Coder's block

I used to dabble quite regularly in coding (only VB.NET, but I attempted learning C++) and have since stopped.

I really wanna get going again, though, but I can't think of anything engaging to code.

I would really appreciate it if someone could suggest some ideas.

I enjoy SquareSoft's stuff, if that helps (none of Squeenix's stuff has been any good)

i would recommend coding something you could use personally. maybe your own accounting app, maybe something to store notes, etc. is there some software you would like you think could be improve upon? then make your own version.

Accounting? I'm not old enough for that yet. ^^

Good idea about the improving things, though... Now to find something rubbish enough so that I can improve it...

Thanks for the speedy reply,by the way.

Try building a very simple card game. Build it to just use a text-only interface at first, but in such a way that you can drop a nicer graphical interface on it later.

That's really not a bad idea. I reckon I'll try that... I think I have one in mind...

I'd go for creating a very basic and simplistic multiplayer game. It shouldn't be hard at all. We have lots of ideas... just so little time.

For a start, you need to create its "local" 2-players mode. Surely, card games are the first that come to mind. You may even try a basic chess. Coding a chess game without AI is not hard. You just need to set the rules of the game, establish a simplistic UI that displays the chess board, and that'd be all.

Now, after your game runs fine with two players from the same machine, meaning on a "turn-by-turn" basis, then you may want to take this to the next level. What about a full-featured Internet-based multiplayer game? This is quite easy with .NET. You just need to research/look into how to establish TCP connections, how to send packets, how to receive them, and then interpret the data contained within. You should just send the coordinates (A2 B4), for example.

As an extension, you may want to add a particular encryption algorithm so that packets cannot be sniffered, nor altered.

I'm thinking that with the packets, a little encryption, with a validation rule? (If that's what to call it) I.e., "Is it possible to move that piece there?" If not, ask for the packet again.

How do you do encryption? Or is this not the place to ask?

(By the way, I've kinda gotten into making a turn-based battle sorta thing, "to see if I can")

What about some game ?
Something like Medieval Total war or something like that ?

Suggesting a game to a programming noober is a bad idea - sorry to necro - but in my experience, people with no experience trying to write a game (which btw is quite a bit more complex than your usual business app) end up getting frustrated and quitting with a sour taste in their mouth.

While they are good suggestions, not for a beginner.

I suggest something like a "To Do List" with alert notifications, like a date planner/activity planner ... easy, but gives enough exercise in different technologies within programming to whet the whistle.