Absolute Beginner's Guide to Programming, Third Edition

The Programmer's Life

Programmers often feel a creative rush that artists and skilled craftspeople get while honing their projects. Writing a program, however, can be tedious. It is often a detailed task, and ample frustration comes with the territory. If you are not a details person, don't fret—the tedium of programming does not really translate into the same tedium that other types of jobs generate. The computer's quick feedback on your mistakes often provides a sense of accomplishment that keeps you programming until you get it right.

A programmer learns to develop patience early in his programming career. He learns that proper design is critical to a successful program. Perhaps you have heard the term systems analysis and design. This is ...