[bitexploder]

Old but good. I have been seeing an interesting discussion around project based learning vs. more formal CS type program lately. As a self taught programmer who got started and became passionate about technology because of MUDs I can confirm project based learning worked well for me. It kept me engaged and pushed me to solve hard problems I might not have ever tried to otherwise solve.

So, to me, making programming interesting is one of the keys. I know I have a common learning and work style that heavily favors the experiential and interactive. Other promgrammers I have worked with can Zen focus and design for days before touching code. I can't. I like to interact, prototype, outline with code, think in smaller bursts, and then iterate. I have learned to be more patient over the years, but that is still my default paradigm.

I think I generally agree with Norvig here. Most of the criticism of his article is misplaced. He isn't saying you should only learn to program in 10 years, but that it is a hard discipline with immense depth.