I'm looking for guidance on how to kick off my programming journey. Should I dive into free learning platforms like Freecodecamp or Codecademy, or would it be better to jump straight into building projects or studying programming books? There are so many conflicting opinions and resources available right now, and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. What approach would you recommend for someone just starting out?
5 Answers
I suggest taking a university course to learn the basics and syntax. After a couple of semesters of beginner and intermediate programming, pursue classes in algorithms and database design. Once you've laid that foundation, you can start designing your projects. Writing code really begins after you've mapped out a detailed design.
A solid way to start is by learning the fundamental concepts first and then jump into building your own projects. Avoid overly depending on video tutorials; use them only when you're really stuck. Think of it like learning to ride a bike—watching tutorials is one thing, but nothing beats actually jumping on and getting your hands dirty.
If you have an iPad or Mac, consider trying out Swift Playground. It's a gamified, interactive way to learn programming basics, and it can lead you into mobile app development.
Honestly, you're overthinking it! Choose the resource that you find most engaging. If you prefer videos, look up ‘how to start coding’ and pick the first one. Prefer reading? Find a beginner programming book and dive in. The most important thing is to stick with whatever you choose. I started with a somewhat mediocre Data Structures book, yet it got me coding in no time!
Check out the FAQ for a more concise answer, but here's the gist: There isn't a wrong way to start as long as you're learning. Just pick something and get going!
Lol, coding starts when you start typing, not just planning!