Log In

r/learnprogramming 2 yr. ago

Join
daswsup32

Wanting to learn how to code, but completely

lost.
I'm wanting to make a career change, I work a fairly labor
intensive job. The pay is good but it's mind numbing and
hard on the body. The problem is I have absolutely zero
knowledge on the subject of coding, or computer science in
general. I've been scouring endless information on the
internet and this subreddit for a couple days, everytime I
start reading or watching a tutorial I feel completely lost
within half an hour. I don't understand the terminology or
how it correlates to the coding itself. Is there any material out
there for someone like me, a complete noob? I was interested
in learning Python because I've read it is beginner friendly
and widely used in multiple different programming fields. Am
I reaching for the stars here? Thinking that I can learn coding
with only a high school education at the age of 27? Any
insight or recommendations are highly appreciated.

Archived post. New comments cannot be posted

and votes cannot be cast.

161 73

Sort by: Best

-Invisible-Hand- • 2y ago • Edited 2y ago

I was in a very similar position as you, but just know that

yes you can do this!

Alright, firstly and this is the most important part... Have

a goal, I mean something big that would make you really
happy to build. Maybe it's a company a sick
app/website, whatever it is make sure it's something
that is important to you, to help through the hard times.
Also keep in mind that this isn't a race, but a marathon. I
see a lot of people claiming you can learn fast and while
that may happen with some, that is not the norm at all.

I highly recommend doing self study, for many reasons

but the main one being burnout resistance (if done
right). Like I mentioned earlier, this is a marathon. Shit is
going suck at first, so take your time but try to be
consistent. What I mean is study everyday, which
sounds like a lot but it can be as little as 10 mins. The
point is to try and build a habit, where you have a bare
minimum that you gradually increase as you are
comfortable (key word being comfortable). I started at
10 mins a day now my minimum is 2 hours and usually
go much higher.

So now let's talk about what field I would recommend

going into and that would be web development. It's
saturated sure, however if I am honest most people
applying are weak minded. You are a person that knows
what true hard work is, most of these people applying
are spoiled people who don't know discipline. So the
saturation shouldn't be a problem for you, but with that
saturation comes a lot of resources. Web development
has sooooooo much content, which will help you grow a
lot.

However before going into Web Development (which

uses JavaScript), I would say you should start off with
Python for around a month. The point isn't to stick with
Python, but to use it to learn programming
fundamentals. Most languages are similar, but the
syntax (how it's typed) is different. Python is the most
easy to read language, so you can skip passed the bs
syntax and learn actual programming. Once you can
make functions comfortably and understand variables,
then move on to Web Development.

From there you need to pick a field, Frontend, Backend

and Full Stack. Frontend is everything the user interacts
with on a website, Backend is everything that happens
outside of the user and Full Stack is both. You will see a
lot of people trying to push for Full Stack, don't do it.
Start with Frontend, simply because it's what 95% of
new hires get put into. Also you need to know Frontend
to do Backend and especially Full Stack. Plus if you
focus on Frontend you will have much better skills than
someone who spreads themselves thin.

Once you are learning Frontend you will start with

HTML, CSS and JavaScript. After you get those down
you will hear a lot about frameworks. They are ways to
use a language that completely changes your workflow.
You don't have to understand what that fully means,
however just trust me on this one. The Frontend
framework you should choose is React, simply because
of it being so popular. That's a later thing, but a good
one to keep in mind.

When you are studying, I would recommend a beginner

course. There is a lot of good stuff on YouTube and
Udemy, just make sure to skim through the video and
make sure they actually explain well.

One thing to keep in mind when you start off is to be

careful about "tutorial hell". It's great to start off with
tutorials, however once you have done an in-depth
tutorial, move on to code alongs. These are basically
videos of people making a somewhat complex site and
showing you their reasoning. Once you are done with
one, try to make it on your own. Once you have done
this 2 or so times make your own projects and learn
from there.

Wish you the best and good luck.

214

[deleted] • 2y ago

This is a very good answer, OP

11

pitagorinpoucak • 2y ago

Just to add some advice for OP, you could (and

maybe should) try with The Odin Project. It's free,
designed for total beginners and up to date with
most new technologies.

only downside is that it begins with linux installation

(or if you have macbook, you're half way there) and
uses linux/macOS instead of windows, so it may be a
bit harder to start with that, but if you have at least
basic computer knowledge, it's a piece of cake to go
trough installations

19

7 more replies

bsakiag • 2y ago

everytime I start reading or watching a tutorial I

feel completely lost within half an hour

Stop before you are completely lost and do research.

Every time you encounter something unknown, read
about it.

146

gwoad • 2y ago

I cannot upvote this hard enough. Being a

professional software engineer still involves alot of
learning new things. Knowing how and when to
google is a crucial skill.

48

3 more replies

3 more replies

tillyconcarne • 2y ago

Hey, you should join 100devs, free bootcamp,

structured learning, all resources (free) you need to go
from 0 to full stack web development -
Html/CSS/JavaScript, MERN stack. It's a whole
community on Discord, from people that are just
starting to learn, to experienced developers. Lessons
used to be live on Twitch, but are also found on YouTube
(learnwithleon).

19

UpbeatCheetah7710 • 2y ago

The last cohort ended but the whole program is still

available (with classes and materials recorded), and
a big community to help. Definitely worth working
through, and it would give you a decent foundation
to get started with.

desrtfx • 2y ago
Top 1% Commenter

Thinking that I can learn coding with only a high

school education at the age of 27?

