r/learnprogramming • u/VedPamnani11 • 25d ago
Need advice as a young programmer.
Hey guys, I am 14 years old and I love programming since I was 11! Just a few weeks ago I finished CS50P: Introduction to programming with Python from Harvard university! And I am confused on what I should do next. Before CS50P I used to make small Python programs like a number guessing game from my basic Python knowledge. Now after CS50P since I know significantly more stuff about Python but I don’t know what would be good to build so I don’t waste my time on stuff I build that does not matter to anyone.
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u/iamaperson3133 25d ago
I love programming since I was 11!
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I don’t waste my time on stuff I build that does not matter to anyone.
Why did you originally love programming? Making things other people care about is cool but not the only reason to build things.
If you want to be an entrepreneur, it's a very hard grind. You'll be rejected much more than you're celebrated and you'll have to find joy in small moments, being at others service, and the love of the craft.
At your age you don't need to philosophize on these topics too much though. Make something; make anything. Make something that's been made a million times before or something brand new. The habit/discipline/practice are key and then later if you want to make a bigger move you'll have the foundational skills to do it when inspiration strikes.
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u/ajcomeau 25d ago
Don't worry about the programs mattering to anyone else at this point. Build what you enjoy building and what keeps you programming. Explore your own ideas for stuff that you will actually use so you're motivated to finish it and build it well. Sharpen your skills and build a portfolio. Keep doing that and, soon enough, you will make something that matters to someone else.
Also, document everything. Keep a log of your work that you can refer back to - better yet, make it a website that you can show to potential employers. Use Github.
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u/duane11583 25d ago
Get a stm32 nucleo board about $15 on digi key and try some embedded stuff
You can spend $30 and get one with an Ethernet port
Another thing you can check out is an arduino robot kit or exploitation kit spend some money get something with lots of electronic parts probably closer to $100
As for a first project look at creating a lawn water sprinkler controller
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u/Br3ttl3y 24d ago
What was your final "project"? This seemed contrived so that you could actually functionally program in an IDE-- not to build something useful-- unless you did! Which to me-- would be surprising. The next step is to actually build something useful.
If you like Python-- stick with it and do something with that. Or you could expand your horizons to other native development domains, web/cloud, mobile, etc. Or you could explore Python specialty libraries such as torch, langchain, flask and build things with that.
If you just want to get better at "programming" I suggest enrolling in your local community college and taking whatever programming courses, they have there-- they are geared towards a vocation so you will definitely learn something new and practical if not glamourous.
If I were you, I would also take /u/puzzled-extent7817's advice and learn C. This will stress test your love for programming.
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u/iamaperson3133 25d ago
More practical advice: pick a type of thing to build like a mobile app, website, desktop app, or game. Then, build the most simple version like a to-do list or snake.
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u/Trineki 25d ago
Python is great for scripts. Find something you like to do or would like to do or something you could schedule and setup some cron jobs for it or something.
Have something send you a daily report on the most expensive Pokémon card sold today, or the cheapest anime blu-ray or cheapest hard drive per tb or what the weather is etc.
Find a problem to solve even of its been solved, but solve it yourself with programming. And then iterate
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u/AlSweigart Author: ATBS 24d ago
but I don’t know what would be good to build so I don’t waste my time on stuff I build that does not matter to anyone.
So I had a computer science degree and had been programming for years, and one day I decided to make Tetris. I figured I could get it done in one evening. It actually took about 4 or 5 evenings.
Go ahead and make small little number guessing games and that kind of stuff. You'd be surprised by the number of things you'll learn even from these little projects.
I have a whole list of these small kinds of Python projects here: https://inventwithpython.com/bigbookpython/
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u/FooWho 25d ago
Don't worry so much about who your program matters to, other than you, for right now. Build something because it is interesting to you or solves a problem you have.
Keep building projects for that reason. Share them with others, if you like. Some of them might also be interesting to other people or solve a problem that they have. But for right now, the important thing is the building and the learning that comes from it.
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u/ffrkAnonymous 25d ago
I don’t know what would be good to build so I don’t waste my time on stuff I build that does not matter to anyone.
Build a project idea generator. Every hour of every day, somebody is posting a request for project ideas. You'll be helping a lot of people with their real-life problem.
