The problem with &#x27;just coding something&#x27; is your stuck with tiny problems and lessons related to those tiny problems.  IMO, once you get past the basic, I can program tick tack toe by hand, you need to take a year or two and learn from other peoples mistakes.  Otherwise, most self taut programmers have a world of bad habits that only really bite them when part of a team.<p>The only real exception to that is when you have someone on hand to read your code and offer real advice.  Don&#x27;t use a for loop here use a foreach.  Functions should mean something, don&#x27;t just cut a program up and stick the top half in one function and the bottom half in another. etc etc.<p>PS: Number one thing to look for in a first job is a company that does real code reviews by competent people.