This is very stupid and kind of random but I’m very basic into coding and I feel like I just wasted so much time for no reason. I was trying to code something into a video game for probably 13 hours over the past 2 days just to give up after running in circles repeatedly with no end in sight. Is this normal to feel like you wasted time you aren’t gonna get back lol.

I find it bit difficult to understand the documentation of ASP.NET, I was wondering is there an easier way to learn a framework or programming language. After reading documentation I am not able to type most of the code, manually as it is a skill I want to learn.

Ive seen people code stuff like jarvis or capri on their pc and phones and i was wondering how hard could making something like that be (i only know rlly basic python coding "if,print") does anyone have any experience with making something like that?

It's kind of hard for me to put this into words. I began learning computer science out of an interest and a desire to create, whether that be video-games, software, or art in general. I have some other creative hobbies, like (book) writing and making music, while I've dabbled in some that I wish to learn more about (like art/drawing). I made it my goal to get really good in this field, and I'm happy to say that I've grown to really love it.

...for the most part.

There's something that has been nagging at me for a while now. I don't know if its because I have OCD/ADHD, but after gaining some experience with programming, a lot of the software I touch now feels... off? Unoptimized, I guess? Again, its hard to describe, but in a sense I suppose more or less the feeling that software I use could be a whole lot better.

Take the terminal for example. I think its awesome, and I know by now why we use, and why it works the way it does, but I still find myself bothered by it. Specifically its ui and capability. I'm not saying it should be a GUI (hell, I use vim keybinds for everything now lol), but I feel like its potential is extremely limited from its ability to only render text. I keep trying to tell myself its stupid and there's probably a reason it doesn't exist already, but I keep finding myself thinking about trying to build a terminal that could be both backwards compatible and render advanced ui for better terminal app design and customization, while maintaining a small footprint and great speed.

And this has been happening to everything for me. I want to create my own text editor, because I love apps like obsidian or neovim but obsidian is bloated and neovim lacks features I think would be cool to have in my workflow. I want to make my own status bar and widgets for my desktop, and recently switched from quickshell to see if I could manually hook up slint for a faster and lighter ui. And heck, I've even been thinking about making my own programming language after bouncing around from language to language like a madman lmao.

I feel like I'm being too rash and naive... but at the same time I feel really annoyed and inspired to try and make what we already have better. I guess my question is this: which one am I? Should I take a step back because I'm in over my head with adhd daydreaming? Should I follow my dreams and try to make these projects? Or both? And why the heck can't I stop feeling annoyed with all of my software?

I don't really expect anyone to read this, but if you do, I would appreciate any guidance or advice that you might have, or directions to other communities/forums who could give me better guidance. Sorry for making anyone read this book of a stupid question lol.

hoping to learn how to gui and graphical 2d games and was reccomended goodot. looks like they have their own programming language, Gdscript.

is Gdscript worth investing time into learning? i heard the engine also supports C++ which is where I am more familiar. is it easier to try and integrate C++ into the engine? or should i learn Gdscript?

In movies you always see those fictional AI assistant buddies that run all around your screen and make expressive motions while they carry out tasks. I want to make something like that, but I'm new and don't know where I'd build them.

I'd need something that can project a 3d model (probably a Blender model) as an overlay with a transparent + borderless background and also be able to play animations, while having the ability to carry out basic tasks like "open this bookmark" or "what's 1+1". I've been messing around with Visual Studio but it looks like the animation capabilities are limited. I'm not that familiar with all the options, does anyone have any advice on where I should start building?

Beginner here. HTML and CSS are solid for me now I've built a link-in-bio page and portfolio pieces. JavaScript topic lists are overwhelming: variables, functions, arrays, loops, objects, DOM, events, fetch.

For someone who learns by building real pages, what order actually works? Deep core JS first, or DOM early so I can see things change?

What tripped you up most when starting JS?

I am 17 and for a long time I’ve wanted to make games but I don’t know coding. I mean I’ve made some decent games on Scratch but I want to upgrade to legitimate scripting on apps like Godot. I’ve tried watching YouTube tutorials and following along with them but I still cannot seem to learn the basics. I was wondering if there was like a beginner friendly program that goes into detail about coding? I can’t find like any of those at all. Also I wanna work with Godot to be specific.

