Ask HN: Where/how can I find a personal Programming Coach?

#1

Post by spking » Fri, Sep 09, 2011, 4:01 AM UTC

I'm a professional designer, but I want the ability to build my own ideas. I've stopped out of learning Ruby (and Rails) three times now due to frustration, lack of discipline and just not getting beyond parroting the tutorial examples from the books and videos. I can follow along, but I'm just not grokking it.

I'm making this (learning how to code) a top priority in my life for the next year. I'm setting aside an hour a night to learn, but I need a coach (and I'm willing to pay market hourly rates for an experienced developer's time). I'm looking for someone who can spend an hour with me every week night helping me learn how to code, either in person (Pasadena, CA) or over Skype with a screensharing app.

Where/how can I find this person? spking82@gmail.com or 805-404-7732. Thanks for your help!

Re: Ask HN: Where/how can I find a personal Programming Coach?

#2

Post by darrennix » Fri, Sep 09, 2011, 4:09 AM UTC

Try codecademy.com; they've taken the pain out of learning introductory programming.

Re: Ask HN: Where/how can I find a personal Programming Coach?

#3

Post by spking » Fri, Sep 09, 2011, 4:13 AM UTC

darrennix wrote: post #2

Try codecademy.com; they've taken the pain out of learning introductory programming.

Thanks, I have given that a spin. I follow along, but still struggle with understanding the "why" and really grasping the concepts. I need someone to answer my questions as I'm doing the exercises.

Re: Ask HN: Where/how can I find a personal Programming Coach?

#4

Post by ericHosick » Fri, Sep 09, 2011, 8:12 AM UTC

spking wrote: post #3

darrennix wrote: post #2

Try codecademy.com; they've taken the pain out of learning introductory programming.

Thanks, I have given that a spin. I follow along, but still struggle with understanding the "why" and really grasping the concepts. I need someone to answer my questions as I'm doing the exercises.

Yes. What gets me is that, in my opinion, most people think that learning to code starts with coding.

Really, I think the most difficult aspect of programming is taking the real world process, as you see it in your head, and turning it into an automated process using a programming language and all of the "best known practices" that have come about over some 30 to 40 years.

I suggest you look into Behavior Driven Development (BDD). BDD forces you to look at the why and even forces you to run through the "does it even make sense to make this".

You have the chance to describe the Behavior of your program in something that looks almost like English (you should also use mockups of how you want your program to run using pen/paper or something like balsamiq mockups).

Then, you start writing the minimal amount of code to make the program do what you described using BDD (Gherkin).

This will allow you to focus on learning a few aspects of programming you need to make that one behavior work.

I also wrote a book on programming that focuses on the "why" (I was able to keep the number of lines of code down to like 10 if I recall). If we can exchange emails in some way, I'll let you have a copy. (edit: doh, I just saw you email above so I'll send you a link).

Re: Ask HN: Where/how can I find a personal Programming Coach?

#5

Post by Joakal » Fri, Sep 09, 2011, 8:17 AM UTC

Lack of discipline sounds like you have focus issues. I suggest looking up threads in HN on procrastination. You could also try http://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=startups Most likely will find some procrastinators ;)

Codecademy does sound like a good idea. If you need to ask questions with such material, you can make a post to forum, mailing lists or even stack overflow depending on where most of the Ruby support is at. Especially if you only commit an hour as responses may take some time.

Personally, I've learnt very well to know what keywords to ask in Google and it returns relevant results so I rarely post for support help.

Keep doing your best.

Re: Ask HN: Where/how can I find a personal Programming Coach?

#6

Post by njstartups » Fri, Sep 09, 2011, 12:32 PM UTC

ericHosick wrote: post #4

spking wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks, I have given that a spin. I follow along, but still struggle with understanding the "why" and really grasping the concepts. I need someone to answer my questions as I'm doing the exercises.

Yes. What gets me is that, in my opinion, most people think that learning to code starts with coding. Really, I think the most difficult aspect of programming is taking the real world process, as you see it in your head, and turning it into an automated process using a programming language and all of the "best known practices" that have come about over some 30 to 40 years. I suggest you look into Behavior Driven Deve…

Hi Eric, may I please have a copy of your book as well? Like the OP, I too am not a learner that learns just by the act of doing; I need to understand they "why" behind it as well. Would really love it if you could help me out! My email is njstartups (at) gmail (dot) com

Thanks

Re: Ask HN: Where/how can I find a personal Programming Coach?

#7

Post by nurik » Fri, Sep 09, 2011, 3:06 PM UTC

Maybe this also helps, I found it quite useful: http://495west.com/post/9885249988/the-wrong-question-i-want...

Re: Ask HN: Where/how can I find a personal Programming Coach?

#8

Post by ericHosick » Fri, Sep 09, 2011, 3:12 PM UTC

njstartups wrote: post #6

ericHosick wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes. What gets me is that, in my opinion, most people think that learning to code starts with coding. Really, I think the most difficult aspect of programming is taking the real world process, as you see it in your head, and turning it into an automated process using a programming language and all of the "best known practices" that have come about over some 30 to 40 years. I suggest you look into Behavior Driven Deve…

Hi Eric, may I please have a copy of your book as well? Like the OP, I too am not a learner that learns just by the act of doing; I need to understand they "why" behind it as well. Would really love it if you could help me out! My email is njstartups (at) gmail (dot) com Thanks

Should be done. Let me know if it helps. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Ask HN: Where/how can I find a personal Programming Coach?

#9

Post by njstartups » Fri, Sep 09, 2011, 3:17 PM UTC

ericHosick wrote: post #8

njstartups wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hi Eric, may I please have a copy of your book as well? Like the OP, I too am not a learner that learns just by the act of doing; I need to understand they "why" behind it as well. Would really love it if you could help me out! My email is njstartups (at) gmail (dot) com Thanks

Should be done. Let me know if it helps. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Received it. Thanks!

Re: Ask HN: Where/how can I find a personal Programming Coach?

#10

Post by spking » Fri, Sep 09, 2011, 3:42 PM UTC

ericHosick wrote: post #4

spking wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks, I have given that a spin. I follow along, but still struggle with understanding the "why" and really grasping the concepts. I need someone to answer my questions as I'm doing the exercises.

Yes. What gets me is that, in my opinion, most people think that learning to code starts with coding. Really, I think the most difficult aspect of programming is taking the real world process, as you see it in your head, and turning it into an automated process using a programming language and all of the "best known practices" that have come about over some 30 to 40 years. I suggest you look into Behavior Driven Deve…

Thanks for the book Eric. I've already read several sections that have made the lightbulb turn on over my head :) Awesome of you to share it with me.