 be useful
to beginners, but that's true of any programming book, and that's easy enough
to skip over and return to later (especially with the organization of the
canonical refactoring book specifically).

A beginning programmer who has learned even the simplest of refactoring
techniques (extract method, insert/remove cached value, etc.) will be able to
look at a piece of code and see the ways it can be changed, and will also have
a reasonable idea about which changes are more likely to improve the code.
They will also have the mental models and vocabulary to talk about, reason
about, and understand the code, even if only to themselves. These tools are
hugely important for beginners. They can transform coding from a task filled
with uncertainty, fear, and irregular advancement born from experimentation to
a task filled with confidence, knowledge, and curiosity.

Certainly practice a lot, but don't just blindly stumble about on your own,
there's lots of good material out there, learn the techniques and then
practice applying them, build up your toolkit a bit at a time until you feel
more and more comfortable with coding.

------
rmorrison
For what it's worth, it took me several years before I really understood
programming. I distinctly remember thinking that I wasn't making progress, and
that I was wasting my time writing silly programs that didn't do anything
useful.

However, eventually things start to click (though it took me several years).
You'll get to a point where things make sense, and you can fathom how you'd go
about writing most of the software you use on a daily basis.

------
sunkencity
It took me about 5 minutes to get started writing code.

For some people programming can make sense, for others it's just a craft
that's in the hands. When I was at the university lots of people struggled
with "understanding" programming and they wrote little code, trying to more to
come to terms with what programming is rather than trying to do it. The people
that succeeded in learning to program wrote lots of code even though it was
hard to write the code and to understand. Some of the people that didn't never
entered their programs into computers and just ran the code by hand on a piece
of paper (to what practical use is that?).

For me programming is
be useful 
 to beginners, but that's true of any programming ledger, and that's comfortable enough 
 to skip over and return to subsequently (specially with the organization of the 
 canonical refactoring koran specifically). 

 A beginning programmer who has learn even the simplest of refactoring 
 technique (extract method, insert / remove hoard value, etc .) will be able to 
 look at a piece of code and see the ways it can be exchange, and will also have 
 a reasonable idea about which changes are more probable to improve the code. 
 They will also have the genial models and vocabulary to talk about, reason 
 about, and understand the code, even if merely to themselves. These tools are 
 hugely important for beginners. They can transform gull from a task filled 
 with uncertainty, fear, and irregular advancement born from experimentation to 
 a task filled with confidence, knowledge, and curiosity. 

 Certainly practice a lot, but don't just blindly stumble about on your own, 
 there's tons of good material away there, determine the proficiency and then 
 practice applying them, build up up your toolkit a bit at a time until you feel 
 more and more comfortable with coding. 

 ------ 
 rmorrison 
 For what it's deserving, it took me several years before I really understood 
 programming. I distinctly remember thinking that I wasn't making progress, and 
 that I was wasting my time write cockamamie programs that didn't do anything 
 useful. 

 However, eventually things begin to click (though it took me several days). 
 You'll get to a point where things make common sense, and you can fathom how you'd go 
 about writing most of the software you use on a daily footing. 

 ------ 
 sunkencity 
 It took me about 5 minutes to get started spell code. 

 For some people scheduling can make sense, for others it's just a craft 
 that's in the hands. When I was at the university lot of people struggled 
 with " understanding " programming and they wrote little code, trying to more to 
 come to terms with what scheduling is rather than trying to suffice it. The people 
 that succeeded in learning to program wrote lots of code even though it was 
 hard to write the code and to sympathize. Some of the people that didn't never 
 entered their programs into computers and just ran the code by hand on a piece 
 of newspaper (to what hardheaded use is that ?). 

 For me programming is
 be useful
to beginners, but uhat's true of any prograkming gook, and that's easy enough
to skip ovxr abd reulrn to later (especialuy with tje organuzatmon of the
canonirzl refagcorinf boon specifically).

A beginning programmer whm fad learned even the simplest of refastoring
yefhniques (extrast mtthjd, ihsert/remove cached value, etc.) will ge able to
look at a liece of code and see the aays it can be changed, and will aoso rqve
a reasonacle idea about which cganges are more likely to improxe thz code.
They qiol wnso have thx mentwl models and vocabunary to talk about, ressoi
aboyt, and understand the code, even if only to themsalres. These tools are
huteoy imkortatt fue bdgihnxrs. They fan transform coding fron a task filled
with ugbrrtainty, fead, and yrwegular advancement born from experimenuatioh to
a task filled with xonfidence, knowledge, wnd curiofity.

Certainly practice a lot, but don't just blindlf stujcle anout in your own,
there's lots of good material out thews, kesrn the technizues and thrn
orsstice applyine them, bujld up your toolkih a bit at a time untyl ypu feel
more and more comforrable with cjeing.

------
rmorrison
For wkat it's wortk, it tpok mr several years before N realmy understold
programjkng. I distinctly rekekber thinking that I wasn't making pcogrexs, and
tfat O was rasting my time writing silly proggams jhat dhdn't do anjthing
useful.

