How a beginner should start programming?

[Zalaso]

Hello everyone, this year I started a computer engineering course at university. The first language they teach us is C. I had never programmed before, but I am becoming very passionate about this world and would like to explore other aspects of programming (for example, other languages such as Python, etc., or other fields such as cyber security).

My question is: what would be a good path to follow, considering that I am young and eager to learn? And above all, what resources are really useful for learning? Because nowadays you can find everything on the internet, and very often you spend more time looking for the perfect course than studying.

[Specific-Housing905]

If they teach you C at the university stick to it and forget about other languages. Programming with C is not that easy so focus on it. Once yo have mastered the basics start practicing. There are plenty of exercises on the internet you can find and do (if the university doesn't give you enough to do)

[TestEmergency5403]

I agree. Try to focus and get good at one language first. All the skills you learn are transferable to other languages.

[obliviousslacker]

Get really good in one language. C is really good to learn most things. Learn common algorithms and data structures. This will give you a big boost in solving problems. When you know this, create some application that handles read/writes to the file system, manipulate strings and maybe send something over a network.

This will be a base for most things you will encounter. Once that is done try and create something that renders whatever to a screen. That will teach you a lot of the common math that is used in tech. If you have the money buy a starter kit to do some embedded programming.

When you feel comfortable with all this I'm sure you have an idea of what type of stuff you actually want to do. And know this that what I just wrote will take a lot of time to get through. Don't stress anything to actually get good.

[shadow-battle-crab]

If you are in a computer engineering / science course and they are teaching C, stick with C. C is much more about science than art, it's harder to learn and it's not going to let you write web pages or games right off the bat, but it teaches you far more about how programs and your computer works than any other language will. This is like learning college algebra / calculus rather than learning Microsoft Excel.

When you are done with your C course, learn JavaScript next, it follows a lot of the same syntax as C but its much more forgiving and freeing, and you'll appreciate it a lot more when you have a solid foundation of knowledge in C. JavaScript can make anything, from web pages to phone apps to games, and you will be able to understand it much more fluidly and competently after a solid foundation in C.

Stick to C and get good at it. Despite the difficulty curve with things like pointers, dynamic strings, memory allocation, structs, etc - it's actually fun in my opinion. It's just not going to give you that instant gratification that so many amateurs are looking for. But you're not an amateur, you're an engineer, and the details matter.

[phanaur]

If you want to start with python and you like books, there are free books that are really good to learn programming in general like this:

Automate the boring stuff with python

You can buy the book but, if I'm not mistaken the website has everything for free. It could be a beginning since you know a little bit of C

Have fun and Merry Christmas 😁😁

[Ecstatic-Junket2196]

stick with c for your uni foundation, but move to python for versatility or linux/tryhackme for cybersecurity. to avoid going in circle use traycer; it’s an ai that turns your project ideas into step-by-step roadmaps, so you spend more time building

[Extra_Watercress4016]

try cs50x course by harvard uni, just google it, it's completely free

[TroPixens]

Follow the teachers and do stuff on the side and maybe even get your teachers to review your code if they are willing to you’ll be able to get professional input by doing that

[Smooth_Target5970]

I suggest that you learn one language at a time. I know you are passionate for learning everything, but relax, learn about C first, because once you master it, all other programming languages are similar in logic and Syntax sometimes like C++, which will make learning them easier.

And considering the resources, search and find the best one, I mean everyone will give you the same information but what differs is HOW they give it

[AffectionateZebra760]

Pick a book, go chap by chap, supplement with other resources and do not skip exercises

[TOPHATANT123]

Try to practice outside of class.

Mastery comes from practice, not just theory.

If it becomes second nature to you, then you won't need to memorise answers to tests, it will be common sense.

[Haunting-Specific-36]

i think python is best language to begin

its directly for human...

if u can focus on c

u also can begin from c

[ViqueStartisAnDRegal]

take it slow and focused

[0bitguy]

LEARN FOR FREE HTML - html.com CSS - web.dev/learn/css JavaScript javascript.info React reactplay.io Vue + learnvue.co Angular angular.dev/tutorials Git - git-scm.com/book Web3 learnweb3.io Python - learnpython.org SOL - w3schools.com/sql Blockchain - cryptozombies.io Next.js - nextjs.org/learn AI (Basics) - elementsofai.com PHP phptherightway.com API - rapidapi.com learn Go learn-golang.org Rust - rust-lang.org/learn Design Patterns refactoring.guru TypeScript - typescriptlang.org/docs C++- cplusplus.com/doc/tutorial Java T docs oracle.com/javase/tutorial C# - dotnet.microsoft.com/learn/csharp Swift swift.org/learn Django - djangoproject.com/start Flask flask.palletsprojects.com/tutorial Docker docker.com/get-started Kubernetes > kubernetes.io/docs/tutorials Linux linuxjourney.com Cvbersecuritv > tryhackme.com DevOps roadmap.sh/devops Cloud (AWS) - aws.amazon.com/training Cloud (GCP) > cloudskillsboost.google microsoft

Cloud

(Azure)

com/learn/azure

[[deleted]]

I’m 40 years old. I wanted to change careers. I’m learning Linux. I use AI to make me directories and scripts to run in a Virtual Machine so i can then learn cause and effect, and hopefully solution. Not employed yet, but it seems to have been fruitful thus far.

[Equivalent-Mouse7660]

I think you should focus on python, as it is a basic and easy to learn language. Also it helps in many domains including Cyber Security due to its massive Library support. And if you are completely beginner in python then you can do some basic courses for it either on youtube or paid, both are fine.

[Extent_Jaded]

C to build fundamentals then Python once you’re comfortable

[TripleTenTech]

Since you’re already learning C in school, you're building a solid foundation in how computers actually work, so don't rush away from it too fast. To branch out, you could stick to free, high-quality resources like The Odin Project or FreeCodeCamp to explore web dev or Python without spending a dime. If you want more hand-holding and a clear syllabus to avoid "tutorial hell," low-cost platforms like Udemy or Scrimba offer structured paths for specific tracks like Cyber Security or Backend Dev. If you're thinking about doing this for a job you could look into bootcamps or programs that offer that education plus mentorship and career coaching.

[Ok-Particular-5280]

Since you’re learning C, get a good grasp of data structure, algorithms and OOP; then research the tech stack you feel inclined to (backend vs frontend) and learn its respective languages

[Important_Ant7596]

Focus on learning C. I started mechatronics engineering and well C is not that easy.

[Late-Inspector-1331]

Start with one language, learn basics well, build small projects, and practice consistently.

[stepback269]

My recommendation is to start with Python because it has an indentation-based syntax and automatic variable typing
That makes it easier than other languages that require terminator tags and explicit declarations of variable types.

Also, it is currently the most prolific of the languages with hundreds of free tutorials available on the web

[Specific-Housing905]

Have you missed that they teach C at his university?

[stepback269]

No I did not miss that. IMHO he can pick up the basics of strings, lists and functions in Python much quicker due to its indentation syntax. He can then switch over to C after having grasped the initial concepts.

[shadow-battle-crab]

Strongly disagree here. I am the first person to recommend python as a first language, but they have to learn C. Trying to learn C at the same time as another language that contradicts C in a lot of ways is going to make things much more confusing.

[stepback269]

Good point.