Getting back into programming

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Aug 10, 2026
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So i used to program in python 2-3 years ago, I’d just gotten out of tutorial hell by building projects that interested me. But I ran out of ideas. So, essentially what I’m asking is what have yall built as inspiration for myself. Note the most advanced thing I build was a simple calculator, but I want to branch out into other languages and build more things
 
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A large part of the joy of programming comes from creating solutions to problems. So just look around and look at things you find annoying and think about how automating it might make your life easier.

Even if it looks like it might be too difficult to program a solution right now, there's nothing more motivating to learn more about programming when you're trying to solve a problem that will benefit you personally. And the feeling of pride and accomplishment will be that much greater too. ;)

Just in the context of MangaDex, I found it annoying that there's no way to check the feed filtered by translated language (chapters translated in languages I'm not interested it will also push a title up in the feed). Fortunately MangaDex has an API, so I built a way to easily access a filtered feed complete with a marker to show what the last chapter I read in the feed is. It's simple and makes my life just a little bit more convenient.
 
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OMG that first sentence reminded me what I loved about programming, I still do. And since you mentioned it, I’ve wanted some way to locally download chapters or a series and it updates as more chapters come out in a target language
 
Joined
Aug 10, 2026
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A large part of the joy of programming comes from creating solutions to problems. So just look around and look at things you find annoying and think about how automating it might make your life easier.

Even if it looks like it might be too difficult to program a solution right now, there's nothing more motivating to learn more about programming when you're trying to solve a problem that will benefit you personally. And the feeling of pride and accomplishment will be that much greater too. ;)

Just in the context of MangaDex, I found it annoying that there's no way to check the feed filtered by translated language (chapters translated in languages I'm not interested it will also push a title up in the feed). Fortunately MangaDex has an API, so I built a way to easily access a filtered feed complete with a marker to show what the last chapter I read in the feed is. It's simple and makes my life just a little bit more convenient.
But that still doesn’t tackle the core problem. The process for me was, I learn something and go out looking for something to do with it. But than I ran out of ideas. I’m sure you can relate it’s like writers block but with software
 
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But that still doesn’t tackle the core problem. The process for me was, I learn something and go out looking for something to do with it. But than I ran out of ideas. I’m sure you can relate it’s like writers block but with software
What I was trying to convey was that I'm suggesting to reverse your thinking: instead of finding something you can make with the knowledge/tools you have, get inspired by the world around you to find something you want to make and gather the knowledge/tools needed to make it instead.

At a base level, you'll be a lot more motivated to make something that will personally benefit you and if that happens to involve learning about new techniques, libraries and tools, then you've also found a great excuse to dive deep into those as well. If it turns out you can make what you want with the knowledge and tools you already possess, then it can still be good practice and you might even find yourself challenging yourself with a feature that does give you an opportunity to learn something new.

I’ve wanted some way to locally download chapters or a series and it updates as more chapters come out in a target language
That's a great example of doing just that. I'll bet it'll be a lot more exciting to work on that, than on a calculator. ;)
 
enjoying college
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So i used to program in python 2-3 years ago, I’d just gotten out of tutorial hell by building projects that interested me. But I ran out of ideas. So, essentially what I’m asking is what have yall built as inspiration for myself. Note the most advanced thing I build was a simple calculator, but I want to branch out into other languages and build more things
I literally create shits to make myself lazier, like controlling md with voice
 
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So i used to program in python 2-3 years ago, I’d just gotten out of tutorial hell by building projects that interested me. But I ran out of ideas. So, essentially what I’m asking is what have yall built as inspiration for myself. Note the most advanced thing I build was a simple calculator, but I want to branch out into other languages and build more things
might I suggest getting into embedded? Try to play bad apple on as many things as possible!
 

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