Hi!
Soon I’ll have my little nephew (13) in my company to check out software development for a week.
I’m working with large industry machines in real time Linux systems, so obviously I’d show him my test machine and if the customer agrees, I can show him some robots as well.
Also, he will get some crash course in computer basics.
He is an avid gamer - although not really good with computers.
I’ve gifted him a still nice laptop with Linux and Steam installed 1-2 years ago and he happily played Minecraft, but after some time he went back to his Switch 2.
Now he uses my Steam Deck - although that doesn’t make that much of a difference…
I’d like to give him something fun as an exercise, that’s is early rewarding.
Perfect would be, if he could code himself a little computer game, but that’s completely out of my normal work stuff and I don’t know what good options are available.
I guess starting with C++ and an Unreal engine or similar is more than an overkill.
Is there something, that is teaching the basics and gives rather quick rewards, which can produce a little something after 2-3 days?
Thank you all in advance!


Yeah it’s definitely business focused, but it’s still scripting and you can see the visual impact of code. On_update functions on a worksheet also better mirrors what a software dev may be looking at.
I’m a biologist by trade, and learning VBA earned me multiple promotions at my last company, and a higher salary in my current job because I could come in and do what others would have to ask for a developer for.
I was working with VBA 2 summers during school as well, but that’s nothing I’d have wished to start with, as it feels rather boring - imho
Boring you say? https://youtube.com/@engineeringfun