How to push further as a programmer?

Question

For the last, hmm, 6 months I\'ve been reading into Programming in C, I got myself K&Rv2, BEEJ\'s socket guide, Expert C programming, Linux Systems Programming, the ISO/IEC

Answer 1

You say you're interested in security. Go look up some exploits and try to understand them. Better yet, try to find an exploit yourself, for a known (better: unknown) vulnerability.

Write an NNTP client, or an SMTP server, or client, and use it to send your mail. Many of these internet protocols are simple enough to not be very difficuly to implement (most of the text-based protocols), yet nuanced enough to be interesting, and they have the connection to the real world that makes it more satisfying than a "hello world" program.

Or how about writing a linux kernel module? They're not that hard to write, there's just a bit of a barrier to entry (lots to learn before you can have your "black triangle"). Make a character device that returns an endless stream of the last byte you wrote to it (call it /dev/fortytwo if you like). Then make sure it will work when two processes use it simultaneously.

Look for some project with crappy code but friendly community, and clean some of it up. GCC and the kernel would be bad choices here :)

Answer 2

I find practicing much more useful at learning concepts than reading about them. Often what I'll do is determine a problem I want to solve with software, then go about it by attempting the problem. I will utilize resources along the way, but its really more useful to try what you read, rather than read every book on the subject.

Also, Code Golf is a good way to find fun programs to attempt.

Answer 3

Learning to program is like learning to speak a foreign language. Initially it is very frustrating and often boring. It is only after you gain a degree of fluency in a given language that you find your productivity increases. Along the same vein, just learning the rules is not enough. As with language learning, if you don't use it, and use it often, it will be hard to retain and keep your interest up.

What works for one person doesn't always work for another. Code golf may work for you, or you may find it tedious for example. Personally I like doing something that has genuine value, but that is me. Experiment a little with different types of coding projects, perhaps code golf, perhaps open source projects, producing a game, etc. Sometimes just trying to figure out how to answer other people's questions helps. Eventually you'll find what works for you. Just remember, studying is not enough, you have to apply those studies.

Answer 4

Code Golf and Project Euler are good - but they are more about problem solving and maths than programming.

Find an Opensource project (probably not the Linux kernel) that you are interested in, download the source and try and use it. Ideally something that is a library rather than an application so you have to learn how to read it to use it with your own stuff.

Don't worry - It only takes about 10 years to become a good programmer.

Answer 5

From Abstruse Goose

Also, Teach Yourself Programming in Ten Years

Answer 6

Start a project and finish it. Put it online, make it open source, get feedback.