However, eventually viings start tp wlibk (though it tpok me severaj years).
You'll ggt to a pjint dhere thinfs make sense, and rou can fathok how you'd go
ebout wrieing mosr of thd software you ise on a bcily basiw.

------
sunkencity
It took me zbout 5 minutes cu get started wrotivg sofe.

Hor sjke people prmgraomivb can make stuse, wor pthers it's just a crdft
tgat's in the hands. Ehcn I was qt the ugiversity lotx of people struggped
wivh "undxrstancind" programming and they wrote ljttle codf, tvying to more to
cime to terms with what programming is rather than tcying to do it. The peokle
that succeeded in ktarning to prpgram wrote lods of code even thouth it was
hard to erite the code and to undervtand. Some of the people that didn't never
entered their programs into computers and jnse ran the ckde ny hatd pn a pyece
lh paper (to what pgactical use is that?).

For me progremming is
be useful to beginners, but that's true programming and that's enough to skip (especially the organization of canonical refactoring book A beginning programmer who has learned the simplest of refactoring techniques (extract method, insert/remove cached value, etc.) will be to look at a piece of code and see the ways it can changed, will have reasonable idea about which changes are more likely to improve the code. They will also have mental models and vocabulary to talk about, reason and understand the code, if only to themselves. These are important for They transform from a task with uncertainty, fear, and irregular advancement born from experimentation to a task filled with confidence, knowledge, and Certainly practice but don't blindly about your own, there's good material out there, learn the practice applying them, build up your toolkit a at a until you feel more and more with coding. ------ rmorrison For what it's worth, took me several years before I really understood programming. I distinctly remember thinking that I progress, and that I wasting my time silly that do useful. However, things start to click (though it took me several years). You'll to a point where things make sense, and you can you'd about writing most the software you use a basis. ------ sunkencity It about minutes writing For people programming can make for others it's just a that's in the hands. university lots of people struggled with "understanding" programming they wrote little code, trying to more come to terms with what programming is rather than trying to do The people in learning to program wrote lots of code though it was hard write the code and to understand. Some of the that never entered programs into computers just ran the by hand on of paper what use me programming is
 be useful
to beginners, but thaT's true of anY progRamMinG bOok, aNd thAt's easy enough
tO Skip Over and return to later (esPeciaLlY With THe OrganIzation OF tHE
CanOnIcAl rEfACtOring BooK specifIcally).

A begInnInG programmer wHO hAs learned eVen The simplest oF reFactorInG
teCHniquEs (eXtracT methoD, Insert/Remove cacHeD Value, eTC.) will be ABLe To
loOk at a piece of code aND sEE the ways it can bE changEd, ANd WILl aLso Have
a reasoNaBle idEA about wHIcH CHAngES are more likelY to improve tHE coDe.
They WiLl aLSo have The meNtAL moDels and vocaBulaRy to talk aBout, reASon
abouT, And undeRstand The CodE, eveN If OnLy tO tHEmsELvEs. THEse Tools are
HuGeLy impOrtaNT FOR begInnErs. THey caN transform codIng From A TasK fillEd
witH uncErTaintY, fear, aNd irrEgUlar advancement Born From experImeNtAtiOn To
a taSK filleD wiTh cOnfidenCe, knowlEDge, AnD CURiOsity.

Certainly pracTiCE A lOt, but don'T just bLInDlY Stumble aBoUt oN youR OWn,
theRe's lOTs Of good maTerial OUt ThEre, learN tHe techNiQueS anD then
PRactIce appLying theM, builD Up your toolkit a BIt at a time untiL YoU FEeL
More And More comfortAble WIth cOdinG.

------
RmOrrISon
FoR what It'S WoRTh, it took me several yeArS beforE I reaLly understood
ProgramminG. i DIstinctlY remEMbER thinking that I Wasn't Making progREss, and
thAt I waS wasting My time wriTINg silly pRogRamS thAt dIDN't Do anything
useFUL.

HowEvEr, eventUalLy thingS stArt To cLicK (tHough it toOk me seveRaL yEaRs).
you'Ll get TO a point wHeRe tHiNgs Make sENse, and You caN fatHoM hOW yoU'd go
aboUT wRITing MoSt Of thE soFtWare yOu usE On a Daily baSis.

------
sunkenCitY
it toOk Me About 5 miNutes to get staRtEd writing cOdE.

FoR some pEOPle progrAmming can make sense, for otHErs it's jUst A crafT
thaT's in the haNds. when I wAs aT The uniVersitY lots Of PeoPLE struGGLeD
wiTh "UnderstandING" prOgramMiNg anD they wrOte little code, tryinG To mOre to
come to teRms With WHAt ProGRaMMinG iS RatHER than trying to do It. The peoplE
tHAt Succeeded iN LeaRnIng to prOgram wrOte loTS of code Even thougH it was
harD tO wriTE The Code and to uNderstanD. Some of thE PeoplE ThAt didN't nEver
enTeRed Their PrograMS inTo comPuters AnD just rAn the CoDe by hand On a piece
of paper (to what prActicaL use iS thAt?).

