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The "fun" of programming (imo) comes from the short feedback loop and reward cycle of solving something moderately difficult but not overwhelmingly so and seein

The "fun" of programming (imo) comes from the short feedback loop and reward cycle of solving something moderately difficult but not overwhelmingly so and seeing immediate results - code, compile, run, it works! I'm not sure the tool matters and is more about where your interest lies. The same thing happens with React/JS (refresh, it works!) Swift/iOS (rebuild in Simulator, it works!) or backend / systems / data (run, check output, it works!). It could just be that programming isn't your thing, but generally most humans like feedback loops and dopamine hits.

u2077 5y ago
I agree 100%. Hence why I like side projects. Even if they aren’t that successful, you have an extremely short feedback loop of 1) customers paying you, and 2) customers giving feedback directly to you.
Flankk 5y ago
Well said. This is true for everything. There is a sweet spot between too easy and too hard. I would recommend taking a step back. Ask yourself why you want to code. Computers are powerful machines so find something interesting to do with them.
dav_Oz 5y ago
As someone with a private teaching background (>100 pupils, mostly 1to1) I have always wondered about that. There are huge individual differences. It never ceases to amaze me. My pragmatic advice (without going into my theories): just observe yourself throughout your activities, take daily notes. If you don't like to write essay-like diary entries just reduce it to an organized excel spreadsheet e.g. specific activity, time spent, rating system (long-term/short-term satisfaction, hard/easy ...), misc: (interesting) things you observed about yourself; you get the idea. In most cases it really helps to clear up some confusion and misconceptions you have about yourself. "Fun", "Happiness", "Flow" etc. is a spontaneous state dependent on a plethora of things working in sync nobody can teach you directly because in the end you are the driver balancing all those things. Once you get a better sense what versions of "fun" you enjoy, observe and ask others: How do they go about this? What is fun for them? Maybe you find some interesting strategy you can apply or get an appreciation on how individuals can vastly differ from you.
- michaelsalim 5y ago
  Agree with this. I think there's many different reasons people like programming. I personally found myself liking the process of making something. This translates to other fields like woodworking and cooking. Similarly, I've always thought about people's enjoyment of games. There's so many different reason one could enjoy a game. For example: When I was playing to win, i wondered what pushed me to do so. Turns out i didn't enjoy winning. I just hated losing. That realization helped me enjoy games more.
ohCh6zos 5y ago
I find the math of programming incredibly satisfying from a craftsmanship perspective, but there are many tools that are unsatisfying inside programming.

u2077 5y ago

I agree 100%. Hence why I like side projects. Even if they aren’t that successful, you have an extremely short feedback loop of 1) customers paying you, and 2) customers giving feedback directly to you.

Flankk 5y ago

Well said. This is true for everything. There is a sweet spot between too easy and too hard. I would recommend taking a step back. Ask yourself why you want to code. Computers are powerful machines so find something interesting to do with them.

dav_Oz 5y ago

As someone with a private teaching background (>100 pupils, mostly 1to1) I have always wondered about that. There are huge individual differences. It never ceases to amaze me. My pragmatic advice (without going into my theories): just observe yourself throughout your activities, take daily notes. If you don't like to write essay-like diary entries just reduce it to an organized excel spreadsheet e.g. specific activity, time spent, rating system (long-term/short-term satisfaction, hard/easy ...), misc: (interesting) things you observed about yourself; you get the idea. In most cases it really helps to clear up some confusion and misconceptions you have about yourself. "Fun", "Happiness", "Flow" etc. is a spontaneous state dependent on a plethora of things working in sync nobody can teach you directly because in the end you are the driver balancing all those things. Once you get a better sense what versions of "fun" you enjoy, observe and ask others: How do they go about this? What is fun for them? Maybe you find some interesting strategy you can apply or get an appreciation on how individuals can vastly differ from you.

michaelsalim 5y ago
Agree with this. I think there's many different reasons people like programming. I personally found myself liking the process of making something. This translates to other fields like woodworking and cooking. Similarly, I've always thought about people's enjoyment of games. There's so many different reason one could enjoy a game. For example: When I was playing to win, i wondered what pushed me to do so. Turns out i didn't enjoy winning. I just hated losing. That realization helped me enjoy games more.

ohCh6zos 5y ago

I find the math of programming incredibly satisfying from a craftsmanship perspective, but there are many tools that are unsatisfying inside programming.