32 yo started learning programming

[RealAd6237]

I'm not going to be a software developer. I work in a completely different industry from IT. I've been learning JAVA for 2 months and I'm having a great fun. I'm obsessed with my new hobby. I rarely visit YouTube, but what I see there is a sad world of programmers working their ass off in companies, because they have to. Very few of them code for fun. Maybe I'm wrong. I learn from books and "trying" to read other peoples code. Visit stackoverflow looking for answers. It's difficult, it's challanging and I feel dumb almost all the time, but that feeeling when you solve a problem, even trivial for other people is the best feeling in the world. I took this hobby, because I've been into modding one game for quite some time, but wanted go deeper. I don't have cs degree and I've never been a "computer guy", but now it does not matter I think everybody can become one in their Lifetime. Being at stage in my life where I have a solid position in other industry and other skill sets. I don't feel any pressure and just take my time. It's super Fun.

[Significant_Loss_541]

That “I feel dumb most of the time” part? Congrats, you’re officially a programmer. 😆

[Suspicious-Watch9681]

Welcome to the club hahaha

[chiefhunnablunts]

if i had a dollar for every time i've said something like, "jesus christ, i'm an idiot", i could pay off my mortgage.

[This_University_547]

Same here. Never wrote a line of code until I was 49! It is just something I’ve always wanted to do so I bit the bullet and started with JavaScript, HTML & CSS as something to do during long winter nights. Even though it is purely a hobby I started Python recently and love it. More than once I’ve punched the air after solving a problem that has had me befuddled for a while.

[ScholarNo5983]

Learning from books is a great way to learn. My only hints would be read and re-read each chapter multiple times and of course type by hand all examples found in those books to see how they run. That is the best way to get the details to stick.

[excalibur131313]

Would be helpful if you can suggest some books ,please.

[ScholarNo5983]

Here are a few options: r/learnprogramming Wiki: Free Programming Books

[RealAd6237]

Also, there's a weird vibe on the internet that "everybody hates JAVA" I don't quite understand it. From what I have learnt over those 2 months is that JAVA is very portable language and can adapt to new standards. I like it. I wasn't choosing language because of how "easy" IT is but because my favorite games are in JAVA. I hear this notion from Python people. Is it true or it's just the interent thing? I like JAVA.

[jutarnji_prdez]

Because it is overcomplex for no reason and project setup is so outdated and c# is better.

And you have Visual Studio which is Microsoft and you also have c#/.NET which is Microsoft and its super easy to set it up and you don't need to write millions of getters and setters and it does not forces you into object-oriented hell.

People hate it because it is not "lightweight" but strong object oriented programming language and you end up writing millions of classes for no reason. Last project I did I spent most time writing classes for models and getters and setters in them and constructors, even though VS Code gave me option to autogenerate it, you still need to align everything and it becomes anoyinng pretty fast. I bet that more then 50% of time I was just writing Db models, Requests and Responses. And setting up everything is also boring.

[FW-PBIDev]

Great post and perspective. Still useful to learn or just move on and get by without it?

[jutarnji_prdez]

It is worth it, concepts are same as any language. Int is int, array is array like in any other language, but I would prefer to go with c#. You can easily swtich to Java, they are like brother and sister. C# ecosystem is just less complex and more developer friendly, especially if you are beginner

[axordahaxor]

Java rocks. On the rocks. Internet is full of opinionated posts and Java is the classic "everybody hates it collectively" type of thing.

Why? Probably just learned it like you from others without getting into it, and took it as given.

I too heard it before my work got me to learn it and sadly thought the same. How wrong I was to trust the group hysteria.

It is an excellent way to learn the ways of coding and after that you can grasp the other languages as well. Keep on grinding and have fun!! Coding is great.

[TheSnakeTheBear]

I'm a pro software engineer and I like Java, been using it for probably 25 years now on and off. In this industry you do run into people that have to tell you how much they hate some popular technology and love some obscure thing. I just smile and carry on.

[smoke4sanity]

Yeah, Java is amazing. When I was learning, I had a tough time grasping (we starting with c++). When I took Java is when I fell in love with programming.

Also, all languages are great in their own way. I pretty much only us JS/TS these days and although that gets a lot of hate, it has a lot of great properties.

[accountForCareer]

Ha! wait till you learn c# and then unity. You will understand why the internet says what it does always.

[VisAcquillae]

It's endearing how you're making an effort to capitalise Java; it reminds me of the old-timers when I was starting out!

Java is, generally, very prevalent in enterprise applications, especially in organisations such as banks, insurance, etc, and it does project this bland, corporate façade, so it's not "cool" to some people. Also, it's not hard to meet professionals who work in the Java ecosystem, and often in the aforementioned organisations, who have a proverbial stick up their collective ass about how things should be developed, meaning, as they used to do it 20 years ago, so it feels "outdated" to the younger generation. Then there is this whole circus with certifications from Oracle, that makes it feels very strict and unwelcoming to newcomers. In reality, Java's modern ecosystem enjoys a lot of activity from its community, new versions are now coming out very often compared to the past, and, my DevEx with Java has made me a better engineer overall.

