Here is an Account of Learning to Write Code, Sans All the Glamour

I am currently learning Python as my first programming language, and it’s freaking hard. Sure there are tons of stories going around online right now about how folks learned enough *insert random language* to build *random app* it 5 weeks and how it was all butterflies and taming unicorns. I don’t read much about how hard it was to actually go from nothing to something.

Maybe it’s just me. Maybe it’s only incredibly hard for me? I doubt it though. I think most people who write about their experiences would rather distort the learning process and give folks false hopes of how easy it all is.

What is so hard about learning to write code when you are starting with ZERO experience? Well, let’s see:

The ‘Where to Start’ Problem

Deciding which language to pick as “your first” is a major decision. There are so many available, and so much learning material for each. Should you choose a popular language like Java or C+, or something like Ruby or Python? Why are choosing that language over another one? Will the language you choose allow you to do what you think you want to?

Solution

Just pick one. Picking your first language isn’t like marriage…actually it’s just like marriage. You can make a commitment to one language and if it doesn’t work out, or you find a better option you can divorce it and move on. You’ll have the experience from the previous language to help you in your new one, and you can always go back to your ex for fling if the opportunity presents itself.

The ‘Too Many Resources’ Problem

Okay, so you’ve some how picked a language to learn. Now what? The problem isn’t that there is a lack of learning tools, books, tutorials, etc. out there, it’s knowing which to choose from the millions at your fingertips. Are some written by better programmers? Are some written by hacks who will teach you terrible habits, or outdated techniques? Is the material too advanced, and assumes you know too much to even begin with? 

Solution

Just pick one. You’ll learn something from all of them. If it isn’t working for you, look for another option. You can always seek advice online.

The ‘Now What Problem’ 

You’ve just completed your “first program”. Yay! The first few pages, days or chapters of most languages are pretty easy. You’re going through learning how to print a bunch of stuff, maybe assign some variables. This is actually good, your getting instant gratification, but that soon dries up. Maybe it’s functions or dicts or loops, but at some point you will hit a brick wall. Sure, you’ll perceiver, and conquer whatever is troubling you, but it can be incredibly difficult getting over some of these bumps. Maybe the book or tutorial you’re using is explaining something in a way that just doesn’t click with you, or there is an easier way to explain something. Remember, everyone learns differently, so knowing when to search out a new perspective on an issue can be a struggle.  

Solution

Ask someone smarter than you. But don’t just ask for the answer, ask why, or how their solution works. You don’t want to be the villager who has a fish for a day but can’t fish for himself tomorrow.

The ‘Meaning of Life’ Problem

Then of course there is the self-debt that looms it’s ugly head every now and then. Will you ever be able to learn this crap? Even if you learn what all this stuff means, what is the point? Will you ever be able to build a better *insert random app name*? Hell, do you even have an idea in your head that is worth pursuing? Or are you just learning all this for the sake of learning it? Whats the point of understanding all this if you aren’t going to put it into practice? 

Solution

I don’t have a solution for this problem. Why? Because I don’t know if I’ll ever build anything useful. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to create something worthwhile. Even though I don’t have an answer to this problem, it’s okay. I am having fun, and learning something new in the process and thats all that matters to me right now.