How to become more motivated to learn Python

[Rob Gaddi]

Cai Gengyang wrote:

> So I have completed up to CodeAcademy's Python Unit 2 , now moving on to Unit3 : Conditionals and Control Flow. 
>
> But I feel my motivation wavering , at times I get stuck and frustrated when trying to learn a new programming language ?
>
> This might not be a technical question per say, but it is a Python programming related one. How do you motivate a person (either yourself or your child) to become more interested in programming and stick with it ? Is determination in learning (especially in a tough field like software) partly genetic ?
>
> Related , This is a very well written essay on determination by Paul Graham ----------------------------------------http://www.paulgraham.com/determination.html
>
> Gengyang

You don't.  Learning programming is dull and sloggy and inherently
unmotiving.

Now, solving a problem, on the other hand.  Solving a problem is fun.  A
real problem, an actual task that you actually need to do, not
FizzBang.  The thorny, nasty, horrible problems are great fun, and when
you beat them into submission and mount their heads on your wall, but
even the little ones like "I've got an 8GB USB stick, I want to put a
random selection of all my MP3 files onto it." are entertaining.

The Python's not the point.  It can never be the point.  Have a thing
you want to do, and not just "Get a high paying job." If the tool for
doing that thing is Python, so be it. If you need a soldering iron, or a
hammer and chisel, or a structural engineering degree instead, then go
figure out how to use one of those and Python will still be waiting when
you do need it.

-- 
Rob Gaddi, Highland Technology -- www.highlandtechnology.com
Email address domain is currently out of order.  See above to fix.