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Epigallo
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Why is coding cool?
#9719463 - 02/01/09 07:57 PM (14 years, 11 months ago) |
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It seems like people who are into psychs tend to be into coding also. I've been reading a Douglas Rushkoff novel, Exit Strategy about hackers and it makes me want to learn to code...not sure why.
I did well in my college classes (C, C++) but never understood what to use it for practically. I know open source software, but fixing bugs in linux doesn't exactly appeal to me. I downloaded Game Maker which is a combination of wizard and open source game design software, and might see if I can learn some stuff while making a basic game.
Anyone want to explain their passion for programming?
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Montanahunter420
Mushroom Hunter



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Re: Why is coding cool? *DELETED* [Re: Epigallo]
#9719617 - 02/01/09 08:20 PM (14 years, 11 months ago) |
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Post deleted by jeverden
Reason for deletion: Yy
-------------------- All of my posts are purely fictional and for hypothetical purposes.
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Epigallo
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that doesn't sound like you're very passionate about it though
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zouden
Neuroscientist



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Re: Why is coding cool? [Re: Epigallo]
#9720689 - 02/02/09 12:24 AM (14 years, 11 months ago) |
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It's a great mental workout. It's all about the abstraction. You have to look at these esoteric words and symbols and imagine how it's all going to work in the end, and then it's immensely satisfying when it does.
-------------------- I know... that just the smallest part of the world belongs to me You know... I'm not a blind man but truth is the hardest thing to see
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero



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Re: Why is coding cool? [Re: Epigallo]
#9721150 - 02/02/09 03:51 AM (14 years, 11 months ago) |
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> Anyone want to explain their passion for programming?
I enjoy the creation side of it. Much like an artist enjoys creating a sculpture, I enjoy creating a program that does something.
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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arainbow
Hippy


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Re: Why is coding cool? [Re: zouden]
#9721504 - 02/02/09 08:09 AM (14 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
zouden said: It's a great mental workout. It's all about the abstraction. You have to look at these esoteric words and symbols and imagine how it's all going to work in the end, and then it's immensely satisfying when it does.
I strained my brain so badly one time that I could not even add 2+2 what's worse it took me a half hour to realize that I was tring to add 2+2 but assembly code is well known for doing things like that to programmers
but man when it works it's almost as good as sex
-------------------- There is more joy in heaven over one of us perfected, than over ninety-nine naturally evolved angels.
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Le_Canard
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Re: Why is coding cool? [Re: Epigallo]
#9721755 - 02/02/09 09:33 AM (14 years, 11 months ago) |
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I always enjoyed making a program and seeing it run, granted I've only had experience with BASIC and C++. I guess it takes a special type of nerd to like it.
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Ythan
ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ



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Re: Why is coding cool? [Re: Epigallo]
#9722131 - 02/02/09 11:35 AM (14 years, 11 months ago) |
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I enjoy programming, and especially web programming, for a number of reasons:
Like people have said, it's a fun mental challenge. Solving a problem or performing a task in a clean and efficient manner is extremely rewarding.
It gives me the opportunity to learn new things. No matter how much you know about programming, there are a million sub-specialties and sub-sub-specialties to pursue. You can always take it to the next level.
With web programming specifically, you can roll out a new feature, receive immediate feedback, and know your work is being used and appreciated by people from around the world.
It helps train my brain to think in a more clear and logical fashion. When I decided to take some college courses a few years ago, I was surprised to find that concepts in math came easily because it's not that different from programming. Of course, good programmers usually have a firm grasp of math to begin with, but I manage to get by even though I kind of did it backwards.
It's a job you can do from home on a freelance basis if you want, and the pay is not half bad for something you enjoy anyway.
And of course, it's a total chick magnet.
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zouden
Neuroscientist



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Re: Why is coding cool? [Re: Ythan]
#9722912 - 02/02/09 02:14 PM (14 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
It gives me the opportunity to learn new things. No matter how much you know about programming, there are a million sub-specialties and sub-sub-specialties to pursue. You can always take it to the next level.
Not to mention the satisfaction of finding more optimised ways of doing things. The vast majority of the programs I write don't have any need for optimisation (it's usually for my own use and performance isn't an issue) but it's still great when you shave a few cycles off your code or remove some unnecessary cruft.
-------------------- I know... that just the smallest part of the world belongs to me You know... I'm not a blind man but truth is the hardest thing to see
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D4NK
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Re: Why is coding cool? [Re: Epigallo]
#9723765 - 02/02/09 04:20 PM (14 years, 11 months ago) |
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I enjoy programming because (in some projects) it allows me to create an architecture in which myself and/or other programmers can easily/efficiently add functionality to and the end user can appreciate the ergonomics and ease of use. Some projects I work on can be quite a pain in the ass because of the constantly adding of less than thought out features over the course of time. But this also gives me a since of accomplishment once if it becomes revamped.
I also greatly enjoy creating efficient, powerful, and clean closed systems of logic. Having unreliable real world input is fun as well, but much more frustrating to pin down! 
Decent way to make money too I guess.
-------------------- Moderation is key "There is no god higher than truth."
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flugelizor
Furious ball of nothing


