Re: How do I get my teenager interested in software development?

Alex, can he watch you programming? Can he see your joy in what you do? I think the best way to do this is to have a blast doing what you do and making sure he sees it.

Other posters are right that it's all too easy to turn an 18-year-old off no matter what you do.

You might spend some time analyzing a game with him, talking about the data structures inside the computer, and relate that to your own experiences with what can go wrong while you're programming, things like passing around objects without considering the cost of doing so. See if you can develop a shared conversation about how games work, to the point where he wants to both impress you and learn from you.

The aforementioned fishing trip would be the perfect place for such a discussion. :D

Don Wilde
"There's more than one level to any answer."

Comment on Re: How do I get my teenager interested in software development?

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Re^2: How do I get my teenager interested in software development? by talexb (Chancellor) on Aug 23, 2006 at 16:15 UTC
This is a brilliant idea. If I can start developing a game and get him interested in it, then have him take over development, that might be the way to give him a jump-start into the whole process. I have to say that I'm new to this parenting bit -- I don't know what the right naswer is, but it seems that since I've lived with my step-son for almost six years I have an idea what he likes and doesn't like, what he knows and doesn't know. Trying to guide him into doing software development is something that seems to suit his interests (and not just because it's what I like to do), but of course I'm not sure by any means. He might actually be better suited to getting a law degree like his Dad, and I've passed along to him what small law books I have for him to read -- but he's just not that interested in devouring books either. Thanks for the feedback. Alex / talexb / Toronto "Groklaw is the open-source mentality applied to legal research" ~ Linus Torvalds	[reply]
Re^3: How do I get my teenager interested in software development? by eric256 (Parson) on Aug 23, 2006 at 17:22 UTC
http://www.garagegames.com/ is a great engine to work with for games. It starts you off with basic games that can be extended and has an active community. It is c++ so its a little harder but also has a very nice scripting component that he could program in to start with. The engine is often used in a "GameInADay" event where people program entire games with it in 24 hours. Granted they arn't spectacular games but that gives you an idea how solid a foundation it will let you start with. ___________ Eric Hodges	[reply]
Re^3: How do I get my teenager interested in software development? by samizdat (Vicar) on Aug 23, 2006 at 19:08 UTC
To add to Eric's suggestion, Lua is often used as an add-on shell around C++ for game development, providing a scripting engine. I myself think it hides too much of the underying C and its syntax is overly complex, but that's MOPO. I wouldn't think you'd need to actually develop a real game, just talk with him abolut how games are built. Don Wilde "There's more than one level to any answer."	[reply]


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