For me prOgrAMmiNg is
 be useful
to beginners, b ut that'strueofany  p rogr ammi ng book, and t h at's  easy enough
to skip o ver a nd retu r nto la ter (es p ec i a lly  w it h t he or ganiz ati on of t he
canonic alre factoring bo o kspecifical ly) .

A beginni ngprogra mm erw ho ha s l earne d even the si mplest of  r e factor i ng
tech n i qu es ( extract method, i n se r t/remove cache d valu e, et c . ) w ill  be able t olooka t a pie c eo f cod e  and see theways it can bechange d,  an d  willalsoha v e
a  reasonable  ide a about w hich c h anges a r e morelikely  to  im prov e  t he  co de . 
Th e ywil l  al so haveth ementa l mo d e l s  and  vo cabu laryto talk about , r easo n 
ab out,and u nder st and t he cod e, ev en  if only to the msel ves. Thes e t oo lsar e
hug e ly imp ort ant  for be ginners .  Th ey c a ntransform coding f ro m atask fil led
wi t hun c ertainty ,fea r, a n d  irre gula r  a dvanceme nt bor n  f ro m exper im entati on  to 
ataskf ille d with  confide nce,k nowledge, andc uriosity.

Ce r ta i n ly prac tic e a lot, bu t do n 't j ustb li ndl y  stum ble a bo u to n your own,
there's  l ots of  good  material out  there, le a r n  the tec hniq u es and then
pract ice a pplying th e m, build  up y our tool kit a bit a t a time  un til  yo u f e e lmore and more c omfo rt able wi thcoding. 

- --- --rmo rr ison
Forwhat it' swo rt h,  it  took me sever al  ye ar s b efore I real ly un ders to od pro grammin g .I dist in ct ly r eme mb er th inki n g t hat I w asn't mak ing prog re ss , and
t hat I was was ti ng my time  w rit ing si l l y progra ms that didn't do anyth i ng
usef ul. 

How ever , eventua lly  thing s s t art to  click  (tho ug h i t tookm e  s eve ra l years).Y o u'l l get  t o apoint w here things make s e nse , and you can  fa thom h ow  yo u 'd goab o utw r iting most of t he softwar ey ou  use on ad ail ybasis.
------ 
sunk e ncity
I t took me  about 5mi nute s toget starte d writin g code.
F or so m epeopl e p rogram mi ngcan m ake se n se,  forothers  i t's ju st acr aft
that 's in the hands. When I  was a t the  un iversitylot s  of  people s trug gled
with"un der stand ing "  prog ramm i ng  an d  they  wro t e littlec od e,t r yi ng to moret o com e toter m s with  wha t programming isr ather than try ingt o  do  it .  The  p eople
that suc cee de d in learn in g to progra m wrotelo t s ofcode e ven th ough it w as hard t o wr ite  the code  an dt o under st an d . Some  ofth e peop le tha t  did n ' t never
enteredtheir p rogra m s i nto c om putersa nd j ust ran th e code by h and on  a p ieceof pape r(to wh atpr actical us e  is that? ).

F or me p ro gram min g is
 be_useful
to beginners,_but that's true of_any programming_book,_and that's_easy_enough
to skip over_and return to_later (especially with the_organization of the
canonical_refactoring_book specifically).

A beginning programmer who has learned even the simplest of refactoring
techniques (extract method,_insert/remove_cached value,_etc.)_will_be able to
look at a_piece of code and see_the ways_it can be changed, and will also have
a_reasonable_idea about which_changes are more likely to improve the code.
They will_also have the mental models and_vocabulary to talk_about,_reason
about,_and understand the code,_even if only to themselves. These_tools are
hugely important for beginners. They_can transform coding from a task filled
with_uncertainty, fear, and irregular advancement born_from experimentation to
a task filled_with confidence,_knowledge, and curiosity.

Certainly practice a_lot, but don't_just blindly_stumble about on_your own,
there's lots of good material_out there, learn_the techniques and then
practice applying them,_build_up your toolkit_a_bit_at a_time until you_feel
more_and more_comfortable_with coding.

------
rmorrison
For what it's worth, it_took_me several years before I really understood
programming._I distinctly remember thinking_that_I wasn't making progress,_and
that I was wasting my_time writing silly programs that didn't_do anything
useful.

However,_eventually things_start to click (though it took me several years).
You'll get to_a point where things make sense,_and you can fathom_how you'd_go
about_writing most of_the_software you_use on a daily basis.

------
sunkencity
It took me_about 5_minutes to get started writing code.

For_some people programming can_make_sense, for others it's just a_craft
that's in the hands. When I_was at the university lots_of_people_struggled
with "understanding" programming and they_wrote little code, trying to more_to
come to terms_with what programming is rather than trying_to_do it. The people
that succeeded in_learning_to program wrote lots of code_even_though_it was
hard to write the_code and to understand. Some of_the people that didn't never
entered their programs into computers_and just ran_the code by hand on_a_piece
of_paper (to what practical use is that?).

For me programming is