I'm curious about how programmers learned to code before the time of AI tools and the vast resources available online like Stack Overflow. What methods did you use? Did you rely on books, classes, word of mouth, or peers? It's interesting to know what traditional resources helped shape your coding skills. Any insights you can share would be great!
5 Answers
Documentation was key, but so was practicing. I would read something, experiment and then come back to the docs to clarify my misunderstandings. Today, I do a lot of online learning, but books still have a special place in my learning journey.
Honestly, I learned mostly through trial and error. You try something, it doesn’t work, and you learn from your mistakes. Debugging was all about reading error messages and figuring out what went wrong. It’s a real hands-on way to absorb the material.
That's interesting! I sometimes feel that failing teaches you more than just getting a solution right on the first try.
Back then it was quite similar to learning other subjects: we used textbooks, attended classes, and sought help from teachers or mentors. I learned from various resources, including discussions and tutorials, but books were definitely the cornerstone of learning.
Most of us just relied heavily on documentation. If you were using a language or framework, the official manuals were your best friend. Reading the documentation is essential to understanding how to use tools effectively.
That makes sense! Documentation is like the ingredient list; it helps but you still gotta know how to cook the meal.
I get the idea, but how do you actually piece everything together to make it work? It feels overwhelming!
I still remember the days of thick books and printed manuals! We often relied on neighbors or local user groups to learn and share tips. Honestly, it was a bit tougher but it built a strong foundation since we had to truly understand the concepts to make things work.
That's a good point. It seems that even with digital resources, going back to books can offer clarity and depth that online tutorials sometimes miss.