[nflug] Question for all you programmers

[John Nichel]

Ryan Slomiany wrote:
> I started using Linux and joined this group not too
> long ago because I wanted to expand my horizons, so to
> say, and be a part of this open source community that
> really has made computing what it is today.
> 
> With that said, I know a few programming
> languages(c++, python and php) but i'm definitely no
> expert with any particular one. Where would be a good
> place to start problem solving? I'm familiar with the
> structures, syntax, etc with the languages i know, but
> i feel that i won't even begin to know what that stuff
> is capable of until I start solving simple problems
> and work my way up. and, then, really start
> customizing my distro :)
> 
> thanks for any help anyone can provide.
>

Outside of log files, my most preferred method for problem solving is to 
break my code up into sections.  Doing this can help you find where the 
problem is happening.  Echoing out variables is another helper.  Many 
times I've pulled my hair out over something only to find out that the 
problem was in a variable (the data it contained wasn't what I was 
expecting).

Mark mentioned mailing lists, and that's a great suggestion.  Not only 
can you find help to a current issue you may be having, but it can help 
you avoid a problem in the future.  I subscribe to about 6 different 
lists dealing with programming, databases, and Linux.  I don't post to 
them that much these days, but I monitor them for good information and 
'gotchas'.

-- 
John C. Nichel IV
Programmer/System Admin (ÜberGeek)
Dot Com Holdings of Buffalo
716.856.9675
jnichel at dotcomholdingsofbuffalo.com
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