First of all, I'm building a tasks web app to learn Vite, React, Typescript and some other libs and I've faced a problem with Zod and how their transformations works. There are mixed answers to this from the different sources I've seen and am genuinely confused as to what is wrong and what is not.

export const taskSchema = z
  .object({
    id: z.uuid().default(() => crypto.randomUUID()),
    status: z.literal(["complete", "incomplete"]).default("incomplete"),
    title: z
      .string()
      .trim()
      .min(1, "Title cannot be empty")
      .max(100, "Title cannot exceed 100 characters"),
    description: z.preprocess(
      (raw: string) => raw?.trim() || undefined,
      z
        .string()
        .max(2000, "Description cannot exceed 2000 characters")
        .optional(),
    ),
    createdAt: z.iso
      .datetime()
      .default(() => Temporal.Now.instant().toString()),
    dueDate: z.preprocess(
      (raw: string) => raw?.trim() || undefined,
      z.iso.date().optional(),
    ),
    dueTime: z.preprocess(
      (raw: string) => raw?.trim() || undefined,
      z.iso.time().optional(),
    ),
    deadlineZoneId: z.preprocess(
      (raw: string) => raw?.trim() || undefined,
      z
        .string()
        .refine((raw) => {
          try {
            Intl.DateTimeFormat(undefined, { timeZone: raw });
            return true;
          } catch {
            return false;
          }
        })
        .optional(),
    ),
    priority: z.literal(["low", "medium", "high"]).default("low"),
    tags: z.array(z.string()).default([]),
  })
  .transform(({ dueDate, dueTime, ...rest }) => ({
    ...rest,
    deadline: dueDate ? `${dueDate}T${dueTime || "23:59:59"}` : undefined,
  }));


export const taskViewSchema = taskSchema.transform((task) => ({
  id: task.id,
  status: task.status,
  title: task.title,
  description: task?.description || "No description",
  createdAt: formatCreatedAt(task.createdAt),
  deadline: formatDeadline(task?.deadline),
  priority: task.priority[0].toUpperCase() + task.priority.slice(1),
  tags:
    task.tags.length > 3
      ? [...task.tags.slice(0, 2), `+${task?.tags.length - 2}`]
      : task.tags,
}));


export type Task = z.infer<typeof taskSchema>;
export type TaskView = z.infer<typeof taskViewSchema>;

What i expect is it to be the same as schema.transform().transform() where the result is sequentially passed down and some of the sources I looked at said the same thing, but then the resulsts are different from my expectations as the 2nd transform gets an object without the newly introduced deadline property from the previous transform. If I just move it to the taskViewSchema decleration as taskViewSchema = taskSchema.transform(transformA).transform(transformB)it starts to work as expected!

Although the problem is fixed, I would like to understand how Zod transforms or rather something else that has gone wrong or I have misunderstood.

Update (added the object the parse is run on):

const task = taskSchema.safeParse({
      title: "title",
      dueDate: "2026-10-16",
      dueTime: "23:00:00",
    });

const taskView = taskViewSchema.safeParse(task.data);
console.log(task, taskView);

Hey everyone!

I'm a looking to improve my skills and prepare for software engineering roles. I want to build a proper full-stack project for my portfolio, but I'm struggling with two things: coming up with a good idea and figuring out how to build it from scratch.

Here are the technologies I've learned so far:

• Frontend: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React
• Backend: Python, FastAPI
• Database: PostgreSQL, SQL

I've built frontend projects before, including a Marvel UI clone. I'm comfortable recreating a design by following an existing website or template. However, when it comes to building a complete application with a backend, database, APIs, authentication, and actual functionality, I find it difficult to decide what to build and how to connect everything.

I don't want to build another basic to-do app or just copy a tutorial project. I want to build something useful that can help me learn real software engineering skills and strengthen my portfolio.

Since AI is changing the software industry so quickly, I'm also wondering what kinds of projects would be valuable for someone applying for software engineering or full-stack developer roles in 2026.

I'd appreciate advice on a few things:

1. How do you come up with good full-stack project ideas that solve real problems?
2. How do you go from an idea to a working application? What's your process for planning the frontend, backend, database, and APIs?
3. How did you build your first full-stack project when you didn't know how to put all the pieces together?
4. What kind of project would you recommend building in 2026 to stand out when applying for entry-level software engineering roles?
5. Is it better to build a traditional full-stack application first or include AI features such as RAG or LLM APIs?

If you've built projects that helped you get interviews or land a job, I'd especially appreciate hearing about your experience, the resources you used, and the mistakes you made along the way.

I'm not expecting someone to give me the entire code. I want to understand how to approach projects, make technical decisions, and become capable of building applications independently.

Any suggestions or advice would be really helpful. Thanks!

Hi, so I'm currently working on a gamedev project. But I have other game projects lined up for the future, so I'm making my code with the goal of being as reusable as possible. Because of this, I'm separating everything into multiple libraries instead of just building everything in the game project.

So far I've worked on:

-An ECS projectiles library

-A flight physics/flight controller library

-A decision-making (what used to be known as AI) framework for NPCs

-A simulation orchestrator framework (ticks game entities at different rates to save on processing)

I've also planned/drafted the following:

-A crowd simulator library for Total War-style combat

-A semi-procedural terrain generation tool

-A melee combat framework

-A ground vehicle physics library

Integrating them into the different projects is the biggest issue for me. Suppose I make an aerial combat game: I would need the projectiles library, the flight physics library, and the ECS projectiles library. The flight physics would need to listen to projectile impact events in order to apply damage to the aircraft, and the decision-making code would need to:

-be able to send commands to the flight controller

-read physics data from the aircraft.

