[IdeaHamster]

I've often wondered to what extent programming is like learning a musical instrument or another language. That is, you can learn these things when you're older, but in order to truly master them you must start when you're young.

[sjs]

Seems like a pretty apt analogy, programming is a very creative process. When you're a kid you might start off with very simple instruments, toys even. That's akin to me first programming Pirch and mIRC without really thinking about the fact I was programming, I just wanted to make an fserve or whatever. Then I actually started reading about it and learned VB. I don't use those languages anymore just as older and more experienced musicians wouldn't use cheap toy instruments, artists would stop using crayons, etc. But I learned a lot by "playing" in my early teen years.