[Vaslo]

One thing that is constantly left out of books is challenging problems with solutions for the user to cement the new ideas they’ve learned in actual examples. It’s very easy to read along and nod your head but it’s very hard (at least for me) to incorporate my new skills without memorable hands on examples.

[TrinaryWorksToo]

As a reader, what I do is make up my own challenges. Do I feel comfortable modifying the code and knowing it will still run error-free?

[onemoresoop]

I do the same when learning a new concept, find a little way to apply it by slightly to heavy modifying the original code until it clicks. I save those to a folder I can reference sometime in the future. I’ve been doing this for a really long time and it works well for me.

[yesenadam]

Gee, write a program using what you just learnt and see if it works. You want someone to tell you what program to write?! I assume it's a book for kids, or a school textbook, when I see exercises like that. I don't understand the demand that books not only tell you things, but tell you how to learn everything in them too.

Apologies, I really tried to make this not sound condescending!

[adamisom]

The expert you're learning from probably has a better idea than you do of what programs you should write given (a) your presumed knowledge level and (b) what programs would help you learn the fastest and/or the most relevant features. Including good exercises is an extension of the purpose of the book itself.

[yesenadam]

Maybe, but they know nothing about (a) why you're reading the book, (b) what you know/don't know already, (c) your learning style, (d) your speed of learning etc.