[Tutor] Exercise suggestions

[Corey Richardson]

On 01/22/2011 11:56 AM, michael scott wrote:
> I am new to programming, I intend to get an entry level job programming
> next year (or a little bit longer). I am switching fields and not going
> to college, but kinda "self teaching" myself through various methods. I
> currently understand concepts in programming in python up to classes
> (like I understand how to make objects, I understand inheritance,
> etc...), and I have experimented with building guis in Tkinter, but I'm
> finding that I understand concepts, but have no real way to implement them.
>
> So now my problem emerges... can anyone give me suggestions of exercises
> I should do to help improve my knowledge of what I can "actually" do
> with the concepts I have.
>
> My main goal is to get to the point where I can assist in fixing bugs in
> open source programs (I'll be learning C++ in a couple months as well),
> but when I look at bugs / source code of larger programs, I am just so
> blown away at how little I understand. So I need to find a way to bridge
> the gap between my current level and the level needed to contribute to
> open source programs. A lofty goal I understand, but it is my goal. And
> I am very dedicated to reaching it.
>
> Anyways, given my situation, do you good people have any suggestions for
> me. I don't need a person walking me through it, a simple, "build a
> program that asks a user to give you a name and create permutations of
> it" is great. Of course that example is elementary, but that is the gist
> of the responses I'm looking for. I just have no idea of what kind of
> programs to build, my ignorance is holding me back in my opinion.
>
> Any response is welcomed, but I do ask if you are critical of me, please
> offer a method for me to improve the deficiency / deficiencies I have.
> Thank you so much for reading my inquiry :)

When I felt I was ready to start doing some work, I got involved in an 
open source project. It's definitely an experience! Try going through 
http://freshmeat.net/ and remake a few things. Can't really recommend 
anything else, fresh out of ideas too ;-)

~Corey