Hi Steven!
Your article is really helpful for me because I am actually in my 7th week teaching myself to code, and when I started, I really had no clue what I wanted to do other than that I like building things and solving problems, so I started with the basic HTML, CSS and Vanilla Javascript, now 7 weeks in, and I have the foundational knowledge of JavaScript, I started to follow tutorials to building a Tetris game, trying to build a portfolio, and to practice on CodeWars, Leetcode, but whenever I look at someone else's code, and tried to follow, I would have no idea why and how they are writing the blocks of code. I know what the code is doing, but just don't know how they were able to come up with code like that..and get discouraged when I can't come up with code like that...I also have started learning C++ because I am starting school in January and the focus will be on back-end code, so now I feel like I really should focus on C++ (one thing at a time) but worried that I'll forget the front-end stuff I learned..so just really overwhelmed... :'(. My friend suggested C++ because it's a hard language to learn and if I learn it on my own first, then everything else will become easier when school starts, so that's why I started C++. Reading your article though, I feel like I should focus on learning C++ for now...If you have any tips or advice for me, I'd really appreciate it!!
Thank you,
Lily
Regarding your issue on reading someone else code, I think it's normal that you have difficulties following someone else code, particularly when you start coding. Even I have difficult time understanding but I have the reflex to look for function I don't understand now. It's a normal step in the learning process so don't get discourage too much about this. Like in languages, there is a few words you will not understand but still understand the general meaning of the sentence. If you manage to at least understand the general meaning of the code, it's already a good step forward.
For your issue with learning C++, be careful that your school will actually teach you C++ as it seems weird to me that C++ will be used in backend. Maybe you mixed up with C# ?
Anyway whatever technologies will be taught to you, if you attend school, focus on what the school is teaching you. Programming is already overwhelming as is. Don't add up more complexity by spreading focus, particularly in the beginning.
Thank you Steven for replying!!!! Maybe I am confused now at what my friend told me...It is so overwhelming to learn this but it's rewarding! I am so happy to have found a community like this one to get help and really really appreciate the information you shared! I will keep going and will for sure reach out to you if I ever get stumped on anything! Hope you don't mind!
Hi Steven!
Your article is really helpful for me because I am actually in my 7th week teaching myself to code, and when I started, I really had no clue what I wanted to do other than that I like building things and solving problems, so I started with the basic HTML, CSS and Vanilla Javascript, now 7 weeks in, and I have the foundational knowledge of JavaScript, I started to follow tutorials to building a Tetris game, trying to build a portfolio, and to practice on CodeWars, Leetcode, but whenever I look at someone else's code, and tried to follow, I would have no idea why and how they are writing the blocks of code. I know what the code is doing, but just don't know how they were able to come up with code like that..and get discouraged when I can't come up with code like that...I also have started learning C++ because I am starting school in January and the focus will be on back-end code, so now I feel like I really should focus on C++ (one thing at a time) but worried that I'll forget the front-end stuff I learned..so just really overwhelmed... :'(. My friend suggested C++ because it's a hard language to learn and if I learn it on my own first, then everything else will become easier when school starts, so that's why I started C++. Reading your article though, I feel like I should focus on learning C++ for now...If you have any tips or advice for me, I'd really appreciate it!!
Thank you,
Lily
Hello Lily,
Regarding your issue on reading someone else code, I think it's normal that you have difficulties following someone else code, particularly when you start coding. Even I have difficult time understanding but I have the reflex to look for function I don't understand now. It's a normal step in the learning process so don't get discourage too much about this. Like in languages, there is a few words you will not understand but still understand the general meaning of the sentence. If you manage to at least understand the general meaning of the code, it's already a good step forward.
For your issue with learning C++, be careful that your school will actually teach you C++ as it seems weird to me that C++ will be used in backend. Maybe you mixed up with C# ?
Anyway whatever technologies will be taught to you, if you attend school, focus on what the school is teaching you. Programming is already overwhelming as is. Don't add up more complexity by spreading focus, particularly in the beginning.
If you have any questions or anything on your mind, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter (twitter.com/stvnyung).
or via email (stevenyung@icloud.com)
Thank you Steven for replying!!!! Maybe I am confused now at what my friend told me...It is so overwhelming to learn this but it's rewarding! I am so happy to have found a community like this one to get help and really really appreciate the information you shared! I will keep going and will for sure reach out to you if I ever get stumped on anything! Hope you don't mind!
much much thanks!!
Keep on the positive vibe, I'm sure you will make it 💪😊