I've been coding for about three years now, mostly focusing on Python. I feel pretty comfortable with the basics of the language and can tackle some intermediate coding challenges. However, I'm at a loss about what steps to take next to improve. I want to create practical projects, contribute on GitHub, and gain a better understanding of computing fundamentals—like what people are discussing on the CompSci subreddit. For example, I recently saw an impressive app project that blocks ads on Safari, but I feel completely lost in navigating how to develop such projects. I struggle with things like setting up virtual environments and using IDEs like VS Code. It often feels like I'm stuck in one spot, just solving practice problems in a single project file because I don't know how to approach multiple files or organize my projects. I'm looking for advice on how to overcome these challenges and become a more proficient programmer. Also, as a side note, I'm new to Reddit and English isn't my first language, so I hope this post makes sense!
5 Answers
To get better, start by figuring out what project you want to create. Break it down into smaller tasks. Learn new technologies as you need them, and look for bug fixes on GitHub projects to enhance your skills. There's always something new to learn from solving real-world problems.
You're thinking about it the wrong way; it's not really about shifting from intermediate to advanced. It's about moving from solving practice problems to actually building software. Your issue lies more in getting familiar with the tools at your disposal. It's like a carpenter who is afraid to use a power tool. Focus on making a simple application and put it on GitHub. Here’s a step-by-step: Create a project folder, set up a Python virtual environment, initialize git, write your code, learn to use the debugger instead of `print()`, write a README, and finally, push it to GitHub. Expect struggles—that’s where the real learning happens.
If you want to really understand how computers work, consider picking up some lower-level programming skills like C. It’s simpler and will expose you to new concepts that Python abstracts away. Also, reading books on computer science can really help solidify your understanding. Start small with projects that might interest you—like a simple game or tool and see where it takes you.
Even after 25 years in programming, I still find things to learn! The important thing is to keep practicing and don’t shy away from challenges.
It sounds like you might still be in the beginner stage, not quite intermediate. The jump to advanced is significant! It's important to really understand how Python works under the hood instead of just memorizing syntax. A great way to deepen your knowledge is to learn a lower-level language like C for better insights into memory management and how computers function. Start small with projects that interest you, and when you learn something new, dig into how it actually works. Just be cautious not to just copy from tutorials—try to understand what you're doing.
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