This is really great advice that jibes with my own experience. A small thing I would add is that when you do this, the following main goals are possible: 1) To

This is really great advice that jibes with my own experience. A small thing I would add is that when you do this, the following main goals are possible: 1) To finish the project. 2) To learn a language. 3) To finish the project, but also learn a language. 4) To learn a language, but also finish the project. My $0.02 is that: 1) tends to lead to short term hacks; 2) and 4) tend to lead to dwindling motivation; 3) is ideal. And if it's your first language, do the project while you read a good generic programming book like 'code complete'.