I've been struggling with syntax since I started learning programming. Initially, I learned Java a few years ago but had a hard time remembering the syntax, which made it difficult to grasp concepts. A few months ago, I switched to Python, and while I'm understanding concepts much better now, I still find syntax really challenging. I can read and explain Python code more easily than Java, but when it comes to coding from scratch, I completely blank. The only thing I can confidently code is a string reversal function, which I practiced repeatedly for tech interviews. But I'm worried that as I learn new things, I'll forget the old ones, which leads to this frustrating cycle of constantly learning and forgetting. I've even been using AI like Chat GPT to quiz myself on Python and web development concepts, and I find that I know more about web dev than the fundamental Python syntax. I'm looking for some genuine advice from fellow learners on how to tackle this issue and improve my syntax skills, as I love learning but feel stuck right now.
1 Answer
You shouldn't worry too much about it. I’ve been programming for almost two decades with around 10 languages under my belt, and half the time I can't even remember how to declare a function—it's crazy! I just look it up or scroll back through my code. After a bit, it usually comes back to me. So don’t worry, just keep at it!
I appreciate that perspective! I really enjoy learning, but I do worry about interviews where I feel like I need to be perfect during coding tests.