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Ask HN: Is it too late to start learning to code?

• t0 14y ago
  Just do it. Your biggest problem is that you feel the need to come on here and ask if it's what you should do. It is. Now do it.
• blufox 14y ago
  Noooooooo. Just start right away.....
• danielhughes 14y ago
  Seriously? You're only 23. Just do it. You literally have decades ahead of you to enjoy coding. When I saw the headline I thought I'd be responding to a senior citizen...in which case my response would have been the same.
• elclanrs 14y ago
  Programming is about solving problems. Is it too late to start solving problems? No. It just takes dedication and perseverance. The learning curve is exponential so the first few months will be slow and confusing, but once you understand the basic concepts you'll start to become more productive.
• nochek 14y ago
  At the age of 24, I decided to learn to code so that I could create stuff I thought of. Since then I have learned 7 different languages, created several awesome sites, projects, games, and frameworks. I learned it all entirely through Google Search.
• glass_of_water 14y ago
  If you have a hard time finding a structured way to learn and staying motivated, you could try out Udacity's courses at www.udacity.com. They're set up so that they're interactive, and they have courses for people of all skill levels. You can start with CS101 if you feel that that's right for you and then move on to whatever else you're interested in!
• coryl 14y ago
  I started at 24, probably same boat as you. I wrote a blog post about how I learned: http://coryliu.com/post/42990233356/how-i-learned-to-program-aka-the-surest-way-to http://coryliu.com/post/42990233356/how-i-learned-to-program...
• nonamegiven 14y ago
  For the rest of your life, no matter how old you are, if you want to do something then fucking do it. Here endeth the lesson.
• Mz 14y ago
  I doubt age has anything to do with it. Poor fit with your learning style is far more likely.
• barlo 14y ago
  It's never too late to start learning anything.
• orangethirty 14y ago
  If you are serious about learning, and I mean really learning, send me an email.
• Kavehm 14y ago
  I agree with all of the comments here. This is the perfect time for you to learn how to code, especially if you already have an idea/project you want to work on. It won't be easy, but stick with it and you'll get there sooner rather than never. There are a lot of different resources (free and paid) that will teach you the basics/fundamentals of coding and more...here are a few of the well-known ones to get you started: 1- www.udacity.com 2- www.udemy.com 3- www.lynda.com 4- www.codecademy.com 5- www.teamtreehouse.com
• Mc_Big_G 14y ago
  You're 23. It's not too late to start doing anything. I was a sysadmin who started programming and building things around age 30. Last year I quit my senior dev position in S.F. to freelance and now I make more money working only 20 hours per week. So yeah, it's not too late.
• klaut 14y ago
  Why people think that with age the ability to learn new things diminishes? You can ALWAYS learn new things, no matter how old you are. I learned programming after the age of 25.
• Skoofoo 14y ago
  Yep, it's too late. In fact, you shouldn't try to learn anything anymore, especially if it involves fulfilling your dreams :)
• tklo 14y ago
  Just do it! Do it! And do it! Until the job is done!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2uFH0NCMY4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2uFH0NCMY4
• miriadis 14y ago
  Pleeease! You are only 23! I'm 42 and learning Erlang and Haskell! As it is commonly said, never its too late. Maybe you didn't choose the right programming language.
• projectiro 14y ago
  maybe I am not the right person for it, but if you want to know something, then come to my website at http://projectiro.heck.in http://projectiro.heck.in
• soneca 14y ago
  I am 33 and started to learn a month ago, I need some time to realise if I "bloom". I am starting with front-end developing, it looks much more rewarding to start of...
• cafard 14y ago
  I took a programming class (Fortran IV) at 18, and found it interesting enough, but frustrating, given the i/o of the day (hand over punch cards at the operators' counter, wait for the cards to come out a chute with the printout wrapped aroud them.) At 31 or 32, I discovered that there were things that I could do with a computer that would make my life (and many others') much easier, and I taught myself assembler, since I didn't have acess to a compiler or interpreter. Then I went back to school.... I would suggest taking a few classes. Get the hang of data structures and algorithms. Learn a few languages. The resources that are available to you, for free, are astonishing. If you are using a PC, you can download systems for Python, Scheme, and Common Lisp, you can get Microsoft Visual Studio. If you are using Linux, you can get all manner of systems installed Good luck, and enjoy yourself.
• rblion 14y ago
  thanks everyone. I'm going to give it another go. I'm overthinking it. No matter what happens, I'll always have HN for feedback and guidance.
• doylemc 14y ago
  Before I opened this post I was expecting you to be very old. Get started today. Honestly, it's never too late.
• architek1 14y ago
  I had some BASIC programming classes in high school, loved everything about it. Although I didn't follow through with programming at the time, chose to be a recording engineer/producer instead. many failed starts with java and html books in the 90's. I find myself 45 and with a passion to really learn this time. I started learning Processing 5 months ago with the only online resources and a book. It's absolutely one of the best things I've set out to learn. I find so many similarities between music engineering and programming it's kinda crazy. As many have said, It's never too old to learn... anything.