4 ms·
Solve a specific real-world problem you have by writing a program to do it. Start with Python or Ruby. Start on one platform (Windows, Mac, Linux). Start small
by 16s 16y ago
Solve a specific real-world problem you have by writing a program to do it. Start with Python or Ruby. Start on one platform (Windows, Mac, Linux). Start small and get bigger by solving bigger problems as you progress.
Then, write a program that works on all major platforms with little or no modifications. Learn C++ or C. Learn how to use a debugger, how to distribute code to end-users, etc. While doing this, learn data structures, big O notation and why they are important when you need to scale. Learn how to handle threaded data safely and Unicode input too.
Just start coding ASAP to solve "real-world" problems (not book exercises), the rest will come as you progress.
Edit: Spelling
- steven_noble 16y ago+1 for actually answering the "how to learn" question rather than the "what should I learn question". To your comment "Solve a specific real-world problem" I would say +1, but add that you should start by trying to solve the smallest possible specific real-world problem that will create some sort of value for your customers. And before you start, describe that problem using a testing tool like Cucumber (cukes.info). This will ensure that all your early coding and learning is completely focused on solving that one small problem. Keeping reading, Googling and experimenting until you find you can write enough code to solve that small customer problem. Then set your sights on a slightly larger customer problem. As for tools, I like and recommend Ruby on the Mac but there are a number of options that seem to have lots of community support and free tutorials, including Python and Perl, whether on the Mac or Linux.