Writing toy software is a joy
10 months ago
- #programming
- #toy-projects
- #learning
- Richard Feynman's quote 'What I cannot create, I do not understand' emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning.
- Toy programs follow the 80:20 rule—20% effort for 80% functionality—avoiding over-engineering and focusing on simplicity.
- Toy projects often provide unexpected benefits, such as valuable insights applicable to professional work.
- Understanding software constraints is best achieved by encountering them directly through hands-on projects.
- A list of suggested toy programs includes a regex engine, x86 OS kernel, GameBoy emulator, physics engine, and more.
- Each project comes with a difficulty rating and estimated time, encouraging incremental learning and exploration.
- Avoid using LLMs for toy projects to preserve the joy of discovery and hands-on learning.