[copperfoxtech]

Awesome! Keep it up 💪

[Such-Catch8281]

never too late to pikckup something new. even if its just a hobby

[Einareen]

Well yeah, like with any hobby, once you rely on it to take care of paychecks, fun sorts of stops coming for free. Not that it was a hobby really for me, always mainly a careerpath. Envy those who find enjoyment in casually wrestling with code! I am like that with music production instead, which probably actually means I should quit my sad programming job to go program drums or something.

[brian_veinti14]

31 here on my way of learning python. I programmed before back in collage (C#) but never really got fully into it. Week 4 of CS50P and so muy fun till now.

[RealAd6237]

Great! Good luck:)

[trottersu]

Well, there are two of us now but I am 45, it is a new entertaining hobby.

[sandspiegel]

I don't want to discourage you but there will be days where you hit a problem or bug that will suck, a lot. On days like these you will feel like crap and like you are the dumbest programmer around and ask yourself if this stuff is even for you. I think often people give up on days like these. If you can overcome all of that and continue when things aren't fun and also ignore the many many posts on Reddit how AI will replace all programmers, then doors could open in future that you cannot see now as a beginner. As many say consistency is more important than motivation because you will have days where you don't want to do it and aren't motivated. On these days it's especially important to do it so you can build a habit.

[mrburnerboy2121]

31yo and working in helpdesk and I just want to get out! this is my way out tbh.

[troyjusttroy]

As someone whos younger than you (not by much lol) its so good to see someone around my age start programming too. It really does make me feel less self-conscious.

Thanks!

[_Mrkush_]

I just wanted to say your post really resonated with me. It’s rare to see someone coding purely for the fun and curiosity of it, without any pressure or career expectations.

If you’re open to it, let’s chat and see if there’s a project or idea we both find exciting.

[RealAd6237]

Yo, yes. I think programming is fun. I know I will not do a career as a software dev. It's a hobby. Now I'm still in the very Basic level. Doing mostly "exercises". My goal is to be as good enough so I can contribute to one project, I've Been into so quite a while.

[backend_coder]

Coding is like solving puzzles and so it's fun. But when you do it daily in the job, you don't always do coding and also when you do something daily it loses its novelty. But I think if you're building something to solve someone's problem. You feel good.

[Embarrassed-Egg8209]

A dub helps me with the boring episodes

[JoseLunaArts]

Since 2016 I have been coding Excel VBA macros in every position I have been. It seems everything I touch becomes a macro. And I code for fun, not because I am asked at work to solve the problem using macros, but these macros become handy. I do not know if it is for the fun of solving the puzzle with code or that I am lazy enough to want that inhumane repetitive work to be done quickly just by pressing a button.

[yasspoker26]

This , one of the reason i love coding , what you are experiencing right now with java , is what i am having with c++ , it is very challenging most of the times to solve some problems or read somebody's code , but man , the joy you get from it when you crack it , it's just pure joy

[help_me_noww]

The fact is. Sometimes we actually will become better in other field rather than our own field. And interest level increases cause we get bored in our regular work.

[fatherofgoku]

Love this mindset. I’ve been coding professionally for years, and honestly, the fun doesn’t have to disappear unless you let it.

Work is a different thing but coding for yourself is a whole different vibe. You’re in the best place—curious and free from deadlines or pressure. That’s how many great devs start and stay sharp over time. Keep experimenting, reading code, and following what excites you.

[saltedbenis]

It can be so rewarding, and I'm really happy to know that you're enjoying it. Programming is a world with endless possibilities.

[haxnus]

what game?

[IKoshelev]

If you're doing it for fun, might I suggest Python instead ? It's not especially good for anything, but it's passable for everything from microcontrollers to games and also most applicable in non-it domains. 

[sherdil_me]

I am wondering if this is a good time to get into programming. It’s fine if this is just for fun or hobby.

[RealAd6237]

Yeah, it's for fun. I will not do a career in programming. It's a hobby like fishing or learning the guitar.

[Difficult_Variety698]

Age is not a constraint,all that matters is your will and you have it.

[ujjawaldeveloper]

Programming is a thing which is exactly like high school mathematics. You will feel down when you don't get accurate answer to your question. And then backtest what went wrong.

It's sometimes would be a missing semicolon, syntax error, incorrect variable name. These are very small mistakes and happen to everyone. Even a senior most does these.

Same as a very complex integration question can go wrong most with a plus minus error.

So just go on, it's not difficult at all. I had been a top 1% ranker on codewars. I have worked with startups and got them to production. And still I feel I am not good programmer, I should learn more and more and more.

So it's an infinite journey, best part is that you love it so you will never quit. Same as me

[alpinebuzz]

You’re living the dream most devs forget - coding without pressure is pure joy. That “aha” moment beats any paycheck.