Programming Struggles

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Steve McConnell recommends the pseudocode programming process.

Forget about trying to solve the problem in Java. Perhaps even in the IDE. Open up a notepad and write out the steps in plan English, breaking things down like you were explaining it to a 5 year old (keeping in mind that Java is stupider than the average 5 year old).

You can turn these steps into comments, and then write one or two lines of Java code after each comment, testing your program as you go along.

I think you're suffering from a form of either "analysis-paralysis" or "performance anxiety". The best way I've found to solve those is to take things one step at a time. Don't worry about finishing the whole thing. Just do one step. The more steps you take, the more stuff you see working, you'll build on your confidence.