I've been having a tough time grasping computer science concepts, especially after failing my intro course on data structures and algorithms twice. It seems like most of my classmates have backgrounds in hackathons or programming clubs, while I've only managed sporadic 1-2 hour video tutorials, where I mostly copied code without understanding the underlying concepts. I focused heavily on learning math conceptually, hoping it would prepare me for theoretical computer science, but I still struggled to implement algorithms in practical projects. Initially, I thought my failures stemmed from not grasping algorithms conceptually, so I tried simplified examples to prove to myself that I understood the basics, but my professor suggested the real trick is in understanding how to implement these algorithms, which becomes difficult without enough practice. I'm stuck in a loop, unable to break out of 'tutorial hell' because I lack the practical skills from programming and can't advance in computer science without those skills. I'm looking for advice on how to start from scratch and understand the basics of computer science, similar to how one might teach it to a child, but I'm unsure where to begin. Scratch didn't quite work as a framework for me since it felt more game-like than educational.
4 Answers
Understanding algorithms does involve some math, particularly discrete math, but it’s also about grasping programming principles. You should work on mastering basic programming tasks like loops and conditionals before jumping into data structures. The math you'll need isn't as complex as you might think—often, it's more about logical reasoning than heavy calculations.
It sounds like the main gap you're facing is practical programming experience more than math fundamentals. You might have the concepts down, but translating those into actual code requires more hands-on practice. Try to focus on building small projects or translating code from one language to another. This way, you can get familiar with the syntax and logic without getting overwhelmed by theoretical concepts first.
Before delving into algorithms, make sure you can complete fundamental coding tasks. If you're not comfortable with basic operations, it will be tough to understand how those operations fit into larger data structures. Take the time to write snippets from scratch focusing on small problems—like converting temperatures or calculating factorials.
If you're struggling with implementation, consider starting with simple projects where you follow a tutorial to learn how to code. Once you have that down, try to modify the project or add new features. This will help you bridge the gap between understanding how to code and being able to apply your knowledge.
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