Of course, it isn’t quite that simple, but the basic ideas remain the same.

  1. Find a good book (or website).
  2. Read said resource.
  3. Follow instructions in said resource.
  4. Stuff up a few times.
  5. Learn from your mistakes.
  6. Become epic.
  7. Impress your friends! Rule the world! (Maybe… =P)

Of course, what I’m really saying is that learning programming (or cooking), especially at the beginning is exactly as easy (or as hard) as following precise instructions. Similarly, becoming a master at programming (or cooking) requires practice, and the instincts learned from a thousand mistakes.

Disclaimer: I don’t personally cook very much, but I don’t think it would be that hard if I wasn’t so lazy. This raises another very important point about the parallel’s between cooking and programming. You won’t learn either if you aren’t interested. =P Disclaimer 2: I don’t presume to classify myself as an “epic” programmer. I would place myself at about number 5. on the above list. =D