Ask HN: Which programming games helped you become a better programmer? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Which programming games helped you become a better programmer?

#21

Post by dathinab » Sun, Jun 05, 2022, 5:07 PM UTC

bobinux wrote: post #11

Well, I've enjoyed these games as for fun, but they did provide an intellectual challenge: TIS-100 https://store.steampowered.com/app/370360/TIS100/ SHENZEN I/O https://store.steampowered.com/app/504210/SHENZHEN_IO/ Hacknet https://store.steampowered.com/app/365450/Hacknet/ Uplink https://store.steampowered.com/app/1510/Uplink/ As for becoming a better programmer, it's all about practice. CodeWars might be what you'r…

> all about practice

and communication, and writing simple readable code

for a lot of programmers solving "tricky" algorithmic questions are more the exception then the norm

In turn while it's a must have skill for senior programmers for mid level programmers improving skills around communication, writing simple easy to read and understand code often is much more useful.

Edit: and being able to abstract properly/see beyond the marketing (especially for web).

Re: Ask HN: Which programming games helped you become a better programmer?

#22

Post by [deleted] » Sun, Jun 05, 2022, 5:09 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Which programming games helped you become a better programmer?

#23

Post by lordkrandel » Sun, Jun 05, 2022, 5:10 PM UTC

None

Re: Ask HN: Which programming games helped you become a better programmer?

#24

Post by breckenedge » Sun, Jun 05, 2022, 5:24 PM UTC

Any game that supports extension via modding is a potential to learn more about programming. I think when programming is the game, it’s kinda boring and feels too much like work.

Re: Ask HN: Which programming games helped you become a better programmer?

#25

Post by kubi07 » Sun, Jun 05, 2022, 5:27 PM UTC

OverTheWire wargames. I played first 10 levels, it's kinda fun, kinda frustrating but it made me read manuals of 'grep' and 'find' commands on bash. So it made me a better programmer for sure. https://overthewire.org/wargames/

Re: Ask HN: Which programming games helped you become a better programmer?

#26

Post by jmconfuzeus » Sun, Jun 05, 2022, 5:28 PM UTC

If you want to learn assembly or how computers work at a lower level, play TIS-100 by Zachtronics.

Re: Ask HN: Which programming games helped you become a better programmer?

#27

Post by gpa » Sun, Jun 05, 2022, 5:35 PM UTC

Apreche wrote: post #20

Does Advent of Code count?

It seems that it counts by reading the description: "small programming puzzles for a variety of skill sets and skill levels that can be solved in any programming language you like. People use them as a speed contest, interview prep, company training, university coursework, practice problems, or to challenge each other." But since I haven't used it, you or someone else can have the final say. I was thinking of an addictive game with progressive complexity and time-limited challenges that make you feel like you didn't waste time because of the knowledge you've gained.

Re: Ask HN: Which programming games helped you become a better programmer?

#28

Post by syngrog66 » Sun, Jun 05, 2022, 5:37 PM UTC

the programming game

Re: Ask HN: Which programming games helped you become a better programmer?

#29

Post by falcolas » Sun, Jun 05, 2022, 5:40 PM UTC

heliophobicdude wrote: post #9

Factorio. Factorio doesn’t exactly have code. However, it’s very much a game about systems, and how to efficiently build and manage them. In fact, Shopify expensed the game for their employees [1] 1: https://twitter.com/tobi/status/1294330081452666882

I think of Factorio as a circuit board designing game more than programming. Still fun as heck though.

Re: Ask HN: Which programming games helped you become a better programmer?

#30

Post by gpa » Sun, Jun 05, 2022, 5:42 PM UTC

I've already mentioned it in another comment, but (being unable to edit my question already) this is what I was thinking when I asked the question: an addictive game with progressive complexity and (possibly) time-limited challenges that make you feel like you didn't waste (hours of) time because of the knowledge (skills) you've gained.

I guess, I have to try some of the games that everyone has mentioned.