Basically how I learned to code as a kid: type out the programs from Byte/Compute magazines. I eventually found books on BASIC in the library and typed out the examples from those. Then I'd modify them to add my name in there or make the dot jump a little higher. Eventually I was writing my own programs.

I assume it's some sort of "kinesis" style loop in the brain that is at work when you do this. "Hands-on," learning is a very useful tool.