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I find all of these learn to code posts very interesting. I would consider myself to be a beginner coder even though over the years I have spent time learning o

by cdrux 14y ago

I find all of these learn to code posts very interesting. I would consider myself to be a beginner coder even though over the years I have spent time learning or trying to learn C++, HTML, CSS, Javascript, Node.js, jQuery, Objective-C, Python, Ruby and others. For each language I had a different reason for wanting to learn, generally it amounted to wanting to build something and trying my best to learn the pieces necessary to start. The key thing that ties all of my different attempts to learn together, and why I still consider myself to be a beginner is that I always stopped short of achieving my goal. Generally this was due to hitting some sort of blockage that I couldn't figure out how to get past, or generally getting bored with the slow learning process. Both of these recent articles have really resonated with me, as I have personally struggled with Codecademy (currently 66% done code year), and I regularly bite off more than I can chew. I like the suggestion of finding a mentor and putting my head down, as well as focusing on small projects that build off of each other. In the end, I really want to learn how to code, but so far I haven't found a method that sticks. Maybe that says I don't really want it, but to me it says there isn't a great learning method out there for me yet. So while Codecademy is great and all, I really think there is still a hole in the market. Figuring out how to fill it is the key.

QuixoticChris 14y ago
I think you're right that the "finding a mentor" part could help you out. Everyone who programs hits ceilings at various stages through their careers, and you sound like you're interested enough to want to break through. I find that these breakthroughs usually come to me from either a) getting someone else to show me a way it could be done, or b) learning something from the code of someone a little beyond my skill level. If you've stuck around for that many technologies under your own motivation, perhaps you just need to talk it out with someone just on the other side of your struggles. You're right; there's no sure solution, but having comrades and leaders in learning usually doesn't hurt. Best of luck!
akg_67 14y ago
Your reply remind me of the situation I was in little over a year ago. Based on my own experiences going through trying to learn to code, a few comments: "In the end, I really want to learn how to code" No, in the end you want to learn how to solve problems. If you start with a problem and try to learn the minimal of whatever coding/ language/ package/ software is required to solve the problem, you will be much further ahead. At this stage, don't worry about being efficient or writing the best code. Now, I laugh at the SQL queries that I wrote a year ago but they did solve the problem. Over time, I learnt to write much better queries. "I always stopped short of achieving my goal" This is because it was your goal and on not achieving the goal you gave yourself a pass. You will be better off solving a problem for someone else for whom you care and you will be embarrassed if you didn't solve the problem, like for your spouse, kids, parents, siblings, friends, coworkers, boss, neighbor. Also, achieving small victories are important for continued interest. Little over a year ago I was jumping around between Ruby, Java, Python, HTML, CSS, JS, SQL, R never finished learning or using any of them until my wife asked me to automate a manual process for her. I started out with solving her problem and learning enough of the languages that will quickly solve the parts of the problem. In the end, I learnt enough of mySQL, PHP, and Bootstrap to deliver a complete solution to her problem. There was enough fear of failure and being embarrassed that I delivered a complete solution, however rough, to her. Since then I have modified and extended the solution and now it is being used by another 1,000 users, still it is an ugly piece of work. But I am much more satisfied and encouraged to continue learning and improving.

by cdrux 14y ago

QuixoticChris 14y ago

I think you're right that the "finding a mentor" part could help you out. Everyone who programs hits ceilings at various stages through their careers, and you sound like you're interested enough to want to break through. I find that these breakthroughs usually come to me from either a) getting someone else to show me a way it could be done, or b) learning something from the code of someone a little beyond my skill level. If you've stuck around for that many technologies under your own motivation, perhaps you just need to talk it out with someone just on the other side of your struggles. You're right; there's no sure solution, but having comrades and leaders in learning usually doesn't hurt. Best of luck!

akg_67 14y ago

Your reply remind me of the situation I was in little over a year ago. Based on my own experiences going through trying to learn to code, a few comments: "In the end, I really want to learn how to code" No, in the end you want to learn how to solve problems. If you start with a problem and try to learn the minimal of whatever coding/ language/ package/ software is required to solve the problem, you will be much further ahead. At this stage, don't worry about being efficient or writing the best code. Now, I laugh at the SQL queries that I wrote a year ago but they did solve the problem. Over time, I learnt to write much better queries. "I always stopped short of achieving my goal" This is because it was your goal and on not achieving the goal you gave yourself a pass. You will be better off solving a problem for someone else for whom you care and you will be embarrassed if you didn't solve the problem, like for your spouse, kids, parents, siblings, friends, coworkers, boss, neighbor. Also, achieving small victories are important for continued interest. Little over a year ago I was jumping around between Ruby, Java, Python, HTML, CSS, JS, SQL, R never finished learning or using any of them until my wife asked me to automate a manual process for her. I started out with solving her problem and learning enough of the languages that will quickly solve the parts of the problem. In the end, I learnt enough of mySQL, PHP, and Bootstrap to deliver a complete solution to her problem. There was enough fear of failure and being embarrassed that I delivered a complete solution, however rough, to her. Since then I have modified and extended the solution and now it is being used by another 1,000 users, still it is an ugly piece of work. But I am much more satisfied and encouraged to continue learning and improving.