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Teach Yourself Programming in Ten Years (1998)

norvig.com

1–10 of 96 posts

Re: Teach Yourself Programming in Ten Years (1998)

#5
As much as I agree with Norvig here, linking to this article in response to the "I want to learn how to code to build my startup" question is not helpful. Entrepreneurs aren't going to wait 10 years before launching their startup.

The difference, of course, is that some people just want to build an MVP, while others want to be a programmer. In that case, I'd rename this essay: "Become a Programmer in Ten Years."

Re: Teach Yourself Programming in Ten Years (1998)

#7
Well, this is the single most article, I personally recommend everyone to read. Mr. Norvig writes specifically about programming but this applies to every department like music, painting or photography. The way this article has spread I guess most of the programmers must have glimpsed it, or at least the good ones.

Re: Teach Yourself Programming in Ten Years (1998)

#8

As much as I agree with Norvig here, linking to this article in response to the "I want to learn how to code to build my startup" question is not helpful. Entrepreneurs aren't going to wait 10 years before launching their startup. The difference, of course, is that some people just want to build an MVP, while others want to be a programmer. In that case, I'd rename this essay: "Become a Programmer in Ten Years."

[deleted]

Re: Teach Yourself Programming in Ten Years (1998)

#9

As much as I agree with Norvig here, linking to this article in response to the "I want to learn how to code to build my startup" question is not helpful. Entrepreneurs aren't going to wait 10 years before launching their startup. The difference, of course, is that some people just want to build an MVP, while others want to be a programmer. In that case, I'd rename this essay: "Become a Programmer in Ten Years."

You can become a programmer very quickly. But if you want to teach yourself to become a good one (something that no one else will do for you), you need to put in the time and effort.

The article isnt called 'become an entrepreneur' in ten years. I didnt see it as a response to anything. Its just a good article. One of the 5-6 that regularly get upvotes every year or two.

Re: Teach Yourself Programming in Ten Years (1998)

#10
post #6

Though agree that those "For Dummies" books grossly underestimate the time needed to be a good programmer, I really wish he didn't use the "10,000 hours is the ultimate immutable number of hours you need to 'master' a skill." It's nonsense.

> It's nonsense.

The 10 year / 10,000 hours seems to come up frequently - care to cite or link to some interesting counters? (genuine curiosity)

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