I’ve been wanting to learn how to code for a while so I figure now is as good a time as any to start. I downloaded VS code on my laptop for python but I don’t really know end product I should try to code and I also am just bad and barely know what I’m doing. Does anyone here have any advice on what to code and how best to learn?
- Hello World
- Read a file
- Write a file
- Read a file and loop through it line by line, printing each one (for loop or equivalent)
- Program that consists of 2 or more source files
What I’m getting at is instead of a full program, write code snippets and small programs. In doing this eventually an idea for something larger will pop into your head.
When I’m learning a new language I like to try and solve problems from sites like https://adventofcode.com/ or https://projecteuler.net/ I find this gives my learning more of a focus. After you’ve done a few of these you should have enough confidence to attempt your own projects
In addition to what this guy said, don’t just use libraries to skip steps when writing small programs.
For example when parsing a file you will often use the split and strip functions in python, but learning how to implement these by yourself will teach you more.
To really learn fundamentals you should try and implement most operations yourself. It’s why in my opinion C is a better language to start with, because it forces you to learn the fundamentals.
I’d say it depends on the learning style. For some people, it’s a lot less demotivating to start as just plumbing libraries together to get the end result than starting from the deep end. Same debate as starting with ASM vs starting with Python.
I see your point, but I would almost argue that starting out with all these shortcuts available in high level languages is ‘jumping into the deep end’ itself.
When a newbie sees obscure error messages in some of these libraries they might not have any idea what they mean or why they were triggered. My opinion is that having a smaller set of tools to start is actually simpler despite being able to do less with them.
I’m slightly biased because I started with C 😅
Yep! And then read argv for command-line parameters + a parser. File IO + command-line controls gets you a shell of a utility to work with. Then grab a package you like the look, bring it into your project, and do something with it (image manipulation, network stuff, whatever…)
I agree with this comment. Get these down then you can check this out
Been coding for 17 years, started when I was 13. A few advices in no particular order:
- Don’t let yourself get demotivated. It can take a while before it clicks and you feel like a real programmer. That’s fine! My fiancée is coming up to 3-4 years, and she’s barely starting to feel competent at her job. Stuff is hard, and the people you see online with massively deep knowledge has been at it for a really long time, or at the very least, has a lot of experience coming up to that.
- Code quality is important, design patterns are important. But what’s more important is coming up with something that works: don’t get demotivated by people telling you your code is bad. Take the advice, consider the improvements, learn about the value of said improvements. But getting a project working, even if it’s horribly slow, even if it doesn’t work well, is a success. You made a thing, and it works! Celebrate the victory!
- It’s very easy to become overwhelmed by the size of a task. Take a deep breath and deal with things one step at a time. Everytime you’re stuck, try to divide up the problem into smaller and smaller steps until you figure it out.
- Try to work on projects that are fun for you. If you’re not into gaming, don’t make a game, even though it’s a good starting point. Try to find small utilities you wish you had, and make programs to help you with those tasks. It helps feeling rewarded for your efforts rather than feel like you’ve completed a throwaway project for the sake of learning. I got into this because I wanted a website, and so I learned how people make websites. If games are your thing, there’s nothing wrong with starting with something like Godot or Unity or some other free game engine. Heck, if you’re having troubles with a spreadsheet, learn how to make Excel macros.
- Most programming concepts are portable between languages. Everything related to algorithms, how you approach problem solving, will work mostly the same in other languages.
- If you feel like you just don’t vibe with a language, it’s worth trying another one for the sake of trying. Establish parallels between them, learn the differences and how it makes you feel about your development experience.
- If you get overwhelmed and don’t go anywhere, don’t give up. Allow yourself to take breaks, come back to it later. Go at it at your own pace. Having fun makes it a lot less of a chore.
- Another good way to start is by modifying other people’s code for your needs. Got an open-source software you like but you’d like to switch things around, even just for fun? Figure out how to compile it, make some changes. Observe how it’s made and take inspiration from that.
Also, there’s embedded programming languages in a lot of things. Many games come with embedded languages to do things, often called “scripts”. Heck, for just dicking around, you could install ComputerCraft for Minecraft, and automate some stuff in-game with the turtles. I’ve seen a fair amount of people get into coding that way: start with just simple things and you’ll find yourself wanting more.
Did I mention, try to have fun?
Wow thank you for all the suggestions! My friend taught me some of the basics a few months ago but I got busy and had to stop coding for a bit but I still remember quite a bit of what he showed me but again that’s mostly the very beginner functions. I’m a big fan of fighting games, so would unity be good for potentially making one of those?
I’m a big fan of fighting games, so would unity be good for potentially making one of those?
Unity, Godot, SDL, there’s some pretty good Python game libraries as well especially if you’re going for 2D. They’re all pretty good options, as long as it’s easy for you to find documentation and code for. Unity’s a little heavy, I’d recommend maybe starting with Python.
You also have the option of making it for Android if you want to be able to easily show it off to your friends.
Fighting game should definitely be within reach especially if you’re going for 2D like Street Fighter!
Also, be sure to checkout this community: !learn_programming@programming.dev
Back in the day before university (around 6 years ago) I got recommended a mooc(massive open online course) by the university of Helsinki. I used this course to get started with learning to program, and to find out whether it was something for me. It has been some time, and it seems they update the course but I hope it can help you too in learning. Here is the link: https://java-programming.mooc.fi/. It really starts from 0, with setting up te environment which is nice. It is in java using the netbeans ide which some would call antique, but in my opinion that does not really matter to start to learn.
