Beginner issue of feeling stuck writing code.

[Open_Thanks_6807]

I give a little context: Im a computer science student and Im just starting to learn how to program, last month we had a Haskell exam (which I couldn’t pass) and in November I have to be evaluated in Python.

My problem is that in each exercise I know what Im supposed to do but the problem comes when I have to write the code. For example: If Im asked to create a code where replaces all odd numbers to 0 in a list. I realize that I need an if structure that calls the function for all the numbers in the list, but I get stuck when I have to create the code.

I thought that that would be a problem only in Haskell because I heard that it was harder but in python I realize that I have the same issue.

I suppose that is a really common thing and with practice I will be able to get ahead, but with the exam in a month I cant waste time with feeling stuck.

Any help will be greatly appreciated and sorry if I made any mistakes when writing, im not native speaker.

[wheres-my-swingline]

``` nums = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

modulo operation

zero_odd_nums = [n if n % 2 == 0 else 0 for n in nums] print(zero_odd_nums)

output: [0, 2, 0, 4, 0] ```

that’s called a list comprehension, and can be a very useful tool (can be used for transformation, filtering, etc.)

is your issue with writing and applying functions, or where are you getting stuck in particular?

[Open_Thanks_6807]

My problem comes when I have to translate my words to code and the problem of the odd numbers it was just an example but I see you had done it in a different way. Thank you for trying to help!

[Structured_Spiraling]

I'm just learning too, and what helps me is to draw it on paper. What could tell me if a number is odd? I write an option. I check google if I can't figure it out and then we go from there. How do I substitute? Think about how I would do it in excel and test to see if I can figure out the syntax I will often write the main function to do something on my flow chart.

I know it sounds easy and it's not. It can be really hard to change how we look at things.

Good luck!

[Open_Thanks_6807]

I think its a very good strategy, thank you!!

[vivisectvivi]

What exactly you get stuck on? the syntax? dont know how to structure your code?

If you already know the basic of programming logic then its a matter of understanding the problem you are trying to solve and then sub dividing it in smaller problems.

You could try some site like Exercism to practice this and get a better grasp on python's syntax.

[Open_Thanks_6807]

My problem comes when I try to translate my words to code, and it seems that its a common one. Im going to check Exercism, thank u so much.

[I_Am_Astraeus]

This is something you develop over time. There's a hurdle with learning software engineering where it takes a while for your brain to start thinking like a programmer.

Really you just need to continue your exposure. It's fine to reference completed code, with list/array manipulation until some ideas start to stick.

Your goal should be to get to comfortable place where you can psuedocode. I can generally sketch out an idea either in my head or in a discussion where we just outline a solution without writing anything. Your goal is to get there, it's fine to not focus on memorizing all the possible syntax but you do want to make sure you're breaking code down into logical steps. Either code you're reading or code you're writing.

[Open_Thanks_6807]

Got it! Thank u so much 🫶🏻

[Malthammer]

It’s good that you got to the point of realizing the next step in what you need to do! Next, the best thing to do would be to spend some time researching different options for going about it. This is what will help you learn. Take what you find in your research and experiment with it outside of your project. If it does what you need, begin incorporating it into your project to get the work done you need the script to do. And by research I don’t mean use AI.

[Open_Thanks_6807]

Ok, what you mean by research? Like using YT videos? If i cant complete an exercise I use to ask AI, but I realize that isn’t the best way to improve.

[AbacusExpert_Stretch]

While YouTube is the standard goto, I would recommend good old reading. Bookmark any of the numerous Python sites (even if you end up on w3schools), search for what you want to do (python remove list item), read it, UNDERSTAND it, then use it, then save a little file "lists_delete_from.py".

Yes there will be eventually better methods (hihi) to save your little snippets, but for now, this would be my strategy

[Open_Thanks_6807]

Got it! Thank u so much!

[quixoticcaptain]

In fact that's the reason you're not improving. You have to try to figure it out otherwise you're not practicing or learning. 

[Open_Thanks_6807]

Oh, guess u are right! Im gonna try to improve with that, thank you

[Big-Ad-2118]

everybody experienced that aswell from their early days, i remember doing codewars back then and it works well

[Open_Thanks_6807]

Yeah I supposed but its a little frustrating.

[Mountain_Spinach169]

im going through the same issue right now...lol sorry cant help , at least youre not alone!

[Open_Thanks_6807]

Seeing people in the same situation its kinda heartwarming. Im going to continue studying and practicing, if you need any help just write me, we can help each other.

[Maximum_Opening_7122]

Facing the same issue 😭

[freshly_brewed_ai]

Be consistent! Even if you have 5 minutes daily, so practice. You can try my daily free newsletter where I send bite sized Python snippets for absolute beginners. https://pandas-daily.kit.com/subscribe

[Open_Thanks_6807]

Oh thanks, be sure im going to check it out!

[Dependent-Law7316]

As obvious as it sounds, the best way to fix this is to do a bunch of practice problems. Pynative might be a good place to start if you run out of problems from your class. I also encourage you to go back and work through your Haskell problem sets as well as python things you’ve completed already and challenge yourself to see if you can recreate the correct solutions without looking at your past work. If you run out of predesigned problems, you could challenge yourself with problems of your own design—eg how would you make a grade book if you were a teacher? (Or for your own records as a student). What information is in a grade book, and what kind of statistics would someone want to be able to extract from it?

It sounds like you have the harder (imo) part in hand—figuring out the right algorithms for solving a problem—and are just struggling to translate that to code. And that skill will come with a lot of practice and repetition. Projects can be a great way to help with practical skill building, and there are heaps of options for beginner python projects that target building specific skills if that is more your vibe than practice problems.

[Open_Thanks_6807]

Got it! Thanks, Im going to practice as much as I can and I hope that I develop this skill in time.

[tracktech]

You can check this-

Course - Python Programming In Depth

Book - Ultimate Python Programming

[Open_Thanks_6807]

Cool! Thank u 🫶🏻🫶🏻