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MackenziePython
MackenziePython

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The Best Way To Learn To Code Better In 3 Questions

Earlier in my code journey (right now is still super-early) I committed to not learning the hard way. I didn't want to retreat from my friends and life to grind out learning to code. I believe life should be enjoyed, even the hard parts. Especially the hard parts.

I need advice from those who've been through the ringer. The hackers, the veterans, the fellow newbies who spent weeks learning what could have been hours.

So I thought hard. I want to pre-solve the problems I KNOW I'm going to have over and over again. Education should be lifelong so you have a choice. Make your recursive learning a facesmash keyboard, burn out every 6 months, and feel like your flailing against an under current. But I prefer the 2nd option.

Begin living your life as if it were important. Take it seriously. Create it intentionally. Create yourself a smooth loop to go through and just keep on swimming.

Here are my questions. Please pass on your wisdom.

  1. How do you get educated about how to use a new codebase or product?

  2. What problems do you have when learning to use a new codebase or product?

  3. What do you do when you get stuck at confusing documentation?

Do you think I'm asking the right questions? Let me know in the comments.

Top comments (1)

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whyohengee profile image
Yong Lee

Whatup MackenziePython. Ok, here go my answers:

  1. Lots of YouTube and googling. I try to just absorb info, and try to see patterns emerge. Don't overthink things if you can at this point, just take it in.

  2. Making assumptions about how something works. I don't know how many times I've been down the road of thinking something works a certain way only to learn later that I was wrong. This has happened at both the micro and macro levels. Keep an open mind and ask a LOT of questions.

  3. Lots of stackoverflow and general googling. And just testing things out on your own...there's nothing that will help you learn faster than doing.

And though I appreciate where you're coming from -- that is, wanting to save yourself frustration and time -- unfortunately that's part of the game. We've all sunk time and frustration into learning, but the important thing is to be patient with yourself and trust that you WILL get it .