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Is coding enjoyable?

I know when it comes to learning it can be tough sometimes but what I want to know is at the end of the day, is coding an enjoyable experience for those that do it for a living?

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Esther’s Answer

I agree with Fred. If you love solving puzzles, you’ll enjoy it. Coding is best!

When you’re first learning, you’re working on the basics and solving problems that others have already solved a thousand times. However, the more you work in computer science, more complex “puzzles” you will find. One day, you’ll find yourself solving problems no one has ever tackled before.

I consider coding a creative endeavor as well. It’s artistic. You literally get to create brand new things that never existed before. I take pride in those creations the same way a painter would take pride in their paintings or a composer in their songs.

So yes, I say coding is very enjoyable :)
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Fred’s Answer

I enjoy it, else I wouldn't do it.

The fact that it's tough is sometimes what makes it enjoyable. It's like solving a crossword puzzle, or solving a riddle. When I've spent hours on something, and come up with an elegant, simple solution that works, there is a dopamine high.

Something else to consider... Coding is not just banging on a keyboard. As a coder, you interact with people all day long. You talk through problems, project status, project requirements, and other things. Talking to people is fun and interesting. Talking about work leads to talking about other things, and you actually develop friendships (just like in any other job).

Of course, your experience will be different than mine. But many people find it to be VERY enjoyable.
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Linda’s Answer

Personally I find coding really enjoyable. There can certainly be a challenge when a the solution to a problem is just really hard to find, but the reward when you find that solution is worth all of the effort that it took to find it.
These memes are actually really accurate :) https://devcamp.com/site_blogs/top-5-programming-memes
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Jonathan’s Answer

I began my career programming. It was a fantastic way to get an understanding of technology delivery. I actually very much enjoyed sitting down to work thru the logic and code. There is a lot of enjoyment when the code is successfully completes its objective and has benefit/impact for the organization. It made me think back to when I was young and worked on art for long periods of time. The time can go by very quickly and that is when you know you are enjoying the work, sort of getting lost in the moment.

I also enjoyed getting to play other roles like designer, tester, business analyst, and project manager. Programming and these other roles gave me a very solid foundation to explore other avenues. Ultimately, I was drawn to project, people, and portfolio management. Tho I can totally see how folks would enjoy, as a career, coding in different languages for different companies for different industries. Just pay attention to what types of things you are drawn to as a young person and keep that in mind as you navigate your career.
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Drew’s Answer

Others have spoken to the satisfaction of getting solution to work, especially when the problem has been particularly tricky. Another reason I enjoy coding is being able to create and modify something many people will get a chance to collaborate on. When people can read your code and know how to build from it, it's a satisfying feeling. Beyond that, I also enjoy knowing that I'm putting a solution out in the world that users will use to solve real world problems. So not only the creation of code itself, but the global nature of the end result keeps me coming back to do more.
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The fun in coding can really differ for each person. There are folks who absolutely love it, seeing it as a brain-boosting and creative task. On the other hand, some people might not feel the same way. But if you're someone who's really into tech, loves solving puzzles, and enjoys building software, then coding might just be your cup of tea. A lot of people who are crazy about coding find it to be a rewarding and gratifying experience.
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Nadia’s Answer

Coding CAN be enjoyable :) - just like any other type of job.
But at the same time, it depends on many different factors: your personality, skills, talents, and life situation (yes! If you're going through some difficult time in life, it can impact your overall job satisfaction).
One of the things that help keep you enjoying work is to balance it with after-work activities that engage your other skills or talents (for example, sports, learning a new language, hiking), and of course - time for relaxation, taking care of your health and your family.
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Zach’s Answer

Coding is an excellent balance of creating, problem solving, and exploring. There are a small number of things in life which allow you to go from an idea to a real thing in such a short amount of time, and the way it makes you feel can be great. You can use it just a little, as a wonderful hobby or skill to enable some larger goal, or you can go all in and make it your life's work and purpose, or anything in between. I don't know anyone who has ever regretted trying it out and learning the basics even if they moved on to other passions. For me it brings me joy both as an essential skill in my career and also as a relaxing component of exploring new aspects of humanity and technology and where they are starting to overlap in new ways.

Zach recommends the following next steps:

Try it out. There are numerous ways to get started with a little commitment and you will quickly be able to figure out if it has potential for you. Quick "for fun" experiences like those at code.org are a great starting point.
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Kodi’s Answer

Hey Danny at times yes and also at times it's frustrating lol. I love puzzles and figuring things out so there are times when I am dealing with some frustrating scenarios I will work after hours (unpaid and if I have nothing planned) because I feel challenged. The frustration to me isn't a bad thing because I like to think of myself as a curious person and when my code isn't working the way I expect or if my tests aren't passing I get into this mode of "I will figure out why!" It is a great feeling once you figure it out and you've learned something new, that is what makes the frustration worth it. Also I work remote and my company is pretty flexible with PTO, this allows me to have a healthy work life balance where if I am sick I don't have to stress or if I have to sign off early because of a Dr appointment or something I can do so without worry. As a whole I enjoy my work, especially when I can go to the website I work on and see changes I made in production and people use features I've added. I'm sure there are companies out there that can make your experience as a software engineer not as enjoyable but that is with every industry. If you are enjoying the learning process now and would like to make it into a career I'd say keep going, it's a useful skill to have and as tech becomes more and more integrated into our lives it is a skill that will always be needed.
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Murph,’s Answer

I believe many of my students have enjoyed it or at least enjoyed learning. It definitely comes in handy if you ever decide to become a video game creator.
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James Constantine’s Answer

Dear Danny,

Greetings! I am a seasoned software developer who also happens to be a dietitian-nutritionist. I've spent over half a century honing my programming skills, and during this time, I've become proficient in 10 different computer languages and have written for 7 major platforms, including some proprietary software. My journey to mastery has been self-directed, and while it's had its fair share of challenges, it's been incredibly rewarding. I've found that progress often comes in waves, with periods of smooth sailing followed by rough seas. But that's the beauty of it all!

