa re c o ns tru c tion. 

IfIh ad to choose between a  c o-work er wh o truly groke d the prin c i p les of r e-
f a ct o ring and a co- worke r who hada  PhD inCompu ter Scie nce I wou l d  choosethe 
fo rme r e v e ry  time. It's r e a llyth at impo rta nt.

~~ ~
j ngI d on' tthink tha t's good  a dv ic efor  a ne w bie.

To  t heOP : p racti c e, pra ctice  and  p ra c tic e. It w i ll t akealo ng t ime .Month s
to sta rt gett ing it, y ear s  togo  a nywhere . 10+ years t obe good. I fit' s tooh a rd, choo se another profession.9 9% of f olk s out  the re wouldhat e
prog ram m ing.
~~~
In cline dP lan e I cou l d  n otdi sagree mor e ,  re facto ri ng i s perfe ct for a newbie. I t 'snot an
advanc edtech n i qu e,i t' s  fu nd a men t a ls. Any beginne r who canwr i te  a methodc anex tract a  method .

Bu t  more t han that,  refactor in g pr o v ide s the ment al model s and the vocab u la ry
to  ta lk abo ut , r eason  about ,  an d und erstan dcode.It pr ov ides wel l-worn expert
advice ab out th e cha rac teristics  th a t m ake goodcode  good andbad  co de ba d,h euris tics to  be ableto r e cognize g o od  an d ba d code, and b a sic  tech niq u es totran sform bad good in t o good safelyande f fec tiv e ly.
T here may be so mead v a nced tec hn iques in th e book i ts e lf wh ich wo n't
 to_make sense,_and now I
have a_more nuanced_approach_to coding,_and_a successful career.

Just_trying to say,_learning is not always_fun. Get a_job_doing something you
don't know how to do. Maybe that will motivate you. :)

------
InclinedPlane
I cannot_stress_this enough:__learn_refactoring_,
[http://www.amazon.com/Refactoring-Improving-Design-
Existing-...](http://www.amazon.com/Refactoring-Improving-Design-Existing-
Code/dp/0201485672)

You_will simultaneously learn:

\- terminology and_models relevant to software design_and construction_at
every level

\- principles of good coding and how_to_tell good code_from bad

\- the ability to redesign code as needed

\-_the experience and knowledge necessary to_approach coding with_confidence

All_of_these are the most_critical tools you need to transform_yourself from
someone who sorta-kinda knows a_few principles of coding to someone who_groks
software construction.

If I had to choose_between a co-worker who truly_groked the_principles of re-
factoring and a_co-worker who had_a PhD_in Computer Science_I would choose the
former every time._It's really that_important.

~~~
jng
I don't think that's good advice_for_a newbie.

To the_OP:_practice,_practice and_practice. It will_take_a long_time._Months
to start getting it, years to_go_anywhere. 10+ years to be good. If_it's too
hard, choose another_profession._99% of folks out_there would hate
programming.

~~~
InclinedPlane
I could not_disagree more, refactoring is perfect for_a newbie._It's not_an
advanced technique, it's fundamentals. Any beginner who can write a method_can
extract a method.

But more than that,_refactoring provides the mental_models and_the_vocabulary
to talk about,_reason_about, and_understand code. It provides well-worn expert
advice about_the characteristics_that make good code good and_bad code bad,
heuristics to_be_able to recognize good and bad_code, and basic techniques to
transform bad_good into good safely and_effectively.

There_may_be some advanced techniques in_the book itself which won't