Definitely yes. You can.

I was interested in learning Python because I've

read it is beginner friendly and widely used in
multiple different programming fields.

Not the worst idea.

Use the MOOC Python Programming 2023 from the

University of Helsinki. Free, textual, proper "Introduction
to Computer Science" course, heavily practice oriented.
It doesn't get much more beginner friendly than that
course.

For the first couple parts, you don't even need to install
anything. Everything works directly from the browser.

In part 4, you will be introduced to Visual Studio Code

and Python locally on your computer - with full setup
instructions.

20

2 more replies

BakiSaN • 2y ago

I was at your spot, also worked in a job that involves

hard labor. Yeah i made it BUT being a junior is hard, i
am in process at my job where I’m being thrown into fire
and it’s hard as fuck. Atm I’d prefer to do hard labor and
sleep when i get home than take a short nap and
continue doing coding related stuff. Just so you realize
its not easy, although you already ran into it with just
tutorials

3 more replies

Fit-Information-1917 • 2y ago

Not sure if it’s been mentioned yet but if you don’t have
a computer to immediately start putting what you’re
learning into practise then you need to invest in
something pretty sharpish.

Also have a think about learning how to learn too. I have

a similar level of edumacation as you and the thing I
struggled with is just knowing how to learn new things
efficiently and making it stick. There’s loads of
resources out there on this subject and if put into
practise properly they can be super effective.

Also, 27? Mate, I’m 41 this year and just started my

learning journey last year. It’s never too late to do
anything, well unless you get hit by a bus tomorrow. If
that’s the case I’m sure you’ll have bigger things to
worry about.

Keep at it and don’t ring that bell. We all start

somewhere and develop at different rates. You will get
there if you stick at it and work hard.

4 more replies

roguebluejay • 2y ago

Get away from watching random tutorials. You need a

structured course. I'd suggest CS50p.
[Link]
programming-with-python Teaches Python with video
lectures, really great problem sets and if you like it you
can continue to CS50x, which is life changingly great.

(If you're feeling brave you can also just start with
CS50x, but that requires you to be really comfortable
with not understanding anything for a while when you
do the homework.)

r/learnprogramming • 2 yr. ago

New coder
187 upvotes · 108 comments

r/learnprogramming • 2 yr. ago

I don't enjoy coding, should I move on?

400 upvotes · 218 comments

r/videos • 10 yr. ago

How to learn to code: you are thinking about

it wrong youtu

10K upvotes · 1.3K comments

r/learnprogramming • 16 days ago

I don’t know how to feel about coding

60 upvotes · 48 comments

r/learnprogramming • 1 yr. ago

Is this a good method for me to learn coding?

1 upvote · 6 comments

r/learnprogramming • 3 yr. ago

can you learn programming by repetitive coding?

133 upvotes · 99 comments

r/learnprogramming • 8 mo. ago

Self taught learning programming languange

8 upvotes · 9 comments

r/learnprogramming • 4 yr. ago

Where and how to write and run code?

15 upvotes · 17 comments

r/GoldenSun • 5 mo. ago

#1 Mastery

158 upvotes · 13 comments

r/learnprogramming • 20 days ago

Can't find something fun to do with programming...

102 upvotes · 48 comments

r/learnprogramming • 4 yr. ago

What is the best way to become a software developer

with an unrelated Bachelors degree?
109 upvotes · 71 comments

r/cprogramming • 7 mo. ago

Good free C course?

12 upvotes · 7 comments

r/iamverysmart • 3 yr. ago

Intellectual Tirade After Questioning a

Comment

161 upvotes · 26 comments

r/learnprogramming • 6 yr. ago

How do I master programming?

7 comments

r/learnprogramming • 3 yr. ago

The magic to actually learning a programming language.

327 upvotes · 27 comments

r/learnprogramming • 1 yr. ago

What is the best way to teach yourself how to become a

software developer?
18 upvotes · 27 comments

r/Advice • 2 yr. ago

I know 22 programming languages but struggle to code.

Desperately need advice.
3 upvotes · 2 comments

r/learnpython • 2 yr. ago

Visual Studio Code Step By Step

9 upvotes · 3 comments

r/DnD • 3 yr. ago

[OC] [Art] Caterpillar of Unending Hunger

494 upvotes · 40 comments

r/learnprogramming • 2 yr. ago

Burn Out while Learning

7 upvotes · 6 comments

r/learnprogramming • 22 days ago

i understand how to program, but not how to build

anything.
131 upvotes · 84 comments

r/learnpython • 2 yr. ago

I'm struggling to retain a chunk of what I learn in a day,

any ways to improve this?
24 upvotes · 11 comments

r/learnjavascript • 2 yr. ago

I’m stuck learning js

42 upvotes · 95 comments

r/pics • 14 yr. ago

i almost wanted to take him home, but then i

realized he'd probably kill me.

99 upvotes · 33 comments

r/learnprogramming • 21 days ago

Think like a programmer

126 upvotes · 34 comments

Related discussions

Best Website For Coding

Best Coding Learning Platform

Best Coding Courses

Best Way To Learn Computer Programming

See more

TOP POSTS

Reddit

reReddit: Top posts of April 12, 2023

Reddit

reReddit: Top posts of April 2023

Reddit

reReddit: Top posts of 2023