I'd like to learn programming but haven't found YouTube videos especially helpful. For people who taught themselves, what approach, resources, or study methods worked best for you? I'd also appreciate advice on choosing a first language and making steady progress.
3 Answers
Start with the documentation for a language you’re interested in. Work through the examples, type them out yourself, and then modify them to see what changes. Once you understand the basics, try combining small pieces of code to build something useful instead of only following tutorials.
Python is a friendly first choice because the syntax is relatively simple and there are lots of beginner resources. C can also be a great starting point if you want to understand memory and how programs work underneath. You don’t need advanced math to begin, but basic algebra and logical thinking can help as you progress.
Practice consistently. Pick a small project—like a calculator, text game, habit tracker, or simple automation script—and work on it a little at a time. You’ll learn much more by solving problems, reading error messages, and fixing your own code than by watching videos passively.
Thanks, that gives me a clearer idea of where to start. I’ll look into Python first and focus on building small projects.