Hey everyone! I recently caught up with my old database professor, and we had a chat about how many students today seem to have a fear of programming and applying for projects. It's a common concern, so I wanted to reach out to you all. If a student asked you how you got started as a programmer, what challenges did you face, and how did you tackle them?
5 Answers
I think the idea that people are afraid of programming is a bit off. Back when I started, it was much less accessible than it is now. Nowadays, people have so many resources available, like AI tools that can help with coding. For me, my biggest hurdle was my own fear of failure – thinking that if I didn't know something right away, I was doomed. I learned to acknowledge my gaps in knowledge and figure out how to address them, which has been a valuable skill in the long run.
Honestly, I think the best way to learn is by diving in and doing. Sure, tutorials can be helpful, but don't just follow them blindly. Get comfortable with the documentation and figure things out yourself. Everyone learns differently, though, so find what works for you!
Being scared of programming seems a bit wild to me! Just start with simple stuff like a "Hello World" program. It's not as scary as it seems! I recommend checking out beginner tutorials on YouTube, like Net Ninja’s series on HTML/CSS and JavaScript, then move on to Python and Django. You'll be surprised at how quickly you can develop your skills if you take it step by step!
True, people often fear messing up their code. But remember, problem-solving is a huge part of programming!
A lot of progress comes from recognizing when you're trying to reinvent the wheel. Sometimes it's helpful to approach problems from the user or business perspective. Simplicity can really lead to elegant solutions!
If programming is something that freaks you out, maybe reconsider if it's the right path for you. There are plenty of other opportunities out there!
Lol, I get that! Even simple commands can feel daunting at first.