Hey everyone, I'm feeling pretty lost when it comes to coding and just need to get this off my chest. I've been studying information science in college for 2.5 years and balancing work on the side. Despite this, I still can't seem to grasp coding. I never had any coding experience before joining this program, but I thought that combining learning and real-world experience would help me. But now that I'm working on projects, I feel completely overwhelmed—it's like I can't code at all!
I've been trying to learn through countless tutorials, but they only cover the basics, and when faced with a massive program with 100,000 lines of code, I just freeze up. I don't know how to approach it or where to begin, and I'm feeling more incompetent with each passing day. I really want to get better at programming because I find it fascinating, but right now, work is stressing me out more than anything. How did you all learn to code? Any tips or methods that could help me out?
3 Answers
You’re not bad at coding; it’s just that learning to code effectively requires different skills than what you might be used to from exams. Video tutorials often focus on recognition rather than actual coding, which can lead to confusion when you tackle real-world applications. My suggestion is to read through existing code with intent—try to understand how certain pieces fit together by tracing function calls and writing down what they do.
Also, don’t shy away from asking smaller, specific questions when you get stuck. Instead of asking 'How does the system work?' try something like 'How does this function handle data?' Taking the time to solve smaller problems can really help build your foundation. Remember, it’s all about practicing your problem-solving skills!
This is so helpful! I struggle with reading code too—such a good point about tracing function calls.
Honestly, video tutorials can be overrated sometimes. They often showcase basic skills but don't equip you for real-world coding challenges. Instead, consider reading books that structure information better and provide exercises for practice. Doing those exercises yourself is crucial—just like with math, if you don’t practice, you won’t truly understand the material.
Books can give you a clearer understanding of concepts because they usually outline theory followed by practical exercises, which is essential for building your coding muscle.
Learning to code takes time and practice, and it’s definitely a skill that builds gradually. Don't stress about jumping into huge codebases right away. Start with smaller, manageable projects to build your skills incrementally. Watching tutorials is okay, but what’s really going to help is working on projects yourself. It's important to actually do the coding rather than just passively watching someone else do it.
When tackling larger code, try focusing on one small function at a time. Break the code down into bite-sized pieces, and don't hesitate to ask specific questions when you get stuck. AI can be a great tool for explanations and guidance, but try not to let it do the work for you. Hands-on practice is key!
Thanks for the advice! I get what you mean about starting small, but sometimes I just don't even know where to begin. Do you have suggestions for simple projects I could try?
I appreciate the feedback! I’d love to know what types of small projects you recommend.
That makes a ton of sense! I’ll definitely try breaking my questions down into smaller parts. Thanks for the tips!