From Curiosity to Code: A Software Engineer's 30th Birthday Reflection

On his 30th birthday, the author reflects on his 12-year journey from a curious kid who loved breaking computers to a software engineer. This first installment of a multi-part series details his path: from experimenting with command lines and learning to program via online forums, to building (and repeatedly breaking) Linux systems, and finally creating Neopets shops using HTML and CSS. He highlights the importance of curiosity, exploration, the role of online communities in learning, and the effectiveness of gamified learning.