I think my main problem has been getting use to Code::Blocks. I have been slowly making progress with it, but what I didn't know before made rather thick walls that stopped me.
For example:
1) I did not realize the find in files by default affects projects, and this means only 1 small bit of UFO:AI. I ran numerous searches for where Hit Points gets decreased, and could never find anything that affected it save Hospitals, which increased it. Finally, after a few weeks (today actually), I discovered the Find in Files needs to be 'Workspace', not 'Project', and this allowed me to actually find the code I needed.
2) It took me a very long time to figure out how 'Run to Cursor' could be made to work. I still don't know why exactly, but it seems I have to build the game in 'Windows Debug' mode, since 'Windows' build just won't let it work.
It seems none of my problems really deal with Ufo: AI itself. I am able to easily understand the code, if I can find it. I'm not sure of the naming convention for the variables yet, but hopefully I won't be too far off.
I would say currently my main problem is I'm not sure of why certain things are done (Like the medikits post I'm currently working on). I feel there's a bug there, but it's obvious enough, that it might be meant to be that way...
Is this a bug, or is it meant to be?
As long as I can get these simple problems fixed, I think I'll be fine. I just need to be able to talk to the developers now and again to get certain things answered. To know how the entire program works isn't really needed to change it - you just need to change the small parts you're working on, right? The files appear to be objects, and so I am currently approaching this from an object oriented point of view... I'll just need time to see how poorly this fails. It's too early for a class for me, unless it's how Code::Blocks works specifically... That's where I'm having the problems so far..
Oddly, I don't even know who the team is right now.