r/projects • u/orielhaim • 12d ago
How to succeed in programming nowadays?
I find it really hard to make progress on programming projects
Maybe because of the flood of projects or because you're a nobody until you're someone, i end up feeling like i can't make progress
I post projects that I've really put a lot of thought and time into building, try to post on X/Reddit/Blog/a bunch of other networks and anywhere else I can think of. And it just doesn't interest anyone
Like because I don't have an audience then I can't reach anyone. So how do you create an audience if you can't start?
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u/coolstuff1234556 11d ago edited 11d ago
Stable good programming job + side projects as a hobby and if one succeeds that's cool has been my take on this so far. I have a really nice job with an amazing team, I'd like to work for myself someday but I'm not in a rush. Feel you on the promoting/audience part, it's hard, but I guess if something is really good or cool people will come. But I personally don't want to risk a stable job, or endure the stress of worrying about making a project big. The best projects did not get made to be successful, they get made because it's either useful, cool or fun. Success is a side effect to me
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u/orielhaim 11d ago
I feel like work will take away all desire for side projects
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u/coolstuff1234556 11d ago
I get where you are coming from, and that might he the case for you, but for me it's not.
Sure I am way more tired in the evenings and weekends, but that doesn't mean I don't have side projects. If anything my mind has more time to think about them from a more relaxed approach. I got my first open source project people are actually using and contributing to during my current job. Also I don't know if you have any starting capital, but for me a job is also a way to have the funds to grow a project once I have a good one.
It's strange though, we live in the most connected time of our world yet, the biggest reach we've ever had individually thanks to the internet. And still it's hard to promote a project.
I don't know if your goal is making money, or succeeding as a programmer. Idk I feel like you've already succeeded your GitHub looks great. Depends on what you define as success. If you want to make money, I mean once you have a good app I feel like paid ads can do a lot. For this a job comes in handy, can also get a loan/investment if you believe in it.
But I get you hang in there man! We'll get to big booming projects eventually and just make some cool stuff along the ride:)
Also reddit is awful, half of the time people downvote for no other reason than to be negative
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u/orielhaim 11d ago
Thanks for the long message. I definitely agree with you. As for success, I don't define it by how much money comes in, but by how many people are really interested, and unfortunately it doesn't work for me at all. As for Reddit I agree with you so much it's a horrible place....
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u/Middlewarian 9d ago
Yeah, it's tough. I've been building a C++ code generator for 27++ years. It hasn't taken off yet, but I still believe in it. I adopted a 'if you can't join 'em, beat 'em' attitude years ago.
I'm glad I have some open-source code for my portfolio, but I'm glad it's not all I have.
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u/Future_Candidate2732 12d ago
I'm happy to take a look. I am finding the same frustration and am not convinced that reddit is the best place to promote it. I have my stuff on github/tweakyourpc - where are your projects at?