Hello, I'm 16 and from the Philippines, i only have a phone and i wanna learn Programming/coding.
Posted by PineappleWorking227@reddit | learnprogramming | View on Reddit | 39 comments
I need tips on how to start, i just started learning python 4 days ago cuz i heard on YouTube that it's one of the most beginner friendly language, but rn Im only limited to my phone, i figured if i try to learn now instead on when i get to college that i have more chance to land a job since i don't wanna be stuck in the Philippines lol, i was using this website called online-python and that's that, and I'm still confused on wheter to pick bsit or bscs, cuz there's lot of people saying stuff like "ai will replace programmers" and that gets me worried lol, cuz what if i finish studying but i can't a job cuz the bar is high? Like maybe companies will hire high skilled people who can implement the use of ai to boost their productivity, Ill take any tips cuz I'm kinda lost with life and no mentor really that's why imma post this here.
(Yo lowkey i think I'm not supposed to be here i just read the rules after writing this😬)
Sorrow_iDolour@reddit
Android phone? If you wanna python, try
zerotermux(a terminal application) for python environment. Without root privilege it will only beproot modewhich is safer and performance-limited. Then you need figure out how to code on a hand-sized screen...... Well, at least, learn projecting your phone to your television dude(if your television support)Sorrow_iDolour@reddit
Code on terminal requires configurations a lot compare to normal IDE(integrated development environment ) on PC. Minimally speaking, you need `nvim` for code editor, `python sdk` for environment. `python plugin` for syntax highlighting and other LSP(language server protocol, which helps you code) features
kat-tricks@reddit
i was gonna say your advice is top tier but neovim on mobile sounds like hell. Also, for a total beginner who has never owned a computer, maybe we should start them on notepad++, sublime, or at least micro?
Sorrow_iDolour@reddit
I had played those toys during senior high. And rooted a VAB android to use chroot and other convenient tools for a better exp...
Obviously I gave up after entering college, cause I got my own PC. But knowledges and spirit I acquired that time benefits me a lot till today.
Sorrow_iDolour@reddit
And since you've configured the python env from scratch in such a weird way, why not come a little further? It never harms OP to learn some common sense in shell environment.
Sorrow_iDolour@reddit
Yes, I'd suggest
vscodeat first, but since OP has no PC, well... On android platform, the best implementation is to try nvim with termux application. Other editors are not that convenient aslazynvim. But you need to learn some vim basics before going next.Also, certainly it's possible to use
vscodeon androidcode-server. But still, you need additional effortsMountain_Egg_2106@reddit
hi, I’m also from the PH. I’m not sure about your family’s financial status, but since you’re only 16, is there no chance you could ask your parents for a laptop, even a low-end one? If not, your only choice is to get a part-time job (some accept below 18 ata) and save up. You’re not even in college yet, but you already have this pressure of not getting a job. Worry about it once you get into college and start coding. The job market seems saturated because there are a lot of applicants, but most of their projects are generic and purely AI-generated without any real architecture anyway (not speaking for all, of course). As long as you study on your own, create projects, and don’t depend completely on your school’s curriculum, you’ll be fine.
typhon88@reddit
You need to learn by doing and you can’t do much from a phone. Save up for a laptop it’s your only real option
PineappleWorking227@reddit (OP)
Alright man i will, I'm just like writing very very basic stuff on python like calculator and stuff rn😭, thank you for responding tho
Ramuh@reddit
You will hate yourself and coding when coding on a phone. Even the shittedt laptop is better
ShadowRL7666@reddit
You can get a think pad for pretty cheap nowadays.
Nelson-Bolt@reddit
Or an Android tablet with a keyboard and mouse, cheaper and will allow you to run Linux user lands like Termux and Proot Distro.
thebigvsbattlesfan@reddit
sup man! im also an incoming 12 student in the pelipenz!!! im currently doing impactful projects and honing my transferable skills. i get that we're all scared about the impending automation, but one thing you could do is to actually do something. people working in tech shouldn't be scared of tech — we are the people responsible to make something out of it.
for instance, im currently developing a site for my lgu, a platform for a nationally recognized publication, and the list goes on. but one thing is for certain: we are builders. we don't just dabble into the field without learning about society. we build for them. that's why people in tech communities endlessly go on about soft skills.
honestly, there's no one-size-fits-all advice that can lead you to success. you are your own person. i've been in this field since developing a game that garnered about 400k visits on roblox when i was 9. of course, im passionate about everything i do, especially if it means a lot to our society.
id say take some inspiration from the japanese philosophy of ikigai if you're not passionate about this field. maybe there, you'll find your ikigai and build upon it like i did. it's not all about the money.
AI eroded my programming skills, sure, but it amplified my impact. for me, programming is just a means to get ahead.
im willing to talk more about tech, especially if its a fellow countryman! you can pm me if you want!
SillyEnglishKinnigit@reddit
Jesus christ! We see posts like this at least once per week and I'm astounded by how many of you actually engage with them...
PineappleWorking227@reddit (OP)
Sorry😓 i kinda just needed a bit of guidance, Ill delete it after in a bit
ShoulderPast2433@reddit
Do you have a keyboard?
Any computer keyboard with usb-c plug (or usb c plug adapter) will work with a phone.
