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Programmer here.
"If you cannot explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough."

What I'm trying to say is that a good programmer can always find ways to simplify a concept, or explain it using real-life analogies, even to people who don't know anything about programming or computers in general.
This is actually one of the most important qualities of a good software developer - the ability to rationalize often complicated abstract concepts in simple terms and break them down into simple tasks.
I want to make this clear - I am not saying that your boyfriend is a bad programmer and I don't know his professional level.

However, it sounds like both of you could turn this situation to your own benefit.
If he makes an effort to explain his work in ways that you could understand, it would work in his favour in the long term, and you could share his excitement.
I actually recommend reading Head First Object-Oriented Analysis and Design: A Brain Friendly Guide to OOA&D for easy-to-digest examples of complex issues in software development, explained with tools and objects from everyday life, he could probably take a hint from that book and learn something.

Finally - big props to you for being a supportive girlfriend and taking interest in his work.

As always, read the docs first: (Code by Charles Petzold)[https://www.amazon.com/Code-Language-Computer-Hardware-Software/dp/0735611319] At least give it a skim. Great book, worth the 20$ for sure. That'll give you a really, really good intellectual basis for how computer hardware works.

Then, you could try getting a microcontroller like the Raspberry Pi or an Arduino or one of the millions of other options. Don't just get the microcontroller though, if you can afford it, get as many of the add-ons and books you can find and try to build something simple, like a computer. (Not too difficult with a Raspberry Pi.)

Or, if you want to just manipulate some LED stuff, you can buy some little LED lights and plug them straight into your microcontroller.

Whatever you do, it helps to document it through a blog or Facebook or Twitter or whatever, it'll keep you accountable.

I have a similar story, and came from a procedural background, too.

My eureka moment came when I started to understand the importance of Test-Driven Development. Test-driven Development by Example is the book that tipped the scales for me. There are more modern and pertinent examples now, but this book is a classic.

TDD will help your programming be more declarative, which will in turn help you work with frameworks like Unity.

Happy coding!

Ivor Horton writes good textbooks for learning programming. I learned from Ivor Horton's Beginning ANSI C++: The Complete Language, and it was really helpful to get me started in my career. You may want a more current version though.

If you'll be working with arrays, make sure you study Standard Template Library ("STL") containers, which are covered in that book. A lot of introductory programming texts teach you to use arrays (i.e. int height [10];) first, but in practice people use vector containers (i.e. std::vector<int>)

Happy coding!

This series of books is also very good for beginners!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/0596008678/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1504991665&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=head+first+design+patterns&dpPl=1&dpID=51mE7FBCw8L&ref=plSrch

Coming from HTML, you'll need to get your head around a few key words and concepts, object oriented programming, polymorphism, class hierarchy etc... It can be daunting at first but once you have the basics everything else is just application (which can take a while to get quick at).

Head first also have a design patterns book, which is useful if you're on a project which you're designing fresh...

If you want to learn JAVA in depth then I would suggest go for the book, "The complete Reference to Java." https://www.amazon.in/Java-Complete-Reference-Herbert-Schildt/dp/9339212096?tag=googinhydr18418-21

This is the link to the book in Amazon. Try to buy the lastest edition. I have read this and I think this is the bible for Java both for experienced or new programmers.

If you have to work 16 hours a day, then there is probably nothing you can do. But if you have a normal 8/9 hour workday most of the time, then you can do it!


Personally, I need to exercise first thing in the morning. Too many variables exist in the evening that prevents working out consistently.


I bought a basic stationary bike. Cheaper than an annual gym membership. It doesn't take up much space (I had mine in a 550 sq/ft apartment) and reduces the 10+ minutes it takes to go to a gym (one less barrier to exercising). You have no excuse not to find 30 minutes in your day for moderately intense biking. I watch my T.V. on the bike (efficient!).


If you want to add some basic resistance training, I do resistance bands. The same thing as the bike, you can do it at home and it takes up no space and costs way less than the gym.

Making the habit is key. Being able to work out at home and doing so first thing in the morning were the two changes I made that let me work out regularly with a 50 hour a week schedule while maintaining a balanced quality of life.