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Starting point for kids/teens? (sopuli.xyz)

submitted 1 day ago by naeap@sopuli.xyz to c/programming@programming.dev

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Hi!

Soon I'll have my little nephew (13) in my company to check out software development for a week.

I'm working with large industry machines in real time Linux systems, so obviously I'd show him my test machine and if the customer agrees, I can show him some robots as well.
Also, he will get some crash course in computer basics.

He is an avid gamer - although not really good with computers.

I've gifted him a still nice laptop with Linux and Steam installed 1-2 years ago and he happily played Minecraft, but after some time he went back to his Switch 2.

Now he uses my Steam Deck - although that doesn't make that much of a difference...

I'd like to give him something fun as an exercise, that's is early rewarding.

Perfect would be, if he could code himself a little computer game, but that's completely out of my normal work stuff and I don't know what good options are available.

I guess starting with C++ and an Unreal engine or similar is more than an overkill.

Is there something, that is teaching the basics and gives rather quick rewards, which can produce a little something after 2-3 days?

Thank you all in advance!

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[–] runner_g@piefed.blahaj.zone 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Another interesting place to start could be excel formulas. If he's into any tabletop rpgs challenge him to make a character sheet using formulas and named cells. This could be a good baby step into the fundamentals of programming learning if functions and how two objects interact in code. Once he has that, add an initiative tracker using VBA.

[–] naeap@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Hmm... Currently it is stuck with Hades and Dead Cells

But he is also a big fan Pokémon and statistics

Maybe I'll give him that option - but personally, VBA is more business than software development

Would be cool, if something moves because of his code
Something like that

[–] runner_g@piefed.blahaj.zone 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Yeah it's definitely business focused, but it's still scripting and you can see the visual impact of code. On_update functions on a worksheet also better mirrors what a software dev may be looking at.

I'm a biologist by trade, and learning VBA earned me multiple promotions at my last company, and a higher salary in my current job because I could come in and do what others would have to ask for a developer for.

[–] naeap@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 day ago

I was working with VBA 2 summers during school as well, but that's nothing I'd have wished to start with, as it feels rather boring - imho