I cannot for the life of me learn coding, should I just give up?
Posted by ArmedIdiot@reddit | learnprogramming | View on Reddit | 13 comments
I'm going to be honest: when it comes to coding, I am beyond an idiot.
For the past couple of years, I've tried again and again to learn coding. I watch tutorials, I read courses, et cetera, but when I try to do something for myself, my mind goes blank and I realise that I've learned nothing.
When is it time to just cut my losses and focus on other stuff?
Aglet_Green@reddit
It sounds less like you need permission to quit and more like tutorials are not translating into independent problem-solving for you.
That is very common. Watching coding tutorials can feel like learning, but the real skill is sitting with a tiny problem, getting stuck, debugging it, and slowly figuring out what to try next.
You also didn’t “lose” those years. At worst, you learned that this may not be your strength or your interest. That is still useful information. You may also have picked up some logical reasoning and technical vocabulary along the way.
Not everyone needs to code. But don’t judge yourself by whether tutorials magically turn into skill. You gave it an honest shot.
HerroWarudo@reddit
How old are you and what is your background?
New-Angle3969@reddit
I am not sure what you want to learn specifically, but try freeCodeCamp. I used it to start, it is very practical and you will learn quicker and easier if you actually try coding yourself instead of watching a munch of tutorials.
MacaroonOk9376@reddit
What are you trying to make/do? If you're doing web dev, I highly highly recommend PHP and watching Laracast. PHP is an easy language and Jeffrey way is an amazing teacher. Also don't listen to the php haters.
WorkingTheMadses@reddit
What's your motivation for trying to learn this skill?
GlKar@reddit
Instead of watching/reading start executing. Install a IDE and start with basic projects and principles.
By writing the code yourself and implementing basic stuff you'll learn it.
aqua_regis@reddit
Most of the time, such problems attribute to
Try the MOOC Python Programming 2026 from the University of Helsinki - this course goes against both above points. It gives you the tools, but you have to do the work - you have to actively program and participate.
jlanawalt@reddit
Can you do algebra?
Do you enjoy problem solving? Mysteries? Detective stories? Creating things?
Are you willing to put in the time for some memorization and struggling through frustration to get to the reward of fixing or creating something?
If you said yes to most of that, keep after it. If not, maybe there is something coding adjacent that you can excel at.
lurgi@reddit
Why are you trying to learn coding if you are already convinced that you can’t?
If you want to go and do something else, do so. You don’t need our permission.
ScientistAsHero@reddit
I'm the same way. It sucks. I just don't think my mind is logical or structured enough for programming. I can learn syntax but when it comes to doing the simplest thing on my own my mind goes blank and my eyes glaze over. I don't know why it is so persistent with me that I want to do it.
I'm sorry I don't have advice to give, but I totally commiserate and get your frustration.
boldpear904@reddit
why do you want to learn it? being bad at something doesnt make you a loser. you cant teach a fish how to climb a tree but that doesnt mean the fish isnt an excellent swimmer.
Espfire@reddit
“I watch tutorials, I read courses, et cetera, but when I try to do something for myself, my mind goes blank and I realise that I've learned nothing”
That’s the problem, watching and not enough doing. I felt the same (and still do), but the only way to learn is by doing. Think of small projects you can do (and I mean small) and try to make something. It doesn’t matter if you hit road blocks, it’s how you learn.
OldFcuk1@reddit
What told you shou should? Start reviewing that again.