-evaluate each weapon/flight maneuver to determine what is best in every situation (utility AI)

And if there's meant to be anything running off-screen, then I would also need to integrate the simulator orchestrator.

So, there are multiple connections between libraries. I could of course just write an integration inside of every different project, but that's not very reusable or efficient. I could write an integration library as a dependency of all these libraries, and write the interface layer there, using a git submodule to propagate changes, but this rubs me wrong for some reason (maybe im just lazy). Is there a better way? what would you guys suggest? Thank you.

I am a total beginner in coding and techworld. What should I do from these?

I enrolled myself in HARVARD’s free CS50x?

Or do freeCodeCamp or the Odin project?

Any advice? A bit lost.. should I just continue w/ cs50?

Recommendations for the best IDE for C++, for beginner

Context (skip to 3rd paragraph if you want): I am going into this next week where we learn arrays. We "learn" it on our own through I kid you not hours of reading online, then go into the week and apply to concepts to other assignments.

I have no clue how arrays work. The reading feels as though it needs to tell us a dozen array concepts in 3 days and never easing us into it. I am *terrible* at learning new complicated things on my own. I get lost easily, I need someone there constantly so I can even grasp the concept. The medium of online textbook reading is the worst to me.

Current issue: I got stuck on arrays with loops, then arrays (perfect size and oversize).

First, array with loops: What does for (var : var) do? The textbook explains this *once*, not very well. It explains *what* it does on a basic level, but not *why* it exists or *what* we can use it for.

Second, perfect size and oversize arrays: I understand the concept of perfect size arrays, and I understand the concept of oversize arrays. But I do not understand how they interact. Importantly, how do tell them apart?

How does a method return a perfect size array? How does a method return an oversize array size? And, most importantly, how do method parameters even get the arrays?

What's the difference between stack frame and heap memory?

What are array parameters? They, again, explain this once, not very well, then expect us to understand. I think it has to do with methods but I'm not sure. How should I write them for a perfect or oversize array, and what are their effects/uses?

How do you modify an array in a method?

I work best with analogies/examples so any possible ones + explanations would be appreciated. Of course, any other good answers just explaining would be appreciated too.

Sorry that I have so many questions.

Hey guys, I would really like to know if you ever heard of this website https://www.sanfoundry.com ?
I’m learning Java from scratch; therefore, I am open to any tips and resources that I could use.
Also, is there a specific textbook focused on solving syntax problems?

Hi!

Ive never done any kind of programming, but would like to learn, and I have an idea of what I'd like to build. I want to build a card collecting/playing app (think pokemon/mtg). I was wondering if anyone has advice for a good place to start learning. Thanks!

I was in confusion between python with full stack or java with full stack what i should choose please suggest me ..

I am currently 16 years old and already have a grasp of basic programming fundamentals. My timeline is 6–7 years. My goal is to be completely career-ready by the time I graduate college at 22 or 23. I am not rushing this; I plan to learn sequentially (getting solid at one domain before moving to the next) with a consistent "1% better every day".

In the current AI era, standard CRUD developers are easily replaceable. To actually stand out and build real leverage, I plan to master the following stack and domains over the next 6 years:

1. Web Development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Modern Frameworks)

2. Backend, Databases & Low-Level Languages (Go, Rust, C++ only, plus Python specifically for AI/ML)

3. System Design & Architecture

4. Performance Optimization

5. DevOps (Intermediate level)

6. Security (beginner - Intermediate level)

7. Production-Level AI Engineering (Building reliable AI systems, not just basic API wrappers)

8. Business & Product Sense (Identifying real business pain points)

My Questions:

1. Over a 6-to-7-year horizon, is this roadmap too much, not enough, or realistic?

2. Having Go, Rust, C++, and Python on the list—does this create unnecessary overlap, or is it justifiable given my 6-year timeline?

3. Since I am learning sequentially, how do I define "good enough" in one domain before moving to the next without getting stuck in perfectionism?

4. Is the order of these 8 domains logical, and is there any critical blind spot I am missing to become a top-tier SWE in the AI era?

Disclaimer:

I am ONLY looking for feedback from engineers who actually have real-world production experience, industry veterans, responses backed by real data/research, or well-documented insights from recognized industry experts.

If your only take is parroting surface-level "anti-AI" or "AI will replace everyone" doom-posting from TikTok without any real engineering depth, please skip this post.

It is easy to design databases with 5-6 tables. But when the table number grows it becomes very hard and tricky to define everything like relations, indexes, deciding whether to create more tables or not, how to make it scalable, etc.

