I'm trying to improve my C++ skills, starting with the Codecademy beginner C++ course to get the basics down. After that, I plan to work on various C++ projects from YouTube, copying them line by line to see how they're implemented in real programs. My strategy is to first learn the syntax and fundamentals, and then reinforce that knowledge through imitation and practice with actual projects. Is this a sound approach, or is there something I'm overlooking?
3 Answers
If you really want to learn C++, I recommend checking out learncpp.com instead of Codecademy; it's way deeper. Don't just copy tutorial code without understanding it. Experiment and play around with the code you write!
Honestly, I think your plan isn't bad. I spent too much time on Codecademy myself and realized later I wasn't really learning anything substantial. It felt satisfying ticking boxes, but when it came to real projects, I struggled. Now, I use the documentation directly, creating exercises and projects with some guidance from YouTube, which has really helped me grasp the concepts better. Good luck with your journey!
I get what you're saying—it's great to practice writing working code. I think through practice, it'll stick better!
You should definitely check out TheCherno's C++ videos on YouTube! He dives into details that a lot of other tutorials skip. Also, CoreDumped has some great content that covers in-depth hardware and software concepts, which can give you a better insight into how your programs interact with the system.
This is good advice! learncpp.com is definitely better for the details. But copying projects isn’t a total waste—instead of mindlessly typing, try to understand what each line does. Maybe modify the tutorials as you go to see how changes affect your code.