How to Learn to Code - 8 Hard Truths

#learntocode #tech #programming

🔗 Resources

📚 Chapters

00:00 Learn to Code
00:43 1. Hard Work
01:29 2. Patterns over Syntax
02:38 3. Stop Watching
03:22 4. Stay Healthy
03:47 5. Feynman Technique
05:00 6. Dopamine Hits
05:47 7. Not Too Hard tho
06:27 8. Learn Like a Pro

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🔖 Topics Covered

Is Learning to Code hard?
Can anybody learn to code?
Tips for learning programming
Staying healthy while coding
Is coding the new literacy?
How to use the Feynman technique
What is the best programming language to start with? Python, JS, Go, Swift, or Kotlin

[ThiefmasterCH]

Waking up the next day and solving the problem immediately after having spent the night trying to solve it, is the most relatable thing I’ve ever heard.

[PrasangaBasnayake]

100% agree, hard work is more valuable than talent.

[williamm]

As a person who did struggle for 1 year to learn my first programming language, the most important thing is this:
Avoid complicated tutorials for now. Focus on learning through beginner friendly books that have interactive content. You need to know how to walk before you can run. And after you get the basics of a programming language, everything else becomes much easier.
Edit: For those asking, the books that made me learn were a) Javascript In Less Than 50 Pages and b) Head First Javascript Programming.

[squidwardstesticles]

The way I like to implement the “teach it to a 12 year old” learning method is to write notes for myself with enough detail that I can understand them long after I stopped using the knowledge. This forces me to understand the topic in the same way that’s required for teaching it to someone else (since I’m essentially teaching future me), and of course also gives me a great resource for when I want to relearn the topic

[jamesbest]

Nailed it. All points on here, just so spot on. Even down to not grinding too hard. I did that on a 2 week game jam one time where I was getting awful sleep because my mind was just constantly racing. Do 8 hours of work and then do another 8 of just working on my game. I was spiraling and near the end of it I was panicking on everything that still needed to be done.

[martincarles]

After 5 years of working as a programmer after transitioning from geology, I relate so much to everything you said in this video.
Especially the regular breaks. Even more if you're stuck on an error message

[Tazza]

All these points are pretty spot on. My biggest pitfall when I was learning to code was my defeatist attitude. I'd be discouraged majorly after finding something difficult or making some mistakes. Definitely not the best attitude to have when you're learning to develop software.

[FlavorsomeMusic]

Self-made coder, learned with youtube and experimentation, I'd add to this that you don't need education to code, if anything, education funnels you into coding styles and projects that don't necessarily appeal to you. Coding is a form of communication, and every human being communicates differently. I started with an obscure, simple language in an environment I was already invested in (code within a game), and it gave me the tools I needed to move to javascript and the transition was natural and easy once I had learned one language. Fireship here even nailed that "I want to solve that error before I go to bed", realizing you just can't at 4am, and instantly solving the issue after a good night's sleep. Am sure every coder on earth faced that at least once.

[chiroyce]

I've been watching your videos for a few weeks now and I gotta say - the best programming related YouTube channel out there. You provide us beginners with both knowledge and motivation. Thanks a lot :)

[GudJuJuTV]

Wow, as a self taught dev, you explained everything in the way I’ve always wanted to, to any family and friends who think it’s so difficult and impossible to start. Well said

[lemonposting]

This is one of the greatest videos ever. I was always complimented "how good I am at learning and making code", however, something just struck me. This whole time, I've been following the Feynman Technique without even knowing it. Incredible stuff

[shaneclark]

One thing that can definitely help is having a goal. I’ve had a few friends attempt to start coding, but not have a goal to work towards. Without a goal, you end up just kinda going in circles and eventually quit.

[vladdrus]

I've been struggling to learn code for a while with a full time job, little time, fatigue, frustration, high and low blood sugars and everything in between. This channel is the first resource I go to every time I feel my motivation and hope are fading. Thank you for all your amazing content.

[rubenuijtde]

I’m teaching my 2 best friends how to code simple algorithms, no fancy stuff
They’re loving it so far and I recommended them your channel!

[MrNight-iwmd]

You really “struck a chord” with me when you mentioned teaching to a 12 year old. I actually taught guitar for 12 years, and in doing so, I really learned the instrument on a deeper level than I would have ever imagined. Many of my students were about 12 years old. It even made me rework my entire approach to teaching advanced musical theory concepts. This is very sound advice.

[EdwinWade]

Found your channel and it feels so uplifting to hear that many other coders have struggled with learning a new language to simply don’t memorize it.
Learning at a uni, they don’t tell you how you should be learning it or teach what you should be doing and always expect so much from you as if you are already a coding guru. They make it so stressful being in this mentality it makes want to give up. “What am I doing wrong??” (In the sense)
Your tip of finding pattens though…🤔 is very handy to look out for, I never really thought of doing that. Really…thanks for the video.

[grizzlt]

I've been programming for 5-6 years now and it is absolutely mind-blowing to see that book about php5 and mysql again. It's the same book that started my journey down the programming rabbit hole and it puts a smile on my face knowing you started there too!

[carlosmspk]

Regarding point 7, there's this book called "Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less" that actually goes somewhat deep into why this "spacing effect" works (they don't actually use that term, but it's the same thing). And it's not just sleeping, it's really all about making your conscient brain not think about a given problem, and let your unconscious brain work it out. The book goes on about how this technique works much better for creative problems, like fixing a code problem, solving a math equation, and, obviously, finding creative inspiration for more artistic stuff. Also, they mention that the strategy that seems to work the best is to go on hikes/walks, but the most important thing is that you don't do these thinking about the problem, and rather just let your brain wander about all sorts of unrelated topics (kind of like meditation). Suddenly, and apparently out of the blue, an idea will suddenly strike you when you weren't even thinking about it: this never happens when you're actively thinking about a problem, or at least it will very rarely happen.

[ritchiewlc]

Not a programmer myself — but this video is golden to explain how to learn online. Love it!

[Tugboatpb]

This information applies to way more than just programming. It can be applied to trying to learn almost anything. Thank you for sharing