For languages, I usually write something that generates data, saves it, retrieves it, puts it in sqlite, processes it, reports on it. Boring, but it makes you implement some basic data structures, loops, logic, organize code into functions/classes/actors/whatever, deal with i/o and output. It's boring, and takes a day or two, but when I'm done, I usually can code reasonably well in the new language pretty quickly - but mastery of that language can take years.
Ask HN: What do you code when learning a new language/framework?
51–60 of 171 posts
Re: Ask HN: What do you code when learning a new language/framework?
#52Backend web dev for the most part these days. Trying to simultaneously learn a language or system and produce something deployable has been a huge headache for me. I prefer to learn something new by starting at the beginning, with small exercises and study until I'm fluent enough to work on a real project without making bad mistakes from ignorance. The other approach, which everyone seems to expect, seems like madnes…
After a moment of scales, learning "twinkle twinkle little star" or similar is the obvious next step, which I think is what the post is asking about.
Re: Ask HN: What do you code when learning a new language/framework?
#53Backend web dev for the most part these days. Trying to simultaneously learn a language or system and produce something deployable has been a huge headache for me. I prefer to learn something new by starting at the beginning, with small exercises and study until I'm fluent enough to work on a real project without making bad mistakes from ignorance. The other approach, which everyone seems to expect, seems like madnes…
After a moment of scales, learning "twinkle twinkle little star" or similar is the obvious next step, which I think is what the post is asking about.
I see. Maybe some Euler problems? There used to be a good site called rubyquiz.com that had nice exercises that were less math-like, and that (mostly) worked well in multiple languages. Rosetta Code might be another such place. Or just think up your own.
There are two issues as I see it. One is to be able to code something that seems to solve your problem. The other is being able to code with reasonable surety that you haven't committed some subtle error that will bite you if you actually deploy the code. You need deeper fluency for the latter than for the former.
Re: Ask HN: What do you code when learning a new language/framework?
#54The thing that my job is requiring me to do. Trial by fire. But also after the 4th or 5th language and Nth framework, it gets much quicker to pick up new ones.
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Re: Ask HN: What do you code when learning a new language/framework?
#55The thing that my job is requiring me to do. Trial by fire. But also after the 4th or 5th language and Nth framework, it gets much quicker to pick up new ones.
Agreed, though this goes beyond jobs to e.g. side projects also. Rather than "make X so that you can learn language Y," I would "learn language Y so that you can make X," where X is some project uniquely suited to language Y.
Re: Ask HN: What do you code when learning a new language/framework?
#56Pokemon games!! All of the algebra is solved, and you can dig as deeply as you like in any direction you like.
Graphics? Check. And simple, top down, tilesheet or character maps work just fine.
Battles? Check. You can leverage anything from purely functional, object oriented, websocket, long polling, SQL, you name it. Whether you use 3 elemental types or flesh out everything from multiturn, semivulnerable, exp/leveling, it's all up to you.
Wanna just build an REST/GraphQL/gRPC API? Or a UI? PokeAPI is an opensource database of nearly all game data from moves, items, and species.
Pokemon is an endless, any-scope, extremely documented, opensource-rich field of exploration.
Re: Ask HN: What do you code when learning a new language/framework?
#57The whole idea of implementing something useless to learn a tool is deeply flawed and it is sad that most of our schools and universities still follow this practice
Most of the things I've worked on in my professional career have been ultimately useless :(
Re: Ask HN: What do you code when learning a new language/framework?
#58Pokemon games!! All of the algebra is solved, and you can dig as deeply as you like in any direction you like. Graphics? Check. And simple, top down, tilesheet or character maps work just fine. Battles? Check. You can leverage anything from purely functional, object oriented, websocket, long polling, SQL, you name it. Whether you use 3 elemental types or flesh out everything from multiturn, semivulnerable, exp/leveli…
Is there a tutorial for the boilerplate for setting this up? Where would I even begin as someone who has never built any graphics.
Re: Ask HN: What do you code when learning a new language/framework?
#59The whole idea of implementing something useless to learn a tool is deeply flawed and it is sad that most of our schools and universities still follow this practice
Most of the things I've worked on in my professional career have been ultimately useless :(
Ultimately everything humans build will be useless. Haven't you gotten paid for them? That's what makes them useful for you.
Re: Ask HN: What do you code when learning a new language/framework?
#60The whole idea of implementing something useless to learn a tool is deeply flawed and it is sad that most of our schools and universities still follow this practice
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