I'm 40 and have very little technical experience. I grew up during the early home-computer era, but my parents weren't interested in technology, so I never really learned how computers work. At this point, I'm comfortable with basic Microsoft Office tasks, but that's about it.
I'd like to teach myself more about computers at my own pace without spending money to get started. I have a standard Windows 10 laptop, but my work at sea means I often go months without reliable internet access.
Would learning to code be a sensible introduction to computing for someone at my level? If so, where should I begin, and how can I prepare offline?
5 Answers
The best starting point depends on what you ultimately want to do—websites, applications, automation, games, robotics, or simply understanding computers. A library is a good place to browse introductory books before choosing a direction. You can also download material and install tools ahead of each trip so you aren’t dependent on a connection.
Learning programming is possible, but internet access makes troubleshooting much easier. Don’t treat that as a reason not to start; just keep the first projects simple and record anything you can’t solve until you’re back online.
Try exploring programs that connect to something you already enjoy instead of attempting to learn all of computing at once. For example, you could experiment with photo editing, spreadsheets, simple games, or another practical interest. Make small projects just to see what happens; they don’t need to be impressive.
Computing is a huge subject, so choose one area that holds your attention and build from there. Coding may suit you, but having a specific goal will make it much easier to stay motivated.
Before worrying about code, spend some time becoming comfortable with Windows itself. Practice creating folders, moving and renaming files, understanding file paths, installing and uninstalling programs, and figuring out where things are stored. These basics are easy to overlook but make everything else less confusing.
Once you’re ready to try programming, Python is a reasonable choice. Install it while you have internet access, download a beginner course or book for offline use, and work through small exercises at your own pace. You don’t need a different computer or an elaborate setup to begin.
I wouldn’t rush straight into programming. Start with a general introduction to how computers work: files, folders, operating systems, binary, hardware, and the basic layers between a program and the machine. A beginner-friendly book is especially useful because you can keep learning without an internet connection.
Before leaving, download or buy a few offline resources and install any software you’ll need. Being stuck on a problem for weeks without internet can be frustrating, so expect that to happen and keep notes about questions to investigate later.
That makes sense. Are there any beginner-friendly books you’d recommend?
If you enjoy puzzles or games, an algorithm-based programming game can be a gentle introduction. Something like Human Resource Machine teaches basic logic and sequencing without requiring you to set up a full development environment. It won’t replace a programming course, but it can help you decide whether that style of problem-solving appeals to you.
A terminal can eventually be useful, but it isn’t a prerequisite for learning to code. Starting with Windows basics and a simple programming environment will probably be less overwhelming.