How to get myself to like programming?

[cpplover]

Contrary to my name, I HATE programming. This username is to motivate me to love c++!!!
I'm learning c++ as a part of my course requirement. I do have prior knowledge of c++ from my undergrad; now i'm pursuing advanced c++ as part of my master's program. Thankfully, there are only 2 programming courses in my entire curriculum: this course and data structures using c++.

So any tips on what is wrong with me? I do have basic knowledge of c++ : expressions, loops, Input/output, a little of functions and a little of classes.
when I try to write a program, I'm always lost!

Any suggestions welcome and THNK YOU.

[sohguanh]

I believe programming is like an acquired taste. You either love it a lot or you hate it a lot. Most ppl after dabble in programming for a while finding it is not their cup of tea will change focus and discipline elsewhere. They could be doing systems analysis, project management, database management, systems administration etc.

It is sad that a lot of graduates are sometimes in the course for the paper qualifications. I believe a 3 months trial will be good so potential students can have a taste of what Computer Science is like before taking the leap to join that faculty.

PS May not be strictly Computer Science but computing related courses in general.

[cpplover]

sohguanh,
I agree - it is acquired taste but I have no option. I'm ok with the language per se, but sometimes I just cannot handle the 'advanced' portions such as function calls(this may not even be advanced for some of us), pointers etc.
c++ is part of required courses for me. I'm also planning to go out and search jobs in system analysis,database management, or project management! But, this course is a 'paper requirement' for me for gradauting. I'm in a information systems program.

[ultifinitus]

So any tips on what is wrong with me?

Nothing wrong with you =] I hate fishing. We all have our likes and dislikes.

Why do you want to learn c++? What will it provide for you? If you are constantly battling with it, you will never have fun.

If you just want to get into it, go make some games, it really lightens your load and get's you into the mindset.

If you don't know how, well then you're at a bit of a catch-22. You must learn in order to be able to and to learn you really should be able to. yay.

(I'm tired and less than healthy so if my comments lack direction I blame it on the cold)

edit after seeing your previous reply:
if it's required, than you just need practice. Basics to begin (function calls are basic).

[sohguanh]

c++ is part of required courses for me. I'm also planning to go out and search jobs in system analysis,database management, or project management! But, this course is a 'paper requirement' for me for gradauting. I'm in a information systems program.

The reason for such course structuring is to groom you all the fundamentals of Computing. They want you to have a 'taste' of the whole Computing spectrum, not only just pure Information Analysis, Database Management, Programming etc.

That is why in some countries, they setup courses that are specific in nature. Like a whole course on web design, program, a whole course on Database Admin, a whole course on Systems Analysis, a whole course on Systems Admin etc.

So I believe your course take the same stance as my course 13 years ago. The traditional way of teaching computing. I guess that is nothing much you can do. You just got find your way and graduate.

FYI, those friends that graduate same batch as me are mostly not in IT line or even if in, they are not doing programming anymore. This is life I guess.

[cpplover]

ultifinitus,
LOL, you lightened my mood by saying nothing wrong with me. I was so frustrated over the last few days. I feel I'm even able to handle my grad-level courses but this under c++ course is giving me so much trouble!!! I have tears in my eye whenever I have to write a program(not good I know).

Do you say practice might actually help me? May be I should just practice with the examples from my text book first even if it means merely typing the programs into my c++ compiler. The book I'm using, in addition to this forum's reference pages, is http://www.amazon.com/Starting-Out-Early-Objects-7th/dp/0136077749

The text book is AWESOME but unfortunately I have trouble with my class assignments/homework. I can understand material, but cannot implement is correctly.

[cpplover]

sohguanh,

Yes I agree with you - infact I LOVE the curriculum of my program except this c++ course LOL. Having said that, I know it is a good idea to 'learn' systems, computing, management etc so that we have a good base on everything. I am aware that some people do not go into programming, I might do the same, but I have to pass this course somehow.Do you think its going to be impossible(I know - this sounds so naive!)

P.S.: I'm in the United States, if that matters.

[sohguanh]

I am aware that some people do not go into programming, I might do the same, but I have to pass this course somehow.Do you think its going to be impossible(I know - this sounds so naive!)

13 years ago, we have this phenomenon among my batch and it isn't going to change a bit 13 years later. How do they graduate? Well some tricks. Assignment, copy and paste. Network with ppl who are great in programming. Select the 'lax' professors course. Drill hard on theory so for paper exam, you can at least score. Then hopefully, the overall good scores from non-programming modules help to offset the programming module. Tata... you graduate.

[cpplover]

sohguanh,

Sounds good! :)
I know I can copy/paste but I'm terrified of under-performing on exams , so I work hard to get assignments done. Moreover, I'm just trying to believe that if I 'understand better' , I might start liking c++ LOL.
I selected a prof who teaches very well, and she does but she also asks us to submit a lot of assignments(I'm just praying I learn to write decent code by the end of the course because of the assignments).

I'm enjoying my other courses so much : database systems, project management, operating systems, information systems management etc. Wish I would enjoy c++ as much,Sigh!

[cpplover]

I think I should start practicing more - that might help me. May be set aside 1-2 hours a day to reac my text book and then do the examples that it has.

[sohguanh]

Actually the choice of C++ as an implementation language surprise me a bit. I guess it all boils down to the professor decision. Some professor want to focus on algorithm and so they may opt to choose an "easier" implementation language. During my times it was Pascal, C was optional and then to Java. I would presume nowadays most professor will choose Java or Python even for their implementation language.

IMO, C++ isn't a beginner language. If you are just starting to learn programming to implement algorithms, language constructs should not be the main focus. It should be easy so you can use them readily to develop your algorithm implementation.

Then once you are ok and comfortable with algorithm implementation, you can then opt for "harder" languages like C, C++. Algorithm remain the same but programming language changes. At least if I am to teach new programmers wannabe, I would start off with an "easier" language and then gradually tuned them to "harder" languages which provide you access to low-level features.

Starting off with a "hard" language can demoralize a newbie very fast. They will be so keen to develop algorithm implementation and then before they hit that objective, they are bogged down by pointers, memory never release, leaking etc such issues. This take the real focus away from the actual algorithm implementation.

My 1 cent worth of opinion :)