How Did You Get Started with Programming?

I learned programming on an old machine using BASIC. It was a tough ride with just manuals and no guidance, but figuring things out as I went helped me understand the logic behind coding. It really taught me how to think like a programmer, even if my code might make professionals cringe!

A lot of beginners get caught up in memorizing everything, but it's much more effective to use reasoning and common sense to solve problems. A helpful exercise is to take a daily task and write explicit instructions on how to do it. This can help you grasp core programming concepts more intuitively.

I found that keeping it simple with small projects helped me a lot. Start small and gradually increase the complexity as your skills grow. And definitely engage with the material—focus on the concepts and how they solve problems rather than trying to remember every detail.

Watching YouTube videos and practicing consistently has been my approach. It’s important to embrace the fact that programming is more about learning how to find solutions and fill in knowledge gaps rather than memorizing everything.

For me, it was all about trial and error. I copied existing code and tweaked it; sometimes I'd dive into small projects. Each little success helped build my confidence and understanding. Also, don't shy away from making mistakes—it's where the learning really happens!