I'm feeling pretty slow at coding and it's really weighing on me as I try to break into tech, specifically cybersecurity. I've been struggling with concepts like recursion for days, and it's frustrating because I think I have difficulty with abstract reasoning and keeping multiple concepts in my head at once. My brother, who's a software engineer, tells me that coding is a straightforward process, but to me, it feels overwhelming with so much to learn all at once. I'm focused on cybersecurity, especially pentesting, but I'm unsure how much coding I really need to know. I've got a grasp on the basics like loops, conditionals, and some functions, but I want to know if that's enough to succeed, or if I need to dive deeper into coding skills to pursue pentesting.
3 Answers
Your definition of 'slow' is key. Everyone starts slow, and you might be struggling more with planning than actual coding. I suggest working on your designs first, maybe with pencil and paper for clarity. From there, break down your code into small tasks. Take it one step at a time, and you'll get there!
Honestly, everyone feels a bit slow when they start out. Pentesting doesn’t require you to write elaborate software; understanding how systems break and being able to create small scripts is more important. Learning languages like Python or Bash will really help you get far without needing to delve deep into complex coding. And remember, no one really holds all that coding knowledge in their heads—everyone uses notes and diagrams! Just be patient and keep practicing.
Right! Pattern recognition through practice is the most effective way to learn. Just keep at it!
Don't stress too much about being slow; it can actually help you notice mistakes that faster coders might miss. As for recursion, it's complex, but you can often find workarounds to avoid it entirely. Just take your time!

Exactly! It's all about being curious and persistent. You've got this!