Hey everyone! I'm starting my programming journey and so far I've learned HTML, CSS, and some Tailwind through mini-courses on YouTube. It's been pretty manageable, but I know diving into JavaScript might change that. I'm considering whether to follow a YouTube course for JavaScript or tackle the FreeCodeCamp curriculum, which has over 1200 units dedicated to JavaScript alone—it feels overwhelming for my goals. I'm not aiming for job readiness right now but want to create some web apps for fun, like a photo app. My learning list includes HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, MySQL, Vue.js, and some UI components like PrimeVue or InspaceUI.
4 Answers
You don't really need to follow either path strictly, especially if you start building your own projects. You can learn by tackling challenges as they arise, focusing on concepts you struggle with. Just remember, the projects you create are where the real learning takes place!
FreeCodeCamp's lessons are pretty quick, but the real learning happens when you start working on projects. It’s a solid option if you're serious about programming. I haven't tried Odin, but it's known for being less hand-holding, pushing you to solve problems independently. If you feel it’s too much of a commitment, maybe start with YouTube and see how it goes—if you find limitations, then give Odin or FreeCodeCamp a shot!
Go with what’s working for you! Learning just enough to complete your next project is an effective way to sharpen your coding skills. Might even be the best approach!
You don’t necessarily need either, but having a structured path can be beneficial. FreeCodeCamp is more beginner-friendly and offers bite-sized lessons, which are great for starters. Odin can feel a bit more intense, but that’s where some people really learn! If you pick one, stick to it for a while instead of jumping around—you'll see better results with consistent work on projects.
I've heard that learning happens mostly through projects, so I'm worried I might just be wasting time with Odin or FreeCodeCamp when I could just focus on building things directly.