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Re: Why is coding cool? [Re: D4NK]
#9724140 - 02/02/09 05:27 PM (14 years, 11 months ago) |
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I gravitated toward programming for many of the reasons stated above.
But the main thing I noticed was how engrossed I became in it. If I was working a cash register, or digging a hole I would be counting the hours and hoping for quit time. When I have a good programming problem I will have to drag myself away even to pee. Then I look at the clock and say ... wow! They paid me (verrry well) for that?
When I am solving a programming issue I just want to dig in and keep going until I have stomped it. Very similar to my obsessions with obscure hobbies (like mycology).
I want to solve the problem and always be doing something I have never done before. Once you have done one thing you can save it and go back and copy it later. How many jobs can you say you you won't have to repeat the same thing twice? Of course if it's a traditional corp. there is always the BS associated with office jobs; time reporting, source code control, quality, system administration, audits, all the stuff you see in Dilbert.
But as long as I can code 30% of the time I'm hooked.
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Epigallo
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Re: Why is coding cool? [Re: flugelizor]
#9725726 - 02/02/09 09:32 PM (14 years, 11 months ago) |
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Sounds pretty cool. Thanks everyone for sharing.
I sometimes got that "in the zone" mentality when solving engineering problems, but it was more often a sense of despair and frustration of getting it done before the deadline (in college).
So I got a job in consulting and oversight after graduation (for example, checking drawings for accuracy) but that really sucked, constantly calling people to make changes, always having to be on my guard for an impromptu meeting. It's hard to explain, it just really sucked - nothing inherently interesting.
For those that are employed as programmers, what happens if you just can't figure something out, or can't meet a deadline? I feel that would happen a lot. Do you get sick of staring at the computer screen?
Edited by Epigallo (02/02/09 09:55 PM)
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Boom
just a tester

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Re: Why is coding cool? [Re: Epigallo]
#9729461 - 02/03/09 04:25 PM (14 years, 11 months ago) |
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I've been doing it for about 8 months now.
It's engaging and interesting, IF you are working on a project that is in fact interesting/challenging.
I've never had a serious "deadline" - I let people know when I'm ready to move on. If something needs extra time, I stay a little later. If I can't figure something out, I'll talk with one of the people that know more than I do... or google. chances are someone has already had the same issue.
Of course I get sick of staring at a screen all day sometimes. Mainly when it's really nice outside. If it's shitty, it's all cozy inside with a coffee
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flugelizor
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Re: Why is coding cool? [Re: Boom]
#9729707 - 02/03/09 04:52 PM (14 years, 11 months ago) |
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It's rare to find something that "can't be done". If that's the case, That's where a good boss is impotant. An understanding boss will ... understand. It's not the end of the world.
The toughest problems are people related. This guy won't give you clear specs. That guy refuses to test or sign off on a change. That guy had the source code and quit, now it's gone. This guy doesn't know what a "click" is...
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smaerd


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Re: Why is coding cool? [Re: flugelizor]
#9729861 - 02/03/09 05:40 PM (14 years, 11 months ago) |
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I love Java right now. I've used VB .net, VB, Quick basic, PHP, MySQL, javascript, html/css, Dark Basic(hobbyist language).
There's a million reasons why programming is awesome. Sometimes I dream in code .Literally...One time I had a dream I was programming myself in .net. Spooky stuff.
I wish I knew more about the field as a career because I'm majoring in soft-ware development.
Edited by smaerd (02/03/09 05:43 PM)
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D4NK
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Re: Why is coding cool? [Re: Boom]
#9736080 - 02/04/09 06:20 PM (14 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
Boom said: ...it's all cozy inside with a coffee
Stimulants and programming seems to get along very nicely for some reason. The only problem is when you look up at the clock and you're like "I've been programming for THAT long?". Just the fact that it can hold my attention for long spans of time says a lot.
-------------------- Moderation is key "There is no god higher than truth."
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supra
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Re: Why is coding cool? [Re: D4NK]
#9737130 - 02/04/09 09:06 PM (14 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
D4NK said:
Quote:
Boom said: ...it's all cozy inside with a coffee
Stimulants and programming seems to get along very nicely for some reason. The only problem is when you look up at the clock and you're like "I've been programming for THAT long?". Just the fact that it can hold my attention for long spans of time says a lot.
haha, i do love that at work, when im really into a piece of code. come back from lunch, look into it, finally look at the clock noticing i REALLY have to pee, and its already 5:30...kicks ass.
though I don't use stimulants...other than caffeine.
peace
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Diaboleros
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Re: Why is coding cool? [Re: supra]
#9739626 - 02/05/09 08:46 AM (14 years, 11 months ago) |
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Why is coding cool? It's the fastest way to materialize your imagination. Of course, if you have no imagination, then you have a problem :p
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D4NK
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Re: Why is coding cool? [Re: supra]
#9741705 - 02/05/09 03:55 PM (14 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
supra said: though I don't use stimulants...other than caffeine.
peace
Nor do I, but I can imagine a little Dexedrine or something of the sort would have the same sort of effect, less the need to urinate. Damn that sucks.
-------------------- Moderation is key "There is no god higher than truth."
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fushock

Registered: 10/14/07
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Re: Why is coding cool? [Re: Epigallo]
#9753207 - 02/07/09 12:44 AM (14 years, 11 months ago) |
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I create living word. My thoughts spiral off into little pieces of action. I am a logic smith. Constantly improving.
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PlayDoh
>>> import this



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Re: Why is coding cool? [Re: fushock]
#9779433 - 02/11/09 04:42 PM (14 years, 11 months ago) |
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I enjoy the other side of coding - reverse engineering, especially in regards to security/vulnerability analysis. I used to work as a malware researcher at a major company but that can get old, luckily for the most time I do it for security research.
I love taking an application apart and figuring out how it works. I love finding vulnerabilities in code, especially ones like really obscure logic flaws or combining a bunch of small bugs in a certain way to create a really big bug. I can get so engulfed in a project literal days can go by and it will feel like a few hours have past.
I would not be able to do any of it with out first understanding how to code.
-------------------- '...all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, that we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only dream, and we're the imagination of ourselves...'
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