#2 is a bigger problem, in my opinion. it takes a very, very special kind of person to just do textbook exercises or silly pointless mini-projects until they h

#2 is a bigger problem, in my opinion. it takes a very, very special kind of person to just do textbook exercises or silly pointless mini-projects until they have an expert knowledge of a language. most smart people, on the other hand, can build a specific something if they are determined enough, fundamentals be damned.