How Much Can I Learn in Programming by Studying 2 Hours a Day?

The key isn't just the time you spend, but how you spend it. You could invest 10 hours a day playing chess but still remain an amateur if you're not focused. Everyone learns at a different pace. So, while it's tough to predict your exact level after 1-2 years, starting with the basics, understanding data structures and algorithms, and getting hands-on with projects will certainly set you on the right path.

The level of skill you reach largely depends on your focus. With dedication, you can easily pick up the syntax and basics of most programming languages within a year or two. If you're focusing on web development, you might be able to create simple CRUD applications, or if you're into mobile, basic apps connecting to online services. Many new developers understand language basics but struggle to build real solutions.

It really depends on what branch of programming you're interested in. If you’re looking into full-stack web development, 2 hours daily should suffice, but you should pick a language like JavaScript (or TypeScript) to start with. If gaming is your interest, then diving into C++ might be the way to go. The best approach is to start a project and find a seasoned programmer to mentor you, as some concepts can be tricky without guidance.

I've been learning on my own while going to school, putting in about 3-4 hours daily on coding and app development. Honestly, that's been plenty for me to see progress and build some solid projects.

Starting with 2 hours a day is good for learning the theory of programming, but real growth comes when you're deep into a project. Expect to spend more time debugging and solving problems, which might require you to extend your daily commitment to 4-5 hours when you get to that stage.