I'm currently enrolled in a Robotics & AI program, but we haven't started formal programming yet. Meanwhile, I'm teaching myself programming and want to ensure I'm building valuable problem-solving and logical thinking skills rather than just completing tutorials. For anyone who has learned programming independently or alongside a non-CS curriculum, what strategies helped you transition from tutorials to thinking like a programmer?
4 Answers
Forget about just doing tutorials. Try building something on your own from scratch! Create a project without relying on external help. If you find it too difficult, pick simpler tasks. Over time, your skills will evolve and you’ll tackle more challenging projects.
LeetCode is great for honing your problem-solving skills if you’re aiming for tech interviews, but to really learn with substance, I recommend building small projects. They help cement your knowledge by letting you apply what you've learned in a meaningful way.
One of the best ways to become proficient is just to practice constantly. Work on projects that solve real-life problems you care about. It doesn't have to be complex; even automating a simple task can be a great start. Also consider checking out literature like "Think Like a Programmer" or "The Pragmatic Programmer" to get some different perspectives on thinking like a coder.
Take the CS50 course from Harvard. It’s free, online, and you'll learn fundamental concepts and programming skills. Even if you don’t finish it, the material is fantastic and really helps clarify what programming is about.
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