Where do I start with this whole computing/programming thing?
Posted by tafmuzzT@reddit | learnprogramming | View on Reddit | 16 comments
I want to develop this skill and interest, always. But I don't know where to begin, how to plan, or make something out of myself. I'm sorry if this sounds ridiculous, it does. But I want to get into this field. If anyone has any recommendations, it would be much appreciated.
Parking_Flounder_712@reddit
Find things that really annoy you! Clunky apps, outdated websites, slow loading videos etc.
When I started out I thought I’d like the backend side of things because I like working out the logic and putting things in the correct order to work more efficiently etc - but it turns out what kept me at my computer was redesigning terrible UI! I will do that all day and my energy stays up - I still like backend, but it is really dependent on the project, my energy, the weather etc.
In the early days everything is hard, so the beginner projects that have no payoff or no use to you can make it harder to make yourself actually do the work.
You have to find a middle ground of projects that are not too long and complicated, but that are interesting and useful enough to have an actual payoff for you if you bother to build it.
Good luck!
fashionistaconquista@reddit
Not worth it . The field is dying to AI now
Natios_Hayelos@reddit
Only if you don't know how to code in the first place
ThatSmartIdiot@reddit
grok is this real? u/bot-sleuth-bot
tafmuzzT@reddit (OP)
Is this really true?
downvotetheboy@reddit
no
ninhaomah@reddit
Maybe it's true. Maybe he is bullshiting you.
You should know how to counter / disprove or find weakness in his statement
Tall_Variation_4665@reddit
it's a shallow excuse from those who think AI is replacing everything they can't do themselves
Tall_Variation_4665@reddit
ignore this bs, I'll drop some recommendations I've used, Udemy has a 100 days of code course, a subscription is required but it's amazing content, CS50 from Harvard on EdX is also good and free to access I do believe but it covers multiple languages including C, Python and more
OhGawDuhhh@reddit
Thank you!
ImprovementLoose9423@reddit
RushDarling@reddit
Having some inkling of the direction you'd like to go in would help, but if you don't even have a clue as to what directions there are, that's cool too.
There's actually quite a few paths that have plenty to do with "computing" that don't specifically need programming, but I'll assume you're here because its programming you're interesting in. It's a good skill to have in your pocket regardless.
Start small and just be curious, find some starter python problems (codingbat is one I started with) and just get a feel for it. If you find anything confusing you're probably looking at the right material, don't rush and give yourself time to understand it.
If that goes okay then Automate the Boring Stuff with Python is a proper course I'd recommend, I think it's all free on the website but I went with the course on Udemy.
Making mistakes and being perseverant probably beats some overly optimised learning path, at least at your stage of the game. Best of luck!
tafmuzzT@reddit (OP)
Thank you so much! I really appreciate this response. I'll start on this.
BrannyBee@reddit
Automate the Boring stuff is great, and I have recommended it before. However, I will push back slightly and aay that it can really give you a strong case of Dunning Kreuger.
What I mean is that it will get you some basics and even get you doing stuff quickly, but it won't take you much farther and often glances over stuff that is much more important than it seems. And just like using any resource, especially one that gets you from zero to having something working, you won't realize what you have overlooked. You're a beginner, you see something working, so it must work.
Its kinda hard to explain, but Automate the Boring Stuff is kinda like using AI in that way. It can be a good resource for you, but someone who is advanced in other programming languages will be able to use that resource more effectively, know what bits are missing, where to find those bits elsewhere, and move on from those resources to other resources at an appropriate time.
Again, im NOT saying to use another resource. I used to teach Python, and its a good book. Just keep in mind it's not a Bible. Just like oearning a spoken language, learning to code is something that you need to use many resources to do and each resource is a supplement to eachother. Dont use that book (or any book or course) as your roadmap, use them all in a big road map.
The best thing the other comment pointed out was to try stuff. Coding is just putting a logical mental model of a problem into language your computer can understand, like i said before similar to a spoken language. There's keyword "nouns" and "verbs", and a particular grammar you have to follow. You can study Japanese from a book our course for years though and never speak Japanese properly. Same for coding, you won't ever be able to code or read code as well as I can if you never "speak", which in coding terms is writing.
Lastly, dont pay for a course, youtube unironically has years worth of good courses you can find to build anything to your hearts content. Eventually you'll be comfortable reading official documentation, try it every few weeks, itll get less scary. Read error messages, and try stuff a hundred times before giving up and searching for the answer. Finding the answer is gonna make it memorized quicker than googling the answer.
As far as that other new new guy who seems to think AI is gonna end programming... lmao
Coding could disappear tomorrow and Id still have a job, thats like 1% of what development is, writing code is the easiest and not at all time consuming part of my job. Anyone that thinks writing code is the hard part is just outing themselves as not having worked a real job. Even more so, if all code is written by AI one day, it will be MORE important to be able to read code to approve it or find issues that are in the code.
Its like if he said civil engineers were gonna disappear because calculators can do calculus, meanwhile the people who are good at calculus are bethere at using calculators than other people, big surprise lol
bird_feeder_bird@reddit
“Learn Python the Hard Way” by Zed Shaw was the first resource I found that actually helped me get started. He takes you from literally 0, up to making a text adventure. You can find PDFs for free online. Once you get the hang of Python, everything else related to computers and programming will make a bit more sense.
Leading-Tailor-6000@reddit
Totally not ridiculous — everyone starts exactly where you are. The easiest way to get into programming is to pick one beginner-friendly language (usually Python), follow a simple intro course, and build tiny projects as you go. Don’t try to learn everything upfront — you just need small wins to build momentum. A few great places to start: • freeCodeCamp (super beginner-friendly) • CS50 on YouTube (great intro to computing) • basic Python tutorials + a few mini projects (calculator, to-do app, simple game) Once you start building small things, the whole field becomes way less intimidating. Just pick one path and start — the rest will make sense as you go.