The Learning Curve

Everyone has to start somewhere. Don't they?
Well yeah...

The learning goes on and on when it comes to IT industry. The problem is that it keep growing and changing in an alarming rate. Some times faster than the speed that someone can catch up with it.

Well for an example, consider that there is a new software that you are dying to try out. But before having a go at it you have to learn how it works, what are the functionalities and what are the potentials. You may spend some quality time learning these and when you are done and finally ready to take the plunge, the software company rolls out a newer version of the software.

DARN!!!

It is the same story when it comes to Programming languages, APIs and even Games

So what on earth is there to do about this?

Well there are few things that can be done.

First of all don't go for the coolest high end features at the beginning. Instead learn the basics. Because whether it is a software or a language there are fundamentals, and fundamentals don't change frequently. So dig deep and find the foundation of the program. That is to say find the very basic things that you can do with it. I know those things are nothing compared to the full potential of the program. But remember learning the basics is the most important thing. After you master the basics you can easily move on to more advanced stuff.
For programming don't go for a heavily facilitated IDE at the beginning. IDEs are made to do work easily and efficiently. It is something like a wrapper around a programming language. When you are using an IDE you are interfacing with the IDE instead of the language. So the true nature of the programming language is overlooked.
So when you are learning a programming language learn the core functionalities of it. Compile and run using a command prompt for some time instead of using a one click compile and run method. It can be difficult at the beginning, but the final result will justify the effort you put into it.

After you get to know the basics the learning process will get easier. Now you will understand the behavior of the programming language or the software for that matter. Now you are on a solid foundation and you can start learning the rest. Try using an IDE to ease up your work load and keep learning.

The field of programming is always full of new and fascinating events. Search the web to gain more knowledge. Read books. Share your knowledge with others and most of all enjoy what you are doing.