PineappleWorking227@reddit (OP)
I plan on buying one but i think I'll just save up for a laptop
Dazzling_Music_2411@reddit
That's the right decision. Even an old working laptop will be good for your needs. Don't waste money and energy trying to make your phone into a laptop, it's not worth it.
How much do old laptops cost in the Philipines?
Are there no libraries or schools where you can use one for free?
The standard required WILL move up massively because of AI, so you#ll need to put in a lot of work but you are still young.
ShoulderPast2433@reddit
You can get a keyboard for \~$5-10
That's nowhere near laptop price.
QuarryTen@reddit
what makes you think that learning programming will get you out of the Phillipines?
Training_Motor_4088@reddit
Can you get Raspberry Pi computers in the Philippines? That's what I'd use if I had a limited budget.
kat-tricks@reddit
i think raspberry pi is more luxury than an old thinkpad or something, but i feel like they should deliver to Phillipines. Makes me suspicious if they don't!
vlad1m1rnator@reddit
If you are serious about programming, you will need a laptop to practice on. You don't need a powerful laptop to learn coding and I'm pretty sure you can find one for relatively cheap on local marketplace.
Flo_one@reddit
As many here said, you do need a laptop to be able to code properly.
But, to learn programming you really don't need a good laptop. Idk how the used market is looking in the philipines, but you can buy the crappiest speced laptop and still learn coding.
If the laptop is outdated enough, the best bet is to install some linux specifically for old devices. If it comes usable out of the box, there probably is a cheaper deal to be found ;P.
If you go this route, also need some way to install an OS, this is a USB stick and temporary access to a PC that can download some OS image. In my country such a laptop can be found basically for free, because it is unusable as a normal laptop for most people.
Your laptop doesn't even need to be able to run a Browser in theory, as you can do the googling on your smartphone, although I'd suggest you find a laptop wihch can at least do that.
For your AI worries, although they are partially legitimate, for the foreseeable future we will need humans to oversee AI and understand what the bots are doing. This means you need the same skillset as a programmer. How the market will truly develop? Noone can predict that, but I'd not stop learning programming bc of that.
Noobmaster0369@reddit
There are sweats out there who grind code 12h a day 🥺
You barely scratched the surface of programming. Are you sure that's what you want and do you have any back up plan?
PineappleWorking227@reddit (OP)
I think so bro😭, i don't have school right now and don't have anything to do at home other than sit in my aunt's shop and take care of it, so i guess Ill use that time to learn
Noobmaster0369@reddit
That is not gonna work out Lil bro 🙅
You struggle without a pc and learning programming is already hard.
I know college is in 2 years for you but choosing right is very important.
My advices: Try watch a few YouTube videos of actual coding and mirror yourself.
Enjoy TV series
Learn a human language
Think about another course for college as backup plan
PineappleWorking227@reddit (OP)
Okies man thank you i thought u we're being mean at first👍
byshow@reddit
It's almost impossible to learn without laptop/pc. Idk about Philippines exactly, but many countries has some computers in their libraries. You can start from there. And if possible find a way to save up for a laptop, you don't need the most powerful one, average office laptop should be sufficient for the start
PineappleWorking227@reddit (OP)
Alright man thank you, i will save up for one, and like do you have any recommendation on what language should i try to learn first? I'm actually interested in coding and not just a specific area like web dev or game dev, so I'll try suggestions😭
byshow@reddit
I'll advice to figure out the area first tho, there are a lot of things that includes coding, gamedev, webdev, embedded etc. Figure out what sounds more fun, make some research on how the job looks like etc
Asleep-Party-1870@reddit
https://www.edx.org/cs50
Start here
Asleep-Party-1870@reddit
A laptop would be better, but you can get a cheap keyboard and mouse get termux install stuff you need, there is even vs code you can install and open in browser window, so i think you can
PineappleWorking227@reddit (OP)
Alright man, i'll look into it thank you
Asleep-Party-1870@reddit
No problem
ScholarNo5983@reddit
To learn to code almost any language will not require using the latest and greatest tools.
You can learn to code using nothing more than a simple text editor, the software development tools and the command line prompt.
That means you can learn to code on a very low end machine, for example a 5-year-old laptop should work just fine.
My suggestion would be picking up a very cheap second hand lap-top.
Once you start getting really good at programming, then you might consider getting a more powerful machine, but that point could be months if not years away.
HolyPommeDeTerre@reddit
I do code on my phone, but I am a long time coder. And it's really not practical at all. I do it when I am too lazy to get the computer and I don't have too much to do. Also, you may of the actual shortcuts and features of an IDE.
So I join other people on the save for a computer to start learning.
But in the case it's not really a solution for you for a long time.
You can get a keyboard (with a pad) for your phone. It should cost less.
There are online tools / websites to learn to code and write code. You can start there. Like some coding games and even visual code (ide) if you look at something like GitHub (irrc).
But it will be a pain to use this setup unfortunately.
Using the phone keyboard is worse than the above solution.
PineappleWorking227@reddit (OP)
Hmm, i guess i really have go get a laptop now, Id still probably be lost on what to do but thats probably a lot better since i can practice properly, Ive been using ai to ask for advice and it just kept telling me "just practice python so u can learn logic until u get a laptop" so thank you for the advice i appreciate it👍
LurkingDevloper@reddit
Adding to the other comments:
If it's easier for you to get for budget reasons, look for a cheap Chromebook model that has the Linux VM available. You can use that to install Python and program within the VM.