< how did you start dev (for those who do)?
I started pretty young, maybe 8 or 9. My dad had a computer and a book about QBASIC lying around. With no idea what was going on, I copied the code in the book and ended up with a slot machine program. It was a confusing "draw the rest of the fucking owl" experience, but gave me confidence with computers that developed from there.
There was a patch where I hated it and wanted to un-learn everything, but since not doing it for work anymore I love it again and am grateful to know how to code.