In my unique role, I get to create educational materials about nutrition. This work has a direct, positive impact on people's health outcomes, which is incredibly fulfilling. One of my recent projects involved compiling a list of foods rich in selenium, a nutrient that can help in the fight against breast cancer. Here's what I found:

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Top Food Sources of Selenium (measured in micrograms {µg})
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1. Brazil Nuts, Dried, Unblanched: 1917.0 µg
2. Mixed Nuts, Oil Roasted, Without Peanuts, With Salt Added: 421.5 µg
3. Pork Kidneys, Cooked, Braised: 311.5 µg
4. Lamb Kidneys, Cooked, Braised: 218.8 µg
5. Ground Mustard Seed: 208.1 µg
6. Dried Egg White, Stabilized, Glucose Reduced: 192.0 µg
7. Raw Pork Kidneys: 190.0 µg
8. Beef Kidneys, Cooked, Simmered: 168.0 µg
9. Dried Whole Egg: 164.7 µg
10. Pacific Oyster, Cooked, Moist Heat: 154.0 µg
... (The list continues)

I hope this information is helpful and encourages you to incorporate these selenium-rich foods into your diet. Remember, every small step towards a healthier lifestyle counts!

Best regards,
Jim.
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Dan’s Answer

Want to know if something's fun? Give it a shot!

Coding might not be everyone's cup of tea, but if it clicks for you, it can open doors to amazing and fulfilling career paths. Like many things in life, the best way to find out if it's your thing is to dive right in. There are plenty of beginner-friendly coding platforms out there that focus on the basics rather than specific programming languages.

If you're already a fan of gaming platforms like Minecraft or Roblox, there are tools available for you to dabble in simple, visual coding within a game you already love.

If you find yourself enjoying it or it seems to come naturally to you, then it could be a perfect match. In that case, I'd definitely urge you to keep going and explore more advanced options!
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Courtney’s Answer

I definitely think coding is enjoyable! I love problem solving and view coding as one big puzzle that slowly gets solved. Though at times coding can be frustrating, like when there is a problem in the code that you can't seem to figure out, once the problem is solved I tend to feel extremely accomplished. I love how each piece of code is a little different and each programmer has a unique way of writing it. Overall, the joys of coding beat the frustrations.
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Atul’s Answer

I embarked on my journey as a Software Developer and, I must say, it's been a rewarding ride that has led me to live the American Dream today. My background in Software Engineering has been a springboard, enabling me to diversify into various roles, all thanks to the technical expertise I acquired. I've worn many hats - from Product Management, Consulting, Training, to Sales Engineering. Lastly, I ventured into Sales, where I made a significant income before bidding adieu to my career.

In a nutshell, it's been an enjoyable journey, especially when you constantly challenge yourself, just like I did.

My younger son, armed with a Computer Engineering degree, started earning a six-figure salary, along with stock options, a signing bonus, and moving expenses, more than five years ago.
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Jeff’s Answer

Hi Danny,
I like all of the other answers given. I do a lot of coding in my current job, and I certainly enjoy it. It really is like solving a puzzle, but the enjoyable part is that you get to determine how to solve it. It takes a blend of creativity (figuring out how to solve the puzzle, perhaps designing the interface) with strict process flow and logical rules. It's a good balance. As Fred points out, though, you don't code in a vacuum. You will need to interact with your users to understand their requirements, and then to solve bugs as they arise. That can be a bit grueling; sometimes they aren't clear in what they want, or they might forget to tell you something and you have to rework the code to accommodate. And, another aspect of programming is that you'll probably be responsible for documentation and training, which usually isn't as fun. In the end, though, it is very satisfying, and the variety of projects you work can be broad depending on where you work.
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Roberto’s Answer

Try it ! Your interests, expectations and ambitions are different from the ones of others.
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Chuqi’s Answer

Coding is an enjoyable experience. It's all about problem solving. Just as with any other challenge, there might be moments when you hit a wall and feel a bit overwhelmed. But remember, when you finally design a solution, the satisfaction of overcoming the hurdle is immense. Plus, your solution could potentially help solve more problems, making the journey even more gratifying.
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Michael’s Answer

Your preference for coding can be greatly influenced by your personality and interests. If you're an introvert, coding can be appealing as it often involves deep, individual work. Typically, you'll concentrate on a specific aspect of a solution or product, rather than dealing with the entire product. This focused approach can be more manageable and satisfying for many.
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Linda’s Answer

The experience can be both exhilarating and challenging.

If puzzle-solving excites you, you'll absolutely love it.

The challenging aspect comes into play when you need to troubleshoot code written by others.

Once a coder, I've now transitioned my career towards the fascinating world of design architecture and implementation.
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