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What is the most effective way to learn programming?

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: What is the most effective way to learn programming?

#11

Post by brudgers »

chistev wrote: post #9
killingtime74 wrote: post #8

For me it was going back to university/community college and learning in a structured way. In Australia you can do a masters by coursework that covers broadly the same things as an undergrad degree in less time. I was able to get a "real" software job on graduation. I liked knowing I wasn't wasting my time learning random things when I had no idea what to learn

The advantage of school is that it provides a structured curriculum, otherwise you'd be drowning in a sea of content with no guidance. But, don't you think there are resources that can help with that too.

An excuse to be a beginner is another advantage of school.

Re: What is the most effective way to learn programming?

#12

Post by killingtime74 »

chistev wrote: post #9
killingtime74 wrote: post #8

For me it was going back to university/community college and learning in a structured way. In Australia you can do a masters by coursework that covers broadly the same things as an undergrad degree in less time. I was able to get a "real" software job on graduation. I liked knowing I wasn't wasting my time learning random things when I had no idea what to learn

The advantage of school is that it provides a structured curriculum, otherwise you'd be drowning in a sea of content with no guidance. But, don't you think there are resources that can help with that too.

Probably yes. For me I could just enroll a few weeks after deciding to do it and start learning (they are open for enrollment twice a year). Less need to evaluate/decide what path to take.

Re: What is the most effective way to learn programming?

#13

Post by sloaken »

I agree with n3t. What is your goal. Depending on why you want to learn programming would help answer the question. Most of the answer here I agree with. But if your goal is: to teach a little child, or find a job, or bragging rights at the bar, or personal enrichment, or ... it goes on and on.

Also knowing programming / coding / SW development / algorithms, although having a lot of overlap, there are different paths.

Re: What is the most effective way to learn programming?

#15

Post by javantanna »

Honestly, I struggled to learn programming through tutorials and step-by-step courses. What finally worked for me was building things. I learn the basics first—loops, conditionals, OOP—then look for unique project ideas with a real wow factor and build them end to end
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