Hey everyone! I'm new to programming and have started with HTML and CSS, but now I'm diving into JavaScript. While I can replicate webpages with some ease, I'm really struggling to create my own projects from scratch. I understand basic concepts like functions, loops, and data types, but when it comes to implementing them in a real project, like building a JavaScript calculator, I freeze up completely. I've done rock-paper-scissors after following tutorials, but when I try to brainstorm or plan a project myself, it's overwhelming. I've been at this for about three months, and I really want to learn how to break down projects into manageable pieces. Any advice on how to approach this would be hugely appreciated! Should I look into a mentor, or are there resources that really helped you guys? Thanks!
5 Answers
Just remember: divide and conquer! Split your project into smaller chunks until you can handle each piece individually. This method not only applies to small projects but also larger ones. Planning ahead with outlines or sketches can make the entire process feel less daunting. It’s all about tackling one small part at a time until you get the complete picture.
I'd recommend checking out a couple of books that really helped me when I was starting out. One is 'The Gamer's Guide to Coding' which introduces JS in a fun way, and the other is 'SICP - JavaScript Edition' that's more advanced but dives deep into coding concepts. If you're serious about progressing, the second one will challenge you and expand your programming knowledge significantly.
You should definitely start breaking your projects down into smaller, manageable parts. For your calculator, think about it in terms of basic functionality: you need buttons and a display. Each button press can trigger a function that stores the input and updates the display. Just take things one step at a time and don’t stress about making mistakes. Refactoring your code as you learn will be part of the process, so allow yourself to make and learn from those mistakes!
It’s totally normal to feel overwhelmed, especially when you’re just starting out. Most experienced coders don’t write code in their heads from scratch either; they have a general idea of what they want to achieve. Try following a few tutorials, like building a JS calculator, and don’t hesitate to take notes. Revisit projects by building them multiple times to help cement your understanding. Think of it like cooking a multi-course meal; focus on the big picture before diving into the details of any particular dish.
Learning to program can be tricky, and while there are loads of tutorials out there, there’s not much focus on the actual process of creating a program from scratch. One of the best pieces of advice I can give is to simply start doing projects, even if it feels hard at first. Check out these videos I made: one introduces a method for building small programs, and the other shows me successfully making a Tic-Tac-Toe game. Planning is key, so try sketching out what you want your program to do on paper before you start coding! It’ll help you get a clearer idea of the steps involved.
Thanks for sharing your videos! I wasn't sure if I'd get responses when I posted, so this is really encouraging. I'll definitely check them out and let you know how it goes!