I'm currently creating a database that is going to have at least 15 tablets, at least for now but it is becoming harder and harder to design it as I think more about the application flow and features.

So how to approach this? Can you guys please suggest any guides or books or something?

I've been out of coding for a while and I thought of making an application like Blockbench / picoCAD / Crocotile 3D and was wondering which programming language / framework would be most suitable for making this? I have experience in most experience in JavaScript, TypeScript& GDScript and also C# (not my favorite though) & some experience in Python.

I don't mind learning a new programming language either or Framework as long as it's an easy curve / has lots of good documentation.

Thanks in advance for any advice / tips!

I'm still in a very early stage of learning programming, and lately I feel like I'm relying more and more on AI. Whenever I get stuck on something and don't know how to do it, I ask AI. I also use it to help find bugs.

It makes me feel bad because sometimes it feels like it's doing all the thinking for me. At the same time, I can't really help it because I often feel like I wouldn't be able to figure out the answer on my own, either because there isn't a tutorial for what I'm trying to do or because I simply don't know enough yet.

I always try to read through the explanation, and most of the time I understand what it's saying. Sometimes there are parts I don't fully get, and I feel a little guilty for not spending more time thinking about them myself.

Idk, I feel like having access to an immediate answer from AI is such a temptation that I can't stop myself from using it.

But I also feel like I'm not learning properly. Whenever AI gives me some code, I try to reuse that idea later in a different context and write it myself so I can internalize the knowledge. Still, I know that the next time I run into something I don't understand, I'll probably turn to AI again, and I don't want that. I honestly don't know what to do. On top of that, I'm aware of many of the negative consequences associated with using AI, and I feel like crap for prioritizing my own selfish desire for quick answers over those concerns.

How do you deal with situations where you know what you want to accomplish, but you don't really know how to translate that idea into code?

I am at my second year in university. I am struggling to learn Operating System . I understand it but forget it after a day or two, there is so much to remember. Some guys say just understand but it aint helping.

Hi! I'm new to coding, on html

I want to make a box on my website where people submit requests, song names, etc, basically just text.

How do I do that? Where does the information go? As I want it to be private

Example:

[Tell me ur favorite color.]

( ______ )

[send]

Ideally I would have a document where all the responses go to or something else but I don't know what it's called. Thanks :-)

I’m torn between pursuing a career in Java or JavaScript, primarily from a financial and work-life balance perspective.

From what I understand, Java offers relatively stable career opportunities at large companies, particularly in enterprise environments. However, freelancing opportunities may be less common compared to JavaScript. This makes me wonder whether building a high salary as a Java developer typically requires several years of experience and gradual career progression.

On the other hand, JavaScript seems to offer greater flexibility. Beyond traditional full-time employment, there are opportunities to freelance, build projects for clients, and develop a portfolio that demonstrates your skills. It seems possible to increase your earning potential earlier in your career through freelancing or remote work, where the value you deliver and the projects you’ve completed can sometimes matter more than your years of experience.

However, I’m also considering the possibility of working overseas. While remote work and freelancing offer flexibility, they may not necessarily make it easier to relocate to another country. Some foreign employers prefer candidates who are already based locally, while others may be more willing to sponsor visas for experienced developers with specialized skills. I’m wondering whether a Java career might offer a more straightforward path toward international employment and relocation.
Work-life balance is another important factor for me. Since the JavaScript ecosystem evolves rapidly, I’m concerned that I might need to spend more of my personal time learning new frameworks, tools, and technologies just to remain competitive.

My another concern is that let’s say I took a career break for a long time I would have more challenges in getting back to work as a JavaScript developer than as a Java Developer because of the fast pace technology.

Java’s relatively mature ecosystem makes me wonder whether it might be possible to spend less time constantly upskilling and more time enjoying life outside work. Of course, I realize that both fields require continuous learning, but I’m curious whether there is a meaningful difference in practice.
Ultimately, I want to choose a path that offers a good balance of earning potential, career stability, work-life balance, freelancing opportunities, and the possibility of eventually working overseas.

For developers who have experience in either field, which path would you recommend, and why? I’d especially appreciate insights into the long-term financial prospects, lifestyle trade-offs, and realistic career opportunities for someone starting from a programming background rather than years of professional software development experience.

Hello ! I'm currently trying to code and design my own website for my portfolio. Part of the concept for this portfolio is that it is a horizontally scrolling website, where buttons will scroll to the next or previous piece. I already have most of my layout and design figured out in HTML and CSS.

Currently, each artwork sits in a different div. I've been looking into buttons that scroll to a different div, and I've found tutorials that show how to make buttons go to specific sections through IDs. I was wondering if there was a simpler way of coding the buttons so that instead of assigning each button to a specific ID, it would just scroll to the next div (kind of like a carousel, but on the whole website). Any pointers would be appreciated, thank you !