FAQ 39.07 What is the key to learning OOC?

FAQ 39.07 What is the key to learning OO/C++?

Serve an apprenticeship on a real project with a top professional.

A good mentor has level 3 to level 4 technical skills, good one-on-one communications skills, and a practical orientation backed by sound judgment. Mentoring is difficult because it requires patiently responding to off-beat questions while still getting work accomplished. The apprentice has the opportunity to ask questions in a real-world environment, and learning when "rules" should be broken in the name of practicality. Another part of the learning process is listening to "war stories" and tales of failure that cannot be discussed formally.

Real projects are important because classroom exercises and books fit the subject matter into neat theoretical compartments. A live project is essential to see how theory and practice coincide and overlap and to develop the background for making practical trade-offs.

Good mentors are worth whatever they charge, but watch out for the bad ones. Avoid technology bigots who know the answers before they've heard the question: a good example would be people who automatically hate anything from Microsoft (or, equally bad, automatically love anything from Microsoft). Also, there are many people who talk a good game but have never finished anything of significance. In particular, there are people who will put their version of OO theory and "purity" ahead of project success. Look for practical mentors who have built something and lived with the consequences of their actions. Avoid people who have been on lots of projects but never saw anything through to completion.