Programming right for me?

[Eleky]

Okay, this is gonna be kind of a long winded question. I got interest ALOT in programming when I was 12 years old, but have never really done anything with it. In highschool I took a Java class which I did REALLY well in and was about to be teachers aid and walk around and fix other kids issues. Other then that I have never really done any learning. I used to write really simple RUNUo scripts and some simple scripts for my server. Other than that I have not done any real learning. I tried to pick up were someone left off on a HUGE project and failed badly. Was unable to take away too much learning from that cause it was a huge project. So last week... Well 2 weeks ago I started reading Head Frist C# programming book and have gotten to page 250 or so I and highlight reread and follow along well, and **** I feel like I am making some good progress. However after speaking with someone i know they told me I should stop because if I havent wanted it this long and haven't gotten anywere in programming I should give up its not right for me. So my question is does anyone have experience with this? Any thing helpful? Cause I dont wanna give up I am a good problem solver I just feel I dont know programming enough to put it into action.

[Brad Jones]

Programming is like any other skill. You have to do it over and over in order to get good at it. Reading a cook book doesn't turn you into a chef. It is cooking and cooking lots of things that turns a person from a fry boy to a chef.

If you like cooking, err programming, then start doing stuff with it. It gets easier with time and what you'll be able to do will get better with time.

[artella]

they told me I should stop because if I havent wanted it this long and haven't gotten anywere in programming I should give up its not right for me.

Why stop if you are doing this in your own free time and doing this out of interest? Extra knowledge / experience never hurt anyone.

[tossy]

A programming language is a machine-readable artificial language designed to express computations that can be performed by a machine, particularly a computer. Programming languages can be used to create programs that specify the behavior of a machine, to express algorithms precisely, or as a mode of human communication.

[dglienna]

Programming is like riding a bike. Once you CAN program, you never forget, and tend to use the same processes every day.

The difference about programming is, that, languages change almost daily. If you were good at Java back than (or DOS) that doesn't mean that you are good today.

Sure, there's a difference between DOS and Windows. If they did things YOUR way, you'd understand how to use what you knew to make it do what you want.

Learn the new methodology, if for no other reason, than "Everyone else is doing it". Odds are that once it clicks, you won't look back