Book · 2012
Think Like a Programmer
by V. Anton Spraul
You know exactly what your budget app should do and still can't make yourself start typing; V. Anton Spraul wrote the book that breaks that freeze into steps.
What does Reddit think of Think Like a Programmer?
126 of the 132 tracked mentions sit in r/learnprogramming, and the thread pattern repeats: someone is stuck, and this gets suggested as the unstick. The ↑121 comment names the actual problem, staring at a blank screen despite knowing what to build, calling it a version of writer's block, and the ↑1038 reply in the same thread pushes decomposition, breaking the project into smaller 'bites,' which is the book's own method even where it isn't named directly. The ↑73 comment gets ahead of the obvious objection: yes, it's written in C++, but the subject is problem-solving, so the language barely matters. The strongest specific claim is the ↑50 comment, where the first chapter alone changed how the poster solved Code Wars katas and they started solving more. Most of the rest, ↑71, ↑54, ↑45, are shorter co-signs or a bare author-and-publisher name-check. Nobody argues against it. Nobody outside r/learnprogramming much bothers to mention it either.
Community feedback & reader fit
Themes
- · Breaking a project into small enough steps to actually start
- · Problem-solving strategy taught through incidental C++ examples
- · Paired with Codewars and Exercism for deliberate practice
- · A recurring answer to beginner's blank-screen freeze
Common praise
- + The ↑50 comment says the first chapter changed how the poster solved Code Wars katas outright, and they started solving more afterward.
- + The ↑73 comment specifies it teaches problem-solving, not C++ syntax, so the language pairing with Codewars and Exercism doesn't get in the way.
- + The ↑71 comment calls it 'a good match' for exactly the stuck-at-the-blank-screen question asked in that thread.
Common criticism
- − It's written in C++, and the ↑73 comment has to clarify upfront that it won't teach you the language, in case someone picks it up expecting that.
- − The ↑54 comment is just a name-and-publisher drop; no argument attached for why to read it.
- − r/learnprogramming carries nearly all of the mentions and every other sub gets one apiece; there's effectively no read on this book outside beginner threads.
Who it's for
Stuck staring at a blank screen even though you know what you want to build? The ↑121 comment calls that a version of writer's block, and this is the fix Reddit reaches for. Already grinding Codewars or Exercism and plateauing on the katas? The ↑50 comment says the first chapter alone changed how that poster approached them. Coming in expecting to learn C++ itself? The ↑73 comment is explicit that this isn't that book; it's problem-solving, with C++ as the incidental syntax.
Mentions over time
Top subreddits
Which Reddit comments matter for Think Like a Programmer?
The most relevant excerpts across the subreddits where this book is mentioned — opinionated, argued takes first, then top-upvoted mentions. Click through to read the full thread.
“You need to learn a *pragmatic approach* to programming as your comment here shows. Your "bites" are way too big. You need to dissect the bites further. + Create a board and set it up Alone t…
“Here's my list of the classics: **General Computing** * But How Do It Know? - The Basic Principles of Computers for Everyone * The Elements of Computing Systems: Building a Modern Computer from First Principles * […
“> i know what i want to build in my head but when i sit down to code i just stare at the screen This is common. It's also in literature, called "writer's/author's block" > like i want to make a simple budget app. i know it needs to track expenses, show totals, maybe some charts. but where do i eve…
“jeez. what a pessimistic outlook. TOP shouldn't be your only resource. Buy "How to think like a programmer" if you're looking for algo/problem solving tips
“In the same vein, try codewars. Exercism for getting better at coding. Book: think like a programmer by Anton spraul - it's in c++, it's about problem solving so it won't teach the language.
“The book Think Like a Programmer is a good match.
“V. Anton Spraul has a book from No Starch Press titled *Think Like a Programmer*
“Read Think Like a Programmer. The first chapter in that book completely changed the way I solved katas on Code Wars and I started solving more. [Think Like A Programmer - Amazon](
“+1 for Think Like A Programmer" by V. Anton Spraul He has a good youtube channel too.
“Read "Think like a programmer" and sign up for Harvard's CS50 online course. It's self paced. Once you finished those you will be be to ask this question again, and have a much better understanding of the replies.
“Pragmatic Programmer Code Think Like a Programmer: An Introduction to Creative Problem Solving
“one thing that worked for me is stop thinking of code as code and translate the logic of what youre doing into a real world concept with physical objects. … know about, etc. all of these ideas are abstractions made physical. thats a program. its boxes with instructions, and specific limitations on w…
“Compilation of Suggestions: Code Practice Problems * Code Abbey * Code Chef * Code Fights * Code Wars * Edabit * Hacker Rank * [Lee…
“As someone that is trying to get his very first developer job your post scares me a bit,because maybe it could happen to me. My opinion is that if you give it your 100% and spend all of your free time learning advanced python there is a chance you could turn this around. Also take this opportunity …
“Learn how to break a problem down into the smallest achievable pieces. I'd recommend the book "Think Like a Programmer" which covers some of these concepts without being tied to a specific programming language.
Convinced? Pick up Think Like a Programmer
Readers also mention
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Guides featuring Think Like a Programmer
Ranked best-of lists and editorial guides where this book's tracked mentions place it.
Think Like a Programmer — frequently asked
Does Think Like a Programmer teach C++?+
No, and the ↑73 r/learnprogramming comment says so directly: 'it's in c++, it's about problem solving so it won't teach the language.' The book uses C++ for its examples, per that comment, but the actual subject is decomposition and problem-solving strategy, not syntax.
Is Think Like a Programmer good for beginners stuck on how to start coding a project?+
Yes, per the specific problem it gets matched to. The ↑121 comment describes knowing what to build but staring at the screen unable to start, calling it a form of writer's block, and the same thread's top answer (↑1038) is about breaking a project into small enough 'bites' to actually begin. That's the exact gap Reddit reaches for this book to fill.
Does Reddit actually recommend Think Like a Programmer, or just mention it?+
Both, but the strongest evidence in the sample is the ↑50 comment, which says the first chapter changed how the poster solved Code Wars katas and they started solving more of them afterward. Most other mentions here (↑71, ↑54, ↑45) are shorter co-signs or plain title drops rather than personal results, but that one comment is a direct, specific claim.
Is Think Like a Programmer worth it if you already use Codewars or Exercism?+
If you're already grinding either, yes, on the strength of one specific claim: the ↑50 comment says the book's first chapter changed how the poster approached katas and got them solving more. The ↑73 comment adds that it gets paired with those same practice sites because it teaches problem-solving strategy, not a language.