I identify with the sentiment this person wrote about. My first language was GW basic/logo at around that age, learned some pascal/C around high school, and just tried to learn more.
I miss those days, being a youngster and programming: doing without totally understanding but still learning. I still do stuff on my own, though, but no one will look at it or care.
But now all I do is fix bugs. I got one job after school, where I created something new. Looking back on it now, it was garbage but it was my garbage. That was the last time, though. Now I do 'sustaining' work. I don't mind but it feels like the industry as a whole has turned their back on me. I'm considering doing a startup sooner or later.
Do side projects. A small web game, iPhone app, terminal utility... it doesn't matter what it is, what matters is getting back to that state where you're proud of "your garbage " :)
Spending a few hours over the evenings and weekends is totally doable, and within a few weeks you'll have gotten further than you may think!
An easy way to get started might be the daily programmer subreddit .. It's fun looking over other peoples solutions especially in the more esoteric languages & satisfying to be solving even trivial problems within a community.
I miss those days, being a youngster and programming: doing without totally understanding but still learning. I still do stuff on my own, though, but no one will look at it or care.
But now all I do is fix bugs. I got one job after school, where I created something new. Looking back on it now, it was garbage but it was my garbage. That was the last time, though. Now I do 'sustaining' work. I don't mind but it feels like the industry as a whole has turned their back on me. I'm considering doing a startup sooner or later.