How To Master a Programming Language V

For my final post of the series How to Master a Programming Language, I want to make note how you can take the programming knowledge that you have gained so far and apply it to something bigger.

Learn a Framework

Now that you have worked through the language and applied it to solving problems, how do you go about solving bigger problems or accomplishing large project? Answer: Use a framework.

If you are unfamiliar with frameworks, they allow you extend the API of your language beyond the base software library. All frameworks are not created equal, a given language may have several frameworks available – each one used for solving a different problem.

Java

• Open Source Web Frameworks in Java
• How to Choose a Java Desktop Framework

C#/VB.NET

• .NET Framework Developer Center
• ASP.NET MVC Framework

PHP

• Comparison of PHP Frameworks

Ruby

• Ruby on Rails
• 10 Alternative Ruby Web Frameworks

Python

• Web Frameworks for Python

Start a Project For Yourself

You will only start to appreciate a programming language and its framework when you start working with it to create something of value.

If you already have an idea in mind – great! Run with this idea and start using the tools that you have learned.

If you are stuck trying to figure out a potential project – talk to people. People always speak of ideas, but few people actually follow up. Identify phrases such as “I wish there was…”:

• “… a website that would do this…”
• “… an easier way of doing this…”

Still stuck? Here is a list of resources to help you in the right direction:

• Programming Projects Resource Center
• Scratch Projects
• David Finch’s Hobby Programming Projects

I am always looking for suggestions from my readers. If there are any frameworks or programming project websites that I should add, please feel free to share.