How to become an Expert in Programing ?

[Nipuna]

Hi.

I needed to add this as the title but it's too long to add. " How to become an Expert in Programing or any programing language(C++,Java,PHP) by self studying ? "

As you can see above. That is exactly my question.

Although I am doing self study, But I really need to get an answer from experts here. I know most of you guys did self study even for one language.
I decided to ask this because even I do self study I feel I am not doing it well.

So you guys will give me clear idea how to do. Such as

 how to memorize codes well?
 how to practice coding?(I mean exercises and the other stuff)
 how to become a master of a language?
 how to learn the other stuff(I mean as all you guys say, "Programing is not only about coding" there are so many other things of it. I need to learn them too)
 how to use a language to solve any problem we get?(Computer problems I mean   ) I know one language can't do everything.,But I like to know how to use one to solve the problems one particular  language capable of
 how to think like a programmer?
 how to find steps of solving a problem?(Like understanding the problem and what to do to resolve it?)
 can a good programmer solve any problem?

 And all the other things that I missed. I may have asked those questions before but I like to know them completely again.




Please give me a complete detailed answer.

Thanks

[Nipuna]

No one  

[Neo]

I remember I have already discussed with someone on a similar topic. It's like this. There isn't anyone exists in this world whom we can name as an expert. It can be that I'm good with one or two languages but nothing on a newly introduced language. If someone states or acts as an expert, he should be having a fewer knowledge on this subject  

However there are people called professional programmers or professional developers. Those are the people who do software coding as their job. If they don't know the subject (100% on programming language + good knowledge on the focused fields such as database, accounting, scientific, embedded, etc...), they can't exists as professional programmers. They will quit an most probably fit on the QA team.

If you didn't understand.... it is not 100% the programming language that makes you a professional programmer. It is required to know the syntax and semantic of the language completely. There is no chance for any misses. However it plays a 50% role. Rest the 50% (most important part) is about requirement analysis & designing.

Please study the software development life cycle (I think this is the mostly used model in software development) which is commonly known as waterfall model.

So if you really want to become a professional programmer, in parallel to programming, you will also need to study analysis and designing. In any computer degree, these parts are covered. There is no degree that only teaches, programming (only in diploma type courses).

Okay... if I brief you what I have said in a language that you can easily understand... Try to get a project such as a small inventory system of a close by shop or something, design it with flow charts/DFDs and then code it with your favourite language. When you do that, you will learn what is required by your own. May be you could write a system for your dad  

[Nipuna]

Great.  

Again showed me the path.  (No computer in our shop so I have to make a system and use it all by my self.    Father has no time)


Thanks