1) Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs

2) Algorithm Development and Program Design Using C

3) Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software

Understand what you are doing, why you are doing it and how you do it before you do it. you'll be a better problem solver which ultimately makes you a better programmer.

2+2=4 can pass a computation without error and change your computer but what does 4 represent? what does 2 represent? what does + represent? what does = represent? what does the changed state now mean for the next function or any of the previous parts? every number and symbol means something to the computer and how they are sequenced and abstracted is programming.

That is a really basic and "general" answer, but that's the kind of question you gave so i don't know.. you get what you put in. it sounds like you actually need to spend more time with the "general idea" stuff before you are given the answer and steps to complexity and architectural design.

you have no business creating complex programs if you don't even understand the basics of objects and how they their abstracted from hidden functions controlling sequencing and state changes . how you come off cocksure of what you think you need when you don't even know the fundamentals is telling.

you want it to be one way, but it's the other way.