Intro To Programming
Posted by Healthy-Ad-423@reddit | learnprogramming | View on Reddit | 9 comments
Hello,
I’m taking an Intro to Programming class next semester and was wondering what can I do over the summer to set myself up for success. I don’t know much about coding as I was told by several people you don’t need to learn to code before becoming a CIS major. If you had to take the class over again what would do you wish you would have done differently or done before the class to help keep you on track?
Queasy_Hotel5158@reddit
If I were you, I’d just use the summer to get comfortable with basics instead of trying to “master” anything.
A simple start would be:
learn basic Python (variables, loops, functions)
do tiny projects like a calculator or to-do list
get used to problem solving slowlyThe goal isn’t to be ahead — it’s just to make the first few weeks of class feel less overwhelming.Even 30–60 mins a day is enough 👍
Zurangus@reddit
Boot.dev is fantastic and teaches in a really easy to follow way. There’s a couple different “path” options, but Python is primarily what’s used in it. It’s also much more interesting content than pretty much every school resource I’ve used throughout my degree. It costs money, so I’m not necessarily suggesting to jump straight to this before checking out free options, but there is a free trial to test it out.
oVLucky5@reddit
Glad this was posted was wondering same thing!
ebeast646464@reddit
i'd do the harvard cs50 course on youtube
Miserable-Bake1727@reddit
I think the biggest thing I wish I understood earlier is that programming is learned more by doing than by watching. Even just getting comfortable with variables, loops, conditions, and writing tiny programs before class starts would probably make the semester way less overwhelming.
Civil_Set6074@reddit
The biggest mistake beginners make is spending 90% of their time watching tutorials and only 10% actually typing code. Pick one language—doesn't really matter which, but Python or JS are usually the easiest to see immediate results with—and build something small and slightly annoying, like a calculator or a simple to-do list. You'll learn more from the errors you get while trying to build your own project than from a hundred perfect videos.
SilentOverrule@reddit
Yep if i go back, I'd just get comfortable with basics in Python (loops,conditions,variables) and practice tiny problems instead of only watching videos
JohnBrownsErection@reddit
To start, do you know what language youll be learning? My guess is python, Java, or C++.
If you can't find out, no big deal, most programming concepts are language agnostic and transfer well between them.
Practical_Swing822@reddit
Most programming concepts definitely transfer between languages so don't worry too much about which one you'll start with - once you get the logic down switching languages becomes much easier later.