Ask HN: I just want to have fun programming again

You may not realize it, but frameworks and libraries are your enemy. Write something with minimal dependencies. Take a language you already know and think of a simple, fun thing to make from scratch (for an arbitrary definition of 'from scratch').

You rightfully complained about the complexity of JavaScript or C++, but you don't have to use the majority of the features. With minimal external dependencies and no other programmers in the mix, you can choose a subset of the language and just stick with that.

It sounds like C/C++ would be a good fit if doing low level things is fun for you. Javascript/HTML/Canvas is also not a bad choice per se, you just don't need externalities such as bundlers, wasmers, deployers, dependency managers.

Whichever environment you decide to go with, start with an empty directory. NO package managers, either. If you absolutely must use an external library, copy it in deliberately and manually.

See how few things you actually need to make something fun and worthwhile!

I'm a many year old programmer myself.

The one thing I'd say is: Let the project select your tools, not the reverse.

Take your time, select your tools and libraries... and it is amazing things just seem to come together. Not every problem will fall to what you know today.

Yes, there will be compromise, but step back, and ask yourself... just how thankful you'd be for any of these options 10+ years ago. If the answer is not... don't use that tool. But many times, what we face is really a plethora of great decisions, and we try to look for the best... not realizing it doesn't exist today, only in retrospect.

Ok so basically how we have fun nowadays is

1) write some random control plane 2) create yaml interface for that control plane 3) watch how your users lose will to live

That is fun by definition

May I recommend making a simple game? Developing small games is a lot of fun, and you have complete control over the complexity you'd like to delve into, as well as the scope.

I've been making games with varying degrees of seriousness. I even released a full solo game last year, which was a wild ride. I'm lucky enough to have a job I'm satisfied with, but even so, creating games has never failed to introduce super interesting challenges, it's just a great creative outlet for code and art alike.

I think Godot (Python-like with C# support) is in a very interesting place right now, and it's easy to get into and start making some prototypes. If you want something more involved, try Monogame (C#). There are always Unreal (C++) and Unity (which IMO is getting harder and harder to recommend due to their business model and decisions as of late).

Plus, game developers have some of the best online communities on virtually any platform you can think of. You can always find someone to consult or even join a project, from modding to rev-share game development.

Big +1 on this. If you're OK with a broader definition of "programming" and have a bit of money to throw around, I've found tinkering with https://www.home-assistant.io/ to be very satisfying. I got more sense of accomplishment from scripting "text me when I leave the house if I forgot to set the alarm, and turn on the front porch lights when I arrive back if it's after sunset" than I did from months of corporate work, even though the actual _difficulty_ was much lower. I can _see_ the results of my work, and benefit from them most days!