So how do I learn to write hacks and stuff?
 

Obviously it has alot to do with learning PHP, and how vBulletin functions, But the problem I have is that reading about how to do stuff tends to lose me.

I'm not a stupid person, but just reading a tutorial tends to raise more questions than answers, and usually leaves me having learned nothing.

I really want to learn to be able to write my own hacks and mods, and how to code stuff, but I don't really know where to start learning about it all, and I can never really find anyone willing to give me a helping hand, sure people will tell me how to do things, but they don't get specific and they don't really help me understand what it is I'm doing or trying to accomplish.

Yes I've done some stuff in the past, but it's really nothing mroe than just editing something that currently existed, But I really want to be able to write my own hacks without having to rely on someone else.

Is it possible? if so how?

I learned by modifying existing modifications. I would want a mod to do X, but found a mod that did Y and learned how to do the little changes to get it to do what I wanted. I also learned by looking at the simple mods that just did one little thing and looked to see what plugins were needed. I still never code anything complicated, but by learning how to tweak existing mods and seeing how simple mods worked, I am now able to write some of my own modifications.

I did know some of the basics of programming before though. However, the programming I knew were basic, fortran, and pascal. :D

there is no miracle source of information, even if you try and learn when writing, you will have to read a lot to understand what you do...

like I said, I am able to take other hacks and modify them to do what I want or need, for the most part, but without constant help I'm pretty much useless.
I've also dabbled with some previous programming, It's always interested me, I've done some stuff with Visual Basic, but it was much the same thing again, I was getting pretty good, but I still couldn't figure stuff out on my own or write my own code.... It was basically copy and paste/modify, which is pretty sad..... no where near a real coder, even an amateur one.

I also realize there is no miracle learning source, I do catch stuff when reading, but I find it confusing, I don't learn as well by reading as most other people seem to.

It just makes me feel kind of stupid when I see people writing such elaborate hacks, after having used vBulletin for only a short period of time, or just writing there own period.
I guess you could say I'm jealous, but I want to learn.....

It's not a problem being jealous if it brings something positive at the end.. you learn, you try, to advance...

if at the opposite you try to break someone else's work just because you hate to be on a lower grade, this is not good.

as you said, you TRY... you will gain a lot by trying. but as i said, there is only one way... when you open a code, read the functions you do not understand by visiting php.net ... there is always a lot of documented comments for each function, and most of the time very efficient snipets of codes.

As nexia says, you just go out and try. I have a test site setup and I try out all sorts of things on there. Some I start and find are just beyond me, so I export them and then uninstall them, but others I try and they work and so I export it and then import it to my real site.

Wow! that's how you do the 'Magic'!?!?!

Well Lexx I think first of all you must love what you do, the rest is easy :)

Please take a look at this post by King; some really useful links :)

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....28&postcount=3

Personally, I would say trial and error is the best way to go. When you can't do something, then ask here and I'm sure someone will lend an hand. If you're really interested in programming, then maybe join a college or something similar?

Maybe I've been lucky, but everything I wanted to do was already covered by an existing hack. It's been a bit like rule 34 for that...

Rapscallion

One bit of advice I would like to give is start simple. When I started out I thought I'd be able to create monster addons in no time. What I did was make something small at first. Just any small piece of code. Over time then expand it until you feel ready to create an addon. It gives you a feeling of confidence to go and do more :) Also don't be afraid to ask the folks here to help with something bothering you :)