*I've done items in ~~strikethrough~~ and I'm working on **bold** item at the moment*

## Learn a variety of [programming paradigms](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programming_paradigm "Programming paradigm - Wikipedia"):

* Write a program in assembly language
* Write an application in a functional language
* ~~Write an application in an object-oriented language~~
* Write an application in a prototype-based language
* Write an application in a logic programming language
* Write an application using the Actor model
* Write an application in Forth

## Experience the ins and outs of programming for different platforms:

* ~~Write a nontrivial web app~~
* Write a nontrivial desktop app
* ~~Write a nontrivial mobile app~~
* Write an embedded app
* Write a realtime system

## Enhance your understanding of the building blocks that we use as developers:

* Write a networking client (e.g., HTTP, FTP)
* Write a device driver
* Write a B-tree database
* **Wrap an existing library to provide a better (more pleasant) user experience**
* Write an application or framework that provides a plugin model
* Write a testing framework
* Write a programming language

## Enlighten yourself with koans, katas, and the wisdom of ages:

* Complete five [code katas](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kata_\(programming\) "Kata [programming] - Wikipedia")
* Complete the [programming koans](http://sett.ociweb.com/sett/settJan2011.html "Learning Programming Languages with Koans - Object Computing, Inc.") for a language that you want to learn
* Attend a [code retreat](http://coderetreat.com/ "Code Retreat with Corey Haines")
* Read [SICP](http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/ "SICP web site") and complete all the exercises

## Program in the open:

* Contribute to an open source project
* Have a patch accepted
* Earn commit rights on a significant open source project
* ~~Publish an open source project~~
* Perform a [Refactotum](http://thinkrelevance.com/blog/2007/04/03/twir.html "Refactotum") of an open source project

## Learn by teaching others:

* Present a lightning talk
* Present at a local user group
* Present at a conference
* Deliver a training course
* Publish a tutorial
* Publish a constructive code review of an open source project
* Write a programming book