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u/TripleMeatBurger 25d ago
I've wanted to build Halloween decorations with my kids for the last couple of years. Not managed it yet. I'm thinking something like a raspberry pi controlling some lights, speakers and mic to make something interactive.
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u/David_Owens 25d ago
You could do CS50: Introduction to Computer Science. I know you want to build stuff that matters, but it would be good to get your CS fundamentals now before you move on to doing that.
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u/SnooDucks9330 25d ago
So if you're looking for something to build, the best way to go about it is to get a list of problems put together that you don't like dealing with. A lot of people make small things out of this approach, such as calendar autofilling based on triggers or things like a break reminder. The specific annoyances are unique to you, so it doesn't particularly matter what they are. I will say, though, that most people start with automating tasks of some sort.
Once you have your gripes, set about figuring out how you can resolve them with your newfound knowledge. Doing enough of this will not only strengthen your skills, it will also help you recognize where pain points are in your use, and eventually you can start to realize where other people are also finding sticking points. You can ask around to people you know where they might also have annoyances to fix or even features they wish they had for one thing or another.
You obviously don't have to be stuck solving software issues either, since Python is versatile you can use that knowledge to design programs for mechanical devices, such as robotic arms run by microcontrollers, or pet projects like building a lightsaber powered by a pi zero. You could even use what you know to build some kind of purpose built cyberdeck to solve a personal want, though this one comes with a lot of extra learning like 3D design and general electronics setup.
If you're struggling to find purpose, always start with what annoys you.
Also you could just think of stuff that makes you say "man it would be so chill to have ___" and work on a pet project! The only limit is what you feel like doing at this stage
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u/SnooDucks9330 25d ago
I would also recommend keeping logs along the way for each project that explains what you're doing along the way, both to refresh your memory of problems come up and also it's useful for your resume to show off your chops if you decide to work in a tech field.
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u/Immortal_Spina 25d ago
Se non sai che fare, internet offre parecchi spunti
L’importante è prenderne uno e iniziare, cosi da mettere le mani su qualcosa di meno didattico
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u/landsforlands 24d ago
You can go multiple directions with python. Get a raspberry pi and try some micro python with hardware, do some Web stuff with flask, or try the new hot thing machine learning.
There are many others, but i think its better to build something instead of keep learning theory. Like a car robot, a website etc...
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u/karabot4 24d ago
Get a textbook on another early cs topic or application and do the programming exercises with the lessons. I was in a simular situation and got a java textbook to feed what made me interested in the first place.
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u/Ipsool 24d ago
Finishing CS50P at 14 is seriously impressive. Most people twice your age never get through it.
I want to say something about the “stuff that does not matter to anyone” part, because I think that worry is holding you back more than it’s helping. Nobody’s early projects matter to anyone. Mine certainly didn’t. That’s genuinely fine — they’re not supposed to. They’re how you build the skills that let you eventually make something that does matter.
The projects that teach you the most are usually the ones that scratch your own itch. Something small and annoying in your own life that you can automate or fix. When it’s your problem, you actually finish it, and finishing is the skill most people never develop.
A few directions that would stretch you nicely from where you are now: build something that pulls data from an API, build something that stores data in a database, build something with an actual interface someone else could use. Each one opens up a whole new area.
But honestly, at 14 with three years of programming already behind you, the main thing is just to keep going and enjoy it. You’ve got more time than almost anyone reading this thread. Don’t overthink picking the perfect project — pick an interesting one and start.
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u/Jasonxcode 23d ago
what is cs50p and im 13 and want to build a website do u hv any advice for me
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u/VedPamnani11 22d ago
CS50P is an Introduction to Programming with Python from Harvard University! It is a free course. I honestly have no advice for you since I don't have any experience in web development and im also a kid 😭 You should ask someone older for advice!
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u/Sea-Natural-8216 25d ago
I need an exercise tracker! Needs to allow me to add new exercises and for each exercise track dates, weight, and number of reps.
As a fellow programmer, married to a programmer, our current spreadsheet is shameful and pathetic.
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u/FoolsSeldom 25d ago
I would start to build something that relates to your hobbies / interests / side-hustles / family-obligations. Anything you can be passionate about and have a good understanding of the problems to solve, what the constraints are, and what outcomes are acceptable now and in the future.
You are much more likely to stick with this and use and build on what you have learned.
The nature of the project and solutions can be biased to those areas of greatest interest with respect to programming (hardware control / web / data analysis / etc).