Is it normal to look things up constantly while learning to program?
Asked by
MellowCedar27
I'm working on a Pygame project and trying to resize a camera view so it fits onto a surface. I've never worked with cameras before, so I've had to look up almost every step and rely on examples. I'm worried that I'm not actually learning and am just copying and pasting code without understanding it. How can I use references and examples effectively while still building real programming skills?
Answers
Programming is continuous learning. Someone can spend years using one language, switch to another, and still need to check basic syntax or library details. Experience mainly helps you recognize patterns, break down problems, and find reliable information faster—not remember every line of code.
Reply to this answer
Absolutely normal. Experienced developers look up documentation and examples all the time, especially when working with a library or feature they haven’t used before. The important skill isn’t memorizing every API—it’s knowing what you need, where to find it, and how to apply it.
Reply to this answer
You don’t need to invent every solution from scratch. Professional software is built by combining existing tools and proven ideas. Take responsibility for the code you use: know what it does, why it belongs in your project, and how you would change or debug it. That’s a much better measure of understanding than writing every character from memory.
Reply to this answer
Use the official documentation when possible. Read the relevant function descriptions and small examples, then type the solution yourself and experiment with it. Changing one thing at a time or writing a tiny test can help you understand the camera and surface behavior instead of relying on trial and error.
Reply to this answer
Copying an example isn’t automatically bad. Try to understand the functions it uses, why the code works, and how it connects to the rest of your project. If you can explain it, modify it, and maintain it later, you’re learning rather than blindly pasting.
Reply to this answer
Add your answer
Answers are reviewed before publication.
MellowCedar27: That helps. I wasn’t trying to memorize everything—I was mainly worried about falling into tutorial mode and changing copied code without understanding it. I managed to figure out the camera issue, and I’ll focus more on reading through the functions and experimenting with smaller pieces.