Do i ACTUALLY need no experience
Posted by BreakfastCultural699@reddit | learnprogramming | View on Reddit | 8 comments
Alright Reddit, imma be real. I’ve been vibe coding for everything—like I’m super passionate about AI, 01/translation stuff, and how things work under the hood. But I really want to do something more serious with computer science.
I’m a high school junior and I’m planning to enroll in a CS1 class at a community college. I asked the teacher for the syllabus and they said no prior experience is required.
Looking at the syllabus, the course covers:
• Programming structures like sequential, selection, and repetition using an object-oriented language.
• Using and creating classes, methods, argument passing, and data abstraction (including arrays).
• Problem solving, algorithms, debugging, and documenting programs.
• Basics of file processing and an overview of programming languages.
The class is online, mostly asynchronous, with labs, quizzes, discussions, and a final project. No textbook is required, just lecture notes, free online resources, and standard tech requirements.
I’m trying to get a sense of whether this is manageable for someone with little coding experience. What do you guys think? Should I expect it to be beginner-friendly or is it going to be rough?
Electronic_Wash9516@reddit
An entry-level CS course is extremely beginner friendly. Expect the programming content to assume you have absolutely no experience. It will begin with setting up a development environment, most likely with command-line tools. If you are serious about learning computer science, you should accept this approach and avoid using an IDE for the class. You should especially not use generative AI tools for this class.
The programming material will begin with an overview of the language, and get into simple syntax, before introducing control structures, input/output, and basic data structures. You should study this material closely, even if it feels like it is starting off slow. The key to computer science programming is developing an understanding of what programming languages really are and how they work in general; the idea is not to quickly begin developing applications but rather to learn the mechanics of what is going on and the proper techniques for programming.
The mathematics in this course will be very simple. When you take a course on data structures having knowledge of discrete mathematics will be extremely beneficial or requires.
If you have an interest in computer science, some background with technology, and are willing to adopt a scientific approach to programming and technology then this course will be an appropriate challenge for you. Remember to focus on the fundamentals and principles, this is not going to be a course that spits out application developers, but rather prepares you for further studies in computer science and further learning in programming fundamentals.
aqua_regis@reddit
Honestly, with your background relying on AI, it will be harder for you than for someone who has zero knowledge. Not only will you be tempted to fall into your old habits, but also will you most likely think you know stuff that you actually don't know.
This is a syllabus for people with zero experience. Treat it as such and as a chance to actually learn programming.
As of now, you are not a programmer.
BreakfastCultural699@reddit (OP)
Thank you for your honesty, I will take in your advice
33RhyvehR@reddit
Bro dont take this advice. Boomers are insecure about AI existing because they don't understand a few basic principles, including:
A) Yes AI's hallucinate. Humans also make mistakes, the way we fix that is callef the scientific method. test what you think you know. Thats not changed.
Therefore better advice is to question the AI and the assumptions it gives you, not forgoe it.
B) A hammer can be swung wrong and so can an AI. The goal is to build understanding of a concept but also at the same time I don't understand how to use an adze because I don't live hunting mammoths. They act like you need to understand everything otherwise you're a fraud -- nobody does.
The real answer is to aim to build understanding that's useful, dont forgoe AI or worry about what this dudes saying
plastikmissile@reddit
But how will OP know how to question the AI if they don't have a baseline on which to base those questions on?
That's like saying to someone who has never read a book in their life to check an AI's review on Shakespeare's plays for correctness.
OtherwiseOne4107@reddit
Grow up. Learning how something works requires you to take the stabilisers off your brain. AI is a hindrance to learning because it does the thinking for you, so put it to one side, at least just for the course.
No_Report_4781@reddit
Dam. OP got a shoulder angel response followed by a shoulder devil response. What will he do? Find out next week!
speyerlander@reddit
Looks like a syllabus for an entry level class, you'll need basic algebra at worst.