project modivation

[Dreglor]

i always have trouble keeping my projects going because i loss intrests in them or somthing along the lines of that...
so lets all post some ways to keep projects going

my biggest problem (and still is) not thinking thru everything
i useally have to change my code 50 times becasue it doesn't fit with somthing right
so use notepad to write down all your ideas and try to piece them together
so they do work

[PolyVector]

The best way I've found is to put everything I can into very generic functions that can be reused... Pointers are the key!

[Flype]

yes you're true...

my tips to finish my progs :

. write a todo list
. make one thing at the same time
. do not reinvent the wheel
. so, make re-usable functions for other future apps
. don't be too curious, reserve energy to functional aspects of your app
. do not start an 'entire' app if your goal is just to learn how to make it
. make a true first version of your app (1.0) and distribute it
. and maybe the most important : make a 'really useful' app

not so easy...
for me, the greatest rewards is the number of users of your app.
it's logically difficult to keep motivation when you're the alone user of your own app

[blueznl]

> do not reinvent the wheel

true, but don't rely too much on others work, if your purpose is to learn

> . so, make re-usable functions for other future apps
> . don't be too curious, reserve energy to functional aspects of your app

both true, i often tend to get carried a little bit away and overdo my 'reusable' routines

> for me, the greatest rewards is the number of users of your app.
> it's logically difficult to keep motivation when you're the alone user
> of your own app[/quote]

there's some code i'm pretty much proud of, even though no one else is ever gonna' use it

[PB]

> for me, the greatest rewards is the number of users of your app.
> it's logically difficult to keep motivation when you're the alone user of your own app

This is very true! When I used to code in VB it was hard at first to keep
motivated, but then when you start getting e-mails saying how great the
app is, and keep up the good work, etc, you really keep working on it!

[Flype]

[Dare2]

Motivation - $$$ - cha-ching - $$$
Motivation - 3rd party Recognition of effort made.
.............. - 3rd party Recognition of a good result.
Motivation - Self-worth/esteem lift when it is done.
................. Bottle this feeling so that in the next
................ sticky patch you can take a swig of it
................ (recall the good feeling)
Motivation - Necessity, eg, do it, or die.

In coding real stuff I do the following:

What is the desired end result?
Is it worth the effort?
What is the least that can be done to achieve this?
... (Not only lazy, also keeps apps more managable)
Draft out broad steps, almost an english language flowchart.
... At the end of this, a "shape" or "sense" of the code is in the head.
Draft out the functions/procedures that should be developed to:
.. a) Provide reusable code, the "done more than once" stuff
.. b) Improve readability/maintenance.
Design data management.
.. .. usually a biggie for me, I get this right and I fly.
.. .. .. I get it wrong and I cry.
Convert the english procs/step to code.
Test .. Tweak .. Test .. Tweak .. Test .. Tweak ad nauseum.

[griz]

I think there are some great tips above and that this is an interesting topic. I feel it's valuable to be highly interested in the end result personally, before you begin development. If you're interested in your work, that is motivation in itself. The last 10-15% of a project's completion is typically the most tedious and time consuming. At that point it's easier to say to yourself "I'm nearly complete!" and push to the end.

[Karbon]

I hired a kid to stand behind me and say "Is it done yet?" over and over and over and over.

I killed the first 4 kids, I hope this one works out better.

[blueznl]

you're sick

but hey, you're my hero, so... where are my kids? ah, got one... let's see if this works... no don't touch that dear, no, not the keyboard... no, please don't put your... DON'T... put your drink on the monitor... no, don't cry, i know it's broken now because you dropped it, but that external drive was already two days old so daddy had to buy a new one anyway... don't touch that!.... no, not the... exit button... save / cancel? yeah, what NO! oh...

i'd rather stick to money incentives then... they're easier to keep track of